The famous confection of Fukuoka,"Nanban Orai"

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce "Nanban Orai".
Nanban Orai is the representative sweets of Fukuoka.

This is Nanban Orai.
It is sold at Sakaeya's shop.

This is the main store of Sakaeya in Iizuka-city, Fukuoka.
Sakaeya operate 100 stores primarily in Fukuoka prefecture,
Sakaeya is very popular with people in Fukuoka.

Nanban Orai is the cake which wrapped the raspberry jam and the sponge cake of the almond flavor in a pie.

The raspberry jam has sour taste and it is very delicious.
It is my favorite !!

The famous confection of Fukuoka,"Menbei"

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce "Menbei".

It is 140 yen with 2 bags.
There are entering 8 bags or 16 bags, too.

This is "Menbei".
It is a rice cracker with seasoned cod roe.
It is slightly spicy, but it has the taste of the cuttlefish and octopus.
"Menbei" is delicious so that it does not stop to eat.

"Menbei" is eaten as nibbles for drinks or an afternoon snack.
It isn't expensive and delicious, so "Menbei" is very popular.

Try it !!

The famous confection of Fukuoka,"Hakata Torimon"

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce "Hakata Torimon".

"Hakata Torimon" is a famous confection of Fukuoka, and it is the most popular and nationally famous.
It is written in Japanese as 博多通りもん.

It is 650 yen with 6.
There are entering 10 or 15, too.

It is packed one by one individually, so it is easy to distribute to colleagues at a company.

This is "Hakata Torimon".
It is a steamed bun.

It is a Japanese and Western style steamed bun using the butter in white bean jam.
The wet bean jam of the butter flavor is very delicious !!

It was won Mond selection gold medal consecutively for 14 years.
It is deservedly popular and delicious.

You should definitely visit Fukuoka and try it !!

"Temiyage" and "Omiyage"

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

In Japan, when people visit someone's house, they bring gifts with the meaning of thanks.
The gift is called "Temiyage" in Japanese.
It is written in Japanese as 手土産.
"Temiyage" is often food such as sweets.

In addition, when people go for a trip, they buy souvenirs for friends.
The souvenir is called "Omiyage" in Japanese.
It is written in Japanese as お土産.
"Omiyage" is the miscellaneous goods as well as foods.

This custom is peculiar to Japan, so there are the local products in all the places of Japan.

I'll introduce the local products,next time.

“Higanbana”

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today is September 26.
It is the last day of the equinoctial week in Japan.
So, I'd like to introduce “Higanbana”.

“Higanbana”is a plant called cluster-amaryllis in English.
“Higan”means the equinoctial week,“bana”means flower.
It is written in Japanese as 彼岸花.
“Higanbana”is in bloom around the autumnal equinox, so it is called “Higanbana”in Japanese.

Some people think that“Higanbana”is associated with grass death, so they don't like it very much.
However, many people think that“Higanbana”is the poem about autumn.
In my case,when I see“Higanbana”,I feel that the harvest season has come.

I can eat a lot of delicious things in Autumn!!

My recommendation,the cherry blossoms around Kokura Castle

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Kitakyusyu-city which I introduced before.
The blog article, please click here →Kitakyusyu-city

Today I'd like to introduce one of my recommendations in Kitakyushu-city.
It is my recommendation, the cherry blossoms around Kokura Castle.

There are about 300 cherry trees around the castle.

The cherry trees become in full blossom in early April.

It is crowded with many cherry blossom viewers during this season.

Japanese people love to go cherry blossom viewing, because they are high spirited when they see the cherry blossoms. 

So do I !!

The cherry blossoms at night are also very beautiful. 

The Kokura Castle display paper lanterns for night viewing of cherry blossoms.

The scenery of the castle with cherry blossoms is very beautiful.

It's the Japanese view, my recommendation !!!

There are a lot of other things that I want to introduce you.
Maybe another time.

My recommendation,Kokuru Gion Matsuri

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Kitakyusyu-city which I introduced before.
The blog article, please click here →Kitakyusyu-city

Today I'd like to introduce one of my recommendations in Kitakyushu-city.
It is my recommendation, "Kokura Gion Matsuri".

It is annual festival of Yasaka-jinja Shrine enshrined in Kokura Castle, and an old festival having the history of about 390 years.

This festival is held every year in the middle of July.

People play the taiko drums at this festival.

They beat the taiko drums to pray for "All the world is at peace" "country peace and security" "staple grains abundant harvest" "business prosperity" "peace and prosperity in the household".

