041515_bentobox

Japanese Culture | Hot Spots | Products | Food

FREE Apr. 2015

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through time o l sen e n v a n k a t n i h e new Sh Tr

Shinkansen: The brand-new bullet train This futuristic ride has opened up a whole new side of Japan

Featured destination: Kanazawa Escape to the city of gold, gardens and comfort food fusions

Our T.O. Japanese restaurant picks From revolutionary ramen to home-style izakaya fare

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APRIL 2015

Contents

Apr. 2015 Vol. 02

Food

Featured

08 Toronto’s latest hot spot

04 Japanese products

You’ll want to give this ramen house a try.

This soup is the real deal.

14 The wonder grass Bamboo’s practical and esthetic importance is deeply rooted in the spirit of Japan.

16 The sake of the samurai Take a step back in time as you sip sake from this traditional brewery.

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Five fun products to bring in the spring.

The future of Japan

10 Shinkansen: The brand-new bullet train

Ultra-sexy tonkotsu

The new Hokuriku Line will open up a corridor to let tourists explore a whole side of Japan that was previously inaccessible.

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32 Local events

Hakata ramen

Celebrate Japanese culture in your own backyard.

23 Ramen in reverse Take your ramen for a delicious dip at this unique noodle bar.

38 Come “home” to Fin Izakaya Eating at Fin feels like journeying back to Japan for the night.

39 A world of infusion Nomé Izakaya sets itself apart with fresh oysters and a Western twist.

Ebi-mayo to die for

Culture

34 Beauty Get a spa-quality facial with Cosmé Proud.

24 Only in Japan Superman’s got nothing on this worldfamous bullet train.

Travel

30 Babymetal

18 Featured destination: Kanazawa

Bubblegum J-pop meets death metal in this slick teen idol trio.

Take a glimpse into Japan’s past as you amble through Kanazawa, a small city that’s big on culture.

36 Film focus Pale Moon boasts a compelling narrative, sustained tension and nuanced characters.

26 One-of-a-kind dining 37 Memoir

Take a misbehaving child to Namahage Ginza for a centuries-old admonishment.

Japanese train rides can leave you with unforgettable stories.

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On the cover

EDITOR’S NOTE

Nina Hoeschele

This issue’s cover is an homage to the distinctly Japanese way of melding futuristic technology with ancient influences—be it contemporary food imbued with time-honoured flavours, or riding a state-of-the-art bullet train to take in the country’s historic sights.

We’ve got your ticket to ride Welcome aboard! In this issue, we’re featuring the secret superheroes that fly across Japan every day: bullet trains, or shinkansen. These incredible speeding bullets offer you a futuristic ride (p.10) that’s comfortable as can be — so long as you follow the proper etiquette while you’re on board (p. 24). But play your cards right and your journey will be unforgettable (p. 37).

photos: Shinkansen—courtesy of WEST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY Others—© Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League

Shinkansen trains travel so fast, you might think they’re taking you back in time. That’s especially true if you ride to Kanazawa City, a well-preserved historic town (p. 18) that’s known throughout Japan for its centuries-old gardens and traditional crafts. Or, for those time-travel enthusiasts visiting Tokyo, try dining at Namahage Ginza (p. 26)—the restaurant that lets you join a centuries-old demon for dinner. Don’t forget to bring your camera (p. 4)!

We hope you enjoy this non-stop journey through the many unique tastes and experiences that Japan has to offer. Glad to have you along for the ride!

Bento Box Communication Inc.

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360 Bloor St. W. Suite 207, Toronto ON M5S 1X1

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Editors Nina Hoeschele, Yumi Nishio Editorial coordinator Kathleen O’Hagan Writers James Heron, Jennifer McKechnie, Kathleen O’Hagan, M Crowson, Sarah Dickson, Sheena Kirkbride, Shelley Suzuki Designers Chiyako Mukai, Reiko Ema, Chieko Watanabe Web designer Hiroyuki Azuma Photographers Kazu Maruyama, Hiroyuki Azuma Production assistants Stephen Choi, Moe Tashiro, Maiko Kurotaki, Naoki Saito, Yukiko Naka, Mari Sakamoto, Sakiko Futami Marketing administrator Emma Gao Publisher Kazu Maruyama

Phone: 416-847-6799

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Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 03

What's

Fi

un p ve f

roducts to

brin

g in the

spring.

new?

Japanese brands

01 Panasonic

Lumix DMC-ZS45 This is how you take a real self ie.

Panasonic’s newest digital camera lets you take professional-quality photos and videos while still being compact and pocket friendly, and allows you to easily share your photos on the spot.

Leaps and bounds ahead of smartphone cameras, this intuitive but versatile digital camera is what you want to use to capture your most lasting memories.

Rather than having to get up close to your subjects, the powerful 20x Lumix DC Vario zoom lens brings the image right to you, and the 16-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS image sensor provides extra-high resolution with a stunning crispness. The optical image stabilization helps to steady your shots for telephoto images or difficult lighting conditions, such as a dim restaurant, and automatically minimizes blur. And the Active mode is an effective option to use when taking video: it controls hand-shake vibration and gets you a more stable image.

The camera comes with intuitive features that let you quickly snap spontaneous photographs without any fumbling. The resolution of the 3-inch monitor is 1,040k-dot, making composition and navigation easy. The monitor also tilts up 180 degrees, and tilting it automatically activates the self-shooting mode—so that you can take a professional-level selfie. The shutter can be

02 Zojirushi

You’ve never tasted water heated so perfectly.

For those of you who appreciate a nice, hot cup of tea or coffee but don’t like the tedious process of boiling water in a pot, a water boiler might be your next best friend. In Japanese households, water boilers are a standard kitchen appliance and are as ubiquitous as toasters.

Among them, Zojirushi has long been the favorite brand, and the VE Hybrid CV-DCC40/50 is their best yet. The electric boiler insulates the water in a vacuum and keeps it hot within the stainless steel double-insulated walls. Better yet, the

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hybrid technology uses minimal electricity, making it both eco-friendly and wallet-friendly.

Tea and coffee aficionados appreciate the four key temperature settings that allow you to use optimal and precise temperatures for your brew—for example, 98oC for black and herbal teas, 80oC for green teas, and 90oC to 96oC for coffee. With hot water at your fingertips, you’ll always be ready for spontaneous tea parties.

Website: www.zojirushi.com

triggered by a simple wink to the monitor, so you can take hands-free and more natural shots. You can even take your glamour shots one step further by activating the soft skin mode, the slimming mode and the defocusing mode to give your skin a smoother look, your face sharper lines and your surroundings a softer focus to get you a gentle glow.

There are several connectivity options to post that selfie online, including a high-def Micro HDMI and a standard-def composite video output, which can also be used as a USB data connection.

There’s even a built-in Wi-Fi radio that you can use to connect to your smartphone so that you can share your images anytime, anywhere.

Website: www.panasonic.com Price: $329.00

03 Yamaha

The Yamaha P-115 Digital Piano The new and innovative P-115 is perfect for practice or performance.

Stunning in black or white

Yamaha is a brand that is practically synonymous with pianos, and the latest addition to the P-series digital piano line delivers sound that is worthy of the reputation. ComYahama concert grand pact, stylish, high-tech and engineered to perfection, the P-115 does a great job of overhauling the perception that a traditional piano is superior to digital pianos.

The piano’s sound was sampled from Yamaha’s world-famous CFIIIS concert grand—an unrivalled quality of sound at this price point.

Suited for anyone from novices playing chopsticks in their living room to professionals playing Rachmaninoff in a concert hall, the versatile and easy-to-use interface allows you to quickly make adjustments to match your needs.

The 88 keys with Graded Hammer Standard action give the digital piano an excitingly authentic touch, with the lower notes having a

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The brand new and enhanced speakers have a natural vibration that creates rich sound in the low range and clear, brilliant sound in the high range. Since the last model in this series, the polyphony has increased from 128 to 196, which means that more notes can be played simultaneously—and that harmony on this piano sounds even more stunning.

Yamaha’s revolutionary digital piano controller app, available on iOS devices, allows you to interact with your instrument like never before.

With the app, you can select different voices, rhythms and other settings from your iPad or iPhone screen. Some optional accessories include a pedal unit and a sturdy stand to give your piano the presence it deserves.

Color Variation: Black or White Price: $699.99 Check out other fantastic Yamaha products, like their pianos, keyboards, string instruments, wind instruments, synthesizers, guitars, drums, speakers, mixers, home theatres, stereos, computer music production tools and their award-winning music school!

Visit their website for more information.

Website: ca.yamaha.com

Digital controller apps

A new kind of potato chip.

Calbee, the beloved Japanese snack company, is finally sharing some more of its unique and tasty treats with Canada. Jagabee is a crunchy baked potato snack made by frying whole potatoes cut into thick pieces. Because the chips are minimally processed, they retain

Calbee

heavier touch than the higher notes. The faithful weight of the keys is great for practising and building the proper finger techniques for when you play an acoustic piano, and the matte finish on the black keys provides more grip and less slip when you’ve been playing for a long time.

the potato’s natural flavours—and their light seasoning means they are a healthier option for satisfying those potato chip cravings. In fact, they contain less than half the sodium of most potato chip brands … but double the crunch!

Website: calbeena.com

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 05

What's 05 Japanese brands

new?

Acura

2016 ILX The all-new ILX comes with the world’s first 8-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with a torque convertor, delivering more power, more speed, more luxury and better fuel economy.

