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Video article 7:37
The Owner of the Famous Oden Restaurant "Otafuku" in Asakusa, Tokyo Talks About the Popular Food "Oden" Which Has Been Loved by the People of Japan Since the Edo Period! You'll Be Amazed at the Selection of Oden That Can Be Found Throughout Japan!
Food & Drink- 308 plays
- YouTube
Introducing the Traditional Japanese Food "Oden"! This video, titled "ODEN – IS JAPAN COOL WASHOKU," introduces the traditional Japanese food "Oden." It was created by "ANA Global Channel." The video introduces Sakae Funadaiku (舩大工栄), the owner of the oden restaurant "Otafuku" in Asakusa, Taito ward (台東区), Tokyo. From 2:01 in the video, you can take a look at the delicious oden being served at Otafuku. What Kind of Dish Is Oden? Photo:Oden Oden dates all the way back to the Muromachi period (1336 AD-1573 AD). A dish known as "Tofu-dengaku" (豆腐田楽) became popular amongst the people of that time and eventually became the "Oden" known and loved today. Sakae Funadaiku shares more about the history of oden starting from 0:50 in the video. Oden is a comfort food that has gained popularity over the years and is commonly sold in Japanese izakaya and at food stands called "Yatai." In recent years, the number of convenience stores selling oden is on the rise. You can also purchase the ingredients yourself and prepare oden at home. There are many recipe sites online such as "Cookpad" where you can learn how to make oden. We highly recommend giving this low calorie yet highly satisfying dish a try! How To Make Oden Photo:Oden Oden is a popular hot pot dish that contains a variety of different ingredients. These often include daikon, konjac, boiled egg, atsuage (thick, deep-fried tofu), satsuma-age (deep-fried fish cakes), hanpen (pounded fish paste), tsumire (fish dumplings), ganmodoki (fried tofu fritter made with vegetables) and chikuwa (tube-shaped fish paste cake). There are some areas that also include beef sinew and chikuwabu (tube-shaped wheat cake). Slowly simmering the ingredients over a long period of time is what makes oden so delicious! Try Different Kinds of Oden All Over Japan! Photo:Shizuoka oden The seasonings and ingredients used to make oden vary depending on which area of Japan you are in, so you can enjoy comparing the different flavors of each region! You can try the Kansai-style tsuyu sauce-based oden or the characteristically dark broth of Shizuoka-style oden! In Hokkaido, it's common to eat miso oden in the summer! There is also a popular anime and story book character in Japan based on oden called Oden-kun (おでんくん)! Summary of Oden Photo:Oden This introductory video is packed full of oden footage that will leave your mouth watering! Oden can be enjoyed for either lunch or dinner as well! If you are interested in trying oden, check out some restaurant reviews and hours online and visit a restaurant to try it for yourself! The next time you go traveling in Japan, definitely check out the traditional Japanese dish "Oden" which has been loved by the Japanese people for hundreds of years! -
Video article 27:14
The Akagawa Fireworks Festival of Tsuruoka, Yamagata. This Must-See Summer Fireworks Display, Praised by Fans, Is Known as the “The Most Touching Fireworks Display in Japan”!
Festivals & Events Travel- 341 plays
- YouTube
The Akagawa Fireworks Festival This video, "4K The Most Touching Thing in Japan! 28th Akagane Fireworks Festival 2018 "Pride" -Emotional Fireworks- Akagawa Fireworks Festival (shot on Samsung NX1)"([4K] 感動日本一 ! 第28回 赤川花火大会 2018「誇り」~こころゆさぶる感動花火~ Akagawa Fireworks Festival (shot on Samsung NX1)), is a beautiful 4K video of the 2018 Akagawa Fireworks Festival "Pride," which was ranked in the top 10 of the best 100 fireworks in Japan. There were approximately 12 thousand fireworks displayed. Around 350 thousand people came to see the 2018 Akagawa Fireworks Festival, including visitors from abroad. For 27 minutes, you can watch the ending of the Akagawa Fireworks Festival, which is the climax of the program. Enjoy the summer night sky and "the most touching fireworks in Japan" with this video. Introduction to the Akagawa Fireworks Festival Photo:Akagawa Fireworks Festival The Akagawa Fireworks Festival is one big program. We'll introduce the process of the festival below, alongside the video. There are 4 parts. -Opening (Video 0:15) Kitanihon Hanabi Kougyou “Future” (BGM: Tomoni by WANIMA) -Local fireworks (Video: 3:43) Inakako Horiuchi Enkaten “Masquerade” (BGM: Dakishimetai by Mr. Children) -Light of Hope (Video: 12:06) Marugoh “Light of Eternity” (BGM: Hero by Amuro Namie) -Ending (Video 17:55) Beniya Aoki Enkaten “Moment of Miracle” (BGM: A New Day by Beverly) In each part of the large program fireworks are set off in a way that matches the music. The climax of the Akagawa Fireworks Festival is when the 700m long fireworks are set. There's was also the dramatic firework display called “Ghost Matthew and the Magical Flower” in 2018. Top class pyrotechnics from all over Japan compete to show off their skills at the national fireworks competition. There are design fireworks and traditional fireworks and it's breathtaking to see them in the night sky. Information About the Area Photo:Akagawa Akagawa Fireworks Festival is a historical and popular festival. It is a traditional event in Tsuruoka city, Yamagata prefecture and it will be held for the 30th time in 2020. On the day of the festival, there are many street stalls and the street is covered with people wearing yukata. This video is filmed from 2 locations. One is from the venue and the other is from the backside of the venue, in the field. The front side of the venue is downwind, so we recommend viewing the display from the field on the back side. You can search and look for your own viewing spots as well. Summary Photo:Akagawa Fireworks Festival It is the most popular fireworks festival in Japan! There are tours from major travel companies as well, so if you want to visit from afar, you should book a hotel and plan your schedule in advance. We hope this video has you interested in the amazing Akagawa Fireworks Festival! The details of the 2018 Akagawa Fireworks Festival is down below. Some information changes every year, so check the official homepage before visiting. ◆Information about the 2018 Akagawa Fireworks Festival◆ 【Address】30 minute walk from Uetsu Main Line Turuoka station It will be crowded on the day of the festival. There are traffic restrictions and parking fills up quickly, so we highly recommend using public transportation. There are free shuttle buses from Tsuruoka station to the official parking area. However, the official parking area is for people with box seating only. 【Date】August 18th, 2018/ Fireworks start from 7:15 pm 【Venue】Riverbed of Akagawa, Tsuruoka city, Yamagata prefecture 【Entrance fee】 Free, paid seats available. (Reservation needed for free box seat. For paid seats: F to SA class seat costs 3,000 to 24,000 Yen (~$30-$240 USD) 【Sponsor】Executive Committee of the Akagawa Fireworks Festival 【Warning】Please check out the official homepage for details about the upcoming festival. 【Tripadvisor】Akagawa Fireworks Festival https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1023682-d10019651-Reviews-Akagawa_Fireworks-Tsuruoka_Yamagata_Prefecture_Tohoku.html -
Video article 2:54
The Jonamagashi of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Are Works of Art! A Look at the Confectioneries That Express the 4 Seasons of Japan - A Feast for the Eyes and Mouth!
Food & Drink- 250 plays
- YouTube
Jonamagashi - A Popular Japanese Sweet From Kanazawa, Japan This video, titled "Jonamagashi: Kanazawa Food Culture, Seasonal Japanese Sweets|nippon.com" (上生菓子:四季を彩る金沢の菓子文化| nippon.com), was created by "nippon.com." Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture was a castle town of the Kaga domain during the Edo Period, and the traditional Japanese sweets produced here are some of the best in Japan, on par with those produced in Kyoto (京都府) and Matsue, Shimane (島根県松江市). There are three main types of Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets): Higashi (干菓子), Namagashi (生菓子), and Jonamagashi. Of these three types of wagashi, Jonamagashi is thought to have played an integral role in the development of tea ceremony culture in Japan. Kanazawa is a city steeped in culture and history, second only to Kyoto in Japan, and has a tradition of producing high quality, artistic Jonamagashi famously decorated with gold leaf. A high level of skill is required to make Jonamagashi, which is what makes them so special amongst Japanese sweets. They are a confectionary that appeals to all five senses and are a great way to celebrate the changing of the seasons. The History of Jonamagashi and Tea Ceremony Photo:Tea Ceremony Tea ceremony in Japan dates back to the Azuchi-Momoyama Period when it was systematized by Sen no Rikyu (千利休) who is considered the founder of tea ceremony. It wasn't until the 1,700's, during the genroku portion of the Edo Period, that tea ceremony really spread throughout the rest of Japan, and Kanazawa is thought to be the birthplace of Noto (能登) Jonamagashi. Tea ceremony is held based on a particular theme, and the tools used vary depending on the chosen theme. This is called "dougugumi" (道具組). Wagashi are carefully selected and only those which complement the tools used in tea ceremony are chosen. This is also taken into consideration when creating Jonamagashi, resulting in a variety of beautiful shapes and designs. Artisan wagashi makers must channel all of their skills into the creation of one type of wagashi. You can hear Ishikawa Prefecture Tea Ceremony Association representative Sosui Oshima (大島宗翠) speak more about the subject from 0:54 in the video. How To Make Jonamagashi Source :YouTube screenshot Second generation wagashi maker Hironobu Yoshihashi of the well-established wagashi store "Yoshihashi" (吉はし), which has been in business for over 70 years, is featured in the video from 1:17. Enjoy watching the skilled hands of the artisan wagashi makers. Since Japan has a very warm and humid climate, a high proportion of sugar is necessary to preserve the wagashi. However, in the past, sugar was a luxury product that could only be afforded by the rich and wealthy. A great deal of thought and care is put into the taste, texture, design and feel of Jonamagashi. Jonamagashi are often referred to as the ultimate wagashi, with an extremely high level of artistic quality. From 1:58 in the video, you can take a look at Jonamagashi which have been designed to represent each month of the year. Summary of Kanazawa's Jonamagashi Source :YouTube screenshot From 0:45 in the video, you can see "Ajisai" (紫陽花), the most famous Jonamagashi. This is one of the items available for purchase at Kanazawa's wagashi store, "Yoshihashi". You can purchase Jonamagashi from Yoshihashi by ordering online before visiting the store. Beautiful Jonamagashi from the wagashi store Yoshihashi are the perfect souvenir to take home from your trip to Kanazawa! Jonamagashi are also a great way to enjoy the changing seasons, a treat which is pleasing for both the eyes and taste buds! -
Video article 6:57
Halloween in Tokyo From the Eyes of a Foreigner! An Exciting Day of Cosplay in Shibuya!
