Puccho

Puccho (ぷっちょ) is a Japanese candy made by the Japanese company UHA Mikakuto. Puccho is one of my favourite Japanese candy due to its unique texture and chewy nature. There are several types of Puccho which include Juushi, Shuwa, and World. There are many different flavours of Puccho including strawberry, cola, grape, orange, lemon, yoghurt, cream soda, blueberry, cherry, peach, mango, melon soda and pineapple. There are also flavours that are unique to certain regions in Japan and these usually make great souvenirs.

Reasons to Visit Japan

Japan is a must see destination for the traveler that is rich in unique traditional culture and historical ambience. The following are some of my favourite reasons for visiting Japan.



Natural Beauty

 Japan is made up mostly of mountains and is surrounded by the sea. This spectacular landscape offers a bevy of dramatic views overlooking lush mountains, valleys, seascapes, waterfalls, autumn foliage and white powder snow just to mention a few.

Cherry Blossoms

Cultural Heritage

Japan is a country where the past meets the future. Japan has a traditional culture that stretches back millennia, and is a country of contrasts with beautiful temples and gardens along with ultra modern and high tech cities.

Kinkaku-ji Kyoto

Culinary Excellence

Japanese cuisine is renowned for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Japanese cuisine is a kaleidoscope of diversity ranging from well known sushi, tempura and ramen noodles to the full course dinners called kaiseki. Travelling within Japan will lead you to discover the local specialities of each region.

Kaiseki meal

Cool Japan

Japan is the land of high tech x culture x art, the birth place of exciting unique technologies, street fashion and sub-cultures rich in vitality. Japan is home to anime, manga and video games. Japan has a fascinating harmony between the old and the new.

Facial recognition vending machines

Adventure

Experience some of the finest powder snow and ski resorts in the world in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata. Summer is the time for rafting, canoeing and trekking in the Japan Alps, or just dancing with the locals at festivals around Japan.

Skiing in Hokkaido

These are just a few of things that keep me coming back to Japan for more.

There are many more reasons out there for visiting Japan, so why don’t you tell us yours.

This is my Submission for the September 2011 Japan Blog Matsuri

Song of the Week MIN MIN MIN by SDN48

This week’s Song of the Week is MIN MIN MIN by SDN48 which has debuted at number 3 on the Japanese Jpop Oricon chart.

SDN48 which is short for Saturday Night 48 is a Japanese idol girl group created and produced by Yasushi Akimoto. SDN48 was created based on an “adult idol” concept and includes former AKB48 member Koyo Noro as captain. SDN48 made their major label debut in November 2010 and MIN MIN MIN is their 3rd single.

Rikugien Garden Tokyo

Rikugien Garden (六義園) is one of Tokyo’s most beautiful and a rare place in Tokyo where you can escape one of the loudest cities in the world. By some measurements, Tokyo is the largest urban area on Earth but in the middle of it is a garden modelled on poetic principles – the words and images of 17th century haiku master, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. Inside the garden, a Zen calm prevails in the shadow of neon signs and skyscrapers.

Fran Japanese Biscuit Stick

Fran is Meiji’s version of the popular Japanese biscuit stick Pocky by Glico. You can read about Pocky here Most people know about Pocky and it has fans all over the world but few people know about the equally delicious Fran. Fran and Pocky are very similar but in many areas I probably prefer Fran over Pocky as I will explain below.

This is the Original Chocolate flavor Fran. It is a chocolate biscuit stick covered in a smooth chocolate mousse. As you can see from the images the chocolate coating is a lot thicker than the regular Pocky and the biscuit stick is much thicker than the original Pocky. The taste of Fran is a lot smoother and richer. I prefer the original chocolate Fran to the regular Pocky due to this and it is more suited to the adult palate than the regular Pocky.

Song of the Week Everybody Go by Kis-My-Ft2

This week’s number one single on the Japanese Jpop Oricon charts is Everybody Go by Kis-My-Ft2.

