in front of one of the waterfall

One of Lonely Planet’s top 20 things to do in Japan, hiking from Magome to Tsumago is an adventure worth seeking.  This hike truly captures the awesome landscape of Japan.  In the old days, this route was in the middle of people who traveled on foot between Kyoto and Edo, modern day Tokyo.  Along the trail, hikers are rewarded with beautiful landscape full of plantation fields, villages, and waterfalls.

Half way along the hike, there is a visitor welcome center that everyone should stop at.  At the welcome center, there usually is an older Japanese gentleman, sort of a grand father type, that serve tea to hikers.  And, if you are lucky, you might get a chance to taste some plum sake.

along the hike

The length of the hike is around 7.5 km (just over 4.5 miles) with very little climbing… make sure to pack plenty of water and light snacks.

My WOW Factor: 9/10

I was one of the lucky one.  I was at the right place, around Chubu region of Japan, at the right time, 2010.  That is why I was able to experience this unique and septennial, occurring once every seven year, festival.

The Onbashira Festival is considered one of Japan’s most unique festivals.  For the past 1200 years, this festival has taken place every seven years at the Suwa Taisha Shrine in Suwa-shi, Nagano.  The festival consist of three phases, Kiotoshi, the sliding of the trees down the hill, Kawagoshi, their crossing over the river, and Tate Onbashira, the raising of these trees at the shrine.  The festival takes place over a two-month period, April and May.

Unfortunately, I missed the Kiotoshi and Kawagoshi parts of the festival that took place in April.  But I was lucky enough to witness Tate Onbashira.  During Tate Onbashira, the whole town of Suwa is in a joyous festive mood.  There are many food and souvenir vendors lining the street of the entire town, which is great for sampling the local food.

During Tate Onbashira, the trees, which had been cut down a month earlier, are dragged through the city to Suwa Taisha Shrine.  The high light and the culmination of Tate Onbashira Festival is the raising of the pillars at the shrine, where young men sit on the trees while they are being raised to an up right position.  The locals believe that this renew the shrines spiritually because of the divine power of the trees.

So if you are lucky enough to be around Chubu region in April 2017, don’t forget to attend this festival.

My WOW Factor:  8/10

Miso Katsu set lunch at a local restaurant

Mmmmmmmmmmmm … Miso Katsu みそかつ. This is Nagoya cuisine at its finest.  A deep fried breaded pork cutlet served with miso sauce. Those who are watching their caloric intake make sure to look away as the chef prepare this deep fried dish.

Miso Katsu is prepare the same as Tonkatsu, where a pork fillet or loin is floured, soaked in beaten egg, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep fried.  The only different is the sauce.  Traditional Japanese Tonkatsu may or may not come with sauce but Miso Katsu is always accompanied by a deep dark delicious miso-based sauce known as Hacchoumiso.

One small complaint that I do have with most restaurants serving this dish is that they pour miso sauce over the katsu. What is the point of going through the trouble of frying things then making it soggy?  But, don’t fret, at most restaurants you can request the sauce on the side, which I normally do.

about to enjoy my favorite Nagoya Specialty

The City of Nagoya is filled with bars and restaurants that serve Miso Katsu.  You can also find it in upscale department stores’ food floor.  In the future, I might post some restaurants in Nagoya where I have enjoyed Miso Katsu.  For popular tourist places, where you can find Miso Katsu is served, check out the Nagoya International Center website:  http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/inandaroundnagoya/miso_katsu.htm

My WOW Factor:  9/10

(How many time did I use the words “deep fried” ?)

Ramen Hongo-Tei

In the city of Nagoya, off the Higashiyama subway line, beneath Hongo Station, just a stone throw away from exit 1, lies a famous ramen place known only to the locals and commuting businessmen. This local restaurant called Ramen Hongo-Tei or Hongo House of Ramen in English, was introduced to me by a life long Nagoyian.

The ramens at the Ramen Hongo-Tei is Tonkatsu broth based.  This means that the soup broth is made from pork bones, fat, and cartilage that are boiled at a high

about to dig in to Shisen Ramen at Ramen Hongo-Tei

temperature.  Depending on your order, the soup broth base is mixed with other spices and flavor to complete a specific ramen dish.  Another plus about this establishment is the size of meat that comes with a ramen bowl.  At other ramen shop, the pork meat accompanying it is sliced thin, about 0.3 cm.  But, at Ramen Hongo-Tei, their pork is generously sliced, over 1 cm thick, about 3 or 4 times the size of other places.  And, you get three of them in your bowl.

