Amazing Japanese School Lunch Part-2

As I mentioned that Japanese school lunch is not only beneficial for students

to enjoy the meals, it is also the time for the students to learn about health,

cooking, cleaning, manner, team work and knowing proper ways of eating certain foods.

 

The school I used to attend to in the united states had a cafeteria for lunch.

The students wait in a line, choose the foods from the foods prepared

on the counter and cooks serve the foods on students’ plates for them.

It is very different from Japanese school lunch.

 

Of course, the foods are completely different from what we have in Japan.

While I was in the school in the states (maybe, they serve different ones),

they used to serve French fries, hash browns, spaghetti, sausages, fried chicken,

beans, jelly, orange juice and so on. My favorite one was hash browns.

 

As soon as the students get their foods and sit, they start eating.

They can sit wherever they want to sit. After they finish eating,

they go throwing away their leftovers and put away their plates.

 

One of the major differences is the purpose of the school lunch time.

During lunch break, the students in Japan learn team work and the importance of foods.

Unlike Japanese school lunch time, the students in the states relax and enjoy

the time with their friends which seems to be their main purpose of their lunch break.

 

Another difference is that there should not be leftovers in Japan.

Leaving any foods left is considered a negative behavior.

So it is rare for Japanese students leave leftovers.

On the other hand, in America, they never judged me negatively

whenever I had leftovers. I remember they always told me not to force myself

to eat everything if I couldn't because it could hurt my stomach.

 

And clearly, the menu is different.

There is a culture difference behind each school lunch in each country.

 

Let’s see what they have for school lunch in Japan, America and other countries.

 

I would like to share a video of "jojonotdead",

"School lunches from around the world". Please enjoy!

　

T.F

Ninety-year-old and active picture book author Satoshi Kako

Satoshi Kako was featured in a TV program the other day.
He was born in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture in 1926.
He wrote over 600 books so far and it is said that the number is the largest in Japan
as a picture book author.
Still now he sits the desk to write more than seven hours each day.
I think that many parents and children read his picture books in two generations.

Among his books, “Daruma-chan” series have sold over 6.5 million copies in total and “Crow’s shop” series have sold over 2.8 million copies in total.
He wrote many books about natural science, and when he writes such a book, he researches on the subject amazingly. The reason why he never cuts corners even for children, he knew how children’s interest is diverse and deep. During the war, he aimed to be a pilot and tried to be involved in the war. He regrets from the heart about that and hopes that children wouldn’t have a mistaken idea unlike him and would be able to judge for themselves about things around them. So he always writes books in such hope.

Listening to his talk, I wanted to read his books and soon borrowed some from a library. The books written by him were filled with attraction such not only children, but also adults get caught up. (H.S)

“Men who build a dam” 

The first picture book he created.

My favorite passages : The men’s languages are rough. Rough, scary but kind.

The men aren’t scared away by snow or wind, blowing snow or storm. They never cry. “

“River”

It’s a large-scaled and precise book that you can look down at a river begins from a small stream in a mountain and becomes the sea finally. Its new format which is a picture scroll version has just published the other day. 

“Yasuke of Yamura Village”

Although it’s a commemorative publication for his 88-year old and not for sale, you can read it in libraries across the country. Yasuke works hard in the fields of a mountain village. Yasuke lives with his elderly mother. One day someone appears in front of them. 

In the end, I couldn’t read without tears. The last of “She is in a sunny spot”, which was a book I read several years ago, came back to my memory, it was endearing but made me sad.  

Yukyu Roman no Mori / BBQ site on the top of Mt. Eboshi (532m)

Last weekend, five friends of mine and I went on an overnight trip to "Yukyu Roman no Mori" in
Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture.
As we arrived there in the afternoon of last Saturday, we started having a barbeque.
In the afternoon, it started getting cloudy and chilly.
There was an acrylic wall surrounding the BBQ site so it was comfortable even on a
chilly day like that day. Because we took a wrong way to go back to the cottage which
was about 1km down from the BBQ site, we ended up walking about 5km.
Luckily there was no wind or rain so it was an ideal day for taking a walk.


Around the peak of the mountain, leaves have started changing colors.


This is a photograph of the view from the area in front of the BBQ site.
Although this is a camp site, I didn’t see any tents here.

T.S

Amazing Japanese School Lunch Part-1

As Japanese foods have become popular in the world, did you know that Japanese school lunch has been also highly valued around world as well?

 

Have you ever had Japanese school lunch and/or heard about how great it is? It is well balanced nutritionally and delicious. Also, the students don’t just eat their school lunch, but they also learn important lessons during school lunch time.

