2013 Year in Review

Japan Australia had another fantastic year in 2013. We recently celebrated our 4th Anniversary. Happy Birthday to us! This post also marks our 500th post! Wow! We never thought we’d make it this far! With the new year 2014 upon us, Happy New Year! It’s time to look at the Top 5 Most Popular Posts of 2013. Not surprisingly, popular themes were food, matcha and cherry blossoms.

Without further to do here are the Most Popular Posts of 2013 in order from 5 to 1.

#5 Premium Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s Japan 

Published on July 5th this post and campaign featuring famous Japanese soccer player Keisuke Honda (AC Milan) was a popular one. The limited edition burgers included the Quarter Pounder BLT and its spicy partner in crime the Quarter Pounder Habanero Tomato.


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#4 McDonald’s Texas Burger 2013 

Published on February 2nd this was the comeback of the Texas Burger and it proved to be a popular post. The burger made its original debut back in 2010 as a member of the Big America series. It was released in its ALL STAR form to bring the crowds back to McDonald’s Japan.


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#3 Meet the Snow Monkeys of Japan 

Published on March 9th this was our most popular guest post of the year. The small town of Yudanaka situated deep in the Japan Alps with its hot steaming natural hot springs is the place you will find these wonderful animals. Definitely a must see in Japan and one of my highlights here so far.

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#2 Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat 

Published on May 19th this post clearly shows the popularity of both matcha and Kit Kat. 2013 was definitely the year of matcha snacks in Japan and we had such a large range of different ones to choose from. We liked this version of Matcha Kit Kat as it was made for adults with a less sweet flavour than the regular version.

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#1 Best Spots for Cherry Blossoms in Gifu / Aichi 

Published on March 20th this was the most popular post for 2013 by a large margin. Cherry Blossoms are always a popular theme and this post highlighted some of the best spots in our local area to see them. We are lucky to have so many great spots in Gifu and Aichi to see them ranging from castles and parks to rivers and ancient trees.




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Have a great 2014 everyone and thank you for continuing to support Japan Australia.

McDonald's Japan Winter Menu

McDonalds Japan has put on a tasty selection of winter menu items to get us through the colder months in Japan. The menu items feature cheese, which is always popular in winter. Back in the summer Japan Australia wrote about some new summer items to the McDonald's menu, now its winter's turn and you can read all about them below.

White Cheddar Series 

The White Cheddar Series includes the Quarter Pounder and Chicken Fileo. The burgers have replaced the usual cheese with white cheddar cheese. The White Cheddar Quarter Pounder features extra rich white cheddar cheese, grilled bacon, mustard and is topped with a roasted onion sauce. It went on sale December 11th. The White Cheddar Chicken Fileo features the new crispy chicken breast as well as two slices of the extra rich white cheddar cheese, sliced onions, two pieces of bacon and mustard. It went on sale December 15th.

White Cheddar Quarter Pounder

White Cheddar Chicken Fileo

Cheese Potato Dip 

The Cheese Potato Dip is a snack consisting of shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese, mixed with potato. The mixture is shaped into balls that are deep fried to a golden brown. The Cheese Potato Dip is served with an Arrabbiata dipping sauce, which adds a boost to the flavour. Arrabbiata is an Italian spicy sauce made from garlic, tomatoes, and red chili peppers. The Cheese Potato Dip costs 150 yen (USD$1.50) for five pieces and went on sale December 11th.

Cheese Potato Dip

The Taste Test

Japan Australia wandered down to our local McDonald's to see what all the fuss was about. We ordered a White Cheddar Quarter Pounder set with a side of Cheese Potato Dip. The White Cheddar Quarter Pounder was really tasty and we would definitely order this again from the menu. We are already fans of the classic Quarter Pounder, but this took it to a higher level with a great full flavour cheese and roasted onion sauce. In fact, the roasted onion sauce kind of reminded us of a chutney from back home. The Cheese Potato Dip has a great texture with a crisp crunchy outside and soft fluffy cheesy inside. The actual flavour was quite bland on its own and it really did need the extra boast of the Arrabbiata sauce which was full of flavour.

