Welcome to Chapter 2 of ‘The Mochi Diaries’ (餅ã®æ—¥è¨˜) ☆〜（ã‚。∂） Today I shall be introducing the original mochi that began my infatuation many years ago during a trip to Kyoto!! Without further ado I present my holy grail of mocha – the triangular, deviously delicious Nama Yatsuhashi 生八ã¤æ©‹!!!! Nothing screams ‘I’ve just visited Kyoto’ more than bringing…
Yet another break-up and you are doing the post-mortem with your girlfriends over wine, cheesecake and cocktails. You ensured that the ‘mixologist’ is someone heavy on the vodka and light on the conscience. And every time you swear this is the last time… but deep down you know that it won’t be. We all do!!…
清水寺 As you prepare for the advent of spring, our quest for pilgrimage temples takes us further afield. Our next explorations will be into Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.  There are five pilgrimage temples clustered right in the city of Kyoto, and we’ll get to the other four later on. We shall begin with one of…
So why does anyone come to Japan? To be reborn into the manga world? To experience how high tech it is (then realise they still use fax machines)? To dress up in a kimono and call yourself a geisha? None of the above. They come to meet Hello Kitty of course! OK so I’m now…
ARK stands for Animal Rescue Kansai. It is an NPO based in Osaka, but with a Tokyo branch as well. As an animal lover, I was attracted to their work and wanted to contribute to their efforts. Japan isn’t a place known for being overzealous about animal rights and such, so this is one of…
大本山　ä¸å±±å¯º The easternmost of the pilgrimage temples located in Hyogo-ken is Nakayama-dera, number 24 on the official route. Nakayama-dera is located in the city of Takarazuka, and boasts a beautiful ume grove around back, in which about a thousand plum trees will be in bloom from late February through early March. Nakayama-dera’s claim to fame…
The oyster season has started again, so what better time to try this easy and delicious dish. Ingredients Serves 3-4 as a main dish with rice and sides 12 oysters (about 300 grams) 1 bunch of spring onions 3 tablespoons red miso paste (akamiso) 1 tablespoon white miso paste (shiromiso) 2 tablespoons mirin 2 tablespoons…
Arima is a beautiful and quaint little mountainside town located behind Mt. Rokko. Only being a stone’s throw from Osaka and Kobe, it is a hidden oasis for Japanese people wanting to get away for a quiet, relaxing weekend. It’s an insolated place tucked away in the luminous landscape of the great outdoors and is…
Like seriously! OK! I know you don’t get it, because neither do I! You were always the friends who hung out and hunted down the great sales at Bloomingdales, Collectibles or SOGO while shopping together; drank cocktails together and bashed on guys; talked each other down off the ledge when you were at your lowest…