In Front of Shibushi Station, Kagoshima

The things you find in front of train statations. I went to this town for two reasons. First, I wanted to ride the length of the train line it's on. Yes, I'm that obcessive about train riding. Second, the city's name is Shibushi which written in Japanese is 志布志 and that's got to be silliest looking bunch of kanji grouped together out there until you see the address of the train station:

鹿児島県志布志市志布志町志布志二丁目

Just look at that glory. I so want to live at that address.

Until I read this map, I didn't realize that Shibushi is a port town. Welcome to Shibushi, don't go past this sign unless you have the right documents. Remember to Keep A Rule! Right past this sign is a street full of bars you can get to--if you have the right papers. The papers you need to booze!

The area in front of Shibushi station also had this great globe. What is not to love about this thing. The grossly enlarged shape of Kyushu, the super fancy speed boat speeding away from Shibushi harbor, how Australia is symbolized with a kangaroo and a koala bear, how rusted the entire thing is. Yes, rust and geography, my favorite things together on a big metal ball in a beautiful middle of nowhere in eastern Kagoshima prefecture, Shibushi city.

10.10-SuperPacman-Amagasaki

10.10-SuperPacman-Amagasaki, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

I wonder what costs ¥6,000 at Super Pacman. I guess I'll never know since it's closed. *sigh*

Euphemisms! Birdman! Euphemisms!

Today is Sento Day! 10/10

Edit: I went to a sento in Amagasaki after taking a nice bike ride to get there. It wasn't free today, in fact the owner didn't even know it was Sento Day. *Doh*

A promotional poster saying "I love sento".

1010 is the nickname for the national and various bathhouse (sento) organizations across Japan. The national bathhouse association's webpage is http://www.1010.or.jp/zenkoku/ and I always wondered why they used 1010 for their address. I guess it was easier to write then zenkokuyokujyokumiai.com (全国浴場組合).

So today when I woke up and checked my RSS feeds I saw this post about Moe Day from What Japan Thinks, a great blog that translates surveys in Japan, and found out that today was also Sento Day (銭湯の日) and I was shocked. How did I not know this before. Me the creator of Kansai Onsen Review and the soon to be opened Sento/Onsen webpage. I who has been to over 150 sento and onsen did not know that October 10th was Sento Day. I have disgraced myself. It would be sepuku time if I did not have the weighty responsibility of hosting this months Japan Blog Matsuri. (I've only got a few submissions in on it by the way.)

A sign in front of a sento that says "I Love ゆ" a pun as yu, or ゆ/湯 in Japanese, means hot water.

Anyhow I still did not know why 10/10 was Sento Day, in comes the always intelligent and lovely Yuko. While she didn't know what Moe was, and I'm kind of glad she doesn't, she did know why 1010 means sento.

1010 is made up of 1000 +10, right?

1000 is sen せん
10 is typically jyu じゅう in normal counters, but it can be to と
If you combine them: sen + to = sento
せん + と = せんと
so that's why 1010, one thousand and ten, is sento. Put a / thru the middle and you get 10/10, or October 10th... Sento Day!

I hope that made some sort of sense.

A typical sento in Nagata-ku, Kobe

According to this article from the Tokyo Shimbun published yesterday Sento Day was established 18 years ago in Tokyo in order to promote more people to come back to their local bathhouses. On 10/10 many participating bathhouses are free to use. Sadly, the article continues, since the event started in Tokyo the number of sento in the area has almost halved from around 60 to 32 sento.

I've not taken a bath yet so I'm going to hop on my little scooter and find a sento to enjoy--even though its 1PM here in Japan. I hope you all go out and experience a bit of living Japanese history before it disappears.

jump

10.01-Jump, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

Typhoon #18 - Photos from the Japanese Press

台風の夜明け Typhoon dawn, originally uploaded by kamoda in Eastern Hiroshima.

If you weren't aware a typhoon is hitting Japan now. It's the first to make landfall in 5 years. The typhoon has yet to pass over me completely as I write this. Wait never mind, they just canceled the weather alert (警報) a second ago. That means I'll have to stay at work today and classes will start in the afternoon. Bummer.

Riding my scooter up the hill to my school this morning the streets were empty and covered with leaves and branches. Near the school the fire department was dealing with a fallen tree that had knocked over a fence. The storm itself wasn't too strong in my neighborhood, I was wishing for something more substantial.

Here are some photos posted by the Japanese media.

A photo gallery from Mainichi Daily News
This one has many photos from Kagoshima and the southern areas of Japan.

A taxi getting stuck in a flooded road from the Asahi Shimbun.

High oceans and strong waves hitting the coast in Wakayama (In Kansai) and Miyazaki (in Kyushu)

A photo gallery from the Asahi Shimbun.

A photo gallery from Yomiuri Online.

More photos of the aftermath from Yomiuri Online.