White Cheddar Quarter Pounder Set

The White Cheddar Quarter Pounder ready to be opened up

A look at the White Cheddar Quarter Pounder

Cheese Potato Dip with Arrabbiata Sauce

Crispy & Cheesy Cheese Potato Dip

There you go! If you are in Japan this winter and want to give something new a try, check these out.

McDonald's Japan Website

White Cheddar Series

Tokyo Christmas Illuminations

Tokyo continues to be one of the best places in the world for Christmas illuminations. There’s all sorts, from rather tacky, but cute to super stylish. Here are some of my favourites:

Tama Center 

Tama Center (多摩センター) is home to Sanrio Puroland, Hello Kitty’s theme park. It seems like this was created as a new city centre outside central Tokyo, and the size of the Christmas illuminations reflect this. The long shopping promenade was lined with illuminations as early as mid November!

Tokyo Midtown 

For some really posh Christmas illuminations, head to Tokyo Midtown (東京ミッドタウン) in Roppongi (六本木). These super stylish illuminations can be found at the garden in the back of this high class shopping centre.

Ginza 

Another Christmas illuminations highlight in Tokyo is Ginza (銀座), a famous shopping street with all the top luxury brands. There seems to be a little competition going on between some brands as to who has the best Christmas illuminations on their store building.

Today's guest post is from Tokyo Blogger Matthew Baxter.

Matthew is a blogger, game developer and writer living in Tokyo, Japan. He has lived cheaply in Japan for over 5 years, and writes for Cheapo Japan, a travel guide dedicated to budget travel in Japan. You can read more of his work at www.cheapojapan.com

Washoku Traditional Japanese Cuisine added to UNESCO Cultural Heritage List

“Washoku” or traditional Japanese cuisine was officially added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The proposal was formally approved on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee in Baku, Azerbaijan. The committee valued the spiritual tradition of respecting nature that is associated with Japanese washoku. This good news is a great boast to Japan and its profile as a tourist destination and will hopefully attract more foreign tourists to this amazing country as well as raising its food profile globally.

In more recent times Japan has seen an influx of Western style eating habits such as fast food, which have spread due to their popularity among young people. A move back to traditional eating habits and culture will only benefit the nation as a whole and help preserve this cultural asset. It should ensure that traditional Japanese food culture is continued to be passed on to future generations, as well as raising its profile among people overseas. Washoku (和食), Japan’s traditional cooking method embraces seasonal ingredients, a unique taste and style that is steeped in centuries of tradition.

The proposal to UNESCO for the registration of the country’s food culture was made back in 2012. It was titled “Washoku: Traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese”. Japanese food across the country share many basic common characteristics, but it also had great diversity based on geography and history. Areas through-out Japan have regional specialties and it is this diversity along with the connection to seasonal events and celebrations that make washoku so special.

Japanese Cuisine now joins French Cuisine as the only other UNESCO registered national cuisine. This could lead to an increase in tourism to Japan with tourists keen to visit to sample the culinary delights. Washoku also joins Mount Fuji, which was officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 22nd, 2013.

Japanese Traditional Multi Course Meal ~ Kaiseki Ryori (懐石料理)

Japanese Traditional Cuisine ~ Washoku (和食)

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Autumn Leaves at Yoro Park

Yoro Park (養老公園) is regarded as one of the best spots in Gifu Prefecture for the beautiful Autumn Leaves. Yoro lies at the western edge of Gifu Prefecture close to Mie Prefecture. It is beautifully situated between the Yoro Mountains and the Ibigawa River. The main attraction of Yoro Park is the spectacular Yoro Falls, which is ranked among the top 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. In Japanese it is called Yoro no Taki (養老の滝). The waterfall is about 32 meters high and 4 meters wide. The water from the falls is top quality and is also ranked one of the top 100 best spring water in Japan. The water is said to not only give silky smooth, clear skin but cure all diseases as well. It is believed the water can returned lost hair and restore failing eyesight. It is basically a Japanese Fountain of Youth! Well, that is according to Empress Gensho, who ruled Japan during the Nara Period from 715-724. She was so impressed with Yoro Falls that she even named her era after Yoro in 717.