W

ith a full redesign for 2016, the Acura ILX is the gateway sports sedan for people with active lifestyles. The ILX takes cues from its older siblings with modern and high-tech features, such as the Jewel Eye LED headlights, a new and innovative drivetrain, and intuitive technology that befits today’s smartphone-savvy drivers.

Starting with the exterior, Acura’s smallest sedan has sporty lines that let you know it is no slouch. Alloy wheels at 17” are standard, with 18” wheels included in the A-spec package.

The A-spec package also includes fog lights, a unique body package and a rear spoiler

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for a sportier look. The most distinctive feature of the exterior is the classy Jewel Eye LED headlights. First debuted on the flagship RLX concept, these headlights offer more than just style—with 10 individual efficient and longlasting LED lights, the Jewel Eyes are more focused than traditional lights, giving the driver a better view without blinding oncoming traffic.

With these headlights, your friends will instantly recognize you day or night in their rearview mirror—but you won’t be behind them for long in a car this quick.

How quick? The new ILX has over 50 more horsepower than the outgoing model, owing to its 2.4-Litre i-VTEC engine. That’s a pretty

significant bump that also comes with a boosted torque, thanks to an increase in engine displacement and the addition of direct injection. You might think that more power means a car thirstier for fuel, but not with the ILX. Direct injection technology allows for more precise fuel delivery and cylinder cooling, bringing you enhanced efficiency along with the power increase. Putting the extra power to the ground is the world’s first coupling of a dual-clutch transmission with a torque converter for the best of all worlds. The torque converter gives the transmission the ability to preselect first gear for quick starts, while also acting as a damper to take the shock out of the shift without compromising speed. This

Key ILX tech innovations

The world’s first 8-speed DCT with torque converter

Stunning headlights let people know you’re coming

Stay connected with the AcuraLink connectivity system

The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) offers snappy shifts that can’t be matched by a traditional automatic transmission, with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters providing ultimate control. DCT used to have downsides like jerky shifting and delayed starts—but these are non-issues in the ILX, thanks to Acura’s bright idea of coupling the DCT with a torque converter.

The torque converter allows the transmission to preselect first gear for instantaneous starts and a smoother ride.

The elegance of the ILX shines even in the night with Acura’s signature Jewel Eye LED headlights. The 10 individual LED lamps act as daytime running lights until it gets dark, when they create a whiter and brighter beam that is more illuminating for the driver and less annoying to oncoming traffic than conventional halogen lights. The lights’ characteristics are similar to natural sunlight, which helps eliminate sleepiness and keeps you alert while driving.

Advanced smartphone technology is now available in the ILX with the available AcuraLink system. The Connect app acts as a remote and even a diagnostic tool which can communicate with the ILX’s computers. Beyond that, the system offers you streaming music, 24/7 roadside assistance and navigation, including maps that dynamically reroute based on traffic conditions—meaning you always have security and entertainment at the touch of a button.

The new ILX has over 50 more horsepower than the outgoing model, owing to its 2.4-Litre i-VTEC engine.

engine and transmission combo delivers the rare but sought-after combination of sportiness and refinement.

Settling into the driver’s seat, you press the start button to fire the engine to life and are instantly enveloped by the incredible sound system developed by Grammy Award–winning music producer Elliot Scheiner. The available ELS Premium Audio System 7 offers a stateof-the-art audio experience and allows you to stream music from a multitude of platforms— such as AcuraLink, Sirius XM and the car’s internal hard drive. The Active Sound Control technology allows you to maximize your appreciation of your personal sound stage, cutting

out engine noise and unwanted sounds from wind and the road.

Beyond infotainment, the ILX is packed with the latest technology. With automatic windshield wipers and dual-zone climate control, you can leave the details up to the ILX and focus on truly enjoying your driving experience. At the same time, you’ll always know that the ILX has you and your passengers covered with its advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, a standard rear-view camera and a cross-traffic monitor system. The Adaptive Cruise Control is also featured in the ILX, which not only lets you set your speed but the distance to the car in front of you.

As you hit the road with peace of mind, you can also take advantage of the available AcuraLink system, which is tethered to your smartphone.

The system is accessed through an app and offers you 24/7 roadside assistance, live traffic monitoring and a live concierge. The “eyes free” AcuraLink lets you access your social media accounts, and will even read your incoming text messages and emails to you while you stay focused on the road.

Acura Canada 2016 ILX starting from $29,490 More info: www.acura.ca

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 07

Toronto’s latest hot spot

By Kathleen O’Hagan Restaurant

Now open

Homemade Hakata ramen Located in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, Hakata is the birthplace of tonkotsu, the pork-bone broth that makes ramen so incredibly tasty. No wonder they call Fukuoka “the Land of Ramen”!

Chashu lover Taking that last bite of pork can be as painful as losing your one true love! That’s why chashu lovers can order seven pieces of pork heaven.

Red hot tonkotsu Red hot is right! This ultra-sexy ramen is loaded with spice … and everything nice naughty! nau Not for the faint of heart heartt … or the weak of tongue. Give your tastebuds the adventure they’ve been craving with this super-spicy soup.

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Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015

Hungry for more? Let’s dig in!

No matter if you think ramen restaurants are overrunning the city or if you already have a much-loved spot, you’ll want to give Sho Ryu Ken’s Hakata ramen a try. This soup is the real deal. Why? Because both restaurant owner and chef hail from Fukuoka.

And in Fukuoka, they take their ramen very seriously. Some of the stricter ramen masters go to great lengths to ensure patrons aren’t distracted while slurping up their soup. Picture dividers that separate you and your dining companions so that you can fully concentrate on your meal. Sound crazy? This is the culture of Hakata ramen.

But when you consider that it takes more than 12 hours to prepare this exceptional broth, you might understand why it deserves your full attention.

Not to worry. Sho Ryu Ken’s communal tables are free of dividers, so you’ll still be able to chat away as you enjoy your meal. But will you want to? Close your eyes, take that ďŹ rst sip of broth and indulge. You might even forget you’re in Canada.

If the thought of trekking up to North York Centre Station is causing you to take pause, just remember that a 30-minute subway ride from downtown is certainly a lot quicker than ying 13 hours to Japan!

And once you’ve arrived at your destination, you won’t regret the journey. The broth is so avourful, the gyoza so satisfying, the pork so soft, you’ll be planning your next trip north before you know it.

'

ramen

Black tonkotsu Wonder where this seductive soup gets its colour?

Mystery solved! Flavoured with roasted garlic oil, this ramen tastes as unique as it looks: smoky and sultry.

Gyoza with a twist Before you sink your teeth into these homemade dumplings, don’t forget to dip ’em in the spicy miso—for a truly terriďŹ c twist!

This tofu’s got taste!

For a avour explosion, throw some fresh ginger, soy sauce and chashu sauce into the homemade broth ‌ and enjoy!

Good friends, great ramen

Rising dragon punch Named after the special attack from Street Fighter, the name Sho Ryu Ken means “rising dragon punch.�

GrafďŹ ti renditions of Ryu and other characters decorate the restaurant’s walls.

Owner Takuma Shimizu and Chef Toru Tanaka have been best buddies since their school days in Japan.

The two friends grew up eating this worldfamous noodle soup in the Land of Ramen and later moved to Toronto to open a restaurant together.

Lucky us!

It takes over 12 hours to prepare our Hakata broth!

Sho Ryu Ken www.hakatashoryuken.com TEL: 416-733-3725 5321 Yonge St., North York OPEN: Tues–Sun 12 pm–3 pm, 5 pm –10:30 pm Mon closed

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015

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By Sheena Kirkbride

最新の新幹線で出かけよう。北陸のロマンを探す旅。

Shinkansen The brand-new bullet train The new Hokuriku Line will open up a corridor to let tourists explore a whole side of Japan that was previously inaccessible.

Today, the shinkansen is the backbone of the country’s transportation and has serviced over 8 billion people—more than the entire world’s population.

These striking trains are the work of renowned industrial designer Ken Okuyama, who drew on traditional Japanese motifs to create the shinkansen’s exterior.

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The J-pop group Aladdin had a song to encourage the stagnating country in 2008 that sang of its greatest accomplishments: “You’re amazing, Japan.

You’re smart, Japan. This is the country that invented [mechanical pencils, blue diode, karaoke and the shinkansen].” Fifty-one years since the first shinkansen started zooming across dedicated rail lines in 1964, these bullet trains remain one of Japan’s greatest prides. After the country was left devastated by the Second World War, the invention of the shinkansen marked a great achievement and was instrumental in Japan’s later success.

Shinkansen regularly go up to a whopping 320 km/h, but the brilliance of these superhigh-speed trains also has to do with their unparalleled precision. A crew of 3,000 experts checks the tracks nightly, searching for any deformations that exceed the allowed tolerance of 6 mm. Because of efforts like this, there has never been a fatal accident due to operational error on a shinkansen—and the average delay for the 600 daily arrivals and departures is only 36 seconds, making it the most punctual train service in the world.

March 14, 2015, marks an exciting day with the opening of a new shinkansen route: the Hokuriku Line, starting in Tokyo and extending through the Japanese Alps to the Sea of Japan

Itoigawa Kurobe unazuki onsen Joetsu myokou Iiyama Toyama

Nagano

Kanazawa Shin-takaoka

Hokuriku Shinkansen Route

Tokyo

【北陸新幹線】

Launched March 14

The future of Japan coast. Until now, the east coast has been inaccessible for most overseas tourists because of its complicated train routes, but this new corridor will open up discovery of a whole new side of Japan.

