House Photos and Okonomiyaki

We got to go visit the house today to take all the measurements we will need to buy appliances and furniture.  Even though it was pouring rain outside, our spirits were high as we wandered through our new abode measuring away.

 (front)

 (back)

As you enter the home, you are greeted with stairs and a hallway to the living room and kitchen. 

The toilet room, washroom, and bathroom are all on the left.  (Toilet room not included, because, well, do you really need a photo of my toilet?)  The seemingly random white square on the floor of the washroom is where the washing machine will sit.  The bathroom is pretty basic, but covers the bases of shower (outside the tub, hence the drain in the middle of the floor) and a deep soaking bathtub.  The tub includes the lovely feature of being able to set the temperature and it will maintain that temperature for you.  This is by far one of my favorite inventions ever!

The kitchen is small, but has a lovely storage unit in the floor for veggies or non-perishables!  There are additional hidden drawers, as what looks like baseboards are also drawers!  There are also cabinets above the sink and cabinet (hood over stove area) that aren't included in the photo.  The stove area is on the left side of the counter, as a stove is just a stove here.  Ovens are very rare!  It looks quite bare without any appliances, but that will be remedied soon enough (including obtaining a large toaster oven that I'll be able to bake in).  I can't wait to cook my first meal in here!

The living room will fill up quickly with the basics.  Luckily furniture in Japan is compact, so we'll probably fit a dining table and chairs, couch, kotatsu (table with heater underneath which you'll hear more about in the winter), and a TV (my husband insists).  The living room opens onto our little courtyard, or as I like to call it - future garden oasis (approx. 10' x 15'). 

The upstairs has 3 bedrooms.  One will be used for an office/guest room.  I can't wait to see who will stay in it first!

My son loved visiting the house "he picked."  He kept telling us that he wanted to live in the "house with the rocks."  Well, that's the one we got!  He has good taste. 

After the visit, we decided to go out to dinner.  We finally decided on okonomiyaki - an Osaka specialty.  We don't usually go out for Osakan food because my husband is from there.  He is both very picky about it and he is a fabulous cook, so we tend to avoid potentially "bad" food (aka perfectly fine for most, just not us).  We joked that we needed to eat as much international food as possible because once we move it won't be as readily available!  When you're hungry a 30+ minute train ride doesn't sound appetizing.

We found one of those "hidden" places - around the corner, up a flight of stairs, look for the lantern...  The place was small, only seating 12 people.  Each table had it's own grill plate, enabling dinner to be cooked right in front of us.  As a matter of fact, there wasn't actually a kitchen at this restaurant!  There were only a couple fridges, a freezer, and a tiny counter space.  I wonder where he does the dishes?...  My guess is the counter was actually a board covering the sink!  Anyway, we started with a grilled fish.  The filleted sanma (mackerel pike) is a seasonal item.  Although quite boney, it was really tasty. 

We then had some squid - one of my favorites.  Just grilled with some butter.  Ah, the simple taste is so yummy!

We then had the okonomiyaki.  Okonomiyaki is very versatile.  This simple one was made with cabbage, batter (flour mixed with nagaimo or mountain potato), pickled ginger, egg, and thinly sliced pork belly.  It was topped with traditional okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, dried seaweed, and bonito.  You can get fancy by adding seafood, ground meat, cheese, kim chee, or any number of other things inside it.  Directly translated, okonomiyaki means "as you like it pancake."  This one was okay.  I'd say it was much better than expected, but not nearly as good as my husband's (did I mention he's a really good cook?).

We wrapped up dinner with a bit of yakisoba - which was delicious.  (Forgot to take a photo.  Maybe the beer was hitting me by that point...) 

It's been a long day.  Not much activity (it was pouring all day), but long nonetheless.  I'm enjoying the view from my 11th floor window that I now know will be my view for only a few more weeks.  The city suddenly seems a bit prettier.