I ordered "ama kitsune curry noodle" (730 yen). The combination of sweetened deep fried tofu and spicy curry was very nice!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Mimikou
Mimikou is a curry noodle & soba restaurant in Kawaramachi Sanjo.
I ordered "ama kitsune curry noodle" (730 yen). The combination of sweetened deep fried tofu and spicy curry was very nice!
I ordered "ama kitsune curry noodle" (730 yen). The combination of sweetened deep fried tofu and spicy curry was very nice!
Cherry blossoms along Lake Biwa Canal
Lake Biwa Canal is one of many travel attractions in Kyoto.
View from the bridge of Nijo-dori avenue
The National Museum of Modern Art has a cafe terrace by the canal.
Boat cruises are limited to this time of the year.
View from the bridge of Nijo-dori avenue
The National Museum of Modern Art has a cafe terrace by the canal.
Boat cruises are limited to this time of the year.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Cherry blossoms in Nene no Michi (The Path of Nene)
Kyoto was hit by the unseasonable cold weather recently, but we are enjoying the normal spring weather now, and the cherry trees have opened about half of their blossoms so far.
And "fake" maiko girls can be seen here and there...
And "fake" maiko girls can be seen here and there...
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Snow!!!!!
It has been pretty cold in Kyoto recently, and at last we got snow!
It became snowstorm when I got to Kawaramachi from Yasaka Shrine.
Full moon, Mt. Hiyashiyama covered with snow, and Minami-za Theatre in the evening on the way back to home...
And a sudden blizzard again! Who'd ever thought that we were able to see "cherry blossoms" and "full moon" and "snow" at once!!!
It became snowstorm when I got to Kawaramachi from Yasaka Shrine.
Full moon, Mt. Hiyashiyama covered with snow, and Minami-za Theatre in the evening on the way back to home...
And a sudden blizzard again! Who'd ever thought that we were able to see "cherry blossoms" and "full moon" and "snow" at once!!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Long approach to "Tsukihi" restaurant
This long and narrow approach to the restaurant was entertaining to walk through.
"Tsukihi" Lunch
"Tsukihi" is a contemporary Japanese food restaurant, opened about one year ago and is situated at the very back of a condominium complex near Cocon Karasuma. (It's approx. 5 minute walk to Tsukihi from our machiya guest house "Maeniiya.")
There are three course menus at lunch time and we ordered the smallest one. Today's appetizer: tuna salad, Japanese style spinich salad called "ohitashi," and yuba (made of tofu).
Today's main dish: renkon (lotus root) ball with minced chicken and ginger sauce. This was very delicious, especially with their rice, blended with eight grains and beans.
Miso soup of tofu and wakame seaweed, and cucumber pickles.
Rice is free for refills.
And dessert and drink at the end.
Our lunch course of 1,000 yen (about US$10)!!!
No tip also!!
There are three course menus at lunch time and we ordered the smallest one. Today's appetizer: tuna salad, Japanese style spinich salad called "ohitashi," and yuba (made of tofu).
Today's main dish: renkon (lotus root) ball with minced chicken and ginger sauce. This was very delicious, especially with their rice, blended with eight grains and beans.
Miso soup of tofu and wakame seaweed, and cucumber pickles.
Rice is free for refills.
And dessert and drink at the end.
Our lunch course of 1,000 yen (about US$10)!!!
No tip also!!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Setsubun Mask
Today (February 3rd) is Setsubun.
On this day, mame-maki (bean-throwing) is performed, which is the special ritual to clean away all the evil of the former year, and roasted soybeans are thrown either out the door or at members of the family who wear demon or ogre masks. Mask making is an essential part of Setsubun festival.
On Setsubun of 2006, I got this mask, designed by the Japanese cartoonist Fujio Akatsuka. It's called the "bow wow mask" (2006 was the year of the dog).
Good bye, demon.
And hello, fuku-no-kami (god of happiness).
On this day, mame-maki (bean-throwing) is performed, which is the special ritual to clean away all the evil of the former year, and roasted soybeans are thrown either out the door or at members of the family who wear demon or ogre masks. Mask making is an essential part of Setsubun festival.
On Setsubun of 2006, I got this mask, designed by the Japanese cartoonist Fujio Akatsuka. It's called the "bow wow mask" (2006 was the year of the dog).
Good bye, demon.
And hello, fuku-no-kami (god of happiness).
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tsubo Niwa Garden: Before and After
Tsubo niwa is a very small courtyard garden. And our Machiya guesthouse "Maeniiya" has one that the guests can view from the tatami living room.
Our tsubaki (camelia) tree was not doing very well, so we replaced it with nanten (nandina) tree. Nanten is regarded as a lucky tree from its name: Bad (=nan) things turn (=ten) good things. Nanten is a very popular tree for Japanese gardens.
*BEFORE*
*AFTER*
Our tsubaki (camelia) tree was not doing very well, so we replaced it with nanten (nandina) tree. Nanten is regarded as a lucky tree from its name: Bad (=nan) things turn (=ten) good things. Nanten is a very popular tree for Japanese gardens.
*BEFORE*
*AFTER*
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Bontan Candy
"Bontan Ame" is a soft and chewy candy made from a citrus fruit called bontan, which is similar to a grapefruit. It's been made since 1926 in Kagoshima, southern part of Kyushu.
My two nephews who live in Canada absolutely love this candy. Whenever they come back to Japan, they make sure to pack as many boxes as possible when they leave Japan.
Recently, there is a half sized box.
And a mega sized one also!!!
Each candy is wrapped with an edible film "oblate" made from starch and agar.
My two nephews who live in Canada absolutely love this candy. Whenever they come back to Japan, they make sure to pack as many boxes as possible when they leave Japan.
Recently, there is a half sized box.
And a mega sized one also!!!
Each candy is wrapped with an edible film "oblate" made from starch and agar.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Happy New Year!
I've tons of things I want to achieve in 2010. As the tradition of Japan, I visited Yasaka Shrine to pray for the prosperous year.
There are lines of tables to sell special new year items of omamori (amulets), omikuji (fortune telling papers), ema (votive plaques), hamaya (arrow shaped goodluck charm), etc.
And lots of food stalls along the way. Noodles, fried chicken, tako-yaki...
After my New Year's visit, I walked through the crowds of the Shrine (West Gate) to the Shijo Dori Avenue and then to "Pontocho" for New Year's Party with friends.
There are lines of tables to sell special new year items of omamori (amulets), omikuji (fortune telling papers), ema (votive plaques), hamaya (arrow shaped goodluck charm), etc.
And lots of food stalls along the way. Noodles, fried chicken, tako-yaki...
After my New Year's visit, I walked through the crowds of the Shrine (West Gate) to the Shijo Dori Avenue and then to "Pontocho" for New Year's Party with friends.
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