Yoro no Taki (Yoro Falls)

There is also a famous legend surrounding the power of Yoro Falls “Kokogenjonai”. According to the legend, in the 8th century, a poor woodcutter and his father lived in the area. One day, the woodcutter went into the woods to find firewood and discovered the water of the spring had turned to sake. He filled a gourd with the spring water/sake as this was his father’s favourite drink, and as they were so poor they couldn’t afford to buy it. The woodcutter brought the water/sake to his elderly father who was very sick. The father drunk the sake and was instantly returned to good health. The transformation of the water to sake was believed to be the gods rewarding the son for his dedication to his father.

Spring Water at Yoro Falls

The water today is not sake but tasty water and the locals make a carbonated drink from it called “Yoro-sanroku Cider”. It is a must try when at Yoro Falls. The water of Yoro Falls is naturally filtered through the mountain of chalk that is Mount Yoro, producing water rich in minerals and natural gases.

Yoro-sanroku Cider

Yoro Park has around 3000 cherry trees the bloom during the spring, as well as many Japanese maple trees that turn the park into ablaze of yellow, orange and red during the Autumn. The mountains surrounding the waterfall and park are stunning this time of the year and many people visit the park to see the changing leaves or Koyo (紅葉) in Japanese.

Beautiful Autumn Colours at Yoro Park

The park is also home to the Site of Reversible Destiny (養老天命反転地). A conceptual art project that opened in 1995. According to their website, it is an “experience park” conceived on the theme of encountering the unexpected. By guiding visitors through various unexpected experiences as they walk through its component areas, the site offers them opportunities to rethink their physical and spiritual orientation to the world. The park is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and entry costs 710 yen (USD$7.10).

More Pictures of Yoro Park

Starting Point at Yoro Park

Autumn Leaves at Yoro Park

The Beautiful Path to Yoro Falls

Lantern Shaped Light at Yoro Park

The Famous Yoro Falls

Red Autumn Leaves at Yoro Park

Yoro Park Manhole Cover

Yoro Park Information 

Location: 1298-2 Takabayashi, Yoro-cho, Gifu Prefecture
Closed: Mondays & from December 29 to January 3
Admission: FREE to Yoro Park but entrance fees apply for the Site of Reversible Destiny
Access: Yoro Park can be reached by car with parking available. Public Transportation is also available with trains running from Ogaki to Yoro Station. From Nagoya take the JR Tokaido Line to Ogaki Station and then change to the Kintetsu Yoro Line. The park is a short 10 minute walk from Yoro Station.

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Oyada Maple Valley in Mino City, Gifu

The Oyada Maple Valley in Mino City is considered one of the best locations in Gifu to appreciate the beautiful autumn leaves. The viewing of Autumn leaves in Japan is called momijigari (紅葉狩り), and is an annual event in which thousands of people visit locations all over Japan seeking out the best spots to see the spectacular colours. This time of the year almost rivals the famous cherry blossom season in spring and is very beautiful.

Oyada Shrine is surrounded by around 3,000 Japanese maple trees (yama momiji) that set the valley around the shrine ablaze in Autumn with brilliant colours. The area is filled with vermillion reds, apricot oranges and golden yellows of the season. Some of the trees are more than 1000 years old. The contrast between the colourful leaves and the traditional carvings of the shrine is magnificent and make this place a sight not to be missed during the fall season in Japan.

There is also a festival vibe to the area during the season with many local food vendors selling all types of festival food and local Gohei-mochi.

The Oyada Maple Valley was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan in 1930.

The Autumn colours are usually at their best in mid to late November.

Oyada Maple Valley in Mino

The Starting Point at the Entrance to the Shrine

Stone Lantern at Oyada Shrine

The Main Shrine Entrance

Komainu at Oyada Shrine

Autumn Leaves at Oyada Shrine

Food Vendors at Oyada Shrine

More Food Vendors at Oyada Shrine

The Steep path to the Main Shrine at the Top

Autumn Leaves around one of the smaller Shrines

Access:
The valley is tucked away in a rural part of Mino City with parking available for cars. Parking is 300 yen. Public Transportation is also available with buses from Mino Station. Take the Gifu Bus on the Takami Line (高美線) to Oyada Jinja Mae bus stop (大矢田神社前) which is a 30 minute bus ride.

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