Festivals & Events Modern Culture- 293 plays
- YouTube
Shibuya Gone Wild! Tokyo's Nightscape in a Masquerade of Colors and Costumes! Halloween has become one of October's main features in Japan, too, and in Tokyo, both Shibuya and Roppongi host a variety of Halloween events. TOKYObrah's video “HALLOWEEN IN TOKYO, JAPAN! Tokyo Halloween! Shibuya Party 4K(HALLOWEEN IN TOKYO, JAPAN! 東京ハロウィン! 渋谷パーティ 4K)” presents Shibuya’s Halloween celebrations from the eyes of a foreigner. Just watching the participants wearing their costumes is indeed a lot of fun! The Heart of Tokyo’s Halloween Is in Shibuya Photo:Halloween masquerade A crowd of dressed-up people piles up in front of the JR Shibuya train station, moving towards Shibuya Crossing. Even the Japanese, known for being shy, become open and friendly on Halloween, and people in the video often wave at the cameraman with a smile. Join Tokyo’s Halloween Parade! Source :YouTube screenshot When asked to pose for the video, many girls in their different costumes gave their best shot at it in spite of their shyness. The cameramen, too, who was dressed as Lionel Messi, managed to gather a crowd of people all dressed the same as him, with minimal effort. Wearing a costume makes it easier to open up with strangers, which is what makes Halloween so special. Other Foreigners Joined the Halloween Party, Too! Many foreigners gather in the city for Halloween, and some of them show up dressed as famous characters. The celebrations have been getting bigger and bigger every year, and this makes it easier for people from abroad to participate. Everybody chants with a smile “Happy Halloween!” and “Trick or Treat!” It’s Not Just a Halloween Costume Party! Source :YouTube screenshot Even among the more casual costumes there are some that really catch the eye, like the cute bunny girls or the TV characters from local comedy shows. The Jack Sparrow costume at 5:40 and 6:45 are really spectacular, and deserve a special mention. High quality costumes are one of the main attractions of Shibuya's Halloween, and often get featured in the news. Halloween’s Origins: The Harvest Festival The Jack-o'-lantern, Halloween’s omnipresent carved pumpkin, is a symbol everyone knows. Halloween was originally a religious celebration aimed at getting rid of the evil spirits during the harvest season, but as the years went by it shifted towards a more folkloristic event where kids dressed up in scary costumes and were rewarded with treats. In Japan, trick-or-treating was soon abandoned in favor of a costume party event for young people. Tokyo’s Halloween: Summary In Tokyo, lots of young people cosplay during the last weekend of October. As you can see from the video many people dressed as famous Japanese anime characters, while others chose more old-fashioned costumes, like witches and zombies. This is an event that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or nationality. Even though the video conveys the excitement of Shibuya’s Halloween, it's even better to experience it in person. If you’re in Tokyo in October, make sure you don't miss it! -
Video article 10:00
The Charms of Shiibayama, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in Miyazaki Prefecture! Learn About Japan's Traditional Slash and Burn Farming Techniques in This Video!
Traditional Culture Travel- 53 plays
- YouTube
Shiiba Village - A Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in Miyazaki Prefecture This video, titled "A Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System - Shiiba Village - Promotional Video (Japanese, with subtitles)" (世界農業遺産 椎葉山 魅力発信プロモーションビデオ(日本語・字幕有り)), introduces Shiiba Village, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in Miyazaki Prefecture. Food is essential for humanity. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes agriculture, forestry, and fisheries that have traditionally been passed down to ensure the stable production of food as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). In 2015, five towns and villages in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan's Kyushu region, including Shiiba Village, were recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in the Takachiho Township and Shiiba Mountain Region. Specialty Products of Shiiba Village and Characteristics of Agriculture in Miyazaki Prefecture Source :YouTube screenshot Shiiba Village in Miyazaki in Japan's Kyushu region, a place where you can feel the historical rural culture, has been recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) for its agricultural expertise, including it's traditional slash-and-burn agricultural techniques. Shiiba Village, surrounded by mountains on all sides, has a rich agricultural culture of slash-and-burn farming which involves cutting down bushes and burning the ground with flames in August. In the mild climate of Shiiba Village, many people are involved in timber production, rice cultivation, and forestry, as well as shiitake mushroom, buckwheat cultivation, and the production of Japanese beef. Thanks to the rich farmland in Shiiba Village, numerous agricultural and livestock products can be grown there. Explore the Nature-rich Shiiba Village in Miyazaki Prefecture! Photo:Ureshino Hot Spring on Shiibayama, Miyazaki Prefecture Shiiba Village in Miyazaki is a famous tourist destination thanks to Ureshino Onsen. There are many mountain villa-style lodges and nice hotels in the area, and you can relax and rid yourself of the fatigue of sightseeing. Shiiba Village is a place where you can fully appreciate the scenery of all four seasons: seasonal flowers blooming in spring, fireworks displays in summer, and forests in the neighboring areas turning red and orange in autumn. Visit the rural landscape around Shiiba Village, experience encounters with wild animals and plants, and visit the Kami-Shiiba Dam on the upper reaches of the Mimi River (耳川, Mimi-Kawa)! These are just a few of the sightseeing experiences you can enjoy in this land of rich natural beauty. Popular Festivals on Shiiba Village, Miyazaki Prefecture Photo:Shiibayama in Miyazaki Shiiba Village is also known as an area where traditional Japanese arts still remain. At the Autumn Festival in Shiiba Village, you can see events with Usu-Daiko and Yamaboshi Dances. Hietsuki-bushi Dori, a folk dance, is another exciting form of local entertainment. At the Shiiba Kagura Festival, traditional Japanese kagura is dedicated with the sound of drums and flutes. The Shiiba Heike Festival, with its Yamato-emaki Samurai Parade, is another festival worth visiting. Summary of Shiiba Village in Miyazaki, a Village Full of Charm Source :YouTube screenshot Shiiba Village in Miyazaki is truly a beautiful area where ancient Japanese traditions still remain. Enjoy a trip to the Shiibayama to see the time-honored rural landscape and traditional rituals featured in the video! 【Official Website】Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems: Takachiho Village and the Mt. Shiiba Area https://takachihogo-shiibayama-giahs.com/home-en -
Video article 3:33
Okayama Castle Attracts Many Tourists to Okayama, Okayama Prefecture With Its Beautiful Black Figure! The Historically Valuable Exhibits of the Warring States Period Are Guaranteed to Captivate!
Art & Architecture- 62 plays
- YouTube
Introducing Okayama Castle! "【Touken World】「Okayama Castle - A Castle of Swords and Armor|Armor Displays in the Castle|YouTube Video" (【刀剣ワールド】「岡山城」刀剣・甲冑に会える城|刀剣・甲冑展示の城郭 YouTube動画), released by "Virtual Sword Museum [Touken World]," is a video that introduces the popular tourist spot Okayama Castle, located in Okayama prefecture. At Okayama Castle, there many historically valuable artifacts on display, such as the popular sword "Tachi Unsho," or the armor that belonged to Hanabusa Masanari. In this article, we'll talk about Okayama Castle and the swords/armor that are exhibited inside of the castle. For those interested in Japanese history, this video is a must watch. Be sure to follow along with the video as we introduce Okayama Castle! About Okayama Castle Photo:Okayama Castle Okayama Castle is a Hirayama-type castle built in the Teikaku style. It is designated as a national historic site and stands in Kita-ku, Okayama city, Okayama prefecture. The castle was built by Ukita Hideie, a member of the Council of Five Elders of the Toyotomi family and a feudal lord in the Warring States period, under the guidance of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. The historic castle was completed in 1597 after eight years of work. The 3-layer, 6 story castle tower was burnt down during the air raids in 1945; however, it was rebuilt in 1966 and the room of the castle's lord was also restored. Okayama Castle’s castle tower is said to have been modeled after the castle tower of Oda Nobunaga’s Azuchi Castle. The base of the castle tower is unique in that it is in the shape of an irregular pentagon and its appearance changes depending on where it is viewed from. As you can see from 0:26 in the video, Okayama Castle stands on a small hill along the Asahikawa River and the river runs through the east outer moat of the castle. The characteristic of Okayama Castle is its beautiful black appearance reminiscent of a crows feathers. It is also referred to as “Crow Castle” and “Golden Crow Castle.” The stone wall of the ruins of Honmaru which can be seen from 1:31 in the video, is a valuable spot for capturing the appearance of the castle as it once was. From 1:52 in the video, you can see the legendary sword "Tachi Unsho," armor used by Hanabusa Masanari, and the armor of Ukita Hideie, Kobayakawa Hideaki, and Ikeda Terumasa. There are many things to see in Okayama Castle, such as the Moon Viewing Tower and Western Observation Tower, registered as Important Cultural Properties, and “Omoteshoin,” the biggest palatial residence within the grounds of Okayama Castle. Tourist Information for Okayama Castle Photo:Okayama Castle at night Access to Okayama Castle is as follows: To get to Okayama Castle, take the streetcar from Okayama Station toward Higashiyama, get off at the Joka stop and it's 10 minutes walking. If you are coming by car, it's a 20-minute drive from the Okayama Interchange. Admission to the castle is ¥320 for adults and ¥130 for elementary and junior high school students during the permanent exhibition period, and ¥160 for adults and ¥65 for elementary and junior high school students when exhibitions are being changed. Various events are held at Okayama Castle as well. At the “Autumn Ujo Togenkyo” event that is held every November, the castle tower of Okayama Castle and its surroundings are lit up by illuminations and you can enjoy the magical scenery. In the spring, you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms. There is a lot of information posted on the official website, including maps of the area and the annual calendar. There are also many hotels around Okayama Castle, so even if you're coming from afar for sightseeing, you shouldn't need to worry about lodging. Okayama prefecture also has a variety of local gourmet foods such as “Demi Katsu-don” and “Ebi meshi,” so you can enjoy sightseeing in the area while eating delicious food. Summary of Okayama Castle Source :YouTube screenshot "【Touken World】「Okayama Castle - A Castle of Swords and Armor|Armor Displays in the Castle|YouTube Video," released by "Virtual Sword Museum [Touken World]," introduces the allure of Okayama Castle. Okayama Castle is a black, beautiful Japanese castle. They also have illumination events where you can enjoy beautiful views. If you visit Okayama Castle, you can get a goshuin stamp to commemorate your trip to Okayama as well! 【Official Website】Okayama Castle – The Jet Black Castle That Gleams by the River https://okayama-kanko.net/ujo/english/index.html 【Tripadvisor】Okayama Castle https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298134-d323963-Reviews-Okayama_Castle-Okayama_Okayama_Prefecture_Chugoku.html -
Video article 2:48
Amazing High-Definition Images of Food and Natural Scenery in Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki Prefectures! The Diamond Route, a Vast Area of Tourism in Japan, Awaits Your Arrival!