A photo gallery from Kobe Shimbun.

Flickr user vitroid stitched together this panorama of Nagoya port using a remote access webcam just prior to the storm hitting.

Nagoya port before storm, originally uploaded by vitroid.

HAMBURGERS! - October '09 Japan Blog Matsuri Announcement

This month’s Japan Blog Matsuri is:

HAMBURGERS!

Some hamburger related magazines, free papers, and fliers I've collected.

Besides finding sento my other big hobby is finding new hamburger shops. On any given weekend my wife, her two sisters, and our 2 year old nephew will pile into the car and drive halfway across town to get a good hamburger. I’ve had some great ones, and I’ve been let down more than once. Awajishima Burger reigns supreme while Sasebo burgers are over rated. Maybe you disagree. I want to see that post. Anyhow, I’m sure there are a lot of you who also have a favorite hamburger or hamburger related story they can share. The Mr. James--the fake gaijin--is out there promoting the McDonald’s so I think its time for some real people who actually live out here show what a real Japanese hamburger looks like.

Posts can be submitted in one of three categories.

1- Reviews of a hamburger shop. You can love it or hate it. Look for a great classic burger or find one of the more unique creations. No matter what I said about Mr. James, reviewing a burger at one of the big hamburger chains would be fine too. If you do this please put a section at the bottom of your post with the address, the shop’s hours and holidays. I’m going to set up a special Google map with all the submissions. Also please include at least 2 photos, one of the shop and one of the hamburger. I expect most of the posts would fit under this category. I have two examples from my blog.

Shin’s Burger

Ata-Go


2- A hamburger related story that has to do with your experience in Japan. For example, a post about the history of Sasebo, or learning how to order at a Mos Burger would fit into this category. A photo would be nice, if possible.


3- A post about a something which is not an actual hamburger but hamburger related. I can think of some candies and other treats that would go in here. Please include a photo.

The Japan Blog Matsuri was first created by Ken Y-N and it has been picked up by the folks at japansoc.com. Every month the bloggers of japansoc.com come together to contribute a post on a common topic. I’d like to thank Andrew at ALTDirectory.net for hosting last month’s Matsuri on learning in Japan. More information about the Japan Blog Matsuri, more links to past editions, and how you could also be a host can be found at this FAQ.

Posts can be submitted directly by email [insert the name of this blog here]@gmail.com or via the blog widget found to the left of this post. The deadline is 25th of October, 2009 so start munching on some hamburgers people!

Aoshima, Miyazaki Pref.

Aoshima Island south of Miyazaki city in the prefecture of the same name is one of Japans most spectacular geologic formations. The heavily forested island is home to a Shinto shrine and a walking path that circles the island. When I was studying Japanese at the University of Arizona I had a picture of this island in my folder. I looked at it when I needed inspiration to study Japanese. My idea was to go down to Miyazaki when I was going to school at Konan University in Kobe, but I never got around to that until last August. I'm glad I went, but I was covered by sweat before I got halfway around the island. Miyazaki is a very tropical place.

The rock formation that rings the island is called the "Ogre's Washboard." You can see the rocks from above on Google Maps. With all those parallel lines it almost looks like it's man made.

The shrine on the island has this unique tradition where people tie 50yen coins with pieces of colorful string to a pole. I'm sure its for some type of luck. I couldn't read the Japanese sign that explained it all.

Undokai - Sports Day

The first year boys performing their group exercise.

The Sports Day is an important event in the year of any student in Japan. The entire day is given over to various foot races, relays, synchronized dances or exercises, and other games. Each class amasses points over the day and in the end the pride in the winning classes shows. It makes me wish I had a chance to be a student for this day, while, at the same time, it solidifies my goal to become a full-fledged teacher--either here or back the the USA.

7AM, setting up the ground.

The layout of my current jr. high school also gives me a chance to pull out the selective focus lens I have and take a few shots from the buildings overlooking the grounds.

And the crowd goes wild...

08.30-Eki Mae Map

08.30-EkiMaeMap, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

In front of most decent sized train stations you'll find a map set up for tourists to get their bearings. These typially feature local attractions, temples, parks, and such. This one in front of Banshu-Ako staion was a little worse for wear, but featured these cute characters. I didn't find out what story they represent, but they are cute none-the-less.

08.30-Hinase Bench

08.30-HinaseBench, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

The back of a rusty bench in Hinase station (日生駅).

Today's Short Hike

Yuko and I enjoied the nice weather and took a little walk up the hills behind us.

Some stairs in the neighborhood behind my house. I'm glad I only walk up these when I want to.

The view from a hill top in the ShinrinKoen near my house. This is looking East out towards Itami and Toyonaka.

