Cherry Blossom Festa

As the cherry blossoms parade their beauty, people are out in droves to enjoy them.  The town of Hikarigaoka comes out in droves.  There is even a festival in the park, that is the biggest festival I've seen thus far.  There were booths everywhere and crowds galore.  Picnic blankets were covering the park everywhere, except for the vast bicycle parking areas.  There was a buzz in the air as children ran around and played; families relaxed together; and people displayed excitement every time a breeze came through and the blossoms fluttered around.

There were food booths all over the park, adding to the festive atmosphere.  The disbursement and number of booths reminded me of the state fair.  The choices were eclectic.  Kabob food trucks and stands are increasingly popular.  I was a little too thrilled by the stands with huge baskets of karaage, even though I didn't indulge in the fried chicken.  There were some western food stall as well.  I got quiet the kick out of the steak and hamburger steak stall.  It was overflowing with meat!

It was a fun way to spend the afternoon.  We ran into several of our park friends, which added to the enjoyment of the day.  It is so nice to be able to turn away from all the busyness of the city and take the time to enjoy the calm of something that nature has to offer.

Japanese fast food

Piyo Piyo is on a break.  Woe is me.  Piyo Piyo fallows the school schedule and right now they are on a break as schools transition into a new school year.  The Japanese school year begins in April, the same time as the cherry blossoms bloom and the northern hemisphere begins anew.  (Have I mentioned that the cherry blossoms bloomed early this year?)

With Piyo Piyo being on a break, we still go play at the park with friends, but we are on our own for lunch.  No stone soup!  Even though we really, really enjoy the creative playtime of Piyo Piyo, I really miss making the soup on the fire.  There is something so fun about building the fire, combining the ingredients contributed by everyone, and seasoning to taste.  Sitting around the little tables in the park with all the kids, eating soup, is a delightful part of our week.

Dinner was gobbled up last night, so we didn't have leftovers to take to the park with us.  I didn't feel like making or purchasing bento.  So, my son and I decided to get take out.  We had spotted an onigiri place a short time ago and today was the day to try it out.

As previously blogged about, onigiri is a ball of rice often filled with a variety of goodies.  Similar to a bakery, I grabbed a tray and a pair of tongs at the entrance.  I then perused the various onigiri options to choose from.  I picked a couple and grabbed them from the little boxes that keep them fresh and covered until selected. 

I honestly had to guess what everything was, since I can't read kanji (once again, just like bakeries).  Several things looked very yummy and deciding was harder that I thought it would be.  I bought two onigiri, two inari (balls of rice stuffed into sweetened tofu pouches), a couple karaage (friend chicken bites), a croquette (fried potato pancake), and tsukemono (pickled radish).  It was too much, but I had a hard time narrowing it down!

Sukiyaki beef onigiri; Ume (pickled plum) onigiri; Regular inari; "Spring" inari.

The food made a nice picnic.  It wasn't Piyo Piyo stone soup, but it was really nice.  I'm sure we will be back again to try even more varieties of onigiri.

Here kitty, kitty

There is a small area of Tokyo, near the Imperial Palace, that is the center of publishing.  Jimbocho is home to over 170 bookshops, publishing houses, and literary societies.  The bookstores come in all sizes and many of them focus on one particular type of books: foreign, art, academic, and antique, just to name a few. 

We visited this area on a bright and sunny afternoon.  We wandered the neighborhood for quite some time, enjoying the feel of the neighborhood.  Nothing felt rushed or pressured, instead it felt decidedly relaxed. There really isn't a lot of flashing signs either, which I really liked.  The buildings seem to be older than many other parts of Tokyo, which added to the ambiance of the neighborhood. 

Five bookstores in a row!  A beautiful sight.

As a book lover, I was excited to see so many brick and mortar stores!  It often seems like people only purchase books online these days, but I still like to go and peruse the shelves.  I try to support these stores as much as possible, since I know they often struggle to stay in business due to the convenience of ordering from the comfort of one's pajamas.  (I am not anti-Amazon, I just like to spread the wealth and support locally owned businesses as much as possible.)