Around the Kokura Castle where is the place of the festival, there are many food stands.

It is fun to go around the stands.

The traditional festival,Kokuru Gion Matsuri is very interesting !!

It's my recommendation!!

My recommendation, "Matcha sundaes" of TSUJIRI

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Kitakyusyu-city which I introduced before.
The blog article, please click here →Kitakyusyu-city

Today I'd like to introduce one of my recommendations in Kitakyushu-city.
It is my recommendation,"TSUJIRI".

"TSUJIRI" is the tea-house that has 3 tea shops in the downtown of Kitakyushu.
It is the long-established tea-house.
"TSUJIRI" is a Japanese-style sweets shop other than sale of the tea.

We go "TSUJIRI" to take a tea break.
When I go to "TSUJIRI", I often eat "Matcha sundaes".

This is "Matcha sundaes".
"Matcha sundaes" is green tea ice cream sandwiched together with corn flakes,and topped with sweet bean paste.
It is 350 yen.

The corn flakes are crispy,the ice cream has a good flavor of the green tea.
This taste is beloved by everyone.

It's my recommendation !!

My recommendation, "Sonny-pan" of Shiroya

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Kitakyusyu-city which I introduced before.
The blog article, please click here →Kitakyusyu-city

Today I'd like to introduce one of my recommendations in Kitakyushu-city.
It is my recommendation,"Shiroya".

"Shiroya" is the bakery shop in front of Kokura Station.
This bakery is a long standing shop established over 60 years ago.
Everyone knows "Shiroya" in Kitakyusyu.

The bread which is the most famous in "Shiroya" is "Sonny-pan".

This is "Sonny-pan".
It is one 90 yen.(as of September, 2014)

"Sonny-pan" is a small and soft French bread with condensed milk in iｔs center.
The bread is sticky and  the condensed milk is very sweet, it is so good.
Everyone loves  "Sonny-pan".
However, there is a point that must be kept in mind when eating this  "Sonny-pan".

You must eat from the buttocks of "Sonny-pan".
The buttocks of "Sonny-pan" is a hole pouring condensed milk.
When you eat "Sonny-pan" from the other side, the condensed milk will overflow.

"Sonny-pan" is sweet and delicious, it's my recommendation !!

My recommendation、IZUTSUYA manju

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Kitakyusyu-city which I introduced last time.
The blog article, please click here →Kitakyusyu-city

Today I'd like to introduce one of my recommendations in Kitakyushu-city.
It is my recommendation,"IZUTSUYA　manju".

IZUTSUYA is the well-established department store in Kitakyushu-city.
"IZUTSUYA　manju" is sold in a basement of IZUTSUYA, and it is a bite-sized sweet bun.

It uses sweet white bean paste, and its brand a symbol mark of IZUTSUYA.
This sweet bun is not very sweet, so I can eat everything.
This "IZUTSUYA　manju" is one 27 yen, it's very cheap.
(as of September, 2014)

This  is the traditional sweet which everyone knows in Kitakyusyu.
We love "IZUTSUYA　manju"!!

Kitakyushu-city

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce Kitakyushu-city.

Kitakyushu-city is an ordinance-designated city which located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan.
Kita means north in Japanese, Kitakyushu-city is the northernmost city of Kyushu island.
It's the gateway from Honsyu island.

The downtown area of Kitakyushu-city is around Kokura Station,and there are many commercial facilities.
There are commercial facilities called "Amu-plaza" adjacent at Kokura Station.



There are commercial facilities called "colet" across from Kokura Station.

There are shopping arcade streets called "UO-MACHI GINTENGAI" and "KYO-MACHI GINTENGAI" in the center of the downtown.
"UO-MACHI GINTENGAI" is the birthplace of the shopping arcade street in Japan.
WeI can do the shopping at this arcade street without getting wet on a rainy day.

Near this arcade street, there is "IZUTSUYA" which is the well-established department store.

This Izutsuya opened in October, 1936.
It is built along the river and there is Kokura Castle across the river of IZUSTUYA.

This Kokura Castle is famous for its cherry blossoms.
This castle is a symbol of Kitakyushu-city.

I'll introduce my recommendation in Kitakyushu-city,next time.

UROKO-GUMO

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce "UROKO-GUMO".

"UROKO-GUMO" means cirrocumulus clouds.
“UROKO”means scales,“GUMO”means clouds.
The clouds look like the scales of the fish, so we call "UROKO-GUMO".
It is written in Japanese as うろこ雲 or 鱗雲.