JR西日本ーJR九州

JR西日本ーJR九州, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

Last month's train trip was one of my best. I got to ride a boat-load of new and different trains and ride a boat too! Watching the landscape scroll by and all the little stations along the route was great. It's addictive. I got to ride the special Pokemon themed train on the Kyushu Shinkansen even. I didn't get to ride on all those trains pictured, one of them is a maintenance train for example, but I did ride most of them.

Generally speaking, my route looked like this although there were some more stops and train changes.

Koyoen -> Sannomiya -> Kokura -> Beppu -> Miyazaki -> Shibushi -> Kagoshima (via bus and ferry) -> Makurasaki -> Kagoshima -> Shin-Yatsushiro -> Kokura -> Shin-Osaka -> Koyoen

Kansai Hamburger Festival - One Day Left!!!

There’s been a hamburger boom going on recently here in Kansai. Two weeks ago a local program did a feature on local hamburger shops, including my favorite Awajishima Burger in Nishinoimya. Now, over this long 5 day weekend weekend on Rokko Island in Kobe there’s the Kansai Hamburger Festival! It’s only on for another day so go tomorrow!

I was able to munch down 4 of these glorious burgers. In order starting with my favorite burger that day.

#1 58 Diner - Bacon burger - From Kyoto

Amazing bacon cheese burger covered in a sweet miso bbq sauce.

#2 T’s Star Diner - Takatsuki Cheese Burger - From Takatsuki

Made with local tomatoes and thick shredded cheese.

#3 Tsuruhashi Burger - Tsuruhashi Burger - From Tsuruhashi, Osaka

Tsuruhashi is the center of the local Korean community in Osaka and they have their own take on the hamburger, this one has grilled steak (yakiniku) and kimchi on a sesame seed bun.

#4 Giocare (ジョガール) - Mini Kitahama Burger - Kitahama, Osaka

They ran out of the normal sized burgers by the time I ordered mine so I got the small one which was so-so. I wish I was able to get their normal avocado topped Kitahama burger.

There also was Shin's Burger who've I've reviewed before. I'm considering going again tomorrow. See you there?!?!

Kansai Hamburger Festival
Going on till Wednesday the 23rd at Rink - Kobe Fashion Plaza on Rokko Island in Kobe. For a map see the poster above. More information on their website [in Japanese]: http://www.kfp.co.jp/square/index.html

Gyoza 603 - Kokura

Hard at work at Gyoza 603

On my trip down to Kyushu last month I really wanted to sample motsu nabe. It's an offal hotpot with white miso, garlic, nira, and hot peppers. After the 10 hour train trip from Kobe I was ready to consume anything in mass quantities. Oh, I also wanted to imbibe some of Kyushu's famous shochu actually in Kyushu. I stumbled upon Gyoza 603 walking around the entertainment district in front of Kokura station. I was able to do both!

Gyoza at Gyoza 603

603 specializes in gyoza and they make those little dumplings of love in a very unique way. While they are frying the chef will pour some sort of oil which will harden and make a crispy film on the bottom of the pan. After they are fully cooked the chef will flip the gyoza onto a plate and serve them upside down. I got the cheese and shiso gyoza. If I had to criticize them I wish they had a bit more shiso flavor, but I liked them never the less.

Motsu nabe at Gyoza 603

The motsu nabe was totally amazing. I'm so addicted to this dish. I haven't had it since coming back to Kansai, and I'm about due to find it up here. Motsu is the Japanese word for offal or intestines in the edible sense. In the states I wasn't the biggest fan of offal when not ground up into hot dogs, but here I've gotten a taste for it--and I love it!

Gyoza 603 in Kokura

Gyoza 603 has other stores throughout Kyushu and if you have the chance I totally recommend popping in for some great gyoza and the amazing motsu nabe.

Gyoza 603: http://www.603gyouza.jp/

Map:

View Larger Map

Goya no Eki.

08.27 Tamba-2, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

Japan has a network of 858 official roadside rest areas that also serve as stores for local goods and produce. These rest areas are called michi no eki, or road stations. Like train stations car and motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy trying to stop at all of them. Some have restaurants serving some special dish, and most have these blue bins. These contain locally grown vegetables and fruits from the farms near the michi no eki. Typically they are sold at extremely low prices. That big goya in front is only 80 yen. Typically the price tag will also have the farmers name on it also. Locally produced foods are typically cheaper, fresher, tastier and, because they are not shipped 1,000s of miles to distribution centers and markets, better for the environment.

My Mother-in-law makes the best goya with pork and egg stir-fry dish. It's the best.

