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Jul. 2 017

No. 29 FREE www.bentoboxmag.ca

Japan’s hottest festivals Fea t u re

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Contents July 2017 No.29

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Now this is comfort food done right

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Feature: Japan’s hottest festivals

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Restaurant: Taking the time to get it right

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Ingredient: Soba

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Sake: Specialty sake at the LCBO

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Only in Japan: Japanese taxis

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MUJI picks: A hard case for easy travel

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Products: Happiness rolled into a towel

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Sports: The JCBL’s 50th season

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:[HɈ WPJR YLZ[H\YHU[! King of crunch

EDITOR’S NOTE

Nina Hoeschele

Get in the summer spirit What better way to enjoy the season than heading outdoors and celebrating with your neighbours? In Japan, summer festivals are practically an art—some of the more famous events have long, rich histories and are attended by many thousands of people. In this issue, we’re spotlighting some of the country’s most vibrant festivals. May they serve as inspiration for your own summer fun!

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Cover photos: ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO Editors Nina Hoeschele, Amanda Plyley, Yumi Nishio Editorial coordinators Nina Hoeschele, Yumi Nishio Writers Amanda Plyley, Amanda Taylor, Ariel Litteljohn, M Crowson, Nicholas Jones, Sheena Kirkbride, Walter Muschenheim Designers Chieko Watanabe, Midori Yamamoto Photographer Kazu Maruyama Advertisement & marketing Kazu Maruyama Publisher Kazu Maruyama

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Feature

Japan’s hottest festivals 日 本 全 国 か ら 厳 選 ！

一 度 は 見 て お き た い 日 本 の 夏 祭 り 。

by Ariel Litteljohn

Summer in Japan means festivals.

From massive water fights to awesome fireworks displays to giant paper floats lit up from inside by thousands of lights, there is something spectacular about each one.

R

egardless of what festival appeals to you, be prepared for celebrator y moods and lots of good cheer—as well as delectable street food and drink vendors aplent y.

If you are luck y enough to have friends with whom you can stay for a festival or two, you need only concern yourself with booking tickets for some of the stage performances and parades (that is, if you prefer to take a seat rather than stand and mingle with the crowds). For everybody else, make sure to book your accommodations as early as possible.

Some of the festivals, such as the Sendai Tanabata Festival, see in the neighbourhood of

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two million tourists each year! Others, like the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival in Tokyo, frequently have more than 30,000 participants walking and dancing in the parade. Joining in with these lively festivals is nothing short of absolutely fantastic.

And, for those of you wondering about the rates of crime with such massive crowds, rest assured: while there is a strong police presence to keep ever ybody in order, the festivities ver y rarely get out of hand. Ever ybody is there to take in the show and to join in the celebration.

With all of the festivals taking place in the months of July and August, your main task will be deciding which ones to prioritize when

considering your upcoming vacation plans. Will it be watching the mikoshi being loaded onto processional boats while dining on local delicacies at Osaka’s Tenjin Festival? Getting wet in Tokyo as you cheer on (and throw water on) the men and women carr ying the heav y mikoshi through the streets? Partying with visitors and locals before one of the great parades at the Kyoto Gion Festival? Or dancing like nobody is watching (or cares!) at the Awa Dance Festival in Tokushima? Read on to find out more about all of these festivals and to help you decide which one is for you.

All Photos: cour tesy of JNTO unless other wise noted Illustrations: Chieko Watanabe

©Yasufumi Nishi / ©JNTO

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NEBUTA Aomo r i

The colourful Aomori Nebuta Festival, originating in the Edo era, is the most famous of all of Japan’s Nebuta festivals. Giant paper lantern floats (nebuta), depicting brave warriors from Japanese folklore and myths, are lit from within and paraded through the streets, pulled by children using ropes (or at least a p p e a r i n g to b e p u l l e d by th e children) and accompanied by chanting dancers wearing the traditional haneto costume. The yearly festival is an important part of Aomori’s cultural heritage and locals make up most of the participants.

H o w e v e r, a n y b o d y i s a b l e to participate in the procession so long as they pick up a haneto costume, for rent or sale in many shops and stalls in the area.