The brand new E7 and W7 series trains will make up the fleet on the Hokuriku Line. These trains were conceived by the renowned industrial designer Ken Okuyama, the first and only nonItalian person to design a Ferrari sports car. His sleek design has its base in traditional Japanese motifs, with an ivory body, a sky-blue roof and a nose trimmed with bronze. The interior is just

as impressive, with state-of-the-art seating and bathrooms with heated toilet seats.

The ride along the new line from Tokyo to Kanazawa is approximately 2.5 hours and will take you on a breathtaking journey through the magnificent mountains and along the scenic coast. The mountain city of Nagano is a notable stop where you can see the impressive Winter Olympics facilities and snow monkeys bathing in hot springs during the wintertime. Kanazawa is a stunning city on the sea, rich with history and some of the best seafood in the world. Here, you can time travel between the futuristic 21st

Century Contemporary Museum and the historic Higashi Chaya District, where rows of old teahouses and back alleys full of little shops recall the past.

A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kanazawa starts at 13,600 Japanese yen (around 130 Canadian dollars), but you might want to consider buying a Japan Rail Pass for ¥29,110 (about $293), which you can only purchase outside of Japan. With this pass, you have seven days of unlimited rides on Japan Rail trains—and you can quickly get your money’s worth if you are planning to visit multiple cities.

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 11

Interior W7

GranClass

E

ach train has one GranClass car (gran being the Spanish word for “big”) with 18 seats, where you can go to be treated as a king or queen. Here, you can put on some nice, comfy slippers and quench your thirst with all-you-can-drink alcohol and soft drinks while reclining in the luxurious leather seats. Meals are also provided, and you can choose from a menu featuring seasonal foods and delicacies from your destination.

【グランシート】

seat

The elegant interior of the car is a beautiful exhibition of traditional Japanese architecture, featuring warm, lacquered wood. Because the GranClass car has full-active suspensions to minimize excess motion, it’s easy to forget that you’re on a moving train instead of in a fivestar luxury hotel.

The leather seats in GranClass are so comfortable that they’re actually rejuvenating, and each has a control panel so you can adjust it just how you like. With seats like this, you’ll never want your journey to end.

Green

Economy

【グリーンシート】

【エコノミーシート】

seat

seat For a roomier experience than economy, the Green Car is a great step up. Equipped with a footrest, your own reading light, a cup holder and more, you’d think you were in first class.

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With deep reclining seats like these, you wouldn’t think that you’re sitting in economy class. Every seat even has a power outlet so that you can charge your phone or work on your laptop.

Universal 【ユニバーサルデザイン】

design

This efficient, functional train is designed so that everything is intuitive and streamlined for the passengers while also being extremely high-tech and sophisticated. The spacious bathrooms are equipped with heated toilets and bidets, a futuristic diaper-changing table and a large vanity area.

Kanazawa Station Ekiben 【金沢駅で買える駅弁】 Toshiie gozen 【利家御膳】 Resembling a covered carriage used by nobility during the samurai period, the Toshiie gozen ($11) features Kanazawa dishes such as jibu-ni (chicken simmered in dashi), unagi (eel) and tamago (egg). A nice little confectionary seals the meal.

Omatsu gozen 【おまつ御膳】 ©Kanazawa City

The Kanazawa Station is one of the most distinct and impressive stations in Japan.

An enormous wooden gate shaped like a tsuzumi, or traditional Japanese hand drum, welcomes you to the culturally rich and beautiful city of Kanazawa.

For around $9.50, you can purchase an award-winning “Omatsu gozen” ekiben from Otomo-Rou. Two abundant layers of beautifully coordinated ingredients include shrimp, egg, lotus and more— as pleasing to the eye as they are to the tastebuds.

l l jjourney 花嫁のれん Hanayome Noren: All aboard for a cultural A special train will be joining the fleet in October of 2015—the Hanayome Noren. The entire train is a tribute to Ishikawa Prefecture’s traditional lacquer and arts: it was designed and meticulously decorated to evoke the traditional Japanese concepts of harmony and beauty. The train’s name refers to the 150-year-old local tradition of noren curtains, which are bright and decorative curtains given to daughters on their wedding days with wishes of happiness and prosperity.

Artist’s representation. Actual train may differ.

Artist’s representation. Actual train may differ.

Ekiben photos: courtesy of Otomo-Rou; photos: courtesy of WEST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY unless otherwise noted.

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 13

Flavour of the month

By Sheena Kirkbride

シャキシャキの食感とほのかな土の香り。 山の幸、竹の子を食べよう

Ingredient A little

taste of Takenoko From little child to strong and sturdy in just a few months, pound by pound bamboo is stronger than steel.

Bamboo shoots

have been an indispensible part of Japanese cuisine for centuries and are packed with fun facts.

A veteran bamboo farmer can identify bamboo shoots from slight mounds on the ground.

Takenoko

竹の子【たけのこ】

The wonder grass The practical and esthetic importance of bamboo is deeply rooted in the spirit of Japan, as well as its cuisine.

A popular children’s snack since the ’70s called Takenoko no Sato features little chocolate-covered cookies shaped like bamboo shoots.

When cooking fresh shoots, put the takenoko in the water before it comes to a boil to get the best flavour.

Bamboo is highly sustainable because of its fast growth—some good news for you eco-conscious eaters!

In a study from 2011, it was reported that bamboo shoots have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Bamboo shoots are a common ingredient

A quick look around a typical Japanese home reveals bamboo in all of its forms, from bamboo lattices for the walls to bamboo leaves wrapped around the day’s desserts. Its quick growth, light weight and strength all make it an ideal plant for a myriad of uses, and the warm and humid climate of southern Japan is the perfect place for bamboo to thrive. It might surprise you to know that you may have even eaten bamboo without realizing it.

The only edible part of bamboo is the shoot, or takenoko (literally meaning “bamboo children”), an indispensable spring vegetable in Japanese cuisine. These young bamboos are harvested before they are two weeks old. You can tell they’re ripe for digging up when they’re just poking out of the ground—but because they grow so quickly, the harvest period is a very narrow window in early spring. In fact, bamboo can grow up to 90 cm a day, so if you blink you might miss your harvesting chance! If the window is missed and the bamboo shoots are too mature, they lose their juiciness and become bitter and overly fibrous.

Like most things, bamboo shoots are the tastiest when they’re fresh, but they’re easier to find here in Canada pre-boiled and in cans or vacuumsealed packages. If you’re lucky enough to get 14 Bento Box Magazine

APRIL 2015

your hands on some fresh bamboo shoots, though, it’s important to first peel all the husk (like corn) and boil the shoots for about 20 minutes to make them tender and cook away their bitterness.

Add rice bran to the water, or you can alternatively use water that was used for rinsing rice. The starchy water helps to soften the bamboo shoots and absorbs their bitter toxins.

Bamboo shoots don’t have an overpowering flavour so they’re perfect additions to dishes like stir-fries, soups and rice, and their crunchy texture adds a lot of fun to your meal. Strips of pickled bamboo shoots or menma are a staple condiment in ramen, and bamboo shoots in chili oil are popularly coupled with rice. A signature spring dish is takenoko rice, which is rice cooked with bamboo shoots. A great source of potassium and vitamin B-6, bamboo shoots are effective in reducing blood pressure—and because they are low in calories, you don’t have to feel guilty about piling them onto your plate.

Each year, only a third of bamboo shoots survive as healthy adult bamboo, so if you happen to have some in your yard, you can consider yourself a backyard farmer and harvest up to 70 per cent of them while maintaining healthy forest growth.

in countries all over Asia, including China, Nepal, Indonesia and many more!

>> Bamboo idioms Takenoko is so prevalent in Japan that you even find it in idioms. The phrase “takenoko lifestyle” refers to people who sell off their things a little at a time to stay financially afloat, inspired by peeling off the many layers of bamboo shoots. “Bamboo shoots after the rain” is a phrase used to describe a chain reaction following a trigger, and refers to the sudden growth spurt that bamboo shoots often have after a rainfall.

[PR] Ryoji Ramen & Izakaya

Vol.2

The little piece of Okinawa in the heart of Little Italy Ryoji Ramen & Izakaya is a noodle restaurant and pub merged into one. It comes to us straight from Okinawa, the Japanese tropical paradise.

Ryoji is the first and only Okinawa-style restaurant in Toronto, delivering a unique taste of the tropical island paradise on the opposite side of the globe. As part of Ryoji Inc., a popular izakaya restaurant chain with nearly a dozen locations in Okinawa, they bring an authentic taste loved by the locals.

In Japan, they say that you can tell the quality of a ramen restaurant by how good their shio(salt) ramen is. If that’s true, Ryoji’s ramen must be top-notch since their shio ramen has one of the most mouth-pleasing flavours around. This is due to the Okinawan salt that is used in the broth.

The salt is extracted from the Okinawan sea water and is rich in minerals, while its flavour is milder than other salts with a hint of sweetness.