Also prices at this ramen house are very economical.  Most ramen items on the menu are about  ¥ 750. ($7.50) I believe this is a great deal for the quality and taste that you are getting at this place.  At lunch time, 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, patrons are offered all-you-can eat rice and kimchi with their ramen bowl at no additional cost.  I have tried twice to go to this place during lunch time but it was crowded  with long lines.  I will try again on a later date…

look at the size of that thick meat

My WOW Factor: 8.5/10

In front of a massive Snow Sculpture in Odori Park

This year Sapporo Yuki Matsuri or better known as Sapporo Snow Festival was held on February 5th to 11th. This 16^th annual event has three different sites where visitors can walk among ice and snow sculptures.  The snow sculptures are located along Odori park, the ice carving are displayed on the streets in the Susukino district of Sapporo, and Tsudome site offers other snow related activities.

Next to an Ice Carving at Susukino Site

Odori Park and Susukino sites are within walking distance of each other.  But, Trudome site is somewhat out of the way.  The best time to visit and see the ice carvings at Susukino site is at night, when they are all lite up.  And, the best time to visit the snow sculptures at Odori Park is during the day, when they can be seen in the light in all their glory.  Also at Odori Park, you can sample many cuisines of Hokkaido like grilled Hotate (Scallop).

Sapporo Snow Festival is a must do for those who are visiting Japan in the winter time.

My WOW Factor: 8.5/10

About to dig into Hotate

During the past week, I had a chance to visit Sapporo for their 16th Annual Snow Festival. And, damn was it cold. It was probably the most extreme cold I have ever experienced in my life. But, there was one positive side to this weather, cold-water scallops from the coasts of Hokkaido.

Vendor grilling Hotate at the Sapporo Snow Festival

At the Sapporo Fish Market and the Snow Festival, these giant scallops were everywhere. They are about the size of an adult hand. You can buy one grilled scallop for ¥ 200, about $2.00, at the festival.

Scallops at the Sapporo Fish Market

It is very easy to prepare these scallops on the grill. Because they are fresh and flavorful already, not much is needed to grill them. A few tablespoon of soy sauce and some butter should do the trick. Unlike Americans who grill scallops directly on the fire, the Japanese grill them in their shells, which is great for capturing the sweet juices that add to tasting experience.

My WOW Factor: 8/10

- Anthony Bourdain, A Cook’s Tour

This is so true. It’s all about places and people that you are sharing the meal with.

Restaurant owners who prey on tourists will often miscalculate the bill in their favor.  My friends and I have experienced this scam.  The total bill has items that weren’t ordered or prices that are different from the menu.  And, because the items and the bill are in local currency, the restaurant owners hope that you might not notice the difference in the amount.  And, when confronted with the mistake, restaurant owners are often quick to correct the problem and very apologetic.  So, one might not be able to distinguish between a genuine honest mistake and a scam.  Regardless, be on your guard.

Recommended Solution:  Keep track of the items, dishes and drinks, you ordered and always keep a running total in your head.  You should have an estimate of your total bill at the end of your meal.  And, always question any charges that you don’t understand.

They are menus that are in native language for the locals and in English for tourists. Often, prices in the English menu are much higher then the ones in local language.  Sometime, the restaurant will not even try to hide this scam.  I have encountered restaurants with one menu and two sections, where prices are much higher in the English section often for the same dishes.

Recommended Solution: Take a local friend with you to dine, so that he/she can order everything for the table. OR, when you notice this scam, just walk away.

Eating Tebasaki at Yamachan

Lucky for me, Nagoya is home to many specialty dishes. One of the most famous is Tebasaki, Nagoya chicken wings. And, there is no better place to eat this Nagoya Specialty then at Yamachan (http://www.yamachan.co.jp/index.html), an izakaya chain based out of Nagoya, famous for their wings. Their “Maboroshi no Tebasaki” are the rave. From what I’ve seen, almost every single customer orders their chicken wings. They are addicted to the peppery and spicy flavors of the wings with a hint of ginger flavor. Because of the salty and spicy nature of the wings, you will need several mugs of cold beer to wash it down with. At Yamachan, an order has 5 wings and cost ¥400, reasonably priced by Japanese standard.

Yamachan

Our Tebasaki order

If you prefer to save money and make Tebasaki at home, It is rather easy. All you need are a few simple ingredients. The preparation is some what similar to American chicken wings. You can find an easy recipe for Tebasaki at the Nagoya International Center’s website: http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/dailyliving/recipes/tebasaki.htm. Make sure you have plenty of beer and wet napkins for your fingers. Happy Eating!

My WOW Factor: 7.5/10