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The nebuta were originally lit from inside by candles, a practice that was eventually banned by the government for fear of a potential fire. Following the Second World War, the nebuta were brought back in order to boost the morale of citizens. This time, however, the giant floats were lit from inside by batter y-powered lightbulbs and portable generators, while the outer frames of the nebuta were changed from the original bamboo to wire in order to lower the potential risk of fire. There are three types of lantern that make an appearance during the festival: the children’s nebuta, the regional nebuta and the grander and larger nebuta. Some of the larger lanterns are lit up by hundreds of

Photos: ©Yasufumi Nishi / ©JNTO

lightbulbs in order to achieve the most stunning effect.

This festival of lights takes place every year in Aomori from August 2 to 7, with the float parade taking place nightly. The final day is filled with non-stop fun, with a daytime parade and an evening fireworks show that accompanies bringing the nebuta to the sea. There is also an award (Nebuta Taisho, the grand prize) for the best processional group.

Tokyo

FUKAGAWA HACHIMAN

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is Tokyo’s giant summer water fight festival, and it is most definitely a wet one! The crowds cheer on the mikoshi, which bear men and women, and throw cold water on them as they travel along the processional route. Mikoshi are portable shrines that are also ver y heav y, and since the weather in Tokyo in August is scorching hot, the teams carr ying them must feel grateful for the constant showers. While this festival takes place yearly, ever y three years it is grander than usual, with 2017 being one of those years. This involves a longer festival running from August 11 to 15, with the main parade taking place August 12. The main parade starts at Fukagawa Hachiman shrine, where upwards of 50 mikoshi teams, complete with dancers and musicians, then cross the Sumida River before returning back to the shrine for the closing festivities. In recent years more than 30,000 participants joined the parade, with 500,000 spectators cheering them on.

Osaka

TENJIN

Osaka’s Tenjin Festival is regarded as one of Japan’s top summer festivals. It is held annually on July 24 and 25. The festival begins at the Tenmangu shrine, followed by prayers at the river for continued peace and prosperity. Later, drums

are sounded by men wearing traditional costumes and tall red hats to mark the start of the celebrations.

On day two, the drummers lead the procession from the shrine and then wind through the streets.

There are three mikoshi that are

carried during the procession; one carries the spirit of the Tenmangu shrine’s deity, Sugawara Michizane, following a boy and a girl leading a sacred ox (who is the messenger of Michizane). Before dusk, the procession moves to the river, where the mikoshi are loaded into processional boats, traditional per formances take place on stage boats and innumerable food stalls line the river’s edge, all creating a joyful and celebrator y mood.

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SUMIDA RIVER FIREWORKS Tokyo

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is Japan’s oldest fireworks festival, dating back to 1733, and was originally intended as a prayer for victims of a famine.

Nowadays the festival, which takes place in Sumida Park, involves more than 22,000 fireworks and draws crowds upwards of a million people! Japanese fireworks are known as hanabi, meaning “fire flower,” because of their amazing designs, some in the intricate shape of chr ysanthemums or peonies. One option for viewing the festival is along the river’s edge, where there are food stalls aplenty.

You can also reser ve a seat on a yakatabune (“cruise boat”), where you can dine on small dishes while taking in the spectacle. Or try walking across one of the three bridges where the fireworks are launched, from which you are guaranteed an amazing view (and a large crowd).

This year, the fireworks display is set to take place Saturday, July 29 (with the rain date set for the Sunday).

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Perhaps Japan’s best-known festival, the Kyoto Gion Festival is also one of the oldest— dating back to the Heian period (794 –1185).

It is a festival of gorgeous and impressive floats (yamahoko).

KYOTO GION Kyoto

Kyoto Gion is also the longest summer festival in Japan, running from July 1 through 31 ever y year. The main events are the two parades, held the mornings of July 17 (Saki Matsuri Yamahoko Junko) and 24 (Ato Matsuri Yamahoko Junko). There are a total of 33 yamahoko floats, separated into two types: 23 of the smaller yama and 10 of the towering hoko. Each hoko weighs up to 12 tons (24,000 pounds) and soars to heights of 25 metres! These massive floats are pulled by 50 men each and require an entire team to engineer their safe travel. The earlier parade is the larger and busier of the two, featuring 23 of the yamahoko.

The later parade was reinstated in 2014, after a hiatus of 48 years, and includes the remaining 10 yamahoko. This is the event to go to if you are more crowd-averse, and it would be great for families with small children.

At the head of the parade is the Naginata Hoko, which carries the divine sacred messenger boy and his companions. Starting three days before the parade, the child eats a special diet to purif y his mind and body, and his feet are not able to touch the ground until the day of the procession, after which he returns to being a “normal” boy.