The noodles are prepared fresh in-house, giving them a full and crispy texture. While the tonkotsu ramen is usually served with hosomen (thin noodles), the shio ramen is served with futomen (thick noodles) with a choice of firm, regular and soft to fit your preference. It is topped with chashu, leek, kombu, fish cake, yaki-nori and soft-boiled egg, and for a bit more flavour, Ryoji offers pickled garlic that you can squeeze onto the ramen yourself. If you’re looking for a drink to go with it, you can

Side menu

Rafute Considered to be the epitome of Okinawan cuisine, this sweet soy-braised pork belly is a must try. Ryoji’s rafute is a modern version of this traditional dish, served with a marinated soft-boiled egg, lotus purée, pickled vegetables and karashi air, a Japanese mustard whipped until light and airy with fresh cream.

try one of the Japanese beers like the Asahi Black or a grapefruit chuhai, which is shochu mixed with soda and fresh fruit juice.

Near the end of every month, Ryoji holds a tabehodai (all-you-can-eat) event called Okinawa Night. It has a lively atmosphere usually with live DJ performances. The next event is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, so head over to Little Italy on that day for a fun and delicious night out.

Ryoji Ramen & Izakaya 690 College St., Toronto | TEL . 416-533-8083

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Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 15

Drink up!

By Sheena Kirkbride Sake

Gold

star

安達太良山系の伏流水を使った東北の酒。

– To innovate on the tradition –

Okunomatsu 奥の松

【 おくのまつ】

The sake of the samurai Take a step back in time as you sip sake from this traditional brewery.

Sakura Dai-Ginjo

Tokubetsu Junmai Okunomatsu’s Tokubetsu Junmai has won the Gold Award for 13 consecutive years at the US National Sake Appraisal. It has a dry and light taste, complemented by subtle hints of peach and melon, with a smooth and hot finish.

* Dai-Ginjo category winner

f you’re looking for exceptional sake, it’s hard to find a brewery that surpasses Okunomatsu in its array of fantastic choices. And it’s just as hard to find a brewery with such an impressive resume: a winner of dozens of national and international sake awards, the family business has been around for nearly 400 years and the current president is from the family’s 19th generation. Originally of samurai descent, the Yusa family initially became merchants selling canola oil and soy sauce before eventually focusing their efforts on sake, where they found their wild success. The Yusa family’s diligent process of selecting the finest ingredients and their careful and traditional brewing techniques have made Okunomatsu one of the most renowned sake breweries in Japan.

I

Okunomatsu is located at the foot of Mt. Adatara in Fukushima Prefecture, and the water used in their sake is fresh spring water which comes directly

from the mountain to the forest behind the brewery, while the high-quality rice they use is locally grown.

The brewery houses 14 milling machines so that they can mill the rice to meet their exact requirements; it takes two full days to mill the rice for the regular sake — and three days for the Dai-Ginjo sake. On-site experts evaluate the temperature and weather, and make slight adjustments to the way the rice is milled, washed and immersed, creating subtle differences in the sake brewed each year. The koji, or the sake culture, is also descended from the original koji that has always been used by the family and recreates the same flavours that the samurai once drank, lending Okunomatsu’s sake its nickname, “sake of the samurai.” All of their sake bottles are custom-made in unique sizes and the labels are beautifully designed to evoke the same sense of tradition and elegance that is embodied by the sake’s flavour.

For around $36, you can taste the winner of the Gold Award at the Toronto International Sake Challenge, the Sakura Dai-Ginjo. This labourintensive sake is made using traditional tools and precise methods with a long, cold fermentation

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period, and it requires a lot of attention throughout the entire process, which is what gives it such a premium taste. Light and refined with delicate and sophisticated flavours, the Sakura Dai-Ginjo

has a mellow aroma of vanilla nut brittle and dry fruits. The bottle’s beautiful sakura (or cherry blossom) motif serves as an artistic backdrop for the naturally occurring bubbles that emerge when you pour a fresh glass.

Sakura Dai-Ginjo *GOLD Award in the Dai-Ginjo

category at the 2014 Toronto International Sake Challenge.

Clear. Aromas of vanilla nut brittle, coconut water and papaya custard with a silky, dry-yet-fruity, light-to-medium body and a pineapple sorbet, meringue and saltedradish-accented finish. A soft, alluring sake with a nice balance of fruit.

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 17

Featured destination

By M Crowson Travel

華やかな武家文化に彩られた 加賀の小京都、金沢。

Kanazawa City of gold, gardens and comfort food fusions Take a glimpse into Japan’s past as you amble through Kanazawa, a small city that’s big on culture.

Try on an elegant silk kimono and wander Kanazawa’s famous garden.

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A vision of the past

Kanazawa 【金沢】

an g u Rak ©Kanazawa City/©JNTO

O

ften called “little Kyoto,” Kanazawa showcases traditional Japanese culture in a city with a population of less than a half a million. Like Kyoto, it was one of the few places that escaped bombing during the Second World War, so it still retains much of its character as a castle town and continues to be a source of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

While Kanazawa was once off the beaten path for international visitors, it has just become more accessible thanks to swift access via the Hokuriku Shinkansen (北陸新幹線) —a new line of Japan’s famous bullet train, which opened to the public on March 14, 2015. For about 14,000 yen, travellers will enjoy a smooth, scenic ride from Tokyo to Kanazawa in just two and a half hours—80 minutes faster than conventional routes. Let Japan’s cutting-edge Shinkansen take you into one of its most well-preserved historic cities.

Once you’ve arrived, head into the city centre and stroll through the Kenroku-en (兼六園), one of Japan’s top three gardens. First cultivated in the eighteenth century by the Maeda family, the

garden symbolizes the status and sophistication of Japan’s second-most-powerful feudal clan. Later generations named the garden Kenroku-en, a term that means “having six factors” necessary to bring out a perfect landscape: spaciousness, tranquility, artfulness, antiquity, water sources and glorious views. The garden is known for being beautiful in all seasons, with the budding of plum and cherry blossoms taking centre stage in spring.

Right next to the Kenroku-en is Kanazawa Castle (金沢城), parts of which burned down and were rebuilt over the course of centuries. With its pale roof tiles and distinctive stonework, the reconstructed castle is an impressive vision of Japan’s past. You can imagine hurtling back in time, perched on a turret as you overlook the stunning garden and the surrounding castle town, home to the farmers and artisans who grew rice and spun silk for the town’s most powerful residents.

Designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Kanazawa is especially known for its colourful Kutani porcelain (九谷焼), its uniquely dyed Kaga-y΍zen silk (加賀友 禅) and the delicate accents of pure gold leaf (金箔).

Kanazawa might well be called the city of gold, for it produces 99 per cent of Japan’s gold leaf.

Beaten into a wispy-thin layer that will disappear with a rub of your fingertips, gold leaf can be found in an amazing array of Kanazawa products.

You can find gold-enhanced handicrafts, such as lacquer ware, textiles, pottery and ornaments, all of which make lovely gifts to take home. But this unique product has even more surprising uses, such as gold leaf tissues, cosmetics containing glimmers of gold and even food with edible flakes. Enjoy a salty Japanese rice cracker with a square of gold on top, an omelette wrapped in a golden sheet or a cold cup of sake dappled with gold flakes.

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 19

The city of gold

Geisha 【芸者】 A geisha performs a traditional dance in the Higashi Chaya district.

Do you prefer your sake without the bling? Not to worry — Kanazawa’s climate is ideal for sake brewing, and the region has an abundance of sake’s key ingredient: pure, mountainfresh water from the nearby Hakusan range. These mineral-rich waters are combined with high-quality sake rice to produce a clean, refreshing drink that is said to have the power to exorcise evil spirits. Take a tour of one of the city’s local breweries, then wash away your ill-tempered spirits with this sacred beverage.

Whether you’re looking for well-preserved traditions or the future flavours of global Japan, Kanazawa is the place to be.

oku g n a m u Hyaku Gyorets

金沢

Kanazawa produces Japan’s finest kinpaku, or gold leaf, which accents a range of finely crafted traditional products.

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Kutani-yaki is a famous style of ceramic art. Its decorative pieces are known for their boldly coloured and intricate designs.

©Kanazawa City/©JNTO

Kanazawa: A castle town for all seasons

Known for vivid tones and nature-inspired patterns, Kaga-y΍zen silk is dyed using a traditional technique that stretches back to the 18th century.

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Kanazawa’s eats and treats

Hunton rice Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur.

寿司

Sweet and salty sushi

Souvenirs

Takara no f u Try one of Fumuroya’s Takara no fu, a unique “treasure cake” that contains all you need to enjoy a hot bowl of soup in one of two different flavours: miso or suimono. Place the cake into a bowl with your choice of flavour, add hot water and watch it bloom.

Courtesy of Mameya bankyu

おみやげ Want to take a piece of Kanazawa home with you? Welcome to the wonderful world of omiyage, or souvenirs. Japan’s turned the concept of tourist take-home products into an art form. Every region offers a range of goodies to choose from, and each omiyage is emblematic of the area’s history, culture and personality. In Kanazawa, you can find a souvenir to suit every last picky aunt waiting back home—and get something for yourself while you’re at it. Display a gold-accented piggy bank, eat gold-leaf-frosted cake, feast your eyes on delicate wagashi (Japanese confections) or sip on a crisp, regionally brewed sake.

When all of Kanazawa’s crafty time travel spurs your appetite, indulge in one of the city’s trending, budget-friendly fusion dishes, like the Hungarian-inspired Hunton rice (ハントンライス), a buttery rice omelette topped with crispy strips of white fish or prawns. The dish is usually topped off with generous dollops of ketchup, tartar sauce or demi-glace sauce. A “Western-style” dish born in a traditional Japanese town, it melds the satisfaction of childhood comfort foods with a grownup’s sophisticated palate.

