Japan’s Open Air markets

Japan’s open Air markets are vibrant, bustling areas that sell all sorts of consumer perishables as well as shoes and apparel. In many of them you can find everything from discounted jeans to seaweed, hair gel to T-shirts but the one’s that are my favorite to go to have seafood…and I mean fish and sea creatures of all varieties – many of which I never knew existed. I remember in our first trip to Japan, we spent the first day in Kyoto.  I was amazed by the shopping streets that were lined with what seemed like hundreds of shops.  There were various kinds of fresh and processed foods such as pickles, Japanese sweets, dried food, sushi, fresh vegetables and of course the seafood.  We even went into a mochi shop that had so many varieties I couldn’t believe there were that many types to choose from.  They offered tea while you tasted the mochi samples and (as part of the ultimate plan) finally succumb to buying some delicious version that you just can’t seem to live without.

The market is a great place to feel the pulse of working-class Japan and to pick up some inexpensive and unusual items as well as the evening dinner and desert.  I find these areas fascinating and food for your eyes not just your stomach.  

Here's a pic of me and one of Cliff as we each stand at one of the many markets found in Tokyo.  I'll post a few more photos as I find them. :-)

Here are a few pics to show you close ups of some of the foods we saw.

I miss Japan - Here's why

It is over a year since I started this blog and I really miss Japan. So one way to feel more connected is to share some more images and thoughts from our trip from last year. So I thought I would pick photos of some highlights that clearly remind you "I'm in Japan".  I will return to talking more about the trip (thank goodness that I wrote in a journal) but here are some views of the overall wonder of our visit and the things that are so clearly Japanese (and what we love about this country and culture).

We found this adorable kitty on the sidewalk in Osaka.  Hello Kitty!

And one of the many bicycles that are typically compact and convenient. Kind of hard to
believe anyone really rides this thing. :-)

Beautifully displayed fruit in the basement of the Dairamu Department Store.  Look at the
perfection. These melons and oranges are unbelievably perfect.  They cost a pretty yen too!
Can you see....one of those melons is 3990 yen which is the equivalent of about $44.  Wow!

And here for something totally different is the Tori gate at the location of the Itsukushima Shrine
in Takayama.  This whole area is breathtaking and I would love to go back there again.
I will talk more about this part of the trip in a separate installment.  It is worth it!

And lastly, strawberry mochi.  This is so good.  Mochi as you already know is a wonderful
confection of Japan.  I'll be posting our adventure in making Mochi with the Asakawa family.
That was so fun and what a treat.

I hope you enjoyed a little taste of what makes Japan so unique. 
I really miss Japan.  Now you know why. :-)

Long Time Away!

I've thought long and hard about this. Should I return to this blog after a long long time away. The answer....YES! I apologize to my few wonderful readers for having disappeared. Life got away with me as I'm sure you understand first hand. So with that said, shortly you will receive another notice regarding a post. I also decided that the blog will absolutely cover my time in Japan but it will also cover some recipes, all inspired by dear friends in Japan who have shared their culinary expertise with me. Please stay tuned.