While there are 30 other, smallerr e festiv v al month, it events during the festival is the three days and nights leading up to each of the parades that are perhaps the greatest attractions for visitors and locals alike. The streets are open only to pedestrians and they come alive with food stands, beer vendors and games.

Many visitors dress in traditional costumes, including the yukata, and the atmosphere is one of great cheer and celebration. Interestingly, while the festival is named after the Gion neighbourhood, Japan’s most famous geisha district, most of the festivities take place on the opposite side of the Kamo River.

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AWA DANCE Tokushima

“Dancing fools and watching fools … since both are the same fools, why not dance?”

If you find this sentiment appealing, then this is the festival for you!

T h e Awa D a nc e Fe sti va l (Awa O d o r i ) i s th e i d e a l fe s ti va l fo r anyone who loves dancing, whether it be simply watching or joining right in! Especially appealing to families, the Awa Dance Festival takes place in Tokushima (Awa is the former name of Tokushima City), Shikoku, between August 12 and 15.

The folkdances performed during the Awa Odori date back to the late 1500s, when the feudal lord, Hachisuka Iemasa, offered copious amounts of sake to the village people in order to celebrate the construction of Tokushima Castle.

The villagers drank sake in such great abundance that they became happily drunk and began dancing

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dynamically with irregular steps.

There is a song often sung for the festival, “Eraiyatcha, eraiyatcha, yoi yoi yoi yoi,” whose lyrics include this sentiment: dancing fools and watching fools are both fools— so why not dance? This phrase accurately captures the spirit of this dance festival. Dancers form dancing teams called ren and each team competes to be the top per formers during the festival.

There is also a drop-in Niwaka Ren team for visitors wanting to join a dance team of their own.

There are only two styles of dance in the Awa Dance Festival—Otoko Odori, “male dancing,” which is funny and is full of movement, and Onna Odori, “female dancing,” which

is sultry and elegant. Musicians play the drums, gongs, flutes and traditional three-stringed instruments while dancers (grouped by gender) dance along to the two-beat rhythm. The only “rule” for the dancing, regardless if you are male or female, is to move your right arm and leg forward in unison, followed by your lef t arm and leg.

While there are many stage performances during the day, evenings are filled with food and drink, and it is usually during the nights that spectators and visitors join in the excitement.

SENDAI TANABATA Miyagi

According to an ancient Chinese legend, on the seventh day of the seventh month, two of the brightest stars in the Milky Way galaxy, Altair a n d Ve g a , a re a b l e to m e e t.

Altair and Vega represent the sad and romantic stor y of two lovers who displeased the gods and were therefore forbidden to see one another, except for this one day each year. The Sendai Tanabata Festival is one of the biggest and most famous of the Tanabata festivals and takes place between August 6 and 8, in accordance with the old lunar calendar. Festivities take place in the city centre, with a main attraction being the thousands of elegant streamers that decorate the shopping arcades. The streamers, crafted from washi and bamboo, are made by student groups and local shops. Each streamer is between three and five metres long and together they resemble a colourful forest. Other festivities include fireworks, live music, food and dancing. More than two million tourists come to Sendai City to enjoy this festival.

Photos: ŠYasufumi Nishi / Š JNTO

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Hot Spot | Mye Japanese Restaurant

By Walter Muschenheim

Taking the time to get it right At Mye, Chef Motoaki Aoki marches to the beat of his own drum.

Hungry for more? Let’s dig in!

While new restaurant trends come and go in Toronto’s booming food scene, Executive Chef Motoaki “Mo” Aoki has been slowly honing his craft at Mye Japanese Restaurant for 30 years.

The Oakville business owner doesn’t seem particularly interested in scenes. The spare, softly lit dining room at Mye’s original location still looks much the same as when it opened.

0 HZR 4V PM OL ÄUKZ [OL JSPLU[LSL OHZ JOHUNLK over the years. “Well, they’ve gotten older,” he laughs. Mo may joke, but the long-term loyalty of his customers is there for anyone to see: on the walls are hundreds of sake cups that belong to regulars who have frequented the restaurant for decades and whose children and grandchildren have in turn become regulars.

“Find the thing that doesn’t change,” says Mo. Case in point: for three decades since opening, he has been carefully perfecting the same

menu. Mo cares for his menu the same way he cares for his regulars: investing in his dishes over the years with the goal of bringing out their full potential.