Courtesy of Kagafu Fumuroya

A Kanazawa specialty, Kabura sushi harkens back to the old style of sushi, which is pickled in brine rather than vinegar. A pickled slice of amberjack is sandwiched between pickled pieces of turnip, garnished with thin-sliced carrots or kombu (sea kelp), and fermented. A perfect blend of sweet and salty, this unique sushi style pairs nicely with a tall drink and a few otsumami, or bar snacks.

B級グ Western ルメ cuisine meets Japanese tradition

Mameya bankyu Mameya bankyu makes delicious bean snacks in a variety of flavours, from strawberry to Earl Grey. Try any of the single flavours or go for the Spring Gift Set pictured above, which features strawberry chocolate beans, salty-sweet beans and a gold-glazed Castella cake.

All photos ©Kanazawa City unless otherwise noted.

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Take your noodles for a delicious dip SHOYU DIP N’ NOODLE

Literally meaning “dipping noodle,” tsukemen is a kind of ramen in reverse. Instead of the typical noodles-in-broth-style dish, tsuke-men consists of a platter of ramen-style noodles served cold to bring out their flavour and texture, with a thick broth on the side. You eat it by dipping the noodles in the warm sauce before putting them in your mouth.

These thick, wavy noodles absorb the full flavour of the dipping broth. Comes with chopped chicken and pork cha-shu. | $11.50

TRY ME

Ryuichiro Takahashi, proprietor of Ryus Noodle Bar, recommends pouring a few spoonfuls of sauce over the generous pile of noodles to help loosen them up. He serves his tsuke-men with tender pieces of pork and chicken, marinated bamboo strips and pieces of white fungus, an unusual mushroom that is great for soaking up the gravy-like sauce. The sauce itself is a bit salty and fishy, with a hint of sesame—classic Japanese flavours with Ryuichiro’s own unique twist.

With so many noodle shops in Toronto, Ryuichiro knew he needed to set his business apart from the rest. The secret is Ryuichiro’s own broth made from scratch: it uses a combination of pork bone broth and chicken broth infused with a third broth made of kombu (kelp) and shiitake—resulting in a unique taste that still maintains the rich flavours of each individual ingredient. From this base, Ryuichiro not only constructs his tsuke-men, but also his ramen dishes, including house specialties like Spicy Miso for those who like a little fire or the Pork Blaster for meat lovers. Ryus Noodle Bar also offers vegetarian options, which in itself sets Ryuichiro’s establishment apart from your average Japanese noodle bar.

There are few decorations on the wall at Ryus, and the restaurant has what you could call a “stand-style” atmosphere. It’s a smaller space, with a few tables and a low bar where people can sit and sip noodles. But don’t be fooled by the simple decor: this noodle bar’s menu is something special.

RYUS TOP SELLER

PORK BLASTER Your choice of Shio, Shoyu, Miso or Spicy Miso soup, topped with Ryus’ popular pork cha-shu and a soft-boiled egg. $15.50 (Shio, Shoyu) | $16.50 (Miso, Spicy Miso)

Ryus Noodle Bar www.ryusnoodlebar.com Stay connected with us on

33 Baldwin St., Toronto 647-344-9306 OPEN HOURS: Mon–Sat 11 am–10:30 pm Sun 11 am–10 pm Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 23

Cultural curiosity

By M Crowson Only in Japan

All aboard Japan’s magically punctual shinkansen Superman’s got nothing on this world-famous bullet train. 日本に行ったら一度は乗りたい。ナショナルシンボル新幹線。

R

emember that classic phrase used to announce one of the West’s most famous comic book heroes? That old-timey radio voice trumpeting: “Faster than a speeding bullet.

More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.... It’s Superman!”

Well, times have changed, and Japan’s shinkansen, or bullet train, gives a whole new meaning to the term “speeding bullet.” While the shinkansen may not be able to leap tall buildings (yet), this high-speed train has been pushing the boundaries of mass travel for 50 years, and has no plans to stop — except, of course, to drop you off at your destination. Step aboard one of its sleek cars and let yourself be ushered across the country at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour. Feel free to leave your hand sanitizer at home, because this train is nothing like your typical North American choochoo. The shinkansen is so spotlessly clean that even the restrooms are immaculate. Your trip will be astonishingly fast and comfortable, with plush seats and a whisper-quiet ride.

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Travelling at such high speeds will make you hungry, so follow the lead of your fellow passengers who bring a bento box from home, or pick up some food and drink from your departure station. You can also purchase beer from a vendor on board and enjoy your meal, or just sit back and peer through the gleaming windows as the country flashes by. No need to tear your eyes from the scene to check the time or worry about delays. If your ticket reads 4:05, the whitegloved staff will make sure you arrive at 4:05 on the dot.

All this cleanliness and punctuality feels magical, and you can see one crucial part of that magic unfold after you disembark. Linger on the platform and watch as a team of pink-uniformed “cleaning angels” (お掃除の天使たち) whips through each gleaming white car to perform a “seven-minute miracle.” In order to get the train departureready, the angels have seven minutes to flip all the seats to face the opposite direction, check for debris or forgotten items, and empty trash bins before stepping back onto the platform, bowing in unison to the oncoming batch of new passengers.

But that’s not all. The seemingly superhuman powers of the shinkansen will soon leap further into comic book territory with a newly approved line built with magnetic levitation technology.

Reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h, this future line aims to be the world’s fastest passenger train. With a ride that swift and comfy, Clark Kent might just decide to leave his shirt on and buy a seat next to yours.

Riding the shinkansen? Know the DOs and DON’Ts

BULLET TRAIN ETIQUETTE Dear readers, be your best on the bullet train and it will be good to you.

Train yourself to follow these three simple steps and you’ll blend in with the travel pros.

Do NOT speak loudly on the shinkansen

Sure, you can gab on your mobile or interrogate your neighbour on the TTC. Not so in Japan. Blabbermouth behaviour will get you a swift kick in the pants.

Do NOT cut in line

DO have a traditional bento box and sake on the train

Of course you’re excited to get on board.

Who wouldn’t be? But be patient and wait your turn, or be prepared to get the evil eye all across the platform.

What could be better than speeding along on a futuristic train while noshing on a beautifully designed bento, a travel-friendly One Cup sake at your fingertips?

Illustration by Chieko Watanabe

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 25

One-of-a-kind dining

By Jennifer McKechnie Restaurant in Tokyo

怠け心を戒めるナマハゲが、東京•銀座に上陸。

me Bring d the ba ! en childr

Dining with a demon!

Beware the namahage Have a misbehaving child or a colleague who just doesn’t pull their weight?

Take them to Namahage Ginza for a centuries-old admonishment.

Picture it: a conversation among friends seated around a table. Some aperitif being sipped on. The smells of hearty foods mixing together.

The steam from a stew swirling in the air. And then … you are approached by a monster intent on terrifying you into becoming a better person.

No, this isn’t your teenage nightmare of being completely humiliated by your raging parent while your friends watch. This is the dining experience that you have paid for at Tokyo’s popular Akita Dining Namahage Ginza restaurant.

Namahage Ginza specializes in providing each diner with meals reflecting the traditional foods of the Akita Prefecture. Located close to the tip of mainland Japan, Akita Prefecture is known for its kiritanpo (rice sticks), chicken and fish dishes.

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The prefecture is also known for its annual New Year’s Eve tradition of sending out the terrifying namahage ogre to scare little children into good behaviour for the coming year. The ogre (hopefully just a man in a horrifying mask and costume!) comes from Japanese folklore and, nowadays, is guided by a parent’s request to teach their child a lesson of some type (i.e., “don’t be a baddie, Jimmy!”).

So, how does this all fit into a restaurant that has a seating capacity of 150? Well, the menu is made up of tasty nabe soups, smoked and pickled veggies (an Akita specialty) and popular chicken dishes. In an izakaya, or Japanese pub-like atmosphere, a variety of drinks are available, including sakes from the Akita Prefecture. The decor of

Food that’s just as delicious as your revenge

bow Get to know wow Akita Prefecture

Walk into Namahage Ginza prepared.

Know some facts about Akita Prefecture!

hera Baba eam r ice c om o in bl

the restaurant harkens back to a more distant time in Japan and can be described as a traditional setting with low tables and on-the-floor seating (with comfortable leg room!). If you want to enhance your experience, ask to be seated in one of the round, hut-like structures used in the Akita Prefecture to provide shelter from the elements (no worries, I’ve been assured that it will not snow in the restaurant).

Then, once you’ve settled into your meal, you may want to prepare yourself for the dimming of the lights and the loud screams of the namahage as they come searching for “lazy people!” (your co-worker) or “bad boys!” (your nephew who never listens). From there, you can sit back while the namahage take care of changing your friend, co-worker, nephew or sibling’s behaviour forever. Well, okay, the restaurant can’t assure you of that. But it can certainly assure you of an experience that you won’t soon forget!

Prices at Namahage Ginza are reasonable. Although you will be required to pay a sitting fee of ¥630 (about seven dollars), you can try a variety of dishes for around $30–50 Canadian. And

like many of Japan’s unique theme restaurants, Namahage Ginza is popular with families looking to turn the dinner hour into an event. So, bring the kiddies! If you happen to be a person who doesn’t like the idea of dining in a restaurant frequented by youngsters, take the opportunity to suggest to namahage that he publicly berate parents for bringing their badly behaved children out with them. Truly something for everybody.