Kis-My-Ft2 is a Japanese boy band formally by Johnny & Associates (Johnny's). The group officially announced their CD debut on February 12, 2011, but this was postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.

This is Kis-My-Ft2’s debut single and is also the theme song to Ikemen desu ne (You’re Beautiful).

Air Conditioned Clothing

http://www.inhabitat.com

Japan’s hot and humid summers have lead to many great ideas and inventions to try and stay cool and beat the summer heat. The latest is from Japanese entrepreneur Hiroshi Ichigaya, and is air conditioned clothing. Ichigaya is selling jackets, shirts and pants fitted with battery-powered “personal cooling systems”. Small fans circulate so much air over the wearer’s body that a 31C room feels comfortable, according to America’s ABC News, which has tested the clothing. According to ABC News, Ichigaya is selling to 1000 companies and even getting requests from the Prime Minister’s office for half a million jackets.

Jetstar Japan

Jetstar.jpg by Justin Griffiths

Japan, the land of the rising sun is about to get an orange star. Jetstar has confirmed plans to set up a low-cost operation in Japan. Asia is now the fastest growing aviation market in the world and Jetstar wants to establish a leading position in the market.

The new venture is to be called Jetstar Japan, and is a partnership between Qantas Airways (Jetstar’s parent company), JAL (Japan Airlines) and Mitsubishi Corporation. It is due to commence towards the end of 2012 with the new airline to fly from Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka (Kansai) to Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

Shopping in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the best places in the world to go shopping. Tokyo offers everything for the keen shopper ranging from flea markets to high-end department stores. Most of the shopping hotspots in Tokyo are accessible via the Japan Rail (JR) Yamanote Line with a one-day JR train pass for 730 yen (about $9). The following are the best spots in Tokyo for shopping.

Shinjuku – around Shinjuku station are lots of major discount camera stores and music shops. Shinjuku also has most of the major big department stores on Shinjuku Dori (avenue). One of the best is Takashimaya department store and food hall. Tokyu Hands is an eight level craft store and Uniqlo is a great store for really cheap, high quality, basic clothing.

Harajuku - home to Japanese street fashion. Harajuku Station and Takeshita Dori have many shops that cater to teen fashion and Japanese street fashion. For cheap knick-knacks, souvenirs and bargain gifts check out Daiso in Harajuku, which is one of the famous 100 Yen Shops where nothing costs more than 100 yen ($1.25) plus 5 yen tax. The Daiso in Harajuku is one of the biggest and best in Japan.

Shibuya - with its famous intersection where the style tribes gather and Shibuya 109 the 10 level fashion emporium.

Akihabara – known as electric city is where dozens of stores sell everything electronic. You will find dozens of mainly duty free stores selling computers, cameras and TVs. The Yodobashi Akiba megastore houses nine floors of electronics.

Ginza – home to exclusive department stores, galleries and coffee shops. This is where some of the best high-end shopping can be done or like me some great window shopping. At the Ginza intersection is Wako, Japan’s most exclusive department store, and Mitsukoshi, known as the Harrods of Tokyo.

Song of the Week Run For You by KAT-TUN

This week’s number one single on the Japanese Jpop Oricon charts is Run For You by KAT-TUN.

KAT-TUN is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates (Johnny's) in 2001. The group's name is an acronym that was exclusively based on the first letter of each member's family name.

KAT-TUN debured in March 22, 2006 and since their debut, all of their single, album and music DVD releases have debuted at number one on the Oricon music and DVD charts.

Jyagariko Cheese

Jyagariko (じゃがりこ) is a seasoned potato stick made from non-fried potatoes made by the Japanese snack company Calbee. My first experience with Jyagariko was the original salad flavour many years ago. This was followed by the equally famous Jyagariko cheese made from potatoes and cheese, which I will talk about in this post.