When autumn comes,we often see "UROKO-GUMO" in Japan, because a lot of typhoons and migratory low pressures approache Japan in the autumn.
We feel autumn, when we see "UROKO-GUMO".

In Japan, the weather is going to get colder.
I have to be careful not to catch cold !!

TORI-KARA of IZAKAYA

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

IZAKAYA which I introduced before.
The blog article, please click here →IZAKAYA

Today I'd like to introduce "TORI-KARA" of IZAKAYA.

TORI-KARA is the abbreviation for TORI-NO-KARAAGE. TORI means chicken,KARAAGE means fried food coated with flour, so "TORI-NO-KARAAGE" means the deep-fried chicken.
It is written in Japanese as 鶏の唐揚げ or 鶏カラ.
TORI-KARA is the popular menu as not only a menu of IZAKAYA also snacks and a side dish.

TORI-KARA is sold at convenience stores and supermarkets.

TORI-KARA is sold at convenience stores and supermarkets.
The taste of TORI-KARA varies according to the store and IZAKAYA.
There are many flavors of garlic, soy sauce, spice.
It is juicy and delicious, so men and women of all ages love TORI-KARA !!

Let's try it!!

SASHIMI-MORIAWASE of IZAKAYA

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

IZAKAYA which I introduced before.
The blog article, please click here →IZAKAYA

Today I'd like to introduce "SASHIMI-MORIAWASE" of IZAKAYA.

SASHIMI means sliced raw fish,MORIAWASE means assortment, so "SASHIMI-MORIAWASE" means the a plate of assorted raw fish.
It is written in Japanese as 刺身盛り合わせ.
"SASHIMI-MORIAWASE" is the standard menus at izakaya as well as KUSHI-MONO.
The blog article, please click here →KUSHI-MONO of IZAKAYA

SASHIMI-MORIAWASE is more expensive than other menus,but it is good for the appetizers taken with alcoholic drinks.
SASHIMI-MORIAWASE and sake are the best combinations !!

Let's order it,if you come to IZAKAYA !!

KUSHI-MONO of IZAKAYA

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

IZAKAYA which I introduced last time.
The blog article, please click here →IZAKAYA

Today I'd like to introduce "KUSHI-MONO" of IZAKAYA.
KUSHI means a skewer,MONO means food, so "KUSHI-MONO" means the food that has been put on a skewer.
It is written in Japanese as 串物.
"KUSHI-MONO" is one of the standard menus at izakaya.



These are "KUSHI-MONO",yakitori(grilled chicken),tsukune(grilled chicken meatballs),torikawa(grilled chicken skin),butabara(grilled pork back ribs), grilled sausages.
KUSHI-MONO has lots of kinds.
It is easy to eat and delicious.

Let's order it,if you come to IZAKAYA !!

IZAKAYA

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce IZAKAYA.

IZAKAYA means a Japanese restaurant bar.
IZAKAYA is written in Japanese as 居酒屋.

At most IZAKAYAs, there are seats at the counter, tables and chairs and Japanese style tatami rooms.
I like drinking at the Japanese style tatami room, because I can be relaxed and the distance with the next person is close,it is easy to talk.

I often go to that kind of IZAKAYA with my friends.
We enjoy drinking and chattering at IZAKAYA.

I'll introduce the foods of IZAKAYA,next time.

The frozen ＜NAMA＞

Hello.
This is May in Japan.

Today I'd like to introduce the frozen ＜NAMA＞.
＜NAMA＞ means draft beer in Japanese, so the frozen ＜NAMA＞ means the frozen draft beer. The frozen ＜NAMA＞ is written in Japanese as フローズン〈生〉.
The frozen ＜NAMA＞ is the new products which released in the summer of 2012 by KIRIN BREWERY.
Can you imagine what the frozen ＜NAMA＞is ?

This is the frozen ＜NAMA＞.
(I'm sorry that the image is blurring...)

The liquid of beer is not frozen, the bubbles on beer are frozen.
The frozen bubbles on beer are crunchy and fleecy.
This is a new texture.
When we drink the frozen ＜NAMA＞,we can enjoy cold beer for a long time.

The restaurants serve the frozen ＜NAMA＞ are few.
If you want to drink the frozen ＜NAMA＞, you have to check a homepage of Kirin Brewery.
(click here → the lists of the restaurants (Japanese only))

Please try it if you have the chance !!