While Namahage Ginza is open every day of the week, on Fridays you can really plan for a night out—as the restaurant stays open until 4:00 Saturday morning. That gives the stout of heart a chance to dine with demons all night long. (Wear your stretch pants to really take advantage of the extended hours—more time equals more food consumption!)

Akita Prefecture is located in the northern part of Honshu, Japan.

Akita City was founded on April 1, 1889.

Akita dogs originated here. They are big and tough … but, luckily, they’re a lot cuter than the namahage.

HachikȬ was a famous and beloved Akita dog. He was also the subject of a Japanese film—and an American remake starring Richard Gere.

The namahage visits terrified children on December 31. He previously visited on the night of the first full moon.

One of northern Japan’s biggest summer festivals is held in Akita City in August: the Kanto Matsuri Festival (or pole lantern festival), which attracts 1.3 million people annually.

Akita Prefecture is home to Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan.

Akita Dining Namahage Ginza Open for dinner, reservations are recommended.

Call 050-2018-1384 for the English-language reservation service. Located a three-minute walk from Shimbashi Station or a five-minute walk from Ginza Station. www.akita-namahage.jp/ginza TEL: 03-3571-3799 Nakajima Shoji Building 9F, 8-5-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo OPEN HOURS Mon–Thurs: 5:00 pm–11:30 pm Fri & days before holidays: 5:00 pm–4:00 am Sat–Sun: 5:00 pm–11:30 pm

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 27

Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip If there were something that you could call “The Mt. Fuji Tour,” this would probably be it!

One of the most popular tours to any destination, this day trip from Tokyo takes you right to Mt. Fuji first thing in the morning, and takes you up the mountain itself. After lunch, sightseeing continues in the popular Hakone area with a Lake Ashi cruise and a gondola ride on one of Hakone’s ropeways. You can also choose how to return to Tokyo: return by the motorcoach you came in, or go for a ride on Japan’s famous bullet train.

This guided one-day tour takes you to majestic Mt. Fuji and Hakone. It includes a stop at the Fuji Visitor Centre, a trip up to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station at an elevation of 2,300 metres, a cruise on pristine Lake Ashi and a ride on the Komagatake Ropeway which boasts great views of the surrounding Hakone National Park.

©JNTO

TOUR BASIC INFORMATION Departure: Hamamatsucho, Tokyo Visit: Mt. Fuji, Hakone

Tour return by

motorcoach

Duration: approx. 11 hours *English-speaking guide, lunch, admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour. *GPS-equipped audio guides are available in Chinese and Spanish (Limited quantity). *Tour itinerary may differ due to unforeseen circumstances.

$149

Tour return by

shinkansen train

$181

*Price is for the month of March 2015. Price will fluctuate monthly based on exchange rate.

HOW TO PURCHASE Reservations can be made by telephone or email with JTB International (Canada) Ltd. Toll free: 1-800-268-5942 | email: jtbtoronto@jtbi.com

ITINERARY *returning by shinkansen train

9:00

Bus Terminal

Ropeway

Lunch

Depart from Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal.

Spend a total of 50 minutes including a 7-minute cableway ride up to the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that’s nestled at the mountaintop.

Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch *vegetarian menu available.

Fuji Visitor Centre

20

Lake Cruise

min

Learn about the historic eruptions, nature and culture surrounding Japan’s most iconic mountain, Mt. Fuji. There are many videos and panel displays to interact with and enjoy!

Mt. Fuji—5th Station

30

min

Start the ascent up Mt. Fuji via the Fuji Subaru Line. Climb 2,300 m (7,546 ft) above sea level for breathtaking views from above the clouds. *Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station is typically 10 to 15 degrees Celsius colder than Tokyo.

On tours from autumn to spring, please bring a coat and other warm clothing.

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15

min

Go for a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi, from Kojiri to Hakone-en. This crater lake along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone was formed by a powerful volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago, and provides postcard views of Mt. Fuji towering 30 km northwest.

50

min

Depart Hakone Depart Hakone and proceed to Odawara Station by bus. The bus may make brief stops at hotels in the Hakone area.

Depart Odawara Station 40

min

Board a non-reserved seat on the Kodama Shinkansen. The train will stop at ShinYokohama and Shinagawa before arriving at Tokyo.

Arrive at Tokyo Station The tour disbands upon arrival.

ŠJNTO

Bento Box Magazine APRIL 2015 29

Let the music play

By M Crowson Culture

Babymetal: Dangerously cute Bubblegum J-pop meets death metal in this slick teen idol trio.

Fans of Japanese pop music are probably familiar with the kawaii (or “cute”) J-pop phenomenon that has essentially taken over half the planet—charming girl bands like AKB48 have been making waves across the globe with their sweet, attractive young female singers. But even if you’ve heard of big names like AKB48, you may not yet have heard about Babymetal, the genre-bending black sheep of the kawaii J-pop family. If not, then welcome to the darker side.

Dreamed up by producer Kobametal in 2010, Babymetal is comprised of three teen performers: 17-year-old lead singer Suzuka Nakamoto, and 15-year-old backup singers Moa Kikuchi and Yui Mizuno. They were originally members of the allgirl band Sakura Gakuin, until they “graduated,” or aged out of the group and moved on to other projects. In creating Babymetal, the band’s producer aimed to surprise audiences with an unusual combination, something along the lines of the Japanese-inspired flare of Quentin Tarantino’s revenge thriller, Kill Bill. Like the film, Babymetal brings audiences a startling new vision of music by pairing the unexpected. The band’s songs combine classic hard-metal riffs with sweet30 Bento Box Magazine

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voiced pop vocals, and the girls dress in a Gothic Lolita style, wildly swinging their ponytails and thrusting their arms in one moment, and taking cutesy, crooning poses in the next moment.

If Babymetal’s numbers are any indication, this odd musical combination has hit a chord with audiences the world over. The band’s first major single, an anti-bullying anthem called “Ijime, Dame, Zettai,” sold 19,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number six on the Japanese Orion weekly singles chart. Their eponymous debut album edged into the top 10 in six other countries, and jumped as high as number three on the American iTunes rock chart. Babymetal’s official YouTube page has also been getting some serious hits: the live music video for their single “Gimme Chocolate” has over 24 million views. Newcomers to the Babymetal tribe should check out the video “YouTubers React to Babymetal,” which features spellbound viewers watching the band for the first time.

Babymetal also plays on some traditional Japanese motifs, such as the kitsune gesture, or the sign of the fox. The girls accidentally made this hand

signal during a promotional shoot, mistaking the heavy metal “devil horns” gesture for the kitsune. Now the sly fox is a signature part of the band’s presence in videos and merchandise.

But the band’s success extends well beyond merch, music charts and the digital sphere.

Babymetal has twice performed live at the Summer Sonic Festivals in Tokyo and Osaka, and they are the youngest band to play Tokyo’s hallowed Budokan arena. The trio is currently heading to a venue near you on the “Road of Resistance,” the band’s first world tour. The show is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Babymetal World Tour 2015 Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 pm *All ages Venue: Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave, Toronto) Tickets: $58.25 – $68.75 Regular, $129.00 VIP Website: en.babymetal.jp

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What’s happening?

April 2015 Events TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St. W., Toronto) More info: tiff.net/festivals/tiffkidsfestival > TIFF Kids offers a diverse slate of films from Canada and around the world—films that take children and parents out of the everyday, and use the power of film to foster thought and encourage discussion about the complex and challenging issues facing young people today, and have lots of fun doing it. This year, Studio Ghibli’s fantastical adaptation of the children’s novel by Joan G. Robinson, When Marnie Was There, will be screened on April 18th and 19th.

Performances Catch your favourite filmmakers as they appear!

Toronto Japanese Film Festival Now in its third year, this film festival showcases the finest Japanese films that have been recognized for their excellence by audiences and critics.

Among the 18 films are North American premieres of major Japanese films. > Thursday, June 11–Friday, June 26 I $12 Regular (Tickets go on sale May 1 at 10 am) Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Ct., Toronto) I More info: www.torontojff.com

Exhibitions Kampai Toronto – Sake festival Thursday, May 28, 6:30 pm – 9 pm | $80 Regular ($70 Advance, available until May 21), $100 VIP The Historic Distillery District, Fermenting Cellar and the Thompson Landry Gallery (55 Mill St., Toronto) | More info: kampaitoronto.com >“Kampai Toronto” is the largest sake festival in Canada, showcasing over 120 of the best sake produced in Japan and North America. Every grade and style of sake will be presented, along with a myriad of appetizer-style foods courtesy of local restaurants in Toronto.

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Films

Traditional Japanese Music

by Koji Yamaguchi x Yoshihiko Fueki Thursday, April 16, 7 pm | $26.55 Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Ct., Toronto) | More info: jccc.on.ca > Koji Yamaguchi will be back with his shamisen for a live concert at the JCCC along with international taiko performer Yoshihiko Fueki. Koji Yamaguchi has won numerous awards in national competitions and is considered a young hope of the tsugaru shamisen.