It may be hard to understand this level of commitment until you taste a dish like Mye’s yakiniku-style steak. Prepared with quintessential Japanese attention to detail, the perfectly garnished, bite-sized morsels melt in your mouth. Seared, caramelized zing slowly gives ^H` [V [OL YPJO JVTWSL_ ÅH]V\Y VM [OL TLH[ Next up is sukiyaki, a convivial, home-style meal where vegetables and beef are cooked on a burner at the table. Then we dip the meat into whisked raw egg that envelops it with velvety richness. ¸6WLU [OL WHST ÄYZ[ HUK Z\JJLZZ ^PSS JVTL ¹ the chef advises. Every year since Mye turned 25, Mo has held a fundraiser for the local hospital. The restaurant’s upcoming 30th anniversary will surely be an occasion for his guests to show their appreciation in turn.

Savoury sukiyaki Nothing whets your appetite like seeing delicious slices of beef cooked right before your eyes!

Teriyaki Beef

Diced Beef Steak

The delicious marinade on this steak is only applied a few minutes before it is cooked so as not to over^OLST [OL ÅH]V\Y VM [OL TLH[

For all of the wide variety available at Toronto restaurants, tasting a simple steak so perfectly executed is still a novel experience.

Mye Japanese Restaurant 143 Church St., Oakville 905-849-8989 | myerestaurant.ca OPEN: Tues–Fri 12 pm–2:30 pm, 5:30 pm–10 pm :H[ ! WT¶ WT :\U WT¶ WT Mon closed

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Ingredient | Soba

By Amanda Plyley

ć—ĽćœŹă Žé˘¨ĺœ&#x;㠍醸ćˆ?ă •ă‚Œă &#x;蕎麌。 ă ?ă Žć­´ĺ?˛ă Żç¸„ć–‡ă‚ˆă‚Šçśšă ?。

Soba 蕎麌

in particular—December 13, or Susu-harai-shiki (“soot-sweeping day�)—became synonymous with eating soba. People would spend the day cleaning their homes in preparation for the approaching new year and then treat themselves to a hearty serving of soba for dinner. Today, it remains customary across Japan to eat toshikoshi soba (noodles “from one year to another�) on New Year’s Eve.

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Bucking the noodle trend For a healthy, hearty meal, look no further than this well-loved PUNYLKPLU[ HUK [OL ILULÄ[Z P[ JHU IYPUN [V `V\Y KPL[ Set foot into any Japanese restaurant and over the sounds of chopsticks clicking and sake cups clinking, you’re almost guaranteed to hear a chorus of satisfied slurps echoing through the room. That’s because noodles are practically a way of life in Japan, and there’s no shortage of types to choose from.

Whether you’re craving rich, creamy ramen or thick, slippery udon—or perhaps light, refreshing somen—you’ll have no trouble finding a hot or cold bowl to suit any season. But there’s a noodle that stands out as healthier,

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easier to prepare and more versatile than all the rest: soba. :VIH UVVKSLZ HYL THKL MYVT I\JR^OLH[ ÅV\Y and have been a staple in Japanese cuisine for centuries. Their origin dates back to the Edo period of 1603–1868 when they were a favourite among urbanites in the region that is modern-day Tokyo. In Edo society, freshly made soba was traditionally enjoyed in the year-end months as autumn transitioned into winter and ÅV\Y OHY]LZ[PUN ^HZ H[ P[Z ILZ[ 0U MHJ[ VUL KH`

There are several reasons why this noodle is so notable. First, buckwheat is an uncomplicated crop. It can be harvested throughout much of the year, winning over even the most stubborn soil—like that of Shikoku Island, where few JYVWZ NYV^ I\[ I\JR^OLH[ ÅV\YPZOLZ THRPUN the area famous for its soba. Second, soba noodles are easy to prepare, requiring just [^V PUNYLKPLU[Z I\JR^OLH[ ÅV\Y HUK ^H[LY [V THRL MYVT ZJYH[JO HUK \UKLY Ä]L TPU\[LZ [V boil. Finally, buckwheat is a gluten-free grain WHJRLK ^P[O WYV[LPU ÄIYL PYVU HU[PV_PKHU[Z HUK LZZLU[PHS U\[YPLU[Z SPRL KPZLHZL ÄNO[PUN thiamine. Low in calories but bursting with U\[YP[PVUHS ILULÄ[Z ZVIH PZ HU PKLHS HKKP[PVU [V just about any diet. (However, please note that buckwheat allergies can be quite deadly, so anyone who hasn’t tried buckwheat before may want to get tested before digging in!)