Travel- 41 plays
- YouTube
The Diamond Route Connecting Fukushima, Tochigi and Ibaraki Prefectures This video, titled "【4K】Nature & Gastronomy : Diamond Route Japan 2019 - Fukushima, Tochigi, Ibaraki |" was released by Diamond Route Japan. Nobu Matsuhisa runs many Japanese restaurants around the world. In this video, Nobu Matsuhisa travels to Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki prefectures to review tourist attractions that are rich with local history and Japanese culture. Popular Tourist Destinations in Fukushima Prefecture Two of the best places to visit in Fukushima Prefecture are Ouchi-juku in the Minamiaizu District of Fukushima Prefecture and Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle (Tsurugajo) in Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. These two sites, both of which preserve the landscape of Japan's Edo period, attract more than a million history buffs each year. In Ouchi-juku, there are restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy the delicious local cuisine. Ouchijuku's specialty, "Takato Soba," is a unique dish in which "magari-negi" (a type of curved green onion) are used like chopsticks to eat handmade soba noodles. Kitakata ramen is another local specialty of Fukushima Prefecture. Kitakata ramen is a local dish that is loved all over Japan and is one of the three major ramen of Japan. Kitakata Ramen is a shoyu (soy sauce) flavored pork-based ramen that originated in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, and is characterized by its light flavor. Popular Sightseeing Spots in Tochigi Prefecture The most famous tourist attraction in Tochigi Prefecture is the World Heritage Site "Nikko Toshogu Shrine." Nikko Toshogu Shrine located in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, is a shrine and temple dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The shrine is steeped in history and is said to have been built in 1617. It's a famous place where visitors can enjoy historical Japanese traditions and culture. Utsunomiya gyoza is the specialty of Tochigi Prefecture. Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture is one of the largest consumers of gyoza (pot stickers) in Japan, and almost all gourmets visiting Utsunomiya City come in search of "Utsunomiya Gyoza." Utsunomiya gyoza is characterized by its high vegetable and low meat and garlic content, which gives the gyoza a better texture and richer flavor. As a result, even those who don't like the rich taste of gyoza and generally find it too heavy, can enjoy eating it. Utsunomiya gyoza is generally sold at a low price throughout Utsunomiya City, and it's often eaten like fast food in the local area. Popular Tourist Attractions in Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of Japan's premier leisure facilities for raising plants. The 500 sq. acre park is home to seasonal plants, such as tulips in the spring and sunflowers in the summer, as well as attractions like a large Ferris wheel, making it a fun facility for the whole family! Ibaraki Prefecture is home to many nationally famous local dishes, the most popular of which is natto (fermented soybeans). Mito Natto, a specialty of Mito City, Ibaraki, is a historical dish loved by the locals. Foreign tourists may have some reservations about it, but we definitely recommend trying it if you're visiting Mito, Ibaraki. Summary of the Diamond Route Connecting Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki Prefectures Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki prefectures are close to Tokyo, making them great places to visit even on a day trip. They are especially popular with tourists looking to experience Japanese history and culture. Be sure to check them out if you have the chance! -
Video article 10:47
Follow the Daily Lives of Four People Who Quietly and Earnestly Engage in Work That Can Only Be Done in Tarumi, Kagoshima. Enjoying the Unchanging Scenery of Japan and Getting in Touch With the Lives of the Locals; That's Is the Kind of Sightseeing You Can Experience Here
Local PR- 45 plays
- YouTube
A Promotional Video on Tarumizu, Kagoshima This video, titled "Tarumi, Kagoshima Prefecture Promotional Video (Winter Full Version / Japanese) 【BLESSING WINTER 4K LIFE IN TARUMIZU】," was uploaded by "Secretary and Public Relations Section, Planning and Policy Division, Tarumi City" (垂水市企画政策課秘書広報係). It's a promotional video for Tarumizu, located in northwest Osumi Peninsula. There is no tourist information in this video, just beautiful 4K imagery of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay shot via drone and made into a time-lapse. It also follows the daily lives of four people working in Tarumizu. Tarumizu in Kagoshima is located about an hours drive from Kagoshima City via the Tarumizu Ferry on Kagoshima Bay. It has a mild climate and rich nature and is a place where you can see the original landscapes of Japan. The Four People Living and Working in Tarumizu Source :YouTube screenshot Shuichi Murota introduced at 0:44 in the video, is a Japanese black beef breeder. Kentaro Yagi brews sake. He brews the traditional Kame-pot-brewed shochu "Yachiyo-den" during the cold winter. He uses fresh sweet potatoes to make them, 70% of the sweet potatoes are grown by him. He's introduced from 1:54 in the video. Shiho Murota, a painter, has revived the beautiful and intricate Satsuma buttons, which were said to be a lost art. She is introduced from 2:28 in the video. Last but not least, in the beautiful winter, at the foot of Sakurajima's sea, we see Shigeto Shinohara, an aquaculture specialist who uses Kagoshima tea and shochu grounds as food to cultivate the Tarumi City Fishery Cooperative's brand of kanpachi, "Umi no Ohkan." He is introduced from 3:17 in the video. Each of the four people talks about their commitment and love for their work, as well as their goals for the future. Beautiful Winter Scenery of Japan and Tourist Spot Information for Tarumizu, Kagoshima Photo:The Sea of Kagoshima In Kagoshima, there's Kagoshima Bay, also known as Kinko Bay, located between the Satsuma and Osumi Peninsulas. Kinko Bay, which is shown many times in the video, is a beautiful bay near Sakurajima and has been selected as one of the Top 100 Sceneries of Japan. Roadside Station Tarumizuhamabira, where you can view the beautiful Kinko Bay, was opened in November 2018. There are stores that sell local agricultural products as well as restaurants, so it's very popular among tourists. There are unusually shaped granites and large boulders at Sarugajo Valley and you can enjoy the clear flow of water here as well. There are also cottages and revitalization facilities that can be used during the winter at Sarugajo Valley Forest Path Tarumizu (猿ヶ城渓谷 森の道たるみず). In summer, many tourists come to enjoy activities such as camping, canyoning along clear streams, and shower climbing. The hot spring cottage, Enoshima Hot Spring, reminiscent of Japan's Showa era (1926 - 1989), was established 70 years ago and will warm up your body during the cold winter. The hot water from the shower and faucet is also hot spring water straight from the source. The view of Enoshima with Sakurajima as a background quite beautiful as well. Summary of Tarumizu, Kagoshima Source :YouTube screenshot Other popular sightseeing spots in Tarumizu, Kagoshima include "Takatoge Tsutsujigaoka" located at an elevation of 550 meters, where azaleas bloom in spring, and "Tarumizu Thousand Ginkgo Garden" (垂水千本イチョウ園) where approximately 1,200 ginkgo trees change color in fall. Also, in the summer, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Kinko Bay and swimming at Masakari Beach, located on the border between Kanoya and Tarumizu. Enjoy the unchanging scenery of Japan and experience the lives of the locals in Tarumizu! 【Official Website】Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture City Hall Website https://www.city.tarumizu.lg.jp/hisho/foreign-language.html 【Tripadvisor】 Tarumizu City https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1022930-Tarumizu_Kagoshima_Prefecture_Kyushu-Vacations.html -
Video article 9:57
This Sweet Grandma Passes Down a Gorgeous Festive Recipe! A Traditional Dish to Be Passed on to the Next Generation!
Food & Drink Traditional Culture- 27 plays
- YouTube
This video, titled "Grandma's Recipes|Grandma Sumiko's Osechi" (Grandma's Recipes|すみこおばあちゃんのおせち), was released by "Grandma’s Recipes." In this video, Grandma Sumiko who lives in Warabino, Kochi Prefecture, is handling a big fish. As you can see at 3:30 in the video, she stuffs the fish's belly with her original stuffing and cooks it slowly in a steamer. The video also shows her gathering her relatives together for a rice cake pounding event and cooking a special dish for a banquet. She seems very happy and cheerful as she cooks for her husband and her beloved family with all her heart and soul. Watch the video to see what a wonderful moment in the Japanese countryside looks like! -
Video article 25:00
Teppanyaki Cuisine With a View of Nagoya Castle!
Food & Drink- 35 plays
- YouTube
Teppanyaki Cuisine With a View of Nagoya Castle - Crown Teppanyaki! This video shows someone enjoying a meal at "Crown," a teppanyaki restaurant in Hotel Nagoya Castle in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. You can see Nagoya Castle from the window, and enjoy teppanyaki cuisine with fresh vegetables and Wagyu beef in an elegant setting. In this video, you can see the chef cooking on the teppan right before your eyes! Check out the video to see her amazing skills. ◆Crown Teppanyaki Store Information◆ 【Address】Hotel Nagoya Castle 11F, 3-19 Hinokuchi-cho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 【Access】Taxi: 10 minutes from Nagoya Station / Subway: An 8 minute walk from Asama-cho Station (Exit 1) on the Tsurumai Line / Shuttle bus: departs every hour from JR Nagoya Station 【Admission Fee】15000円〜 【Store Hours】11:30-14:30 (Last Order 14:00) / 17:30-21:30 (Last Order 20:30) 【Holidays】Occasional Closures 【Parking】Availableり 【Phone】052-521-2121 【Home Page】Crown Teppanyaki https://www.castle.co.jp/hnc/restaurant/crown_tpn/ 【Tabelog】Contemporary Dining Crown Teppanyaki https://tabelog.com/aichi/A2301/A230109/23069347/ -
Video article 8:15
"Setagaya" Dominates the Highly Contested Setagaya City Kannana Ramen District, and Even Idols Stop by for a Bowl of Seafood Ramen! The Thoughts of Nogizaka 46's Karin Ito as She Slurps Down Some Legendary Ramen!
