5 Popular Winter Activities in Japan to try
As days become colder each week, we are drawing near winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Autumn leaves in some parts of Japan have completely shed off and we're entering winter within a few weeks. The Japanese winter season may be a little bit different in some parts of the world as the country has different levels of coldness. But instead of curling yourself inside the blanket, why not go out and explore what Japan has to offer. SEE WINTER ILLUMINATIONS One of the best attractions in Japan is seeing winter illuminations. It's not only limited to the Christmas season but it started in the middle of the autumn season when nights are longer than days. At dusk, the lights lit…
BEST PLACES TO VIEW AUTUMN FOLIAGE IN JAPAN
Autumn in Japan is one of the most spectacular sceneries in the world. The burst of colors from various species of maple and Japanese ginkgo trees created a mosaic of color against temples, shrines, parks, city streets, and lush countryside. Japanese maple and ginkgo leaves. From Japan's Northern prefectures down to the South, the autumn foliage views are amazing with different fall color vibrancy. They are nature's work of art and add beauty to the cool and crisp autumn season. If you are a tourist to Japan and wonder where's the most popular spots to view autumn foliage, I narrowed down my choices to four spots that are quite popular and are flocked by tourists because of their picture-perfect views.…
EXPLORING BOHOL, PHILIPPINES: OUR EXPERIENCE
Bohol is an island province in the Philippines which is known in the world for many things: the picturesque Chocolate Hills, the cute tarsiers which are known as the smallest primate in the world, pristine beaches, the dreamy Loboc river, historical sights, and centuries-old churches. We travelled as a family before the pandemic and we visited those popular and touristy spots in a short period of time. We stayed overnight with an infant so we don't really rush to the next destination or go farther to remote beaches. Even if you are short on time, you can see and experience the best places in Bohol if you plan your itinerary carefully. GETTING THERE and CHECKING IN THE HOTEL We arrived…
MATCHA WHITE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE RECIPE
Earlier in my food blog post, I was writing all about Japanese green tea. And do you know that you can make delicious dessert recipes aside from drinking green tea? Sure, it is a great ingredient for baking! I love the green hue of matcha in cakes and ice-creams, giving those desserts a yummy look. And not only the visual presentation but matcha balances the sweetness of cakes and pastries giving an exotic Asian flavor. For those living outside Japan and not really familiar with matcha, it can be intimidating to try matcha foods at first. People may think it taste bitter or strange but actually, people all over the world are loving this superfood not only for their nutritious…
ALL ABOUT JAPANESE GREEN TEA
Japan is world-famous for its green tea production. No doubt they make the best green tea in the world because it is cultivated carefully from the best regions in Japan. Aside from this healthy beverage, do you know that green tea is also used in cooking, making desserts, and skincare products? Let me share with you things and facts about green tea. WHAT IS GREEN TEA? Green tea's scientific name is Camellia sinensis. All the tea products that we consume are all from the same plant. There are 4 types of green tea Sencha- is a type of Japanese ryokucha which is prepared by infusing the processed whole tea leaves in hot water. Gyokuro- is a type of shaded green…
ALL ABOUT JAPANESE CHESTNUTS
Japanese chestnuts or Kuri is a popular autumn food in Japan. It is abundantly harvested around the cooler season of autumn and cultivated in Japan for centuries. Japanese chestnuts are small to medium in size. The outer shell is spiny and double-layered, protecting the soft yellow flesh. Preparations and cooking suggestions vary. They can be roasted, boiled, steamed, candied, or dried. Chestnuts are used in a variety of dishes, including both traditional Japanese cuisine and Western-style desserts. HEALTH BENEFITS OF JAPANESE CHESTNUTS Japanese chestnuts are an excellent healthy snack as it is known to be rich in major nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Health benefits include promoting digestive health, acts as an antioxidant, prevents constipation, strengthens bone, improve brain health,…
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SKIN CARE AND COSMETICS
The skincare and cosmetics industry is one of the leading businesses that are successfully operated. It has been here for ages, passing the beauty secrets from generation to generation. Do women really need skincare and cosmetics? Absolutely yes, for different reasons. Not just looking good but cosmetics serve as protection from the elements. For some women, it gave them confidence and boost energy from within. BRIEF HISTORY OF COSMETICS Image by Giorgio Giorgi from Pixabay Cosmetics is not a present-day thing as it dates back to ancient Egypt where Cleopatra used lipstick from ground carmine beetles while other women used clay mixed with water to color their lips. One of the most notable things was that ancient Egyptians uses kohl…
DAIGAKU IMO RECIPE (CANDIED SWEET POTATO)
Autumn is here officially in Japan and each day, the temperature goes down especially in the morning with the cool crisp air and clear Autumn skies. And while waiting for the leaves to turn into shades of orange and red, homes and shops slowly changed their menu. Excited for this beautiful season, not only about cooler temperatures but the food is absolutely delicious and a must-try. There's a lot of autumn fruits that are growing like apples and Asian pears (nashi). Around this season, not just seasonal fruits are consumed but sweet potatoes also are being harvested and cooked, making it a delicious autumn snack. HEALTH BENEFITS AND PREPARATION Roasted sweet potatoes,yakiimo. Japanese sweet potatoes smell good when grilled and…
TOP RESTAURANT CHAINS IN JAPAN OFFERING JAPANESE FOOD
Planning to visit Japan in the future when travel restrictions ease up? Definitely, you’ll never get hungry visiting this country known for great food and hospitality. While traveling, you may have a hard time deciding which food to eat and which restaurants to visit. No worries because below are restaurant chains that offer quick and delicious authentic Japanese food that are convenient and budget-friendly making it an unforgettable food travel experience. CONVEYOR BELT SUSHI Pepper at the entrance door. Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash HAMASUSHI With about 486 locations, Hamazushi has the top number of restaurants in the country. There are several types of sushi on the menu and many variations come with the addition of mayonnaise, sauces, and wasabi. Most of…
JAPANESE CURRY RICE
Did you know that curry is not just popular in India and other South Asian countries? It is also popular in Japan. It is fast and cheap and mostly enjoyed by most people young and old. You can find this delicious staple in supermarket bento corners, convenience stores, curry shops, road stations (michi no eki), and family restaurants. It is also popular as a home-cooked meal. DIFFERENT THAN INDIAN CURRY In fact, the Japanese version is sweeter and the consistency of the sauce is thicker compared to its Indian counterpart. The base of most home-cooked curry is a roux and not curry powder which can be purchased at supermarkets. This recipe version from the book of Sarah Marx Feldner "A…