Readily available in Japanese restaurants and Asian supermarkets, soba can be prepared, served and enjoyed in an almost unlimited number of ways. Chow down on chilled soba topped with nori and dipped in a savoury side dish made of dashi, soy sauce and mirin. On a cold day, order a big bowl of soba noodles cooked in a hot broth and garnished with onions, chili powder and a slice or two of kamaboko Ă„ZO JHRL >P[O Z\TTLY PU M\SS Z^PUN a colourful, ultra-healthy soba salad of cold noodles, sautĂŠed tofu, sweet potatoes, carrots, avocado and peppers sprinkled with a dash of hemp hearts sounds delicious. Get creative, and then get slurping!

Sake | Destination East Asia

By Amanda Taylor

Specialty sake at the LCBO The LCBOโ s latest specialty store carries a wide range of alcoholic beverages from across East Asia.

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Only in Japan | Japanese taxis

By M Crowson

White-glove treatment Whether it’s after hours or you’re in the sticks, Japanese taxis are here for you. 親切、丁寧、清潔なタクシー。旅行者の強い味方です。 -VY [V\YPZ[Z ^OV WYLMLY [V NV Vќ [OL ILH[LU path and explore the country’s beautiful rural regions, taxis are a more common way to get around outside the bustling cities. The best way to hail a cab is to head straight to the taxi stand once you’ve arrived at your local train station or regional airport. And while Japanese taxis are a bit more expensive than in other countries, they’re also metered and well regulated, which means there’s no haggling involved. Once you’ve secured a cab, the door will open automatically, and the driver will put any luggage you have into the ample trunk—and you’re on your way. However, if you happen to be out on the town, you can also hail any cab that hasn’t already been hired by another customer. You can tell if a cabbie is operating by a handy lighted sign in the front window, which will indicate if the car is available (空車) or occupied (賃走).

Illustration by Chieko Watanabe

Everyone knows that Japan’s got the best public transportation system in the world.

Every major metropolitan centre is crisscrossed with a thorough network of trains, subways, buses … and taxis? That’s right!

But what’s so special about Japanese taxis when you can catch a cab in countries across the globe?

For one thing, Japanese taxis serve your transportation needs in two crucial ways that the bullet train won’t. First of all, even in Japan trains don’t run 24/7. The last trains in

big cities like Tokyo and Osaka run between midnight and 1 am, so night owls might be OHYK WYLZZLK [V ÄUK [OLPY ^H` OVTL Luckily, you can snag a late-night taxi pretty much anywhere, though you’ll have to pay an afterhours surcharge (割増), which is usually around 20% of the usual fare. This is a good option for travellers who want to enjoy the ample cosmopolitan nightlife—and who have some cash to throw around. The experience is made extra special because the taxis are spotlessly clean: the seats are lined with crisp white lace, and the drivers wear bright white gloves.

If you don’t speak Japanese, it’s a good idea to have the name and address of your destination written on a card to hand to your driver, as most won’t speak English—especially in smaller towns.

If you’re used to catching ride-shares through companies like Uber and Lyft, your apps won’t work in Japan, as Uber recently lost a legal battle to operate in the country. However, there is a similar service available, Line Taxi, which was recently launched by Japan’s most popular messaging app, Line. That means it’s easier [OHU L]LY [V ÄUK H ZTVV[O HUK WYPZ[PUL YPKL H[ any hour of the day.

All hail the cab If you’re travelling in Japan, here are some tips to make sure you get safely from point A to point B.

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DO

DO NOT

DO

check the sign.

open your own door.

keep it clean.

Go toward the light—the lighted characters that indicate an empty cab: 空車.

The driver will open it for you automatically with a special lever, so stand back!

Japanese taxis are meticulously clean, so don’t leave a mess or be a sloppy drunk.

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Kyoto Sagano Bamboo Grove & Arashiyama Walking Tour with Yakatabune Lunch Cruise

1 Walk through the Sagano Bamboo Grove surrounded by the scenic views of Mt. Arashiyama. This tour is accompanied by an Englishspeaking guide.

2 Visit the temple gardens of Tenryu-ji, a World Heritage Site considered to be one of Kyoto’s best Zen temples.

3 Enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto city from Jojakko-ji Temple.

4 Enjoy a traditional yakatabune cruise. (Lunch is included.)

TOUR BASIC INFORMATION Departure City: Kyoto Tour: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Visits: Kyoto, Duration: Approx. 4 hours English-speaking guide, admission, transportation fees and one lunch are included in this tour.

