Want to know how to cook 'soba' easily? Here's how!

For my English practice, I made a video of how to cook 'soba' (buckwheat) noodle in English.

Made this video in Japan, I found out that this recipe could be used also outside of Japan if you can find dried 'soba' noodle at the Asian food corner of a local supermarket. (At least, I found that they have 'soba' noodle in Kroger's (local supermarket in Houston.)

This recipe in the video is just one style of cooking 'soba' noodle at home.

I think (as a Japanese) the important point of this is that you use Japanese soy sauce which I learned that you can but at Kroger's. (Interesting to find out that the taste of soy sauce varies a lot.)

Old city of Kurashiki, Okayama

If you travel west of Japan and have a chance to visit Okayama, take few more ride on the train to visit Kurashiki where you can enjoy the old style city.

Walking about 10min from Kurashiki station, you'll find a preserved area of the old city of Kurashiki.

There's a small river running between the middle of the city where you can take a ride on a classical wooden boat, observing historical buildings on both sides.

This is a picture of the old city of Kurashiki I took at dawn, before tourist started coming.
(Love the mirroring effect of the city in undisturbed water!)

You can spend couple hours walking not only the main street, but also the back street where you can find white walled historical buildings too.

Also at the entrance of the area, there's a store where you can experience cooking a famous Okayama snack called 'Mura suzume'.

If you like walking around historical places in Japan, Kurashiki is one place I would recommend people to go.

Way of advertising using trucks in Japan

Here's one way advertising is done in Japan.

That is, using trucks.

I think it is a good way because unlike posting signs there are various advantages.

One is that the height of the advertising will be at the street level, and people do not have to look up.

Second is that because the truck drives around places, you'll have more people watching the advertisement.
(And because it drives around slowly, people will have enough time to read the ad.)

Third is like you see in the picture, if the truck drives at a time when the sky gets dark, you'll attract more attention by lighting the ad.

Some truck ads play music while they drive around so you'll definitely attract more attention compared to stable signs on the street.

Maybe in cities where you have heavy traffic, this may be one good way of advertising!!

A Japanese traditional dance in Tokushima 'Awa Odori'

In Tokushima prefecture of Japan, there's a dance you must go see.

It's called 'Awa Odori' and is a traditional dance which most of the people living in the area can dance.

They have a big dance festival in August where they have men and women dressed in traditional outfit.

Ladies wear straw woven hats almost hiding their face, and men wearing a towel over their head and face.

The music is very merry and has a rhythm easy to dance.

Before the festival, you'll be able to see people gathering in parks practicing the dance for the day of the festival.

Poster for Japanese Self Defense Force recruitment

When you walk around in Japan, you may see one of these posters.

What do you think it is about?

Well, it's in Japanese, but what is written is "Recruiting members for Japanese Self Defense Force".

The three girls in different costume represents Air, Ground and Ocean self defense force.

The design changes every once in a while, but you'll be able to find it various places such as train station.
(I actually found this one in a station.)

Have you ever seen a 'Crepe vendor'?

It's not nationwide, but there is an interesting vending machine you can find in Kagoshima.

What does it sell?

Crepes.

Sounds weird?

But here it is.

It is a crepe vendor with various flavors.

When you drop in coins and push the crepe of your flavor, it comes out in a glass container like this.

And when you take it out of the bottle, you'll find a crepe wrapped in cellophane like this.

So if you have a chance to visit Kagoshima, and you want something sweet to eat, why not look for one and try it!!

Fritolay Mike's popcorn, Japan original flavor

Don't know how many different kind of flavor Mike's popcorn has, but here's one from Japan.

This is a collaboration flavor with a Japanese cup noodle company called 'Maru-chan'.

The flavoring of the popcorn is from one of their menu, which is "Wong ton soy sauce" flavor.

When you open the package, you can enjoy the scent you'll experience when you open cup noodle after cooking it.

The taste is not butter, but this is one flavor you would want to try if you are popcorn lover!!