 

They learn about nutrition, health, cooking, cleaning, manner and team works.

 

Most Japanese school children decide who will bring the foods from the kitchen, serve the foods and clean. Usually, a group of students take that role, and they always wear surgical masks, aprons and hair net caps for them keep the clean eating environment. The group of people is changed every day, week and/or month depends on school/class rules.

 

Before they eat, they say “itadakimasu” which means to say “let’s eat” or “thank you for the foods” in Japanese.

 

While having lunch, the students learn how to eat any kinds of foods properly. During winter, some schools in Fukui Prefecture in Japan, crabs are served to each student so they can learn how to eat it properly without making a mess.

 

And of course, after they finish eating, another important thing they learn is to clean. The group of people which is in charge of the school lunch for the day, week and/or month, they bring everything they used back to the kitchen.

 

Ok, now let’s see how the students have school lunch times in Japan.

 

I would like to share the video of “CafCu Media”, “School Lunch in Japan-It’s Not Just About Eating!”

 

 

 

T.F

Whole pear tart from a cake shop in Fukui City, “FUJIMIDO”

 

There is a cake shop, “FUJIMIDO” near our office. When I stopped by there, a big whole tart caught my attention and I had it with a cup of coffee. The name of the tart is “whole pear tart” as it looks. It is made with a big pear which is placed on a small tart. The pear was cored, there’s cream stuffed inside, the flower stalk is made with chocolate and the tiny leaf is made with mint leaf.

 

In the showcase, next to the whole pear tarts, there were tarts which are filled with many muscat grapes. When I went into the shop a while ago, there were cakes made with peaches and figs. I feel the change of seasons from these fruits and I wonder what fruits will be served in winter.

 

Fujimido is not only a good cake shop for their delicious cakes, it is also a convenient shop because they are open until eleven at night.

 

T.S

Unique Festival of Miyako Island, Okinawa “Pantou”

There is an unique festival called “Pantou” in Miyako Island. 

In Shimajiri district, the festival is held in early September of the old lunar calendar

but its formal dates are not announced until just before the festival.

In the festival, three masked “gods” appear and visit each house.

What is shocking about it is that the “gods” are entirely covered in mud and

they daub the mud to anybody. 

They show a policeman and tourists no mercy.   

What’s worse, the mud has strong smell.

There is no wonder, the mud has cultured in its very own bog,

and the smell is poignant, so even if you wash the clothes,

the smell does not wash off.

My guess is that the mud is like compost.

                                  (From a travel reservation website "Tabirai Okinawa")

Still it seems like the gods drive away evil spirits

so the people of the district are looking forward to appearing the gods 

around the time of the festival.

Also, this festival “Pantou” was designated an important intangible cultural heritage in 1993.

By the way, this year’s “Pantou” was held the other day on October 6^th and 7^th, 

without any trouble. 

I heard that the screams of children echoed throughout the district again this year. (H.S)

If you have enough courage to join the festival, why don’t you visit it?

Bring a change of clothes! 　（H.S)　

VENUS / JETS -Amazing Cheer Squad- Part-2

On September 22nd of this year, All Japan Cheer Dance Championship 2016
for Kansai region was held at Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka.

The cheering squad in Fukui, "VENUS" which we have been interviewing
since last year participated in the championship and won the Cheer Dance Open Part.
They will be going to the finals on November 19th and 20th of this year.

Of course, the active cheering squad of Fukui Commercial High School, "JETS"
won the two parts in the championship as well.
They won the Pom High School-Large and Cheer Dance High School parts.
Therefore, both JETS and VENUS are proudly going to the finals this November.

An adult cheering squad, VENUS has been formed by alumnae of
Fukui Commercial High School JETS (high school cheering squad).
A few of the members of VENUS were the first members of JETS,
and they became models of a movie which will be released next year.
The name of the movie is “Cheer / Dance” and it is about how JETS became
such a strong team that they won the first prize for the fourth consecutive year
at NDA National Championship in the USA.
If you get a chance, please go see it!

I would like to share the video of
“neoliberate01”, “Jets OG Venus 2016 (Part 2) Cheer Dance”.
Here’s the performance of VENUS which was formed by alumnae of JETS
and became models of the movie, “Cheer / Dance” (will be released in March, 2017).


"Cheer / Dance" / Official Movie Site(Only Available in Japanese)


T.F

Travel Journal of Miyako Island, Okinawa #2

The language of Miyako Island is unique.

It is completely different from that of the mainland of Okinawa or that of Ishigaki Island.

For example, there are many words including “pa, pi, pu, pe, po” sounds.