Food & Drink- 17 plays
- YouTube
"Setagaya" - the Ramen Shop Dominating the Setagaya City Ramen Battlegrounds of Kannana! In this video series by "ramenwalker" they introduce ramen shops from around Japan. In this episode, Karin Ito from Nogizaka 46 is the guest, and she helps introduce Setagaya's Setagaya branch which has claimed the ramen battleground of Kannana. At Setagaya, the fragrant, curly noodles are made with a luxurious blend of domestic wheat in a rich, thick seafood soup. Setagaya has been leading in the fiercely competitive district of Kannana for 15 years. Setagaya Ramen is a perfect blend of niboshi (dried sardines), seafood flavors, and animal flavors, such as pork bones and chicken bones, and in the video they talk in detail about their commitment to excellence. ◆Setagaya Store Information◆ 【Address】2-1-2 Nozawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 【Access】A 15-20 minute walk from Komazawa Daigaku Station on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line / A Less than 1 minute walk from the Shibuya Station Tokyu Bus, Nozawa Ryuunji, Ryunn-ji 【Avg. Cost】¥1,030+ 【Hours】18:00-3:00 the following day 【Closures】Wednesdays 【Parking】There are two parking spots near the store. 【Phone】03-3418-6938 【Official Homepage】Setaga-ya https://english.setaga-ya.com/ 【Tabelog】せたが屋 https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1317/A131707/13001417/ -
Video article 2:40
Enjoy Skiing and Snowboarding at Kashimayari Snow Resort in Nagano Prefecture! Powdery Slopes and a Plethora of Facilities!
Things to Do- 21 plays
- YouTube
Introducing Kashimayari Snow Resort in Nagano Prefecture This video, titled “鹿島槍スキー場公式PV HAKUBAVALLEY kashimayari snow resort” was uploaded by “KashimayariSV.” It’s the official video for Kashimayari Snow Resort! Hakuba, located in the Japanese Alps on the outskirts of Nagano City, is one of the most popular ski areas in Japan. Kashimayari Snow Resort shown in the video is located in the easily accessible Hakuba area, and from the slopes you can see Mt. Kashimayari, Mt. Jiigatake, and other mountains located in the Northern Alps of Japan. The ski resort is full of nature, with monkeys and Japanese serows also present in the area. The slopes have plenty of high-quality snow, dynamic courses, and a park with rails and banks for snowboarding. In addition, there are restaurants, outdoor baths, and lodging facilities at Kashimayari Snow Resort. A Closer Look at Kashimayari Snow Resort! Photo:Skiing Kashimayari Snow Resort is located on the Kashimayari Kurosawa Plateau in Omachi, Nagano, and offers more than 10 different courses. At 0:32 in the video, you can see the "Ippon Buna Downhill Course." Near the end of the course is the Nakatsuna Freestyle Park, a snowboard park. You can also enjoy a longer trail with the whopping 5,000-meter-long "Long Downhill Course." There is also the "Shimasaka Kids Park" for small children and a daycare center. Alpine Inn Kashimayari is introduced at 0:59 of the video. It has a restaurant where you can eat, "Gelespo," a store you can enjoy inside the ski resort, stores where you can buy local souvenirs, and an outdoor hot spring bath on the roof where you can relax and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains. In addition, directly-managed accommodations are available, including reasonably priced dormitories and group rooms for those traveling in groups. There is also a special package deal that includes lodging at a nearby hotel and a lift ticket! Visit with your family and enjoy the luxury of a relaxing soak in the hot springs after skiing the snowy mountains. Sightseeing Information for Kashimayari Snow Resort Photo:Shinano-Omachi Station, Oito Line To get to Kashimayari Snow Resort, besides driving to the resort, you can also take a train to Shinano-Omachi Station on the Oito Line and take the free shuttle bus with no reservations required. There is also a free shuttle bus that runs from Matsumoto and Nagano if you purchase a lift ticket (reservation required). The lifts are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with night skiing also available. In addition, ski and snowboard rentals and lift tickets can be reserved online. Summary of Kashimayari Snow Resort This video introduced all the charms of Kashimayari Snow Resort in Nagano Prefecture. You might even run into Shimashika-kun, the local mascot, if you’re lucky! If you're considering visiting Kashimayari Snow Resort and want to see the facilities, slopes, etc. that it has to offer, be sure to check out the video! 【Official Website】Kashimayari Sports Village (Kashimayari Snow Resort) https://www.hakuba1.com/english/ski_resort/129 【TripAdvisor】Kashimayari Sports Village https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1021316-d2638047-Reviews-Kashimayari_Sports_Village-Omachi_Nagano_Prefecture_Koshinetsu_Chubu.html -
Video article 8:50
Not a Single Wasted Second of Knife Work! This Restaurant Has Been Processing Eels for 50 Years! A Look at the Unaju of Kiyamoura!
Food & Drink- 27 plays
- YouTube
The Eel Restaurant "Kiyomura" in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture This Video Shows the Chefs at the Eel Shop "Kiyomura" Making Unaju With Live Eel! The best thing about Kiyomura's unaju is that it's extremely cost effective. Unaju is usually priced at around 3,000 yen, but at Kiyomura you can get it for as little as 1,800 yen! In the video, you can see the live eel being flayed and skewered in one fell swoop. Be sure to check it out! ◆Kiyomura Store Information◆ 【Address】4-14-5 Mabuchi, Suruga, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 【Access】An 18-minute walk from Shizuoka Station, or 10 minutes by bus from Shizuoka Station 【Avg cost.】¥1800+ 【Hours】11:00-21:00 【Closures】None 【Parking】Available 【Phone】054-287-5045 【Tabelog】Kiyomura https://tabelog.com/en/shizuoka/A2201/A220101/22017921/ -
Video article 20:45
The Masterful Skills of a Sushi Chef Whose Signature Pose Has Been Making a Buzz Around the World! Teruzushi in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Is Excellent Not Only in Terms of Performance, but Also in Terms of Taste!
Food & Drink- 20 plays
- YouTube
Live Kuruma Prawns! a Castella-Like Tamagoyaki Made by Teruzushi in Tobata, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture This video, presented by Travel Thirsty, is a video of live kuruma prawns baked with fresh eggs, from the store to the kitchen! The restaurant featured in this video is Teruzushi, located in Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Takayoshi Watanabe, the third-generation owner of Teruzushi, makes strong facial expressions on social media, and the counter seats are quickly filled with reservations to watch him perform. However, Teruzushi is not just about striking poses, it's also a Michelin-starred restaurant. As you can see in the video, the tamagoyaki served after the sushi is made with kuruma prawns and fresh eggs, which is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to excellence. You can see chef Watanabe cutting the tamagoyaki at 19:58 in the video. When he holds it up to the camera you can see just how fluffy it is. Be sure to check out his skills in the video! ◆Teruzushi Store Information◆ 【Address】3-1-7, Sugawara, Tobata, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 804-0044, Japan 【Access】17 minutes from JR Hakata Station to JR Kokura by Shinkansen / 17 minutes by taxi from JR Kokura Station / 5 minutes by taxi from JR Tobata Station / 1514 meters from Tobata Station 【Avg. Cost】¥3000+ 【Hours】[Mon - Fri] 12:00-14:00 / 17:30-22:30 [Sat・Sun・Holidays] 12:00-14:00 / 17:30-20:00 / 20:30- 【Closures】Irregular holidays 【Parking】None ※Coin parking nearby 【Phone】090-9567-2202 【Official Homepage】Teruzushi http://terusushi.jp/ 【Tabelog】Teruzushi (照寿司) https://tabelog.com/en/fukuoka/A4004/A400402/40001637/ -
Video article 8:15
The Crazy Popular Hakata Ippudo, Famous for the Worldwide Tonkotsu Boom! Yuri Saito of Nogizaka 46 Tries a Bowl of the Ramen That's Captivated Food Connoisseurs Around the World!
Food & Drink- 16 plays
- YouTube
The Popular Ramen Shop, Hakata Ippudo This is the 100th episode in a series of videos by "ramenwalker," introducing ramen shops. In this commemorative 100th episode, they introduce the iconic Hakata Ippudo in Ginza, a charismatic ramen shop that continues to deliver delicious ramen to the world. Hakata Ippudo is a global brand of ramen that originated in Fukuoka and is one of the leading Hakata ramen restaurants. The restaurant is now expanding to other countries and has received high praise from many people. At the Ginza branch introduced in the video, the walls of the restaurant are decorated with ramen noodles and sprouts, creating an interesting and innovative design. The three reporters ordered the classic Shiromaru Moto Aji, and all three chose different degrees of hardness for their noodles. Be sure to check out the video to see the true essence of Ippudo, including their ratings and Ippudo's attention to detail. ◆Hakata Ippudo Ginze Branch Store Information◆ 【Address】4-10-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061 【Access】A 2-minute walk from Exit A7 of Higashi-Ginza Station off the Toei Asakusa Line 【Avg. Cost】¥750+ 【Hours】Mon-Thurs 11:00-2:00 the following day|Fir/Sat・The day before holidays 11:00-3:00 the following day|Holidays 11:00-1:00 the following day 【Closures】None 【Parking】None 【Phone】03-3547-1010 【Official Homepage】Hakata Ippudo Ginza Branch - 【Ippudo】| Ramen "IPPUDO" https://stores.ippudo.com/1012 【Yelp】Ippudo Ginza Branch (一風堂 銀座店) https://www.yelp.com/biz/%E4%B8%80%E9%A2%A8%E5%A0%82-%E9%8A%80%E5%BA%A7%E5%BA%97-%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E5%8C%BA-4?osq=hakata+ippudo -
Video article 5:27
The Fluffy, Artistic Omelets of Japan! Don't Miss This Super Rare Video Showing the Omelet Recipe of Kichi Kichi Omurice, a Famous Restaurant That Requires Reservations to Eat At!