TIFF Kids International Film Festival Bravo Niagara! Spring into Music

When Mamie Was There

Until Sunday, April 19 I $13 Adults regular, $9 Children regular, $25 Premium screenings

Saturday, April 25, 2 pm I $49 Stratus Vineyards (2059 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagaraon-the-Lake) | More info: www.bravoniagara.org/ index /#/ mari-kodama-1 > Bravo Niagara!’s annual spring festival “Spring into Music” celebrates spring’s return with a resurgence of creative energy and artistic spirit. The Japanese pianist Mari Kodama will be performing with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Karin Kei Nagano, at the Stratus Vineyards.

Where Canadians can go to celebrate Japanese culture

CanAsian International Dance Festival Thursday, April 30 – Saturday, May 2, 8 pm | $25 –30 Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay W., Toronto) More info: www. canasiandance.com Natsu Nakajima Photo by Makoto Onozuka > The 2015 CanAsian International Dance Festival will be presenting four artists, including Natsu Nakajima from Tokyo. Nakajima is the doyenne of butoh dance and one of the first women involved in its founding in Tokyo in the 1960s. She will be performing the Toronto premiere of her work, Like Smoke Like Ash.

Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival Friday, May 29– Sunday, October 25 | $34.40–280 Selected US and Canadian cities, including Vancouver (Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 19) More info: www.sanrio.com/hkfestival > Hello Kitty is hitting the road with her firstever North American live tour event! Join Hello Kitty and her supercute friends including Dear Daniel, My Melody, BadtzMaru, Keroppi, Chococat and Pompom Purin in a unique celebration of fun, festivities and surprises.

Babymetal World Tour 2015 Tuesday, May 12, 7 pm | $58.25–68.75 The Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave., Toronto) | More info: babymetal.jp > Fusing metal with J-pop, kawaii metal is coming to Toronto! When these three girls started Babymetal in 2010, lead singer Su-Metal was 12, and other members Moa-Metal and Yui-Metal were only 10!

Other Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Thursday, April 2–Wednesday, April 29 Ticket prices vary for each event | Various locations throughout Vancouver I More info: www.vcbf.ca > Come out and celebrate the beauty of Vancouver’s cherry trees! The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival provides city-wide viewing programs, musical performances and art exhibitions. This year’s roster includes the Haiku Invitational, Sakura Night, Plein-Air Blossom Painting, Cherry Jam Downtown Concert, Kite Dance and many more.

The 10th Annual “Washoku Matsuri” Japanese Food Festival Monday, April 20, 5:30 pm | $180 (Must be 19 years old or older) | Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Ct., Toronto) | More info: www.jrac.ca > This special event brings together a variety of top Japanese chefs to personally serve you their authentic signature dishes that have captivated fans of Japanese cuisine, foodies and culinary experts alike. The event includes appetizers, dinner and tickets for sake, wine and beer samples, as well as Japanese culinary demonstrations. *Tickets available at featured JRAC member restaurants and stores.

Sake and Sushi Night Wednesday, May 6, 6 pm–10 pm | $85 Regular, $75 Advance, available until April 22 | Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Ct., Toronto) More info: nikkeivoice.ca/sakesushinight > Meet with Sochi Winter Games Olympic Snowboarder Katie Tsuyuki on May 6 at Nikkei Voice’s third annual Sake and Sushi Night! This year’s event will include—aside from sake and sushi—a light dinner bento, a raffle, table prizes and an autograph session with Katie herself! The night will also be MC’d by Mark Hashimoto as seen on YTV’s Japanizi: Going Going Gong!

Anime North Friday, May 22–Sunday, May 24 | $35 – 45 Toronto Congress Centre (650 Dixon n Rd., Toronto) More info: www.animenorth.com > Anime North celebrates anime, manga, music, games and all other forms of Japanese culture!

Midori Fukasawa, a well-known lolita model in Japan, will be attending the event as one of the guests of honour.

The 7th Annual Sakura Gala 2015 Saturday, May 30 I $500 Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Ct., Toronto) I More info: sakuragala.com > The Sakura Gala is held annually, recognizing contributions made to the promotion of Japanese culture. This year’s honorees are acclaimed authors Haruki Murakami and Joy Kogawa. It will also feature performances by the vocalist Tatsuya Ishii and the drum troupe Nagata Shachu.

Otafest 2015 Friday, May 15–Sunday, May 17 $50 3-day, $10 youth, Free under five years old University of Calgary (2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary) I More info: otafest.com > Otafest is an annual anime conference that provides a creative outlet where people can show off the costumes, music videos and art they have created. It is a chance for fans to get together and celebrate their hobby, and to share their passions.

Powell Street Festival Friday, July 31–Sunday, August 2 Powell Street Area, Vancouver More info: www.powellstreetfestival.com > The Powell Street Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture that features something for everyone, including dance, music, visual arts, martial arts demonstrations, an amateur sumo tournament, craft vendors, delicious Japanese food and much more.

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Chic cosmetics

By Yumi Nishio Beauty

Cosme Proud Get a spa-quality facial with Cosmé Proud. This cosmetics expert offers the finest Japaneseengineered skin care products with carefully chosen ingredients to give your skin a healthy glow.

Gold Multi Rejuvenating Peat Pack

Used at 5-star spas

A rare find. H8-grade peat!

State-of-the-art mixing technology gy ing is the key to this special rejuvenating peat pack. Cosmé Proud’s traditional onal ed H8-grade Finnish peat is combined with pure gold nanocolloid, then de mixed with trehalose and ceramide complex for a creamy, moisturizing ng finish. To truly understand how effective this rejuvenating peat elf. pack is, you’ve got to try it yourself.

It’s deliciously addictive!

sk, ud ma m l a r tu ol, All -na g no alcoh . n i n al oils contai miner r o s n parabe

Go Gold Multi Rejuvenating Peat Pack uses H8gra grade peat from Finland. Peat is separated into grades by level of maturation, and since onl only 0.6% of Finland’s peat reserves is H8, it is a truly rare find.

Since its establishment in 2006, Cosmé Proud has gained many imitators in the beauty industry.

Now it’s your turn to learn Cosmé Proud’s beauty secrets and have a spa-quality facial treatment in your own home.

H8 Has fine fibres and is smooth in texture. Accumulated for 5,000 years. Impossible to produce artificially.

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Has Canada’s harsh winter left your skin feeling dry and dehydrated? Are you having a hard time finding the right products to stay moisturized? Then try this innovative skin care line engineered in Japan. Using the latest skin-rejuvenating technology, Cosmé Proud offers up a whole series of products to indulge your skin—from gentle makeup remover made with pure gold flakes to deep treatment serum with nanotechnologized platinum.

Available online from

www.cosmeproud.com You can also check out their Canadian retailer, Japan Beauty Images (www.japanbeauty.ca)

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Film focus

By James Heron Movie

Rie Miyazawa glows in Pale Moon One of 2014’s best Japanese films, Daihachi Yoshida’s Pale Moon boasts a compelling narrative, sustained tension, nuanced characters and a career-best performance from Rie Miyazawa.

&(/" "' ( Pale Moon (2014) Directed by Daihachi Yoshida Starring Rie Miyazawa, Sosuke Ikematsu, Satomi Kobayashi, Yuko Oshima Written by Kaeko Hayafune; based on Kami no Tsuki by Mitsuyo Kakuta

©2014 “Pale Moon” Film Partners

An ordinary, upstanding housewife embezzles a fortune. Does she do it to satisfy greed? To keep her younger lover? Or are the reasons buried deeper in her past? Yoshida translates Mitsuyo Kakuta’s (Confessions) novel into a suspenseful new masterpiece.

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n 2012, director Daihachi Yoshida’s The Kirishima Thing took the Japan Academy Prizes for Best Picture and Director. Yoshida’s brilliant new film, Pale Moon—built around a career-best performance by Rie Miyazawa— is sure to score more top nominations this year.

Pale Moon has already received the Audience Choice Award at the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival and is earning its place as one of 2014’s finest Japanese films.

The year is 1994 and Japan is coming to terms with some new realities following the collapse of the economic bubble. Rika (Miyazawa) is childless and trapped in marriage to a benignly neglectful husband who forbids her from having even a credit card. To fill her empty days, she has recently taken full-time employment at a bank where she does fieldwork visiting elderly clients to deliver documents and sell investments. She has gained the trust of her co-workers and clients and is lavishly praised by a long-time bank customer, Kozo Hirabayashi (Renji Ishibashi), for her honesty and care. Returning home one night, Rika bumps into Kozo’s grandson, Kota (Sosuke Ikematsu), a penniless university student whom she has briefly met at Kozo’s house. She is immediately taken by his shy attention and the two fall into an intense sexual re36 Bento Box Magazine

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A delicious inquiry into the corruptive power of money … and the human capacity for self-delusion.

lationship which fills the physical and emotional emptiness brought on by her marriage. One day, Rika “borrows” a tiny sum from one of Kozo’s deposits to help out Kota, and so tips the first in a long line of dominos. She is soon embezzling great sums from the bank and her clients to pay both Kota’s tuition fees and the bills for extravagant meals, gifts and a luxurious love nest. As her transgressions multiply, so does the suspicion of her employers, in particular from her steely, middle-aged superior, Sumi. Rika finds her precariously constructed world increasingly claustrophobic as its inevitable collapse approaches…

Naoki Prize–winning novelist Mitsuyo Kakuta’s source novel is a delicious inquiry into the corruptive power of money, the confusion of pleasure for happiness and the human capacity for selfdelusion. Yoshida’s film is non-judgmental, often playful in tone, and takes time to visit incidents in Rika’s Catholic school days that drive her pathology. Rie Miyazawa’s skilfully underplayed central performance is fascinating to watch; her bold and compulsive hedonism is shot through

with a frail vulnerability that holds our sympathy throughout. She is nicely complemented by well-written and acted supporting performances, among which Satomi Kobayashi’s Sumi stands out. As Rika’s nemesis, she coldly monitors the moral weakness—conflicted superiors, vacuous junior employees—that surrounds her. Her contempt for Rika is tempered by a grudging envy, even admiration, as we learn her own backstory of stultifying self-repression.