In the Miyako Island’s language, “I’m glad” is “Pukaras”. 

It is cute, isn’t it?

Also, there are many words starting “n” pronounciation. 

You can see the cards saying “Nmyachi” on reserved tables at restaurants in Miyako Island. 

That means “Welcome”.

In the mainland of Okinawa, they say “Mensore”, and in Ishigaki Island, 

they say “ori-tori” to express “Welcome”.

These differences make me think that these islands were like different countries and

created each independent culture in the past.  (H.S) 

There is a studio which you can experience indigo-dyeing and Miyako hemp weaving.

I experienced the indigo-dyeing. I didn’t know that dyeing can be done by oxidation.  

So it requires skill when you pull the cloth out of the indigo liquid and aerate rather than soaking it in the liquid. If aerating process is not done evenly, it causes uneven dyeing. 

Mango smoothie at a cafe on a mango farm. The coaster is indigo-dyeing.

The cafe’s wife said that typhoons have not yet hit Miyako Island this year, and

it causes coral bleaching and damage to food crops from insects.

So perhaps rains and winds by typhoons might be necessary in nature.  

Miyako-soba noodles is my favorite. It is similar to Okinawa-soba noodles

but the noodles are thinner and the topping is a bit different from Okinawa-soba

noodles. I also like Yaeyama-soba noodles which you can eat in Ishigaki Island.  

*These noodles called “soba”, but actually they are made with wheat flour and not with buckwheat flour.

Dinner menu of one day. Rafuthy(braised pork belly) ,mimigar(pork ear skin), and

Orion draft beer is a must. Why is Orion beer that I drink in Okinawa so delicious? 

A live stage at an Okinawan restaurant where live shows are held every night.

The two musicians usually look after their cows (Miyako beef is very good!) , and give

live performances at nights. I hope that the tradition of Miyako Island such music

has worked itself into the lives of people of the island would continue. 

A house with an entrance approach full of southern country atmosphere. 

Japanese Summer Festival Part-5

As I introduced in our previous blog that “Aoi Matsuri (festival)”
is the oldest festival in Japan,there is another festival, “Aizen Matsuri (festival)”
which was started 30 years after the Aoi Festival was started.
Aizen Festival was started in 593.

It is held in Aizen Do(hall) of Tennoji-ku in Osaka from every June 30th to July 2nd.
A crown prince in ancient Japan,　Shotoku Taishi (574-622) wished to help people with
pain and sorrow,
and the Aizen Festival has inherited his wish for a long time.
This is a festival to pray for safety and state of perfect health of the people.

Aizen Festival is one of Osaka’s greatest festivals.
In Osaka, beside Aizen Festival, there are Tenjin Festival and Sumiyoshi Festival.

I would like to show you some part of parade of “Hoe-Kago(palanquins)”.
I am sharing a video of “Mari Yoshitani”,
 (Aizen Festival parade 2).

Please enjoy.



I would like to share another video, “BinshukeIPO”,
(Aizen Festival 2, Danjiri-bayashi & Dragon dance)


T.F

A Sign of Autumn

It has become much cooler recently and it has been chilly in the evening.
Although it feels that autumn has come,
it looks like it will take some time for the leaves to turn color around here.
The photograph above is “Senko-no Ie”, the oldest saumurai house
in Takeda district in Maruoka-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture.
I took it on November 12th of last year.
The traditional Japanese landscape stands out in autumn.


Maruoka-cho is a buckwheat-flour producing area,
and white flowers of buckwheat start blooming here and there around September.
That is the time it feels that autumn has arrived.

T.S

Travel Journal of Miyako Island, Okinawa #1

I went to Miyako Island recently. I have traveled the main island of Okinawa, Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island not once or twice. But it was only the second time for me to go to Miyako Island, so this time I toured mainly places where I didn’t go last time.

Miyako Island is located about 300 kms southwest from the main island of Okinawa and is in the middle of the main island of Okinawa and Taiwan. It is a flat island with no mountains unlike Ishigaki or Iriomote. When I looked out of the plane window, it looked like a cute fairy tale island. That said, about 51,000 people live in the island and its outer perimeter is about the same as that of Osaka City. And, habu(poisonous snakes) do not inhabit in Miyako Island, which is unusual for Okinawan islands. (H.S)

The sea near Miyako Island Marine Park. The blue of the sea of Miyako Island is called “Miyako Blue”. There are many tropical fish and divers all around the world have a longing for the sea. 

It is said that this Yonaha Maehama is the most beautiful beach in the orient.

The beach sand is very fine and I was surprised at the smooth touch when I walked barefoot. Miyako Island Triathlon Event held in April of each year starts this beach.