Even though there were many stores to choose from, there was one in particular that made me stop in my tracks.  I noticed it from a distance and quickly pointed it out to my husband saying "we need to go into that store!"  Jinbo-cho Nyankodou is a book store entirely dedicated to cats!  There were cat books of every kind - children's stories, how-to manuals, funny kitty photo books, and novels featuring the frisky feline.  They also had many gifts for cat lovers like calendars, furoshiki (traditional wrapping cloth), and canvas bags.

My husband chatted with the owner as I purchased a few items.  He originally was going to dedicate a small corner of his bookstore to cat merchandise, but soon discovered there was plenty of cat wares to fill his store.  The store consisted of three aisles that were filled with mostly books and periodicals, but also gifts.  That's a lot of kitties!  Interestingly, I didn't see a single Hello Kitty (the very famous Sanrio character) book or calendar in the store.

Even though all of his books were in Japanese (and therefore I would not be able to read them), I still could have spent a lot more time in his shop.  There were cute surprises all over the place!

Traditional sweets

Trying traditional sweets in any culture other than your own takes a bit of bravery.  Even if someone explains all the delicacies to you, it is still a plate of unknown entering your mouth.  There really isn't a frame of reference to tell you exactly what to expect.

Japanese sweets tend to be filled with anko - a sweet red bean paste.  When I first tried anko I hated it.  The sweetness wasn't sweet enough to mask the fact that I was eating beans for dessert.  And the firm, but smooth texture wasn't my cup of tea.  At every meeting I attended, I would be handed a cup of scalding hot, bitter tea and a little traditional sweet filled with anko.  I would politely shove the dense "treat" down my throat and wait for the tea to cool a bit before burning myself.  But over time, the anko began to grown on me.  I now enjoy anko and the many sweets it comes in.

I now go looking for traditional sweets.  I like supporting small shops that have been creating the same delicacies for years.  While reading a magazine about Nerima based businesses, my husband discovered a local traditional sweet shop not far from our home.  He sent me a list of seasonal sweets he wanted me to pick up.  I headed over on my bike and found a nice shop with an older lady at the counter.  She greeted me enthusiastically and happily helped me pick out some treats to take home.

***As a side note, the banner hung in front of the door indicates the shop it open.  Many restaurants still display these banners.***

I'll do my best to describe these traditional treats.  Keep in mind that sometimes the wonderfulness can be lost in translation and they are best judged after consumption.  And sometimes you just have to keep trying them until you've been worn down and they start tasting delicious.

Upper left: a very firm gelatinous triangle that reminds me of a cross between Jello Jigglers and Applets and Cotlets.  There are walnuts in them, which really emphasizes the Applets and Cotlets comparison.

Lower left: Kashiwa mochi (my husband would like me to emphasize this traditional sweet should be enjoyed on May 5 as part of Children's Day holiday).  A soft dough made from pounded rice wrapped around a ball of anko and then covered in an oak leaf. 

Upper right: Shio daifuku.  A salty mochi (barely salty) filled with chunky anko and a bit of matcha paste.

Middle right: Ichigo daifuku.  Light pink colored mochi filled with anko and a strawberry pressed into the top.  Sometimes ichigo daifuku has the strawberry inside instead of on top.

Lower right: Manju.  A steamed confection with anko in the middle.

One step too far

There is a certain brilliant feature of my kitchen that I have been overjoyed with since we first saw this house.  My yukashitashuno (yew-ka-she-ta-shoo-no, try saying that 3 times fast!) is such a wonderful invention.  It is a box in my kitchen floor that uses the cold air from under the house to keep food cool year round, similar to a root cellar.  It is just over 2 feet square.

Since moving in, I have taken full advantage of having this extra storage space.  I like to keep my Japanese cooking essentials (large bottles of sake, mirin, and soy sauce), apples, pasta, and jars of various things (like maple syrup, peanut butter, and chili oil).  I appreciate the convenience of it.

Whenever I open it and someone else is in the kitchen, I always proclaim "don't step back" or "the floor is open!"  After all, I wouldn't want someone to fall in!

But tonight, I didn't have someone to remind me.  I was the one cooking.  I was the one who opened the darn thing.  And I was the one who stepped in it. 