Jyagariko cheese is one of the most popular Jyagariko flavours and is really crunchy and crispy. I enjoy these because of the great cheese flavour which comes from the real cheese bits embedded in each stick. The cheese bits really enhance the overall cheese flavour and experience even more and make this more than the average potato chip. These are really delicious and addictive and are a must try snack from Japan.

Skiing in Hokkaido Japan

Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido offers some of the country’s best snow and has been unaffected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

Hokkaido’s winter season is November to early April with some ski resorts still having snow until early May. Sapporo is the cosmopolitan main city on Hokkaido, but does not get a lot of snow until early December. The best places are ski resorts like Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro.

Nissan Leaf

Have you heard about the Nissan Leaf? The Nissan Leaf is Nissan’s electric car and was unveiled on August 2, 2009. The Leaf went on sale in Japan and the US in late 2010 and will make its debut across global markets from 2012. The great thing about the Leaf is it does not emit any CO2 when driven and doesn’t even have a tail pipe.

The Leaf also comes in handy in other areas. The electric car can also feed power from its battery back into a family home and run appliances for up to 2 days. Using the “Leaf to Home” system, the lithium-ion batteries of the car’s zero exhaust emission can be used as an emergency power backup. Great for any emergencies that pop up and that sudden loss of power. The system works by linking the car to the house’s electricity distribution panel. Power can also be fed the other way if the house generates its own electricity with rooftop solar. The Leaf batteries have a capacity of 24 kilowatt hours when fully charged, enough for two days for the average household.

Amazing stuff and Only in Japan

Read more about the Nissan Leaf at the Nissan Website

Find Out How To Import Cars From Japan and Save $$$$$$$!

Song of the Week Pareo wa Emerald by SKE48

This week’s number one single on the Japanese Jpop Oricon charts is Pareo wa Emerald by SKE48. SKE48 are an all-female idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. They debuted in October 2008 and perform in the newly built studio at Sunshine Sakae in Nagoya every Saturday.


SKE48 Official Website

Watch the video for the single Pareo wa Emerald by SKE48

Easy to Cook Japanese Recipe Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)

Gyoza or Japanese Dumplings are originally from China but have become very popular in Japan. This is a great easy recipe for Gyoza.

Makes 10

Dipping Sauce
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp chili oil

Ingredients for Dumpling
• 60g minced pork or king prawns
• ¼ tsp chopped garlic
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 Chinese cabbage leaf, chopped
• 5 stems Chinese garlic chives (nira), chopped
• a pinch of salt

• 10 round gyoza wrappers or gow gee wrappers
• vegetable oil for frying
• ¼ cup water

Method

1. Prepare the dipping sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Place all the dumpling ingredients together in a bowl and combine well.
3. Place a wrapper on a plate or board and, using one finger, wet round the edges.
4. Put 1 tablespoon of filling on the center of the wrapper.
5. Fold the wrapper over the filling, seal the edges together by pressing and making small pleats.
6. Repeat with remaining wrappers.
7. Heat a non-stick frying pan and add a little oil, swirling around the pan.
8. Lay a few gyoza side by side in one or two rows in the pan, and cook on one side until golden brown. Then using a spatula turn over one row all at once. Add water and put a lid on to steam.
9. Steam for a couple of minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
10. Serve hot with dipping sauce.

Note:
• You can buy already prepared gyoza dipping sauce at most Asian Supermarkets.

Easy To Follow Steps To Create Over 108 Top Japanese Recipes!

Strawberry Pocky

Pocky is a Japanese biscuit stick coated in chocolate. There are many different flavours of Pocky in Japan including Strawberry Pocky which made its debut in 1977. This is my favourite Strawberry Pocky and is called tsubu tsubu strawberry. It is strawberry flavoured chocolate with pieces of dried strawberry. It has a light sweet taste and is very addictive. I enjoy the sweat taste of the strawberry sometimes as opposed to some of the more bitter chocolate varieties.

Tsubu Tsubu Strawberry Pocky

This is what it looks like. You can see the pieces of dried stawberry.