Yoshida (Permanent Nobara; Funuke—Show Some Love, You Losers) is a filmmaker we have come to associate with understatement, sly humour and a particular gift with female characters; with Pale Moon he again plays to those strengths. The humour is buried deeper in the mix this time, pushing a compelling narrative, sustained tension, nuanced characters and skilful performances to the fore. Great fun and highly recommended.

Pale Moon is scheduled to make its Canadian premiere at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival in June.

Memoir ࡔ ࡕ ࠕ

By Shelley Suzuki Bullet trains are usually associated with nicer memories (and more comfortable rides). On one trip to Tokyo, there was a sudden rush of passengers to the left side of the train. I realized later that they’d spotted a particularly beautiful, clear view of Mt. Fuji, a rare gift. Years later, that bullet train became the link between myself, my children and my husband, who was living and working apart from us. The excitement on my children’s faces as they watched their dad appear on the platform was priceless.

I have a particularly fond memory of a train trip to Kobe with my best friend. That day involved sharing good conversation, good laughs and an ekiben, or a boxed lunch specially made to be sold at train stations or on trains. Those lunches are always the most delicious.

Illustration by Chieko Watanabe

Take a train down memory lane

From the embarrassing to the hilarious, my experiences riding Japanese trains are impossible to forget.

I have many fond memories of trains in Japan. Some make me laugh to this day — and a few are downright uncomfortable. Nonetheless, they are unforgettable parts of my experience in the land of the bullet train.

My first and strongest train memory is of my first day travelling alone on the local trains. I had a schedule with clear, detailed instructions complete with train times, platform numbers and station names written in English, because I understood absolutely no Japanese when I arrived.

I’ll never forget the nervous sweat that trickled down my back as I counted the stations and double-checked each passing signboard.

I remember being warned about chikan or “perverts” on the train who take advantage of the close quarters. I was always wary, but luckily never had that horrible experience. My worst experience was boarding the train with the back zipper of my skirt left unzipped, underwear and pantyhose exposed for all to see.

I remember laughing at an elderly man, shoes off, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed and a 100-yen coin stuck in each ear—and I remember being squished by the “pushers” who are hired to get as many passengers as possible into each car.

And I remember smiling at my son’s round, fascinated eyes when he boarded a train for the first time. How clear those fragments of my past are!

Perhaps my most hilarious train tidbit came on an afternoon riding to Nagoya. I met an elderly student of mine by chance on the train. We became immersed in conversation and he forgot about his stop. When he realized the train was about to leave, he rushed off — leaving one shoe behind! He turned around on the platform, mouth open, frozen with indecision.

Luckily, one quick-thinking passenger bent down on one knee, scooped up the shoe and chucked it between the doors just as they closed—and my student sat there with the shoe in his hand as the train pulled away. Everyone cheered.

All of those memories associated with a long tube of steel, hurtling through the universe. They are forever in my train of thought.

SHELLEY SUZUKI is a long-time teacher of English as a Second Language in Canada and Japan. She currently runs an English school via Skype and is pursuing a teaching career, or whatever other interesting opportunities may come her way. She appeared on the Japanese TV show Okusama wa Gaikokujin (My Wife is a Foreigner).

She hopes to become a children’s book writer and illustrator when she grows up.

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Come “home” to Fin Izakaya With delicious food served alongside warm hospitality, eating at Fin feels like I’ve journeyed back to Japan for the night.

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rasshai mase! A sea of Japanese voices rings out the familiar welcome as I walk into an old favourite, Fin Izakaya. The restaurant’s warm interior combined with the sweet aroma of cooking soy sauce makes me feel like I’ve returned to my home away from home, Japan.

I’m ready to eat!

First on my list is nothing less than a feast. The -i>v `Ê -Ì iÊ À Ê ÃÊ >Ê V ÕÀvÕ Ê >ÃÃ ÀÌ i ÌÊ of succulent seafood and voluptuous veggies, served on a steaming hot plate of homemade teriyaki sauce (or ponzu®°Ê i>ÌÊ ÛiÀÃÊ V> Ê i>ÌÊ their sashimi-grade salmon (or beef) rare, or they can opt to cook it a little longer before digging in. And vegetarians might do a double take at the meatiness of the mushrooms, eggplant, yams and pumpkin.

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/ iÊ/Õ >ÊEÊ >À VÊ,>ÀiÊ-Ìi> Ê ÃÊ>LÃ ÕÌi ÞÊÃÌÕ ning. True to its name, this “steak” could be mistaken for the tenderest of tenderloins. Fresh green onions and roasted garlic give the lightly seared tuna a kick, while the butter soy sauce wraps tastebuds in its warm embrace. (The sauce is so good that it comes with toasted bread just for dipping.)

Even if, like me, you’re not a huge mackerel fan, Ì iÊ ÜÌ ÀV i`Ê >V iÀi Ê ÃÊ oÊ Üi Ê oÊ ` blowing! Pickled in vinegar for no less than eight hours and served with a ginger-infused ponzu sauce, this dish boasts a far more delicate taste than the average mackerel sushi—without losing that distinct flavour and creamy texture mackerel lovers crave.

O Ha O’H agan

Kaa hleen spent years cho Kat wing down in JJapan, and once even she d a tear while eating exceptionally goo d grub. Known as a “sushi snob” among friends, Kathleen is one of those ann oying people who believes food is w art and enjoys cclogging your news feed cl with food pics.

Currrrently, she lives and C eats in Toronto. www.kathleenohaga n.com

Fin Izakaya 55 Eglinton Ave. E., Toronto 647-347-3864 | www.finizakaya.com "«i \Ê7i`q À Ê££\ÎäÊ> q{Ê« U q->ÌÊx\ÎäÊ« q£ÓÊ> U -Õ Êx\ÎäÊ« q£äÊ«

>ÃÌÊ LÕÌÊ ÌÊ i>ÃÌ]Ê Ì iÊ Ê - À «Ê , V Ê i>Ã ÞÊ proves why it’s a bestselling dish. Deep-fried in a light tempura batter and covered in a sauce that’s both spicy and sweet, each bite packs just the right amount of punch.

For a little refreshment between dishes, you’ll >ÛiÊ Ì ÃÊ vÊ vÕ Ê À`iÀ }Ê Ì iÊ -> iÊ } Ì°Ê ÀÊ a very reasonable $13, you get three shots literally brimming with three different sakes of your choosing. It’s a tasting experience that gives newbies a chance to try a variety of flavours, while foodies can perfectly pair their drinks with their dishes.

Like most izakayas, Fin’s menu has an extensive selection of affordable dishes that tease and Ìi «Ì°Ê ÞÊ>`Û Vi¶Ê ½ÌÊw} ÌÊ Ì°Ê

Entering a world of infusion and never wanting to leave Nomé Izakaya is an oyster–5:2A?10 -<-:1?1 <A. @4-@p? 05Ŋ1>1:@ 5: all the right ways. Why not spend your evening Nomé–style?

With izakayas around almost every street corner, us Torontonians have many choices of where to spend our night out—Japanese style. So how does one izakaya stand out from the rest of the crowd? The answer was simple for Patrick, the owner of Nomé Izakaya. Serve the freshest oysters in town.

Nomé offers buck-a-shuck oysters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, drawing a packed crowd from the moment their doors open. They serve about 5,000 to 6,000 oysters a week, which means that their oysters are always super fresh.

But the oysters are not the only thing that sets them apart.

They have a creatively unique menu that caters to the Western palate while keeping to Japanese roots. You can think of their food as traditional Japanese food infused with Western sauces, ingredients and cooking methods, adding more flavour and packing more punch to the otherwise mild and delicate tastes typical of Japan.

For example, the Spicy Sashimi Tortilla Bites are made with fresh tuna sashimi topped with jalapeno salsa and served on top of bite-sized tortillas. It tastes like an international party of flavours happening inside of your mouth. Another popular item is the Japa-Burger, which has these fried wonton strips that are crunchy and chewy at the same time (you have to try it to believe it).

And other items like the Ebi- Mayo Tiger Shrimp and the Creamy Mentai Potato will have you reaching for the plate over and over, soon eyeing your friends to see who’s going to have the last piece.

If sipping sake-infused cocktails, slurping oysters and sharing good food and conversation with your friends sounds like a night well spent, head on down to Nomé Izakaya and immerse your evening in this unique culinary experience. The hardest part will be getting up off of your seat.

Spicy Sashimi Tortilla Bites

The Creamy Mentai Potato

Ebi-Mayo Tiger Shrimp With original sweet chili sauce and shrimp chips.

Nomé Izakaya www.nomeizakaya.com Japa-Burger Nomé’s homemade sliders.

Tel. 647.347.7937 4848 Yonge Street, Toronto Two-minute walk from TTC Sheppard Station "«i \Ê/ÕiÃq->ÌÊxÊ« qÓÊ> ÊUÊÊ-Õ ÊxÊ« q£ÓÊ>

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