I was making soup for dinner and had opened the yukashitashuno to grab some potatoes.  I should have closed it immediately, but instead I was focused on my task and immediately started peeling and chopping.  I went to drop the potatoes in a bowl of cold water, and took a fateful step back.  I immediately went down and went down hard.  The knife went flying.  Potatoes went all over.  And I was sprawled on the floor feeling not very bright.  As I gathered my pride and my body, I looked down to assess the damage.  There at the bottom of the yukashitashuno was a very large crack. 

Now I had really done it.  What was I going to do?  I quickly texted my husband forewarning him that I had a little oops, so he wouldn't be surprised when he got home.  When he walked it, he looked at the crack and immediately started researching replacement inserts.  The crack was at least 4 inches long in a crescent shape.  After calling three stores and not being successful, he went to take a closer look.  He disappeared while I put the final touches on dinner.  He returned after a few minutes with some superglue from the convenience store (where would we be without them?) and quickly got to work.  He was able to glue that big crack, saving the day.  Then he put the insert back into the hole in the floor so the crack was near the hinge of the door instead of near the opening.  It now resides under the basket, where the lighter weight stuff lives.

My ankle didn't fare as well, and has been throbbing all evening.  I'm sure it will be fine.  But for the time being, I'm just going to pretend that I hurt myself doing something awesome and not stepping into a big hole in my kitchen floor that I had created.

Hanami

Japanese people love sakura (cherry blossoms).  Their blooms make people go a bit crazy.  I would classify them as a national treasure.  As soon as they appeared at the end of last week, people started coming to the park in droves to sit under the blooming trees.  They even have a special name for sitting and enjoying a picnic (or just drinking alcohol) under sakura - hanami. 

Families and friends gather in the park or other place where sakura are.  Small tarps or other sitting mats are laid out and people break out bento, sushi, and other picnic type foods.  Beers and other drinks are passed around and people just enjoy the ambiance. 

I've seen my share of hanami, but the families coming out in droves to Hikarigaoka was quite the sight.  It reminded me of going to a forth of July celebration with music and food trucks and fireworks.  While hanami doesn't have any of those, there is a certain buzz and enthusiasm in the air. 

We were invited to hanami this weekend by one of the park moms.  My husband made some gyoza (pot stickers) to share.  Our friends provided sushi and sandwiches.  Others brought a Chinese appetizer sampler plate, cream puffs, and even KFC.  We chatted all afternoon, while kids played.  It was a great afternoon.

I highly recommend taking time to go out and enjoy the blooms of the season.  A picnic is a nice touch, but not a requirement.

Running as fast as I can

Now my idea of fun is does not typically involve sports - especially watching people run.  However, when you live in a new place, you often do things that are a bit of a stretch. 

Today was the Nerima Kobushi Half Marathon.  This neighborhood "fun run" helps people welcome spring with a nice bit of exercise under the magnolia blossoms (the kobushi magnolia is native to Japan).  This year the runners were also encouraged by the presence of the cherry blossoms (they are a bit early this year). 

Since we are still a bit jet lagged, we were all up.  So, we headed over to Hikarigaoka Park before 8 am to cheer on the runners as they began the race.  As with most sporting events, I immediately got swept up in the crowd and began cheering the approximately 5,000 participants. 

There were several people dressed up in costumes, which made the event even more fun.  My son loved calling out "Gambate Bannanas!!!" and "Gambate Winnie the Pooh!" as they ran past us.

We traveled from place to place to cheer people along as the different races were run - half marathon, junior high kids 1 mile, and elementary kids with parents 1 mile.  Finally, we stood near the finish line to cheer people as they reached the end of their morning jaunt. 

Although we all enjoyed cheering and being part of the crowd, the best part of the morning was being together in the park. 

Sakura at the Imperial Palace

A few times a year, the doors open and the public are allowed within the walls of the Emperor and the royal family's residence.  Today was one of those days.  When I say the doors opened, I think I need to clarify.  We weren't allowed anywhere near the actual residence, but the general public was allowed to wander one path inside the grounds to see the blooming cherry blossoms.

