Desperately seeking sunblock

Written by: adekun on 21 July, 2010 9:57 am - Filed under: blog — 5 Comments »

It might not be the case in the larger cities, but here it is impossible to find affordable sunscreen/sunblock. There seems to be only a few other alternatives: imported Hawaiian Tropic (SPF 0) at ￥1600 a bottle, or bottles (SPF 50) the size of a dental floss dispenser, about half the price. Probably need one bottle of the latter for the front and another for the back. Continue reading

Tags: japan, weather, whinge

Biwa

Written by: adekun on 23 June, 2010 10:09 pm - Filed under: food — 3 Comments »

Known as Japanese medlar or loquat, biwa are a member of the rose family. Pictured are some slightly under ripened, ideal for jam or chutney; and some perfect for eating once they have been peeled. They can be used to flavour shōchū, much like umeshu or sloe gin. In addition, the leaves can be used to make tea (biwa cha):

• Rub the leaves to remove the bristles
• Leave to dry a few days
• Chop
• Add five grams of the leaves to a litre and a half of boiling water

There’s also a biwa pale ale brewed down in Kagoshima.

Tags: food and drink, fruit, japan

eijūken

Written by: adekun on 14 May, 2010 7:41 am - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »

This week I got a postcard (it had POSTCARD printed on the back) from the immigration office. My application for permanent residency (永住権 eijūken) has been turned around just two months. When I applied I was told is usually takes a year, four months being quick. Although there wasn’t any impediments or language proficiency tests, I didn’t leave the office feeling overly optimistic. Continue reading

Tags: japan

Raw liver

Written by: adekun on 23 April, 2010 5:28 pm - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

To rejuvenate the father-in-law we went to an expensive yaki-niku joint. He was recovering from pneumonia and was less than genki. In the past, I had already wrestled the raw chicken offering off the MIL, destined for my post labour wife. The raw liver still came as a surprise. Vitamin A laced with antibiotics. I almost wondered if it was to be used as a poultice. It was hardly Dances with Wolves; cold and unsurprisingly horrid.

Tags: food and drink, japan

Kenrokuen

Written by: adekun on 6 December, 2009 4:37 pm - Filed under: japan — No Comments »

Across from the castle, Kenrokuen, for me was all the more appealing. Quite at odds to how I felt in Kyoto at Ryōan-ji; vivid colours (even under the bleak sky), countless trees and water features. Perhaps the sky made a good contrast for the gold and deep red leaves.
The park offers a good opportunity to see a technique called yukitsuri. Trees in need of protection the heavy snow, are supported with a conical array of rope. Some are given further help with bamboo struts. Continue reading

Tags: ishikawa, japan, travel

Kanazawa Castle

Written by: adekun on 30 November, 2009 7:57 pm - Filed under: japan — No Comments »

Kanazawa Castle seems a lot less like a castle without a keep; more so as it sits in such large grounds. After numerous fires and rebuilds, only a few structures remain. The brochure said they were restored recently using traditional construction methods. However, the inside of the watchtowers and interconnecting warehouse looked as if they fell victim to one of the popular “house reform” television programmes. Continue reading

Tags: castle, ishikawa, japan, travel

Takoage

Written by: adekun on 9 November, 2009 11:01 pm - Filed under: japan — 1 Comment »

Throughout the year many kite flying events are held across the country. The festival has a long history dating back to the Eiroku era. Perhaps now, the gatherings, kites and armies of happi clad flyers are not as big as they used to be (see Takoage Gassen). Still, it is a fun activity to watch or participate in.
Yonago City usually hosts an uncompetitive competition early November. Continue reading

Tags: festival, japan