Food & Drink- 217 plays
- YouTube
The Divine Craftsmanship of the Super-Famous "Kichi Kichi Omurice"! This is a video created by "Sushi Bomber TV Cooking Frontline" that introduces an omelet recipe made by the famous chef of the super-famous restaurant “Kichi Kichi Omurice.” “Omurice” is a national dish that was born in a Japanese Western restaurant during the Meiji era (1868-1912 AD) and is favored by many Japanese. The recipe introduced here is an omelet from “Kichi Kichi Omurice" in Nakagyo ward, in Kyoto City that uses a special demiglace sauce. You can see the cooking process of Kichi Kichi Omurice's omelet, which has been featured on many TV programs, in this under-5-minute video. Don't miss the ultimate omelet introduction video that'll make your mouth water! The Recipe for the Famous Fluffy Omelet Is Open to the Public! Source :YouTube screenshot Kichi Kichi Omurice's specialty is the omelet, but it's no exaggeration to say that the chef's talk is another highlight of the experience. Also in this video, the chef explains how to make it. First, you fry the ingredients. When the frying pan warms up, add the chicken and fry it, raise the flame, fry the chicken, and saute some onions. This can be seen at 0:06 of the video. After that, add ingredients like green soybeans, which are rare in most omelets, boiled mushrooms, and after stir-frying, add rice to fermented butter, salt pepper and black pepper. After seasoning the rice, placing it in a mold and placing it on a plate, you've got an omelet that both looks and smells amazing. This can be seen from 3:07 in the video. The food is of course delicious, but the chef's light-hearted banter is what keeps customers coming back for more. Look at Those Quick Hands! The Climax Is a Fluffy Egg! Photo:Omelet Once the rice is ready, it is time for the climax, the egg. The making of the eggs starts at 3:27. Spray vegetable oil on a frying pan and put in plenty of eggs. Mix the eggs quickly so that they do not burn. The omelet is shaped properly with fast, yet delicate hands. When the egg is completed, put it on the chicken rice and here comes the climax. Now, here is the biggest highlight of this video! Check out 4:31 in the video to see it! When you cut the egg with a kitchen knife, the fluffy simmering eggs flow like a waterfall! Finally, add the demiglace sauce full of umami and parsley and you're done! Summary of the Ultimate Omelet! Source :YouTube screenshot Watching this video, you'll want to go to Kichi Kichi Omurice when you visit Kyoto. Although Japanese food has a strong image of Japanese food, there are many famous restaurants and chefs in Japan who serve Western food that is second to none. The price of Kichi Kichi Omurice’s omelet is 2700 yen (~$27 USD)! The shop is easily accessed, as it's only about 5 minutes from Sanjo / Kawaramachi Station in the center of Kyoto. There is no parking so we recommend going by public transport. Also, don't forget to make a reservation on the homepage, since Kichi Kichi Omurice is reservation only! The video features a very tasty omelette recipe, so be careful watching it when you're hungry! ◆ The Western Restaurant Kichi Kichi Omurice ◆ Store Overview ◆ 【Address】185-4 Zaimokucho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 604-8017, Japan 【Access】5 minutes by foot from Keihan Sanjo Station 【Hours】From 17:00 to 21:00 【Closures】Irregular holidays 【Parking】None 【Telephone No】075-211-1484 【Tripadvisor】Kichi Kichi Omurice https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14124519-d3788825-Reviews-The_Youshokuya_Kichi_Kichi-Nakagyo_Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html 【Yelp】 Kichi Kichi Omurice https://www.yelp.com/biz/%E3%82%B6-%E6%B4%8B%E9%A3%9F%E5%B1%8B-%E3%82%AD%E3%83%81%E3%82%AD%E3%83%81-%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%B8%82-2 -
Video article 15:04
Ika Odori Don - The Dish That Keeps on Dancing After It’s Served! If You Like Squid Then This Dish Is Right up Your Alley!
Food & Drink- 345 plays
- YouTube
A Look at the Popular Squid Dish From Hakodate, Hokkaido This video, titled "Japanese Street Food - DANCING SQUID SASHIMI Hakodate Japan Seafood," was released by "Travel Thirsty." Squid is a common dish in Japan, but around the world, squid is generally only eaten in Asia, the Americas, and Mediterranean regions such as Italy, while countries where squid is eaten as sashimi are limited to Japan and Korea. In Europe, squid and octopus are generally avoided because of their grotesque appearance, but as Japanese food has become more popular around the world, they have slowly come to be accepted. The setting for this video is a food stall-style restaurant called "Tabiji" located in "Ekini Market" in Hakodate, Hokkaido. The restaurant serves squid and other fresh seafood dishes. Hakodate is popular for its wide variety of seafood dishes, and we recommend the squid dish shown in the video. The highlight of the restaurant is the fresh squid caught in the squid fishing pool inside the restaurant, which is processed and made into sashimi or ika odori don (a dancing squid rice bowl). You might be thinking "eating live squid is cruel," but don't worry, all the squid dishes served here are properly processed and the squid is in fact not live! You can also try other seafood, including various seafood bowls and sashimi. Squid Is a Common Dish in Japan, but How Much Do You Know About Its Biology? Photo:Squid For Japanese people, squid is a dish that can be eaten on a daily basis in a variety of delicious recipes. However, very few people know about the biology of squid, so let's learn a little about them here. Squid are marine mollusks, and as they are nocturnal animals, squid fishing is done at night. The main edible species, such as the Japanese common squid/Japanese flying squid and heterololigo (spear squid), are found in groups. Squid are often thought to have ten legs, but in fact they have eight, the same number as octopus, and the other two are actually tentacles and act as arms. Squid have a more developed muscle and nervous system than other marine organisms, making them one of the top ecosystems in the ocean. There are a variety of species, from the tiny firefly squid measuring only 2 cm in length to the giant squid measuring over 20 meters in length. Squid is a healthy food that is rich in nutrients such as vitamin E, taurine, amino acids, zinc, DHA and EPA. Fresh Squid Recipes Photo:Ika somen In other countries, squid is mainly eaten as fritters, but since Japan is the world's largest consumer of squid, many delicious recipes have been developed throughout the years. Ekini Morning Market, shown in the video, is known as the pioneer of squid fishing pools, where customers fish for squid in a small "pond" and the squid is prepared on the spot. You can see the squid fishing pool from 0:36 in the video. The best way to eat fresh squid is as sashimi! To cut squid, cut along the body and separate the body from the legs. The legs have suckers, a sharp beak, and innards, so carefully separate them with a knife so that the innards are not crushed. From there, cut the body of the squid into thin strips with a knife to make ika somen (squid noodles), a classic squid dish. You can see ika somen being prepared at 2:51 in the video. Fresh squid sashimi is very firm and chewy. The innards of the squid can also be eaten as sashimi, but the best way to eat them is to add salt, crush it, and marinate the squid slices overnight. It can also be cooked in any other preferred method, such as simmered squid and taro, dried squid, or stir-fried. In the video, the freshly processed squid is still moving on the plate, and at 11:57 you can see the squid's legs desperately clinging to the plate with its suckers. Summary of the Squid at Ekini Market in Hakodate, Hokkaido Photo:Japanese common squid At 12:54, towards the end of the video, you can see a delicious squid bowl with ika somen noodles, a generous amount of salmon roe, and a freshly processed squid. When you pour soy sauce on the squid the body will start to move and you might feel a little sorry for them, but just remember that they're not live, they're just as fresh as they can be. There are many rich squid fishing grounds in the seas around Japan, and the season varies for different types of squid: January to May is the best time to catch spear squid, and June to December is the best time to catch Japanese common squid. If you’re visiting Hakodate be sure to enjoy all of the delicious, fresh seafood the city has to offer! ◆Hakodate Morning Market – Ekini Market|General Information◆ 【Address】9-19 Wakamatsucho, Hakodate 040-0063 Hokkaido 【Access】Approximately 20 minutes from Hakodate Airport via car or taxi 【Hours】May – Oct. 5:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M., Nov. – Apr. 6:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. 【Closures】The third Sunday of each month, July, Sept., Dec. no closures 【Parking】Available (New Ohte Rooftop Parking) 【Telephone】0138-22-5330 【Tripadvisor】Hakodate Morning Market Ekini Market (駅ニ市場) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298151-d3210230-Reviews-Ekini_Market-Hakodate_Hokkaido.html -
Video article 7:24
When It Comes to Hakata Ramen, Nothing Beats the World-Renown Shop "Hakata Ippudo" in Fukuoka Prefecture. The Story Behind the Delicious Hakata Ippudo; A Must-See for Food Connoisseurs!
Food & Drink Celebrities- 74 plays
- YouTube
An Interview With the Founder of Hakata Ippudo This video shows an interview of Kawahara Shigemi, the founder of the leading ramen shop “Hakata Ippudo.” Source :This article Video Ever since it was first founded in the Chuo ward of Fukuoka city in 1985, it has been extremely popular, managing to become a large chain with shops not only across Japan, but also overseas, in places like New York and Singapore. What does Kawahara Shigemi's beloved ramen taste like? This article presents just a handful of the information shown in the video, so be sure to watch the video to hear all about the founder's thoughts. Hakata Ippudo and the Emergence of Ramen as Japanese Cuisine Source :This article Video Ramen has always had an air of insidiousness. Because of this, young people and women were often hesitant to enter ramen shops. Kawahara Shigemi opened his ramen shop with a stylish restaurant-bar-like atmosphere to make ramen more popular as Japanese food. The birth of Hakata Ippudo has made ramen an integral part of Japanese food culture for a younger generation of gourmet fans. All of Hakata Ippudo's ramen shops are modern and stylish. But they are also traditional in many ways, indicating that ramen is a part of Japan's unique culture. The Commitment of Hakata Ippudo Source :This article Video Kawahara Shigemi's commitment to ramen can be seen in various aspects such as the soup, the method of making the noodles, the ingredients, and the seasonings. The soup was intended to be a kind of potage, and taking more than 20 hours to cook, it took the Japanese food industry by surprise. For the noodles, Hakata Ippudo insisted on using homemade noodles, a rarity at the time of its founding. The noodles are crisp and thin enough to match the thick broth of the tonkotsu ramen. The characteristically light, thin noodles pairs well with the thick pork-based soup. “Hakata Ippudo” let the world know that ramen is a Japanese cuisine. It was New York, one of the largest cities in the world, where Kawahara Shigemi chose to begin his global expansion. Initially, the ramen was made using the same recipe as the one made in Japan, but it was rearranged in various ways to suit foreign palates. In 2019, he opened a restaurant in Shinjuku that specializes in "Tonkotsu-style ramen," but was a halal dish that does'nt use any pork bones. Muslims, who are religiously forbidden to eat meat, can safely eat it and it has fewer calories as well. Through these various efforts, ramen has become a Japanese cuisine throughout the world. Ramen Continues to Expand Both in Japan and Abroad. Source :This article Video Ramen now ranks among the top recommended gourmet foods in Japanese cuisine. Many foreigners come to Japan to eat authentic ramen. Some areas famous for ramen in Japan, such as Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Fukuoka, have ramen shops everywhere. Shoyu ramen, shio ramen, miso ramen, tonkotsu ramen, toripaitan ramen, tsukemen, and abura soba are just a few of the many local ramen dishes you can try when you come to Japan. The toppings, such as chashu, menma (bamboo shoots), and broth, vary depending on the type of ramen and the restaurant, so we highly recommend walking around and trying out different types. Summary “Hakata Ippudo” Kawahara Shigemi mentions in the video that, a future where ramen is slurped up by people all over the world, is coming. The Japanese have a very distinct way of eating ramen that involves slurping while making a loud sucking noise. This may be considered rude in other countries, but in Japan it is done to let the Chef known that you enjoy his ramen, and it also enhances the flavor. Ramen is a relatively new addition to the history of Japanese food, and only recently has it become a part of everyone's daily diet. But it's no stretch of the imagination to say that ramen is the most beloved Japanese food in the world. Be sure to check out the video to learn the history of ramen in Japan and the commitment of Ippudo. ◆Ipuudo, Daimyo Main Shop・Store Overview◆ 【Address】1-13-14 Daimyo, Chuo, Fukuoka 810-0041 Fukuoka Prefecture 【Access】A 7-minute walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line 【Hours】 *Monday-Thursday/11:00-23:00 *Fridays and before holidays/11:00-24:00 *Saturdays/10:30-24:00 *Sundays and national holidays/10:30 - 23:00 【Closures】None 【Parking】None 【Telephone】092-771-0880 【Official Website】Ippudo Daimyo Main Shop http://www.multilingual.ippudo.com/en/ 【yelp】 Ippudo Daimyo Main Shop https://www.yelp.com/biz/%E4%B8%80%E9%A2%A8%E5%A0%82-%E5%A4%A7%E5%90%8D%E5%BA%97-%E7%A6%8F%E5%B2%A1%E5%B8%82-4?hrid=tuv7B1SA1HCqHY2AAdx6Kg -
Video article 3:01
Yu Akari – Experience the Stunning Winter Illumination at Kurokawa Onsen via Video! Discover the Fantastical Atmosphere That Warmly Embraces Visitors to Kumamoto Prefecture, and the Passion of the People of Kurokawa!