The lighthouse on the Higashihenna-zaki Cape. You can go up to the top of it.If you climb the 100 steps, you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. 

Higashihenna-zaki Cape is located on the edge of the southeast of the island.

East China Sea spreads out before my eyes. Looking such a superb view, I feel cleansed. 

I can’t help but take photos of hibiscus. 

Folk Song Live Izakaya. Visitors can also sing there. The man in the middle is

a local customer and he is very good at singing and playing sanshin. This is just as expected of Miyako Island where folk songs are popular. 

Japanese Summer Festival Part-4

It has beeng a little bit cooler and autumn-like in Japan.
How about where you live, is it cool or hot?

In Japan, there are festivals throughout the year.
As much as you can enjoy summer festivals feeling the hot weather of summer,
you can also have a great time in autumn festivals
feeling the cool autumn breeze as well.


Do you know the oldest festival in Japan?

Aoi festival is the oldest and it was started in Kyoto in 567.
This festival is one of the three great festivals of Kyoto in May.
Two other festivals are Gion festival in July and Jidai festival in October.
Aoi festival is also known as Kamo festival and this is conducted
at both Kami (upper) Kamo and Shimo (lower) Kamo shrines.

It is said that first Aoi festival was held when Wakeikaduchinokami
(one of the Japanese gods) came down to a mountain in north-northwest
of the current main shrine building.

In 567, many natural disasters occurred and crops could not grow.
Then, the emperor at that time told a fortune teller to see what was happening

and he found out that curses of god were causing a poor crop.

Therefore, farmers and villagers had the festival to pacify the curses
and this was the beginning of Aoi festival.

I would like to share a video of “Japanesquest”,
“Aoi Matsuri Festival in Kｙoto! / Video Japan Guide”
Please enjoy our previous blogs as well!
Japanese Festival Part-1
Japanese Festival Part-2
Japanese Festival Part-3


T.F

Canoe Touring in Lake Kitagata / Certificate of Completion

 

I received a certificate of completion with photographs from “Canoe Touring / Travelling Through the Lake – From Lake Kitagata to Japan Sea” conducted by Prefectural Awara Youth House in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture.

In the photographs, I am wearing a helmet for the river in order to put a GoPro on it. Now, I can see how I looked with the helmet and the GoPro that day.

 

At Prefectural Awara Youth House in Awara City, there are a variety of activities available, one of which is canoeing. Parties of three or more people can use the facility. There is accommodation available, so you and your family can stay overnight and make the most of your stay.

 

Although the activities are introduced as “trainings” on their website so they sound a bit formal, but they are acutually enjoyable. Compare to what people usually do for sightseeing tours such as visitng temples, shrines and everything in between, I think that staying in Awara Onsen (a hot spring area in Awara City, Fukui) and canoeing can be a different, a unique and a recommendable tour.

 

 

T.S

Fragrant Olive Blossoms

In late September, there is a moment that I become aware of the scent of a fragrant olive.

It is like an announcement that I receive at certain times of the year.

And it seems like it brings little pleasure.

This year as well, the moment came suddenly too.

It was as if the fragrant olive came to inform me “I have blossomed”.

And, on the balcony where I hang out the laundry, I view the blossoms admiring 
the dutifulness, which I usually pay no attention to. (H.S)

VENUS / JETS -Amazing Japanese Cheering Squads - Part-1 -Film of JETS, “Cheer and Dance” will be released in March, 2017!!-

The cheering squad of Fukui Commercial High School, "JETS"

has been made into a movie and the movie will be released in March, 2017.

The models of the movie are the first members of JETS.

A few of the first members formed an adult cheering squad, "VENUS"

after they graduated from the high school.

They perform and participate in cheering competitions actively.

 

The ones who did not join VENUS, some of them became dancers.

I took one of their dance lessons just the other day.

The dance instructor had such a great energy and amazing skills

as same as performers of JETS and VENUS have.

I had such a great time and I was also impressed by the instructor's delightful

personality. I will most likely take the lesson again.

 

I would like to share the movie trailer of “Cheer and Dance”

released by “TOHO MOVIE CHANNEL”, please enjoy it.

*Only available in Japanese.

 

T.F

Street Signs in Foreign Languages

Near Fukui station, there is a map which is written in English, Chinese and Korean. I’ve always thought that there should’ve been more maps like this with names of places and many things in town written in foreign languages. So, I hope more maps like this will be placed not only in the center of the city and/or popular sightseeing areas, but also in many other local areas as well.
Long ago, as a traveler, I’ve had experiences with getting lost in countries where barely had signs even in English.

T.S