PRICE

CAD $

178

All photos ©JNTO

*Price is for month of July 2017 *Price may fluctuate monthly based on exchange rate.

HOW TO PURCHASE Reservations can be made by either telephone or email. Please contact JTB International (Canada) Ltd. at Phone: 416-367-5824 | Toll-free: 1-800-268-5942 | Email: jtbtoronto@jtbi.com | Website: www.jtb.ca

I T I N E R A RY

8:40

New Miyako Hotel

Jojakko-ji Temple

30

min

Walk to Kyoto Station

This temple overlooks the town of Sagano and the city of Kyoto. The area is famous for its beautiful scenery when the mountain is covered in coloured leaves in autumn.

Go from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station

Tenryu-ji Temple

min

Togetsu-kyo Bridge Togetsu-kyo Bridge is a famous 250-metrelong bridge in Arashiyama, and offers a spectacular location for viewing cherry blossoms or coloured autumn leaves.

30

min

A World Heritage Site. The Japanese garden is complemented by the beautiful landscapes of Arashiyama, and has been registered as one of Japan’s World Heritage Sites.

Sagano Bamboo Grove Enjoy a relaxing walk through the Sagano Bamboo Grove.

30

min

15

JR Rapid Service or Local Train Service.

This tour uses public transportation with non-reserved seats. Seating cannot be guaranteed.

Board the Yakatabune Boat for a Japanese-style lunch

Guide service ends once participants have reached the boat boarding pier. Japanese lunch is served. Vegetarian lunch is not available. If the boat cruise is not operated due to high tide, etc., the lunch is served at a local restaurant. In this case, ¥2,000 per person will be refunded.

30

min

Tour ends after lunch Please head back to Kyoto Station or your next destination on your own after the tour.

This tour ends at the boat pier. Participants will receive a JR train ticket for travel from Saga-Arashiyama to Kyoto.

*This tour uses public transportation with non-reserved seats. Please note that seating is not guaranteed. *As this is a walking tour, please wear shoes and clothing that are suitable for walking. The total walking distance for this tour is approximately 3 km.

For more information, please contact JTB International at 1-800-268-5942 (toll-free) or email at jtbtoronto@jtbi.com www.bentoboxmag.ca

JULY 2017

21

A hard case that makes for easy travel Tough, reliable carry-on, presented with MUJI minimalism.

Travelling with only carry-on luggage can save you a lot of headaches when it comes to dealing with weather issues, missed connecting flights or unexplained lost luggage. But not all carry-on luggage is created equal, and even when travelling carry-on there’s always the question of whether your case will come in under carry-on restrictions.

Fortunately, MUJI has the answer for these woes: the 33L Valise Hard Carry Travel Suitcase. I had the chance to speak to Sijia Mao, department lead for accessories and travel at the MUJI Atrium store, about this spinner hard case that is built tough and meets carryon restrictions for all airlines.

The Hard Carry suitcase has the features you’d expect of typical carry-on baggage, like traditional suitcase handles on the top and side of the case, four smoothriding spinner casters and a telescoping pull handle. However, MUJI has added a number of extras.

First off, this is a very tough case, while still remaining relatively light. This is thanks to the exterior shell—which is built of hard-wearing, shock-dispersing polycarbonate—and the case’s strong zipper, which is secured by a built-in, TSA-approved lock. Though the spinner casters and pull handles seem standard at first glance, MUJI has innovated on both. They’ve introduced a unique lock for the wheels to keep your luggage from rolling off on you, and they’ve improved on the telescoping pull handle, allowing users to lock it at any length they wish, rather than the usual three or four pre-set lengths.

Internally, the case is divided into top and bottom with a combination of polyester zippers, straps and mesh pouches for

compartmentalizing your packed items.

These compartments should offer enough storage for the average traveller, but MUJI also sells separate gusseted nylon cases for further organization, should you need it. These gusset cases are very convenient, seeming almost like the PP Storage solution to packing, except they’re made of soft material that can be folded flat and packed away when not in use.

And all of this functionality is presented with the stylish, minimalistic design that we’ve come to expect of MUJI. The case’s external lines are simple and modern, and the polycarbonate shell lends the case a slight sheen. The case itself is available in four standard colours—black, beige, navy and red—but individual MUJI stores will sometimes introduce limited colours, such as the white case that was available at MUJI Yorkdale’s opening.

