JAPAN
Rahul Arya - Matthew Choy - Man Nok Hung - Hyun Joon Jeong - Ryan Kwok - Druv Punjabi
Japanese Cuisine Druv Punjabi
Japanese cuisine is definitely one of the popular cuisines in the world today, with its famous, mouthwatering sushi, and its wide variety of ingredients. Though this may be surprising to some, there are a wide variety of types of sushi, such as Nigiri (small rice balls with fish) and Chirashi (a combination of seafood, mushrooms and vegetables spread out over sushi rice).
Another popular Japanese ingredient is seaweed, which has been an important part of the Japanese diet for several centuries. It is hard to believe that the Japanese have had rice and seaweed as an important part of their diet for hundreds or even thousands of years! Kombu is a large type of seaweed that is often used as a soup stock or in nabe (hot pot) dishes. Another type of seaweed is Wakame, which is also used in soups, or in sunomono salad- a type of salad, obviously. It’s usually sold in dried form and soaked in water before usage. Finally, Nori are thin, dried seaweed sheets. They’re used in sushi dishes, for rice balls and as a topping for various noodle dishes and other dishes.
Just because sushi is one of the most popular dishes amongst the Japanese does not mean that it is their sole meal. Rice has been the most important food in the Japanese cuisine for over 2000 years, so let’s have a look at two Japanese rice dishes. Donburi is a simple rice dish, consisting of plain cooked rice with various dressings on top. It is served at specialty restaurants, but it’s also a common dish found on all kinds of menus in the restaurant factor. Another Japanese rice dish is Chazuke. Chazuke, or ochazuke, is a simple and comforting dish, made of hot water, tea, or light fish stock poured over rice. It is often garnished with toppings such as grilled salmon, pickles and various others.
Restaurant Review Matthew Choy
Finally, I found Kiikuya Chrysanthemum House. It utilized tradition décor, but one can easily recognize the fake traditional air by the awkward arrangement of signs and many attempts to look authentic. What caught my eye and grabbed my nose was the open-air grilling of fresh eels. The barrels, which I originally thought were insignificant, were occupied by dozens of eels, swimming and squirming, waiting for their impending doom. Their doom was the sturdy hands of the chef, who grabs the skippering, slimy eels with stylish skill, and elegantly skin the eel with a delicate razor. The eel is then grilled, but I could not stay for long, for I was ushered to my seats by an enthusiastic waitress. I had to take off my shoes as I was seated in a traditional room. The menu contained very little choice, but every item was enticing. By the end of the meal, I had almost run out of money! In five minutes, the meal arrived. It was everything I had expected and more. The eels were delicious,
Eccentric eels In the exquisite mock-traditional town of Narita, lies a quiet and petite little crazy shack holding a bento box of love. The Kiikuya Chrysanthemum House is known locally as the “nutty eel house”, but has recently gained fame for its amazing eels. I had always liked eel sushi, and those avid readers of this column might remember my trip to Korea where I consumed splendid fried eel noodles. So I was naturally drawn with enthusiasm. The House was located right in the center of the bustling, busy Narita, being forcefully populated by tourists from around the world. I decided to disembark the shuttle bus from the airport, and truly experience the wonderful atmosphere of the crowded, quirky town. One or two twinges of annoyance were inflicted upon my pride, as cheap vendors tried to con me into buying many different types of tourist traps. However the main experience was splendid with polite interactions between tourists and locals.
and were even better than Korean eel noodles. I ate them quickly, and ordered a second helping. The staff quickly provided me with one, which I consumed eagerly as well. The eel went well with the rice it came with, and did not leave a bad aftertaste. I really enjoyed my meal at the Kikuya Chrysanthemum House, and would certainly recommend it to anyone. The eels are the star of the restaurant, and the location is splendid. If not for the poorly maintained décor, I would rate this 5/5. As such, I give this restaurant 5/5 for food, but only 4/5 for ambience for a total of 9/10 overall.
Traditions and Festivals
Ryan Kwok and Hyun Joon Jeong Cherry Blossom Festival The cherry blossom festival in Japan, called “Hanami” locally in Japan. It is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of blossoming flowers. Hanami is most cases are known as cherry blossoms (sakura) or plum blossoms (ume). From March to May, the flowers open up all over Japan and earlier in Okinawa around February. Nowadays it is a major festival signifying the New Year, usually corresponding with the beginning of school and after work vacations. Over a thousand years ago, Hanami was the start of the yearly rice-planting season. It was believed that there was “kami” inside the trees, which is a spiritual energy. Afterwards, people partook of the offering of sake. Japanese people continue the tradition of Hanami, gathering in large groups wherever the flowering trees are located. Tens of thousands of people fill
Aoi Matsuri The Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto’s three most famous festivals, taking place every year on May 15. The main attraction is a large parade in Kyoto, in which over 500 people dressed in the aristocratic style of the Heian Period (794-1185) walk from the Imperial palace to the Kamo Shrines. The word Aoi in Japanese translates to Hollyhock, and the festival is named after the Hollyhock leaves worn by the members of the procession. The tradition began in the mid-8th century, although the precise origins of the tradition are uncertain. It was started by the bombardment of natural disasters occurring and was believed to be caused by the deities of the Kamo Shrines. After the Emperor made offerings to the gods, the disasters subsided and a tradition as known today had begun. The official name remains as Kamo Matsuri (Matsuri meaning festival), because of the association with the shrines.
the parks to told feasts under the flowering trees, and these parties can go until late at night. The festival now has expanded worldwide with celebrations taken place in Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, and China etc. In the U.S, Sakura trees were donated from Okinawa and continue to be a popular attraction every single year.
