Glimpses of Japan

The Northern part of Japan, especially Tohoku region, is very famous as the sake producer and lots of sake breweries developed from a long time ago. Aomori Prefecture is no exception. In a long established Hachinohe Shuzo Sake Brewery, which dates back to 1775, travelers are accepted to visit the brewery to participate in the brewery tour. I participated in the tour and here is the report! Beautiful redbrick warehouse and wooden main building When you arrive at Hachinohe Shuzo Sake Brewery, you will notice the beautiful looking buildings. They produce and stock sake at the redbrick warehouse so that the temperature stays cool even in summer. The wooden building is the main building where their offices are now. Both of them are built in Taisho era, which means more than 100 years ago, and designated as Prefectural Important Scenic Buildings. The redbrick warehouse is where they make and store sake The wooden building is now used as their office, etc. The tour reception is in the ...

Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture is a city famous for French cuisines and apples. Hirosaki was one of the most advanced cities in the Meiji Period after the opening of the country. The city welcomed lots of foreigners under the slogan of “educational city Hirosaki”, thus, lots of international cuisines developed; French cuisine was one of them. It is said that Hirosaki is no.1 in Japan, regarding the number of French restaurants per population. Also, Hirosaki is the biggest producer of apples in Aomori and also throughout Japan. CHEZ-MOI, a small restaurant just eight minutes walk from Hirosaki Station, provides a unique menu: “Apple French course”. All the dishes in the course uses apples somehow, and they were so creative. I had a chance to try their apple lunch course. Hirosaki is the city of apples, the post box near the station had an apple on it! CHEZ-MOI has a cozy looking exterior CHEZ-MOI is located at about eight minutes walk from Hirosaki Station. The direction was very ...

Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture is a city in Aomori with lots of attractions. Being one of the advanced cities in the Meiji period, Hirosaki City welcomed lots of foreigners after the opening of the country. Thus, the city has lots of western influence. Aomori Prefecture is famous as the producer of apples, and Hirosaki is the center and the largest producer of apples in all Japan. There are many cake shops and coffee shop offering apple pies, having different characteristics at each shop. In spring, thousands of cherry blossom including the oldest Somei Yoshino cherry blossom tree in Japan bloom and the city will be filled with pink colors. In summer, the floats of Neputa Matsuri give fun atmosphere to the city. I had one afternoon and a night in the city of Hirosaki. This article guides you to the best attractions and things to do in Hirosaki when you have a half day. 1. Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Castle Park Hirosaki Castle, the symbol of Hirosaki, was built in 1611. The first ge...

Having sushi is a must-have experience when you are in Japan. Have you tasted the oldest sushi in Tokyo? Sasamaki Kenuki Sushi (笹巻けぬきすし) preserves the flavor of the original sushi for more than 300 years. What is the origin of sushi in Tokyo? The history of Sasamaki Kenuki Sushi goes back to 1702. Sasamaki Kenuki Sushi is counted as the Three Greatest Sushi of Edo (old Tokyo), but only Sasamaki Kenuki Sushi could continue their business until now. Sasamaki Kenuki Sushi looks somewhat different from sushi people usually imagine. Their sushi is each wrapped in bamboo leaves, which has a strong bactericidal effect. This is because bamboo leaves are used to wrap provisions. Three hundred years ago, cooling solutions were not enough to preserve food for a long time. Therefore, the founder of Sasamaki Kenuki Sushi soaked fish and rice in vinegar and wrapped in bamboo leaves. Because of that, their sushi tastes somewhat sour. The amount of vinegar got less comparing to the past, but you can...

Yamadera, its official name is Risshakuji Temple, is a temple located in Yamagata prefecture. Yamadera literally means “mountain temple.” As the name describes, Yamadera stands along the steep mountain, and there are 1,015 steps towards the main building “Okunoin.” It is pretty much work to go up such number of stairs in a mountain. However, it turned out to be the best temple I have ever visited. About Yamadera Yamadera was founded in AD860 (it’s surprising, over a thousand years ago!) by the priest Jikaku Daishi. Yamadera is also known for a visit by the famous poet Matsuo Basho. He composed one of his most famous poems here in Yamadera. Basho’s original work is buried here under the stone. Once you get off the Yamadera Station, you will see a map. The map shows the way to the mountain entrance, and the path is pretty clear, so I think there is no worry about getting lost. It’s about 5 minutes walk from the station. The map of Yamadera and around the area in front of the statio...