The 33L Valise Hard Carry Travel Suitcase is available at any of Toronto’s MUJI locations.

oothly The wheels ro ll sm m to, when you want the place. in or they can lock

onal organizati s u ro e n e G be ents can compartm ng si u ivided further d et cases MUJI guss tely). l separa (sold

IInterview with

Sijia Mao S

D Department Lead for A Accessories and Travel, M MUJI Atrium

For more information

www.muji.com/ca

22

JULY 2017

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MUJI Atrium

MUJI Square One

MUJI Y Yorkdale kd l

Atrium, 20 Dundas St. W., C-03, Toronto | TEL: 416-591-2233

Square One Shopping Centre, 100 City Centre Dr., Mississauga TEL: 905-276-2737

+\ŃœLYPU :[ ;VYVU[V

Store Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–8 pm :H[ HTÂś WT ŕ Ž :\U HTÂś WT

Store Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–9 pm :H[ ! HTÂś WT ŕ Ž :\U HTÂś WT

Store Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–9 pm :H[ ! HTÂś WT ŕ Ž :\U HTÂś WT

TEL: 416-479-1204

www.bentoboxmag.ca

JULY 2017

23

Hot

Featured

in

Japan

PRODUCTS

The norimaki is the culinary symbol of happiness because it has “happiness rolled inside.”

Happiness rolled into a towel Start the summer right with GeoDesign’s cute and humorous norimaki towels.

You have even more choices than in a sushi restaurant. l rea m. o t ’e ks oo to ea l t ey Th wa n u’l l yo

t f i G e

ag k c a p n ct fu e perf r The sent fo p re o n e any

Both functional and esthetic, these cute little towels are a fun addition to your decorative shelf or linen closet.

You can choose from cucumber rolls, natto rolls, tuna rolls, tamagoyaki (egg) rolls and much more. Made with 100% cotton, the soft and gentle fabric is perfect for all kinds of uses—and kids love them. You can even wrap one around the strap of your purse or backpack as an accessory!

Hang it by its string for a cute, striped accent in your room!

Share h happiness wi with yo your friends r and an family with the gift package, which lets you choose from a variety of different norimaki. You won’t even have to worry about wrapping because they’ll already be packed in a beautiful and traditional bamboo leaf bento box or wood box.

More info about these products 24

JULY 2017

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geodesign | geodesign-products.com (To order, search ”Norimaki towel” at global.rakuten.com/en)

www.bentoboxmag.ca

JULY 2017

25

JCBL invites fans to celebrate tradition

Japanese Canadian Baseball League celebrates 50th season

Adrian Kusano

The Japanese Canadian Baseball League would like to invite the JapaneseCanadian community to join in commemorating the occasion!

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Toronto-based sports writer and freelance journalist.

For more league information and the game schedule please visit www.jcbl.ca. photo ©JCBL Photographers

An evening of celebration to mark the JCBL’s 50th season will be held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on September 3, 2017.

The JCBL is an adult intermediate baseball league with players ranging from teens and young adults to older veterans. The 11-team league has a rich history in Toronto and is open to all levels of baseball players. The league plays its games on Sundays from May to September, with all the games being played at Greenwood Park in Toronto and Highview Park in Scarborough.

The JCBL started out as a small group of friends within the Japanese community looking to play recreational but competitive baseball, and has grown into 11 teams consisting of a diverse range of players. The league welcomes players of all cultures and backgrounds, and it currently consists of 26

JULY 2017

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players from Japan, Canada and many other countries across the globe.

With over 4,000 former players we look forward to inviting and celebrating with as many league alumni and fans as possible.

Sponsorship support Your generous support will help us honour all the founding members of the JCBL as well as recognize present and future generations that continue the tradition of the league. Honours and awards of recognition will be presented at this celebration. Please note this is a UVU WYVÄ[ event and any surplus funds will be donated to Momiji Health Care Society.

4VTPQP /LHS[O *HYL :VJPL[` PZ H UV[ MVY WYVÄ[ charitable organization whose objective is to assist seniors, primarily of Japanese-Canadian

descent, to live independently in their own homes as long as possible. Momiji assists indi]PK\HSZ PU ÄUKPUN HWWYVWYPH[L HJJVTTVKH[PVU and services to maximize their independence, health and personal growth so that the seniors can enjoy an enriched quality of life.

