Kyoto is one of the must see cities in Japan. It offers the full traditional Japanese cultural experience. Kyoto is renowned for its abundance of delicious Japanese food & cuisine and historical importance.
The highlights of Kyoto include Kiyomizu-dera, a magnificent wooden temple, Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, Heian Jingu, Nijo-jo, castle of the first Tokugawa shogun, and Gion, famous entertainment and geisha district.
This picture is of Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) it is one of Japan`s best known sights.
The Korean pop group Girls Generation came to Tokyo last week to give their first Japan concert. Thousands of fans attended their performances and they got a lot of media coverage in Japan.
Girls Generation is a nine-member Korean girl group formed in 2007. The group has released two full albums and various singles. The group began a foray into the Japanese music scene in late 2010 and has achieved considerable success. Their Japanese debut single “Genie” peaked at the #5 spot on the Oricon Charts and later rose to the #2 position.
Squinkies are the hottest new toys for tweens. Squinkies have already stormed the US market where there has been a huge rush for them and they are about the hit Australian shores. What are Squinkies? Squinkies are miniature pet collectables. Tiny characters that pop out of plastic gumballs to perch on pencils or be made into rings and bracelets.
Rice is the staple food for the Japanese. Japanese rice is of the Japonica type, which is a white, short, wide grain rice with a starchy texture when cooked. Japanese rice when prepared properly tends to be slightly sticky with the grains clumping together, but it should never be mushy.
How to Prepare Japanese Rice
Ingredients
• 4 cups short grain rice
• 4 cups water
• extra water
Method
1. Place 4 cups of the rice into a bowl that holds twice the volume of rice.
2. Pour water into the bowl until it just covers the rice. Holding the bowl carefully with one hand, stir the rice briskly for 10-15 seconds with the other hand.
3. Carefully tip the milky water out, covering rice with one hand.
4. Repeat for a second and third time until the water runs clear.
5. Drain rice in a fine mesh sieve and leave for 30 minutes if you have time.
6. Place the rice and 4 cups of water into a saucepan.
7. Bring to the boil with the lid on and then simmer for 14 minutes.
8. Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave to rest with lid on for 5-10 minutes.
9. Before serving, gently turn the rice over with a moistened rice paddle to allow excess moisture to escape as steam.
Note: When you have left over rice, keep it in the freezer, wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
Twilight Jazz at Dame Elisabeth Murdoch`s Cruden Farm is back again for 2011. The event is on Saturday 5th February 2011 from 4-8pm.
Tickets are $15 for pre-booked, or $20 on the day at the gate. Children under 12 are FREE
Bring your picnic basket, rug, table and chairs and sit back and enjoy the ambience and surrounds of the beautiful garden. You can enter Cruden Farm via Cranbourne Road, Langwarrin (Mel Ref: 103 G6).
What are the Japanese Fashion Trends for Winter 2010/2011?
Girly fashion is still very popular this Winter with brands like Alba Rosa and items like mouton coat, fur coat, and lace one-piece. Animal prints are a must have along with the colour of the season camel. Japanese girls love to mix foreign brands with Japanese brands to create their own look and style. Japanese brands that exemplify the cute look are Dazzlin, Mercury Duo and Cecil McBee.
Mouton Coat
Lace One-Piece
The Grunge Rock style is also very popular now with items like chunky sweaters, combat boots, leather jackets, and ripped leggings a huge trend this Winter. Leather is key and it comes in everything from black shifts to cropped leather jackets. Boots remain the statement shoe of the season with various styles dominating the runways and footpaths. The best stores for these clothes are Topshop, Sly and Moussy.
The Children`s Peace Monument is a statue dedicated to the memory of the children who died as a result of the atomic bomb. The statue is based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from radiation from the bomb. She believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes she would be cured. Still to this day, children from around the world fold cranes and send them to Hiroshima where they are placed near the statue.
This picture is of the area near the statue where the folden cranes are collected and is dedicated to peace.