Nohs 'Noh' is a classical Japanese musical drama, regarded as the oldest theatre art that stands to this day. The dramas are based on tales from traditional
literature, and merges props like masks and
Sapporo Snow festival takes place from February 5th
costumes in a dance-based performance. 'Noh' is mainly performed by professional actors &
to the 11th. A few hundred large snow or ice sculptures are displayed all around Odori Park, and
musicians, due to the extensive lengths of time that
there are around one hundred more sculptures
the performances last. Most 'Noh' performances last
displayed in the less commonly visited Susukino site.
for a full day.
Public Baths A common sight all over Japan is a Sento, which is a communal bathhouse that originated from China in the years of 710 and 784. Many of these were constructed to allow people to take baths, because bathtubs were rarely seen in homes at that time. These bathhouses allow anyone to relax in a warm tub and talk with others, though not without a fee. The baths are separated by gender, and cost around 200~2000 yen to enter. Nowadays, because most households have their own baths, the number of Sentos has decreased, but new types of Sentos with features such as saunas and gyms are being constructed.
Sapporo Snow festival This festival takes place during a week in every February in the city of Sapporo. In this case, the next
Kyoto served as the capital of Japan for over 1000
Places to see Rahul Arya
years, and is perhaps the literal embodiment of traditional Japanese culture. To visit all the over 1600 temples and shrines would take months, and each one is unique and different from the next. However, if you are strapped for time, you should definitely visit the Ryōan-ji rock garden, not far from the city center. The arrangement of the rocks has been carefully chosen, to provide harmony and to create a sense of fulfillment. Though scientists tried and failed to study its psychological properties, it will
Tokyo Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has some of the most
certainly have an effect on you like nothing you have experienced before.
interesting places to visit. From the towering skyscrapers to the shrines and nature, there is something to see here for people of all interests. Tokyo has over 112 buildings taller than 150 meters, and ranks sixth in the world with respect to that. The skyline of Tokyo is widely considered beautiful and can be seen from virtually any vantage point around the city, making it an attraction that is impossible to miss. However, Tokyo is not just a city of neon. Temples such as Senso-ji are over 1200 years old, and contain valuable historical artefacts that are sure to delight even the most experienced historians. The temple itself is Tokyo’s oldest, and allows travelers to take sanctuary from the busy life of Tokyo. The traditional Japanese culture present allows tourists to look back at thousands of years of Japanese history.
Kyoto For those looking for a more relaxing holiday, Kyoto is the place to go. Known as the “city of shrines,”
The center of Kyoto differs greatly from that of Tokyo, but is a must-see. A river runs through the center of the city, creating a familiar sight that unifies the city. The landscape is picturesque, with trees lining the streets. Indeed, one noticeable thing about the city is its extraordinary cleanliness. Not one piece of trash can be found on the roads, though bins are not always present.
Uta-Jima Man Nok Hung Uta-Jima is a relatively isolated island, located somewhere on the outskirts of Japan. With a coastline of 5 miles, it is certainly not a commercial hub like Tokyo. However, it is not dilapidated and has a fully functioning lighthouse to warn ships from coming ashore, a mountain christened “Mount Higashi,” a boat port for ships to dock, and the aptly named “Yashiro Shrine” for people to worship the sea god. It also has a village that houses roughly
The inhabitants of Uta-Jima go about their daily lives like perfectionists, each doing his/her job like a routine, and without flaw. The anglers go out during the early hours of morning, and return late into the afternoon with nets laden with fish, which they then sell to the rest of the inhabitants. Peddlers walk around the village, offering their various handcrafted products for sale. Should a tourist wander around and savor the many products, he/she might notice that no two products are identical, providing tourists with variety and choice. However, Uta-Jima is a relatively small island, and therefore mass tourism could have a major detrimental effect on the island’s ecosystem. A
1400 residents. It is a relatively sparsely populated
large influx of tourists could cause over-crowding,
island but in line with other islands of similar size.
which would interfere with the inhabitant’s daily lives, causing them a great deal of nuisance. In addition, having a large number of tourist ships docked at Uta-Jima would spoil the elegant beauty of Uta-Jima, as its aesthetically pleasing views are mainly present because of its natural landscape, and construction would not be compatible with this landscape. Uta-Jima is an excellent tourist hotspot, and it has features that really make it stand out, such as its unique views and landmarks, but it also requires a delicate balance to maintain that elegance and beauty.
The weather cycle on Uta-Jima resembles a doubleedged sword. Radiant sunshine is present throughout spring and summer, and is often accompanied by gusty winds, very appealing to tourists who would like to be tanned without being boiled. However, sometimes this leads to typhoons and rainstorms, which has the potential to scare away tourists not accustomed to exposure to the full force of Mother Nature. Uta-Jima also offers an immense view of the Pacific, viewable from the southeast of the island, and offers prospective tourists a clear and unobstructed view of shipping lanes, nearby islands and also sunrise and sunset daily. All this combines to make Uta-Jima a hotspot for nature-lovers, photographers, and couples seeking to find a romantic place to profess their mutual love.
Travel Magazine
Released monthly! Buy a subscription to receive special offers, discounts, and more!
Japanese Special Find out all about the hidden life of Japan, in this month’s issue: “All about Japan”!
Contact Find us at (+852)-1234-5678, or online at www.travel-magazine.com