We arrived early, fully expecting crowds.  We reached the palace grounds just after they opened the gates and there was already a pretty large line waiting to get through security to see the beautiful trees.  The sun was out and the buds of yesterday were opening with enthusiasm and were ready for people to delight in their presence.  Getting through security included a bag search, drinking a swig out of any bottles containing liquid (it's better than having to toss them!), and getting wanded with a metal detector.  After completing these three steps, we were able to go inside the grounds.  We walked down the main "street" or path, which had blooming cherry trees on either side. 

The weather was so nice today and the blooms loved it.  There was a vast difference in their appearance between yesterday and today.  It was such a wonderful day to view the blossoms.  There were lots of different varieties and they were beautiful to say the least.  Colors ranged from white to very dark pink.  I couldn't pick a favorite because they were all so wonderful to see!

Cherry blossoms are very important to the people of Japan.  They are often found in artwork and, in my opinion, are a universal symbol of Japanese beauty.  From clothing to home décor to other embellishments, cherry blossoms can be found in everything around here.  So, when the actual blooms unveil themselves, it is a really big deal.  As a matter of fact, dining and drinking under blooming cherry trees is a major event!  More on that later.

I thought going to the Imperial Palace to view the cherry blossoms was really fun.  It was a different experience, since they don't normally let people onto the grounds.  Plus, the nice weather really had me wanting to be outside enjoying the sights of nature.  However, next time, I'd actually like to see the residence or more of the "home."  The Imperial Palace is still very much a mystery to me.  More to discover and learn on another day!

Jet Lag is rough

We have jet lag.  We have it bad.  It has left us with short tempers and several tears.  We haven't been getting up extremely early, but we have been hitting our limit of tolerance and kindness before nightfall.  It is really hard to cope as we are all struggling. 

There have been many things that have made me want to scream today.  So, as I see my son struggling to be his normal, happy self, I understand his stress.  However, my compassion is thin as I also struggle to cope with my extreme tiredness. 

Bright spots of the day included realizing how routine many actions were.  For example, I rode my bike to the organic produce shop with ease.  Also chatting with some of the park moms brought some relief to the stress of the jet lag.  And last, but not least, the sun was so warm and inviting today.  We enjoyed the kiss of sunshine on our shoulders and cheeks.

I don't recall the jet lag being this bad last time.  But maybe the excitement of the journey made it a bit more tolerable when we moved here six months ago.

As we look forward to settling into the time zone, at least we have the anticipation of cherry blossoms to look forward to.  I've seen a few trees starting to offer it's blooms for viewing, but most are not quite ready to share their delights.

I'm back

Ahhh...  America.  I missed you so much.  It was so wonderful to walk on your land.  I felt elbow room I haven't felt in 6 months.  I shopped until my suitcases were full and I dined on foods that are hard to find in Japan.  Mexican, Greek, and BBQ were at the top of my list.  The restaurants did not disappoint.

The shopping didn't disappoint either.  I had been making a list for months of things I wanted to purchase in the US based on things that I wish I had at periodic times throughout my time here have determined that I need.  The list was long, but it was fun to gather all the things on it.  Of course, I found lots of extra items too!

I had to grab essentials like peanut butter, Aleve (pain reliever), and face lotion.  There were things that just make me happy like Penzey's spices, popcorn, and salsa.  Tough to find items included shoes for myself, organic chicken bullion, and books for my son.  I brought back a large assortment of chocolate including chocolate chips, Theo's dark peanut butter cups, and Alter Ego's dark salted burnt caramel bars. 

There were two items that took up a lot of room in my suitcase - an Instant Pot (a gift I was bringing back with me) and cheese.  On my last day in the US, I stopped by Costco to grab a whole bunch of this very expensive culinary delight.  I hardly ever have cheese in Japan because the real stuff (made from milk, not oil) because of the price.  So, after a bit of research, I learned that it is not only legal, but very easy to bring cheese to Japan.  8 and a half pounds should last me for a while.

Of all the things I brought back with me, the best thing was love.  I was able to spend time with lots of loved ones that I had not seen in person for 6 months.  Being so far away from them is really hard.  I have missed my loved ones so much.  A phone just doesn't do the same as an in person hug. 

As I cope with the jet lag, I will relish in the time I was able to spend with people that I love and value.  Now I am heading to bed because I am seriously tired.