Festivals & Events Travel Hotel & Japanese Inn- 142 plays
- YouTube
Yu Akari – A Winter Illumination at Kurokawa Onsen: Video Introduction This video, titled "Yu Akari 10-Year Anniversary Video" (湯あかり10周年記念動画), was uploaded by "Minamioguni Tourist Association" (南小国町観光協会). This video chronicles the 10-year history of Yu Akari at Kurokawa Onsen in Aso, Kumamoto, in Japan's Kyushu region, starting from the winter of 2012 through 2022. Yu Akari – A Winter Tradition at Kurokawa Onsen Photo:A hot spring inn at Kurokawa Onsen Yu Akari began after the head of the Kurokawa Onsen Tourism Association, noticing that winter in Kurokawa was slow, decided to create an event that visitors could enjoy during the winter months as well. The video shows the tranquil scenery of Kurokawa Onsen during winter. [Video] 0:20 - Snow Falling and the Beautiful Sound of a Murmuring River In modern Japan, dilapidated bamboo groves are becoming a problem all over the country. Kurokawa Onsen is no exception. The number of abandoned bamboo groves has been increasing, and is a constant source of concern. Under such circumstances, Kurokawa Onsen made efforts to thin out and regenerate the bamboo forests in order to maintain the beautiful satoyama environment. The new tourist attraction Yu Akari is a part of these activities to combat dilapidated bamboo groves. In 2022, Yu Akari celebrated its 10th anniversary and is now spreading throughout the town of Minamioguni. Starting something new is not an easy task in a tourist attraction known for its history, and sustaining it can be even more difficult. In Kurokawa Onsen, the younger generation has taken over the tradition of Kurokawa Onsen, with the strength from their predecessors, and has continued to create, nurture, and grow Yu Akari as a community. Photo:Yu Akari, Kurokawa Onsen Yu Akari is an event in which bamboo lanterns of various shapes and sizes are lit up throughout the town. They are positioned and illuminated so that they blend in with the natural landscape of the town, such as along the river and at shrines. The faint illuminations blend into the cold winter air and have become popular in recent years for their photogenic nature. You can see the director of the Kurokawa Onsen Tourism Association talking about the philosophy of the hot spring in the video. [Video] 0:52 - Kurokawa Onsen – One Ryokan for the Entire Community Event Dates and Illumination Hours for Kurokawa Onsen's Yu Akari Photo:Yu Akari, Kurokawa Onsen For its 10-year anniversary, the event ran from Saturday, December 18, 2021 to Sunday, April 3, 2022. Illumination hours are from sunset to 10 p.m. Lights can be seen at several locations, including Marusuzu Bridge to Kawabata Street (川端通り, Kawabata-dori), near Yamabiko Ryokan (やまびこ旅館), Jizo Hall (地蔵堂, Jizo-dou), the Ryokan Association (旅館組合, Ryokan Kumiai), Kurokawa Onsen Bus Stop (黒川温泉バス停, Kurokawa Onsen Basu-tei), and Kurokawa Shrine (黒川温泉明神様, Kurokawa Onsen Myojin-sama). Many couples can be seen enjoying an evening stroll, making it a sort of winter tradition in Kurokawa Onsen. The illumination event is generally held from around Christmas to the end of March, so be sure to check it out if you're visiting the area. Enjoy the Breathtaking Illumination With a Stay at a Traditional Japanese Inn Photo:Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture Kurokawa Onsen has a number of highly recommended hot spring resorts that are popular for their photogenic views. Below we'll introduce a few of them (in no particular order). Please contact the inns directly for information on accommodations and reservations during the Yu Akari illumination event. Kurokawa Onsen – Yamabiko Ryokan This inn is popular for its large open-air rock baths, referred to as "Sen'ninburo" (仙人風呂, "Immortal Baths"). There are also popular private baths that can be used freely and without charge. The dining space has tatami mats, sunken kotatsu, and standard tables for guests to choose from. The meals are centered on cuisine utilizing fresh, natural ingredients from the local mountains. Kurokawa Onsen – Ikoi Ryokan An inn famous for its hot springs which are said to promote beauty. It's also conveniently located near the hot spring resort. The meals consist of healthy Japanese cuisine using local vegetables harvested at the inn's private farm. Ryokan Kounoyu Ryokan Kounoyu has the deepest standing bath in Japan at 1.6 meters deep. All 9 guest rooms are detached from the main building, and all have open-air baths with free-flowing hot-spring water. Meals are prepared with an emphasis on local production for local consumption. Summary of Kurokawa Onsen's Winter Illumination, Yu Akari At Kurokawa Onsen, there are also hot spring tickets called "Nyuto Tegata" (入湯手形), which are valid for six months and allow visitors to choose three of the 27 open-air baths to bathe in during the six-month period. Since you can visit the baths on a day trip without staying overnight, these tickets are popular among hot spring lovers and people interested in the architecture of the hot spring inns, and you can even take one home as a souvenir. Of course, there are many other things to enjoy besides hot springs! While touring the hot springs, we recommend eating around the area as well. You can enjoy relaxing hot springs and delicious local cuisine at the same time. Hopefully this information on Kurokawa Onsen's Yu Akari illumination, including hot spring inns, and tourist information on hot spring tickets, is useful for your visit to Kurokawa Onsen. Be sure to research popular inns and event information for Yu Akari before your visit! 【Official Website】Kurokawa Onsen Official Website|A Hot Spring Resort in Aso, Kumamoto 【TripAdvisor】Kurokawa Onsen -
Video article 5:31
Feel the Excitement at Japan's Newly Opened Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture! Learn About Free Areas + How to Get Souvenirs Without Tickets!