The michi no eki homepage [in Japanese] : http://www.michi-no-eki.net/

The michi no eki where I took this photo [in Japanese] : Tanba Obachan no Sato

Meeting My Family In Tanba

The view from one of the cemeteries

Obon is the traditional week when you go to see your extended family, pray at your grandparent's or parent's graves and just meet everyone and see how everything is going. It's much like Thanksgiving in the USA but it lasts a week. Since I was on my trip to Kyushu during half of that week and because Yuko was bust at work, we didn't have a chance to go see the family until Jizo-bon during the end of August which is the children's version of Obon. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, Yuko and myself took a trip up to Tamba in the middle of Hyogo pref. where my relatives on Yuko's mom's side of the family lives. The whole family tree stuff is way too confusing, not just for me, but for Yuko also! I learned a few things.

1. Yuko's great-great-great grandmother was married to her cousin. Not too uncommon actually. Cousin marrages are allowed in Japan.
2. Late August is a great time to take photos. Such great colors.
3. Heavy rain storms will really devastate rice fields (see photo below).

I also got to go up to two small cemeteries. I've seen many like them throughout Japan. Little cemeteries seem scattered almost everywhere hidden up on hillsides and in the small valleys. I've always wanted to walk around one, but never had the reason to do so. The city planner in me wonders how these are administrated and who pays for the upkeep.

My relatives have a little vegetable garden and some rice fields of their own. They gave us a 15kg bag of rice and some sweet potatoes when we left. I have to say the rice is great! So yummy! Their house is so big and traditional. I'd love to move out there, but I might go crazy. There are no stores. There son walks 40 minutes each way to get to school.

The relative's house, those are onions in the foreground.


The relative's shed and some lettuce.


A rice field after a torrential rainstorm. This is the view from the front of my relative's house.


Not yet ripened persimmons.


A ranma 欄間 in my relative's house.

CheapSake: Rakuen 100 Yen Wine

This begins my first foray into the one of Japan's hidden worlds. The world of cheap ready to drink booze. I'm going to explore the world of booze in Japan under ¥200 (about $2). America has a rich history of bumwines. Thunderbird, Cisco, and Wild Irish Rose are three examples. Japan also has its own various beverages for the on-the-go drunkard who needs a quick nip. Most of these are types of low quality sake, Japanese ricewine, but shochu, a type of Japanese spirit, and other fruit wines are also floating around the conbini. So with out further blabbering my first CheapSake review...

Rakuen Wine 楽園ウイン

CheapSake #1

I expected my first installment of CheapSake to be, well, sake, but today we got wine.

Tucked in the top corner of the cooler case with the hand written price tag... ¥100. It called out to me. It said, "David, I must taste like crap, drink me." It also said "Look at the sad place I've been put in the shelf, no one will ever buy me." I partially bought this box of red wine out of pity, partially out of curiosity. The pink packaging and the explanation on how to enjoy wine written on the back says this is for the girls here. It didn't stop me--I'm going to drink this in the privacy of my room. This wine is packaged in the same kind of box you'd have for apple juice back in elementary school. It comes with a straw, just in case you don't want to dirty a class. I choose the straw. I want the full effect. The side of the box has a flavor guide, as if it were actual bottle of expensive wine, but it makes me wonder. Are there other varieties of Rakuen Wine? If so, where can I find them? From the guide I learn that the wine is full bodied, is somewhat dry, has a moderate alcohol flavor, is 12% alcohol, and should be drunk between 12-14C. Reading this I actually thought this wine might not be too bad.

So how's the flavor? It full bodied indeed, there's something to it, a bit of a kick, and it's not very sweet at all. I was afraid it was going to be super sweet grape juice, but this actually doesn't taste too bad. It's got a dominant alcohol taste in the beginning, but not harsh at all. I've had worse that came in bottles with corks. As far as it's boozing factor goes, a few boxes of this will get you there, but it won't knock you out.

Rakuen Wine
¥100
Purchased at Sunkus

Beppu Landscape

Beppu is a city in need of renewal.

Two Kyushu Eki-ben

I spent a week earlier this month riding trains, boats, and buses in Kyushu. Here are the two Eki-ben* I had.

Hiroshima Station Eki-ben.

Akatori Bibinba Bento w/ Hiroshima Carp green tea and Hiroshima Carp cup sake.

The bento had rice mixed with ground chicken, kimchi, and sprouts. It also had a half boiled egg and hot sauce that you mixed into the rice. One of the best Eki-ben I've ever had. The tea and sake wasn't that bad either.

Oita Station Eki-ben.

Toriten Nanban Bento.

Fried Chicken in Kyushu is called toriten とり天 instead of karaage からあげ. It's also cooked differently, the batter is more like a tempura batter than a typical karaage. Chicken Nanban, covering chicken with a egg tartar and thickened sweetened vinegar, is also local to Miyazaki prefecture. I got this bento at Oita station, not an official eki-ben, but really good!

More Eki-ben

*Eki-ben are box lunches that are sold in train stations throughout Japan that feature local recipes and specialties.

08.04-KitakyushuMonorail

08.04-KitakyushuMonorail, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

The KitaKyushu Monorail originating from Kokura station.