葛井寺 Fujii-dera is temple number 5 of 33 on the pilgrim circuit, and as its name “Wisteria Well Temple†would suggest, it is a wonderful place to visit when the fuji are in bloom. These fragrant purple flowers typically bloom in very late April or in early May, around Golden Week. Other than the gorgeous…
出ã—å·»ãåµ This omelet is delicious, easy to make and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Serves 4 as a side dish 6 eggs 1 cup dashi (stock made from fish and kelp, you can buy sachets of instant dashi) 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (usukuchi shoyu) 1 tablespoon mirin salad oil…
April arrives and that means the new school year; new faces appearing in the staff room, students in slightly too big uniforms highlighting their status as newbies, and a new timetable to get your head around. Slowly but surely you realize that it really is time to put away the kotatsu blanket and that you’re…
(太陽ノ塔): Green West It’s difficult to find a chilled out café in the bustling city of Osaka. I usually go round in circles looking for one then realise I’m still in Umeda station. That’s when I give up, and head to Starbucks. I feel slightly guilty as I enjoy my white caramel mocha. To…
Paragliding in ‘Sky Sports Town’, Aogaki! Have you ever stared at a bird gliding about in the sky and imagined what that would be like? Have you ever taken it a step further and tried to make it happen? Well, here’s your chance! I work part-time in Aogaki, a town near the middle of Hyogo…
Vietnamese Cuisine Growing up in England with two Asian parents, both of whom previously lived in Vietnam, meant inevitably I was to be exposed to the eastern delights of Vietnamese home cooking. The half a year I have spent in Japan has been filled with sushi dates, ramen meet ups and sober soba get-togethers but…
Off to the city Now judge me if you will, but there were always two flights out of KIX (Kansai Airport) that excited me – the 0030 departure to Bangkok (daily), and the 2330 to Singapore (not every day, but it goes on the ever-important Friday night). Flights that I can catch without having to…
関西å°ãŠå¥½ã¿ç„¼ã Delicious, winter comfort food which is so easy to make! Ingredients – 1 small cabbage 200 – 300g thin sliced pork (butabaraniku) and/or seafood 1 cup flour 3/4 cup water 2 eggs 1 teaspoon instant dashi (fish stock) oil okonomiyaki sauce dried bonito (katsuobushi) dried seaweed (aonori) mayonnaise Slice cabbage finely Cut pork into…
February was cold and depressing, even more so for the Valentine’s haters amongst us. Fortunately heading into March we can see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, spring is stirring its sleepy head, soon to be followed by summer, and what do the warmer months mean? Why, putting away the kotatsu and…