JCBL memories and photos We would like to recognize the past players of the JCBL as well as the rich history of the Toronto Japanese community and its connection to baseball.

We are collecting the stories, photos and memories of past players and fans of the JCBL in our community. Whether the memories are of you playing at Christie Pits or watching games at Greenwood Park, we would like to hear from you.

Ye a r - l o n g

Japanese Language C Lf o rAlAadLu lstALse aer n se r s

Summerlicious participating restaurant

Sakawa Coffee

Why study at the Japan Foundation, Toronto? ‫ ڶ‬sĂƌŝĞƚLJ ŽĨ ůĞǀĞůƐ͕ ĨƌŽŵ ƐƚĂƌƚĞƌ ƚŽ ŝŶƚĞƌŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ‫^ ڶ‬ŝƚƵĂƚŝŽŶͲďĂƐĞĚ ůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ Ăƚ ǁŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ͞ ĂŶͲĚŽ͟ ‫^ ڶ‬ŵĂůů ĐůĂƐƐ ƐŝnjĞƐ Ͳ ŵŽƌĞ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚŝĞƐ ƚŽ ƚĂůŬ ‫ ڶ‬ŽŶǀĞŶŝĞŶƚ ůŽĐĂƚŝŽŶ ƌŝŐŚƚ Ăƚ zŽŶŐĞ ĂŶĚ ůŽŽƌ͊

• •••• • •••• ••• • • • 䛄䜎䜛䛤䛸䛅ᥖ㍕䜲䝷䝇䝖䜢౑⏝䛧䛯ไస≀㻌㻌

&Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ŽƵƌ :ĂƉĂŶĞƐĞ ᴾ ůĂŶŐƵĂŐĞ ĐůĂƐƐĞƐ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ǀŝƐŝƚ͗ ᴾ http://jftor.org/language/classes/ ᴾ

Ramen Japanese Curry Rice Grilled Fish Omurice Japanese Donburi Gourmet Coffee

2 Bloor Street East, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M4W 1A8

867 Danforth Ave, Toronto | (647) 347-4932

P h o n e : 4 1 6 -9 6 6 -1 6 0 0 x 2 3 3 | E - m a i l : k o za @ jf t o r .o r g

Open: Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–10 pm | Close: Monday

L.L.B.O

AAuthor uthor info info

www.bentoboxmag.ca

JULY 2017

27

G O Let's

llearn earn

Going to the beach

N I H O N G O

Around the world, spending time at the beach is a popular summertime activity. Invite your friends to join you for an afternoon at the beach and pack a picnic while you practice some Japanese, introduce new activities and enjoy the sun, surf and sand!

easyJapanese Intermediate

Let’s go to the beach together!

Speaking of the beach, suikawari is an activity we must do!

Use -maeni (∼前に, before ...) when you need to explain that something needs to be done before something else can happen, or when something is located ahead of the subject.

一緒に海に行こう！

海といえば、 スイカ割りでしょ！

Isshoni umini ikȬ!

Umito ieba suikawari desho!

I must buy my bathing suit before going to the beach.

Beginner There are several ways to say “Let’s do something together!” Using the casual volitional form as in tabeyͻ (食べよう, Let’s eat) and nomͻ (飲もう, Let’s drink) is more casual than -mashͻ (∼ましょう), and is appropriate to use among friends.

Advanced

海に行く前に水着を買わなきゃ。 Umini ikumaeni mizugiwo kawanakya.

When you wish to share something that has just occurred to you, -to ieba (∼といえば) is used to mean “speaking of which” or “now that you mention it.”

Suikawari is a fun Japanese game played on the beach where participants try to split a watermelon while blindfolded.

Compiled by Nina Lee and Kozumi Miya-Woolford. Brought to you by the Toronto Japanese Language School | www.tjls.ca | @tjlsca | info@tjls.ca

DISCOVER the FLAVOUR of

JAPAN Join the conversation on Facebook

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JULY 2017

29

wl for a nburi riceofboflavours Try a doab ix delect le m

Staff

The brea is maddfeor the panko fresh in- crumbs house

Walter Muschenheim

Walter is a Toronto-bas W ed translator and writer. A real globetrotter , he has lived in France, Germany and the United States and explored Euro pe and Japan.

On O his adventures, he loves to learn abo a ut languages and food: the two corn co or erstones of culture!

King of crunch Mr. Tonkatsu is here to show you how this super-satisfying Japanese comfort food is done.

I

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