Travel Things to Do- 46 plays
- YouTube
Free Areas Inside Ghibli Park: Video Introduction This video, titled "Ghibli Park - Want to Go Without a Ticket? Learn About Free Areas You Can Enjoy (November 1, 2022)" (「ジブリパーク」チケットなしでも行きたい!無料で楽しめるスポットも【あらいーな】(2022年11月1日)), was uploaded by "ANNnewsCH." Ghibli Park is a theme park opened by Studio Ghibli in November 2022, and is located at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) in Nagakute, Aichi. As the park states, "It's a park that expresses the world of Ghibli, created together with the forest," and there are no major attractions or rides. However, it's a dreamlike place, and as you walk around and explore the lush greenery of the park, you'll have chances to meet popular characters like Totoro! Each area requires a reservation and a ticket for a specific date and time, but there are also free areas that can be enjoyed without a ticket. Be sure to read along to learn more about the free areas at Ghibli Park. How to Buy Tickets for Ghibli Park in 2022 Source :YouTube screenshot Ghibli Park opened on November 1, 2022. There are free areas, but designated areas require a ticket for a specific date and time, which must be reserved in advance. As initially anticipated, the park has been extremely popular, and as of mid-November 2022, tickets for January 2023 are already hard to come by. The ticket sales process has changed for the February 2023 admission, which went on sale on November 10, 2023. The lottery system will end and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis from the 10th of each month until the day of admission. In addition to Boo-Woo tickets, which are purchased online, tickets can also be purchased with Loppi terminals at Lawson and Ministop convenience stores across Japan. ※Please check the official website for ticket types, admission time slots, and prices. Introducing Free Areas at Ghibli Park + Other Highlights Source :YouTube screenshot Naturally, some people are going to be disappointed that they couldn't get tickets. However, Ghibli Park also has many areas where visitors can have fun for free. You can even get some popular Ghibli souvenirs! Let's check out some of the exciting free areas below. ◆Ghibli Park Main Gate The Main Gate can be found right after you get off at the nearest station, Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station. There are Ghibli Park logos on the pillars of the gate, making it a popular photo spot for instagrammers. ◆Rotanda Kazegaoka Rotunda Kazegaoka is a round-shaped building located beyond the main gate of Ghibli Park. In addition to a café with a Japanese-style interior where you can enjoy light meals, Ghibli goods and souvenirs are also available for purchase. Source :YouTube screenshot ◆Elevator Tower The Elevator Tower is inspired by the imaginary scientific world of the late 19th century, like Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle, and visitors can experience the world of Ghibli while riding the elevator. The composition with the light from the street lamps at dusk and the elevator tower is sure to be great for taking photos! [Video] 2:18 - Elevator Tower ◆World Emporium in the Hill of Youth Area The World Emporium is located in the Hill of Youth area and was featured in the movie Whisper of the Heart. Although a reservation ticket is required to enter the building, the exterior of the building can be enjoyed without a ticket, so be sure to take some photos. Don't miss the small building next to it, the office of the cat from "The Cat Returns." ◆The Cave Under the World Emporium in the Hill of Youth Area Do you remember the scene in Whisper of the Heart where the main character searches for a jewel in a tunnel while dreaming? This is the spot where that cave is recreated, and the countless shining stones are simply beautiful. [Video] 3:40 - The Cave Under the World Emporium ◆The 'Lost Article Benches' at Ghibli Park Several of the benches in the park are decorated with objects that resemble lost articles of characters from Ghibli's works. There are 15 "Lost Article Benches" in the park, so visitors can have fun strolling around the park while searching for them. [Video] 2:55 - A "Lost Article Bench" With a Student Bags and Cap, Themed After "From Up on Poppy Hill" ◆The Red Gate The Red Gate was relocated and restored from a traditional Japanese-style restaurant in Nagoya City. Inside the gate, which fits perfectly with the world of Spirited Away, is a statue of a stone man from the scene at the beginning of the movie where Chihiro wanders into the mysterious town. Visitors can also enjoy this statue free of charge and are encouraged to take pictures with it. ◆Satsuki and Mei's House The Dondokoro Forest area, where Satsuki and May's house from "My Neighbor Totoro" is located, requires a reserved ticket for a specific date and time, but you can see the exterior from the free area with an elevator building in the vicinity. ◆Dondoko-doro Located at the entrance of the Dondoko Forest Area, Dondoko-doro is a souvenir shop open to everyone free of charge. The shop sells many goods related to My Neighbor Totoro, which will have you picking up souvenirs left and right! [Video] 4:18 - Dondoko-doro Popular Ghibli Goods & Souvenirs at Ghibli Park's Free Areas Source :YouTube screenshot There are two places in the free areas where you can buy souvenirs of Ghibli goods: Rotunda Kazegaoka and Dondoko-dokoro. Here are some popular souvenirs available at each. Lots of limited-edition goods full of ingenuity based on Ghibli works can be found in the shops! Be sure to pick up a souvenir to commemorate your visit. [Rotunda Kazegaoka] ※Tax-included prices as of November 2022. Straw hat (Mei Kusakabe, Tatsuo Kusakabe, Ursula, Sophie, Shizuku Tsukishima) 3,300 yen+ Frixion ballpoint pen: 1,320 yen Limex pens (pink and blue): 550 yen each Plantable pencils (11 types including Daisy, Sunflower, Basil, etc.): 715 yen each Wooden ruler: 495 yen Kodama moss pet: 1,540 yen Porco Rosso Savoia soft glider: 825 yen Levistone soap bubbles: 770 yen Teacups: 1,320 yen Hand towels: 1100 yen Pin badges: 715 yen Stickers: 385 yen [Dondoko-dokoro] ※Prices include tax as of November 2022. Dondoko candy: 540 yen Dondoko umbrellas: 1980 yen+ Bench-patterned vinyl umbrella 2200 yen ※Limited to Rotunda Kazegaoka Hand towels: 2,200 yen Bird calls: 1980 yen Very ordinary ramune 200 yen Also, Breitling's limited edition Porco Rosso-themed wristwatch, a popular souvenir at Ghibli Park, costs 1,199,000 yen (tax included)! It appears to be available at the store in Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop. Enjoy Ghibli-Themed Lunches at Ghibli Park! Introducing Cafes Where You Can Enjoy Lunch and Tea Time Source :YouTube screenshot There are three places to eat and drink in Ghibli Park: Transcontinental Flight Cafe, Dagashi Nekokaburi Hime, and Milk Stand Sibelli An in Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop. The concept of Transcontinental Flight Cafe was inspired by the image of guests resting their wings after exploring Ghibli's Grand Warehouse Shop. The menu features sandwiches, pizza, and sweets inspired by foods that require only one hand to eat while flying, just like the many long-distance flight pilots in Ghibli's works. The highly reputed sandwiches come with 10 different types of flags with randomly chosen illustrations drawn by Hayao Miyazaki. Many people want to collect all of them as souvenirs, making the sandwiches very popular with visitors. [Video] 1:21 - Transcontinental Flight Café In addition to nostalgic old-fashioned sweets, the "very ordinary ramune" with a label designed by director Goro Miyazaki is also popular at Dagashi Nekokaburi Hime, which resembles a retro Showa-period shopping arcade. At the kiosk-style store Milk Stand Sibelli An, visitors can enjoy "Sibera," a triangular snack made of sponge cake and yokan (a traditional Japanese confection made from red bean paste), which was eaten by Jiro Horikoshi, the main character in the film The Wind Rises. If you're feeling hungry after walking around the spacious park, consider relaxing with some tasty sweets! Summary of Free Areas at Ghibli Park You might have thought that a theme park should have attractions and rides, but this Ghibli theme park has an awesome atmosphere without them! Many fans of Ghibli have commented on this as well, saying how they love the park's natural setting and the atmosphere. Ghibli lovers and even those who are not familiar with Ghibli are sure to have a wonderful time at the park, which shows Studio Ghibli's attitude of respecting nature. If you watched Ghibli movies growing up, you'll definitely get a blast of nostalgia here! If you can't get tickets, be sure to check out these free spots! 【Official Website】Ghibli Park 【TripAdvisor】Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park -
Video article 17:09
The Cute Monkeys of Nagano Prefecture's Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park as They Bathe in the Hot Springs Are Nothing Short of Adorable! Watch These Cute Macaques Fend off the Cold in This Video!
Living Things Travel- 456 plays
- YouTube
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park! This video, titled "SNOW MONKEY JAPAN|Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park|Monkeys in Hot Springs," introduces the tourist spot in Nagano prefecture (長野県, Nagano ken) in Koushinetsu region (甲信越地方, Koushinetsu chihou ) of Japan. The monkeys at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park bathe in the hot springs to fend off the cold in the winter. Enjoy watching the lovely monkeys chilling out in the cold winter weather! What is Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park? Source :YouTube screenshot Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is a popular destination for both domestic and foreign travelers. It's called "Snow Monkey Mountain" in English. The park can be enjoyed in every season, and in the fall, the leaves change to beautiful shades of red and yellow, creating a completely different atmosphere than that of the snowscapes of winter. The video shows how to get to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park by taking the Nagano Electric Railway's Snow Monkey Limited Express (長野電鉄特急スノーモンキー, Nagano Dentetsu Tokkyu Snow Monkey) connecting Nagano station and Yudanaka station, at 0:27 in the video. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the Kanbayashi hot spring (上林温泉, Kanbayashi Onsen) parking area by bus, and about 30 minutes to get to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park by foot. We recommend stopping at Yokoyugawa Valley (横湯川渓谷, Yokoyugawa Keikoku) on the way. You need to buy a ticket to enter when you arrive at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. This is shown at 3:36 in the video. Source :YouTube screenshot At Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, you can enjoy watching a bunch of monkeys playing around. When they get cold, they hop in the hot springs for a bit to warm up. Unfortunately, if it's hot out, the monkeys won't be getting in the hot springs too frequently. That being said, we recommend visiting on colder days so you can see the adorable sight of them bathing. There are live cameras you can check out before visiting to see what the weather is like as well. Monkeys Bathing at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Photo:Snow monkey You can watch monkeys taking a bath in the video at 4:38. A troop of monkeys bathe in the springs, surrounded by white snow. The monkeys enjoy their bath time much like people, and you can even see a mother and her child taking a bath together at 5:06. One monkey can be seen relaxing with its eyes closed at 6:30 in the video. Although there are many tourists around, the monkeys pay no mind and go on enjoying themselves. Sightseeing Around Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park The bus tour, which goes around Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, is great for people who enjoy lively sightseeing trips. We also recommend stopping by Jigokudani Hot Spring Inn (地獄谷温泉後楽館, Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan) and Jigokudani Fountain (地獄谷噴泉, Jigokudani Funsen) as well. Shiga Plateau (志賀高原, Shiga Kougen) is another popular tourist spot in Nagano prefecture. There are cafés where you can eat lunch, cool hotels, and an art museum that you can enjoy here. Summary of Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Photo:Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Entrance Unfortunately the only way to get to Jidokudani Snow Monkey Park is to walk the promenade from the parking area to the park itself. It takes about 30 minutes, so we highly recommend wearing comfortable clothing. There are some rules that you need to follow as not to scare the monkeys, so be sure to check those out as well. There are many places to stay near Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, so if you're planning on staying over night you'll have no trouble finding a place to stay. Are you ready to see some cute monkeys in person? ◆Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park◆ 【Address】6845 Yamanouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun Nagano Japan 381-0401 【Access】~30 minutes by car from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange, or ~15 minutes by bus or taxi from Yudanaka Station on the Nagano Electric Railway limited express line. ~30 minutes on foot from the Kanbayashi hot spring parking area 【Hours】Summer 8:30-17:00 Winter 9:00-16:00 【Admission fee】Adults 500 JPY, children 250 JPY (Coupons available) 【Closures】No regular holidays 【Telephone】0269-33-4379 【Stay time】2 hours 【Official Website】Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park http://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/ 【Tripadvisor】Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1117904-d324924-Reviews-Jigokudani_Snow_Monkey_Park -
Video article 5:59
High-Speed Mochi Pounding by Japan's Fastest Mochi Master
Food & Drink Celebrities- 292 plays
- YouTube
The Whole World Is Watching! The Amazing Technique of ‘High-Speed Mochi Pounding’! Japanese food culture, ‘Washoku’ was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and is currently gaining attention worldwide. Recently, Japan has been welcoming a lot of foreign tourists whose main purpose is enjoying Japanese food culture. Mochi rice cakes are one of the most popular foods among the attractive Washoku. To make a delicious rice cake, it is not only important to pay attention to the ingredients, but also to the way it is prepared. Mochi Pounding is essential to creating great tasting rice cakes. ‘Mochi-tsuki,’ is a tradition of using a large mortar and pestle (in this case a mallet) to make mochi on New Year's day. Photo:Mochi pounding Have you ever seen high-speed mochi pounding? It's performed at Nakatani-dou, a Japanese confectioner, in Nara prefecture. Two or three confectioners pound mochi rice cakes using a mortar and mallet together at extremely high speeds, exchanging shouts to encourage one another. ‘Mochi-pounding at high speed’ is not only a performance for onlookers, but it is also an ideal method to make tasty mochi. You'll be baffled at the speed and accuracy of these mochi makers! High-Speed Mochi Pounding- Reasons for Pounding Mochi at Such High Speeds Source :YouTube screenshot Mochi-tsuki requires both a kaeshite, (mochi turner) and a tsukite, (mochi-pounder). It also requires a high level of skill to pound the rice evenly in the mortar, and the skill to control the moisture content of the rice by matching the movements of the pounder. When the temperature of steamed mochi-gome (a kind of rice suitable for mochi rice cake) becomes low, mochi may not have its ideal texture and easily falls apart and won't stretch well. Quickly pounding the rice while it is hot enough to keep it soft and stretchy results in a tasty rice cake with a rich flavor. ‘Mochi-pounding at high speed’ has its origin in Kamikitayama-mura village, Yoshino-gun, Nara prefecture where the Nakatani family is from. It is a traditional Japanese method that reflects the local history and culture. The master mochi-pounder is particular about the tools he uses for mochi pounding. The mortar, made by an artisan in Sakai city, is specially designed to be shallow so that the turner can easily turn mochi. The kine pestle should be heavy enough to pound mochi with its own weight. The master mochi-pounder of Nakatani-dou has various preferences for mochi-tsuki. They are shown in the video. Only the Best Ingredients Source :Nakatani-dou Yomogi-mochi is one of the most popular confectioneries of Nakatani-dou. The master mochi-pounder is very particular about the ingredients of Yomogi-mochi, as well as the mochi-pounding method. They use Hiyoku-mochigome rice from Saga prefecture to make good mochi rice cakes and also use top quality azuki beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido, along with young Yomogi (mugwort) leaves from Uwajima, Ehime prefecture. Yomogi-mochi is the result of a quest for excellence in cooking methods, ingredients, and taste. Summary of High-Speed Mochi Pounding Being shown on TV, ‘Mochi-pounding at high speed’ performed by the master mochi-pounder of Nakatani-dou attracted the national attention. And now, is gaining popularity from overseas as well, introduced by foreign media. The high-speed rice cake pounding by the masters of Nakatido, who drew the attention of the whole country with their amazing feats of craftsmanship on TV, has recently been picked up by international media and is becoming increasingly popular. Nakatido's high-speed mochitsuki chefs are not only popular in Japan, but also among people around the world. Nakatido says in the video that he wants his customers to be happy when they see the high-speed mochi pounding and even more happy when they eat it. These are words of someone who truly loves, and is dedicated to their craft. As a Japanese citizen, I am proud to see not only Japanese food, which is listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, but also Japanese culture being admired by the world. 【Official Homepage】Nakatani-dou http://www.nakatanidou.jp/english/ -
Video article 6:11
The Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival Is One of the Five Major Festivals in Tagawa, Fukuoka, With 2 Portable Shrines and 11 Colorful Nobori Yamakasa Floats Crossing the River!
