http://www.seekjapan.jp/on-japan Self seeking hedonist; lover of onsens; sake and the epicureal lifestyle in Japan. http://thesoulofjapan.blogspot.com/ GMT en-us http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1651/Mystery+of+the+Fava+Bean http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1651/Mystery+of+the+Fava+Bean Fri,30 May 2008 GMT “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti,” Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal).  That quote from Silence of the Lamb was perhaps the only time I remember hearing the words fava bean.  I mean, I do have faint memories of eating this stuff back in the states, but don’t remember exactly how they tasted.  Well, since it’s spring, and thanks to living in vegetable heaven Japan, I had ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1650/Hito+Me+Bore+! http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1650/Hito+Me+Bore+! Thu,29 May 2008 GMT Love at first taste would be the proper axiom for this rice, but the farmers in Miyagi who grow it chose to name it “Hito Me Bore” love at first sight.  I know I was in love after the first bite and the sight of it, the sight of this hot steamy rice in my plate, alongside a nice juicy steak was enough for me to agree with both titles.  “ Love at first sight and love at first taste.”   What is rice anyway ?  And ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1639/Yoshikawa+Onsen:+"A+history+lesson+in+the+evolution+of+seawater" http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1639/Yoshikawa+Onsen:+"A+history+lesson+in+the+evolution+of+seawater" Wed,21 May 2008 GMT Yoshikawa onsen of Saitama Prefecture boasts of having a 1500 meter, magma heated, 10,000,000 year old water source which supplies most of its ten plus therapy baths through out its huge super sento complex.  I myself couldn’t believe it at first because I know for a fact that even with the latest carbon dating techniques, seawater can be successfully traced back from as far as 5 million years even before the earth’s most recent ice age which lasted for over a ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1637/Burger+King:+"Home+of+the+Whopper" http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1637/Burger+King:+"Home+of+the+Whopper" Sun,18 May 2008 GMT Burger King, home of the whopper, an American hamburger fast food chain, has expanded its reach into the heart of sushi loving Japan in the very epicenter of Tokyo’s urbanite community, so move over McDonalds  and make way for the King.   54 years ago Mr. James McLamore and Associates had an idea in mind: grilled quarter pound beef patty; 113.4 grams; sesame seed bun; lettuce; onions; pickles, and ketchup.   The whopper became a trend setter for ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1634/Blood+Orange+Juice:+"Ban+has+lifted" http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1634/Blood+Orange+Juice:+"Ban+has+lifted" Tue,13 May 2008 GMT Finally, blood orange juice has arrived in Japan from Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Southern Italy.  I never thought the day would come when safety conscious Japan would open its doors to not only a very rare and delicious fruit drink, but one that was banned from export some years ago due to the scourge of the Mediterranean Fruit fly or medfly, for short.   The medfly infestation that destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of crops ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1632/Ise+Udon http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1632/Ise+Udon Sun,11 May 2008 GMT When you think about the Soul of Japan and what it means to many Japanese then one place comes to my mind: Ise Jingu (Shrine), the Mecca of Japanese Shintoism and the cradle of Japanese Soul in Mie Prefecture, because it is here where all things Japanese merge, on a spiritual plane that is.  Another thing that comes to mind and that’s also talked about a lot from this part of Japan is Ise Udon!  Now, udon itself has its Japanese origins in Sanuki which is on the ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1631/Shintenchi+Okono+Mimura http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1631/Shintenchi+Okono+Mimura Sun,11 May 2008 GMT It is said that when visiting Japan one must visit Hiroshima for its rich history and culture.  Most westerners, especially Japanese, who journey to this part of Japan visit such monuments as the Genpaku Dome and the Memorial museum in order to pay respects to the millions of victims, mainly women and children, who were be fallen by America’s atomic bombs.  I too paid my respects, and yet it never fails me at how powerful and at how beautiful the Japanese soul is to ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1630/Yonezawa+Beef http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1630/Yonezawa+Beef Sun,11 May 2008 GMT Saka-No Yakiniku Shop of Yonezawa Centrally located yakiniki (beef shop) in downtown Yonezawa in Yamagata offers premium beef at affordable prices.  Saka-no, the only place in Japan where you not only can enjoy prime cuts, but delicious jizake, and a comfortable atmosphere as well.   My seventh time in this city, and after trying dozens of other name brand shops, I’ve found Saka-no arguably the best in terms of overall service, thanks in part to rurubu, a ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1629/Hot+Fresh+Sesame+Dango(dumplings) http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1629/Hot+Fresh+Sesame+Dango(dumplings) Sat,10 May 2008 GMT Dango time, a deliciously sweet rice dumpling loved and adored by Japanese and foreigners a like.  Yes, it’s that time of year again when Japanese confectionary is at its best.  Of course there’re zillions of different places that offer wagashi ( Japanese sweets), but if I had to recommend one place, and not because I tried it only once there, but many times, then I would like to introduce First Food Akebono's of Shirakawa in ... http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1628/Camping+! http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1628/Camping+! Fri,9 May 2008 GMT Camping season is upon us and it's time to break out last years camping gear and ready it for inventory. Let's go over the essentials. My personal favorites: sleeping bags with inflatable matresses, I hate sleeping without one. Next is the tent which needs to be checked for mildew and other damage that may have been caused by weathering or termites; remove the tent from the bag , open it up and smell it to make sure it's not  rancid inside. Next take out all of your crockery and cutler, ...