Festivals & Events Travel History- 206 plays
- Vimeo
The Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival "#02 KAWAWATARI JINKOSAI" (#02 風治八幡宮 川渡り神幸祭) is a video created by "Higashikara." It introduces Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival (Fuji Hachimangu Kawawatari Jinkosai) in Tagawa, Fukuoka. The "Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival" is one of the five major festivals of Fukuoka and the largest in the Chikuho region. The five major festivals in Fukuoka include “Oniyo (Kurume),” “Hakata Gion Yamakasa” (Hakata, Fukuoka), “Kokura Gion Daiko” (Kokurakita, Kitakyushu), and “Tobata Gion Yamakasa” (Tobata, Kitakyushu). This article introduces the history and highlights of the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival, which is listed an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukuoka. The video shows the powerful river crossing and colorful floats of the festival. What is the "Fuji Hachimangu Shrine Kawawatari Shinko Matsuri"? What is the schedule? Source :YouTube screenshot The Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival, one of the five major festivals of Fukuoka, is held on the third Saturday and Sunday in May. 100,000 people visit to see the festival; twice the population of Tagawa. Eleven Nobori Yamakasa of the Uji clan, cross the Hikosan River (彦山川, Hikosangawa) accompanied by grand mikoshi (portable shrine) of Fuuji Hachimangu Shrine and the mikoshi of Shirotori Shrine (白鳥神社, Shirotorijinja). Nobori Yamakasa are portable shrines and floats with colorful flags. They can be seen throughout the video from 0:17, 3:01, and 4:45. Nobori yamakasa are decorated with five colored flags, which represent the image of rice plants and wish for bountiful harvests and good health. The highlight of the festival is “Gaburi,” in which the yamakasa is swung back and forth in the Hikosan River to splash one another. This is shown from 4:55 in the video. The Origin and History of the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival The Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival has a long history, dating back 450 years (1558 to 1569). The origin of the festival is said to be the outbreak of an epidemic disease in Itamachi. The villagers prayed to Fuuji Hachimangu Shrine, the village's guardian deity, for an end to the epidemic and offered a nobori yamakasa as a sign of their gratitude. In 1970, it was listed as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukuoka. Highlights of the Festival Source :YouTube screenshot The Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival is held in the Hikoyama River area between the Uomachi, Banda and Kawabata districts of Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The main event of the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival is the river crossing between the Shinbashi and Banda bridges of the Hikoyama River. The festival is only about 30 minutes by car from Kyushu Expressway's Yahata Interchange, and is a short walk from the nearest station, Tagawa Ita Station on the JR and Heisei Chikuho Railway. Free parking is available during the festival, but it can get very crowded, so we recommend using public transportation. The festival has a story where the god of Fuji Hachimangu gets on a float and goes on a trip to Otabisho across the river and stays for 1 night and 2 days. The first day of the festival is called “Okudari” and the second day is called “Onobori.” The course on the second day is the opposite of the first day and returns to Fuuji Hachimangu Shrine. On the first day, “Fujihachimangu Jinkosai Shigyo” takes place. The shintai is transferred to a Mikoshi and prepares for departure. The shintai must not be seen by the public, and the body of the deity is hidden behind a white curtain and moved into the portable shrine. This can be seen at 0:47 in the video. After that, the parade is carried out through the town and is filled with sounds of whistles and drums. “Odachi no Shishimai” is also performed to pray for the safety of the festival. This can be seen at 4:00 in the video. There are food stalls and night stalls lining the streets as well. Finally, the main event of the festival- the river crossing. This is shown at 4:18 in the video. First, a mikoshi with a shintai goes enters the river, accompanied by a brightly colored nobori yamakasa. Water is poured on the pullers and the bearers and the mikoshi is swung up and down, splashing water all about. This is called “Gaburi.” The powerful splashing of the mikoshi is incredible. It can be seen at 5:45 in the video. Summary of the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival Did you enjoy learning about the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival? You can enjoy the powerful festival and beautiful nobori yamakasa by watching the video. Fukuoka is famous for Hakata Gion Yamakasa, but the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival is also amazing. If you can, we recommend lining up your visit to Fukuoka with the Fuji Hachimangu Shrine River Crossing Festival! -
Video article 1:31
Sail out From Otaru, Hokkaido on the Scenic Blue Cave Cruise! Witness the Enchanting Cobalt Blue Ocean and Make Great Memories!
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About Hokkaido's Blue Cave Cruise Promotional Video This promotional video, titled "Otaru, Hokkaido - Tsuusen's Original Blue Cave Cruise" (【北海道・小樽】元祖!青の洞窟クルーズbyツウセン), was released by "ACTIVITY JAPAN." It focuses on the Blue Cave Cruise that sails out from the Otaru Canal and goes around the Marine Park. The well-organized cruise tour takes you to the best sightseeing spots by boat, so you can enjoy Hokkaido's vast sea. The video captures the cobalt blue ocean and the marvelous sunset. This article will delve into some of the charms of Otaru, Hokkaido's Blue Cave Cruise. About the Blue Cave Cruise Source :YouTube screenshot Sailing out from the Otaru Canal, the Blue Cave Cruise offers you a great experience to enjoy the vast sea of Hokkaido. Sea birds elegantly flying in the air, the stunning rocks structures... you'll probably even see a dolphin or shark on your way there as well. This coastal area was once called "Shu-ya" in Ainu language, which can be loosely translated as "Kettle Rock". The main attraction of the cruise is the blue cave located on the shore in Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi National Park. When you enter the cave, you'll notice how the water turns turquoise blue. In the video, the boat enters the cave at 0:17. The awesome beauty of the blue pool inside the cave is certainly worth seeing. photo: Otaru's Blue cave entrance Located on the shore of Shakotan Peninsula, the blue cave was formed by strong sea waves. It's known for its apparent luminescent quality, imparted by the light passing through the openings. Its unique geographical formation and the angle of the sunlight flooding in create a series of magical scenes. Other marine activities, such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, boat cruises, and rafting are also offered in the area. When you hear "blue cave," it might be the Blue Grotto in Italy that first comes to mind. Japan, however, features several blue sea caves including the one in Otaru. Some other well known blue caves in Japan are: - Hachinoheana in Iwate Prefecture - Dogashima Sea Cave Skylight in Shizuoka Prefecture - Cape Maeda in Okinawa - San-in Coast National Park in Hyogo Prefecture. Highlights of the Blue Cave Cruise Source :YouTube screenshot The cruise offers you a great opportunity to take in the natural beauty of Hokkaido. You can enjoy a quiet time admiring the beautiful expanse of the sea, and the luxury of having the aromatic sea breeze fill your nose as it brushes your cheeks. If the weather is clear you can catch a gorgeous sunset, as seen in the video from 1:05. Sea birds, such as seagulls, black-tailed gull, and white-tailed sea eagles often fly around the cruise boat and you can enjoy feeding them as well. This is shown in the video at 0:58. Information About Hokkaido's Blue Cave Cruise Photo: Otaru station platform Hokkaido's Blue Cave Cruise is offered for a limited time between late spring and early autumn. Otaru port is 5 minutes by car and 13 minutes on foot from JR Otaru station, and the port has 10 free parking lots. The 80-minute cruise will take you to 10 different viewpoints. You need to make your reservation in advance either by phone or on their official website. As of April 2020, the tour costs 5500 Yen (~$51 USD) for Adults, and 3000 Yen (~$28 USD) for Children and Toddlers. Cold weather protection is offered on the cruise, but we recommend wrapping yourself well just in case. Summary of Hokkaido's Blue Cave Cruise Photo:Otaru, Blue Cave Cruise The video "Otaru, Hokkaido - Tsuusen's Original Blue Cave Cruise" introduces the Blue Cave Cruise in Hokkaido. The video is composed of beautiful images of the stunning turquoise sea and the clear blue pool glowing in a mysterious pitch-black cave. You'll definitely want to check it out after seeing the video! 【Tripadvisor】Blue Caves Hokkaido's Blue Cave Cruise