At noon today, there was a mochitsuki on Kyokai-dori, right by Ogikubo Station. Kyokai-dori literally means “Church Street” (although it is simply a nice pedestrian street with many neat shops and restaurants). And, a mochitsuki is the Japanese tradition of pounding steamed rice in a wooden barrel to make mochi. Even though I got thereContinue reading “Mochitsuki in Tokyo!”
Tag Archives: travel
Banana & Tomato Energy Drink: Cool Japanese Snacks
The other day, I posted about creative Japanese snacks like fried chicken crackers and Mexican taco ramen. As a continuation of that, I just tried yet another unusual combination of flavors! I was a bit thirsty, so I picked up what I thought would simply be a banana smoothie. I mean, the container was yellow,Continue reading “Banana & Tomato Energy Drink: Cool Japanese Snacks”
Nepali Elementary School in Tokyo: Anime Workshop
Yesterday, I worked as a volunteer interpreter for 9 to 10 year old Nepali students at Everest International School Japan in Suginami, Tokyo. It was a wonderful experience! Even much more so than I had expected! The children were warm, outgoing and very polite and approachable. Absolutely adorable! A group of Japanese university students studyingContinue reading “Nepali Elementary School in Tokyo: Anime Workshop”
English Conversation at a Cafe in Tokyo
After work today, I rushed over to the Ogikubo Station area to meet two Japanese ladies at the Town Seven mall. I mentioned in an earlier post that I had met two wonderful ladies and that we are starting to meet regularly for English conversation practice. We went to Kurashiki coffee (the same cafe asContinue reading “English Conversation at a Cafe in Tokyo”
Japanese School Lunch: Cheese Chicken & Apple Salad
Today’s school lunch was grilled chicken thigh, topped with cheese and slices of green onion. They were served with curry spice spaghetti, a bowl of apple salad, and a bowl of rice. So good! I topped my rice with gyudon furikake. Gyudon is a rice bowl topped with thin slices of beef and onion cookedContinue reading “Japanese School Lunch: Cheese Chicken & Apple Salad”
Taco Ramen & Fried Chicken Crackers: Quirky Japanese Food
Everywhere you go in Japan, there are unusual and creative food creations. Poke bowl potato chips, McDonald’s shrimp filet burgers, and apple pie Kit Kats. Here are a couple intriguing snacks that I’ve tried out recently. When I see these sorts of things, I can’t help but try them! Taco spice and instant ramen noodlesContinue reading “Taco Ramen & Fried Chicken Crackers: Quirky Japanese Food”
Making New Friends in Tokyo
A couple weekends ago, I did more volunteering. This time, I helped out with folding paper cranes on the top floor of the department store at Ogikubo Station. In Japan, there is a tradition of folding one thousand origami cranes for good luck. Later this year, for the Tokyo Olympics, and Italian volleyball team willContinue reading “Making New Friends in Tokyo”
Delicious Mapo Tofu & Ginger Pork in Tokyo
A couple weekends ago, I was exploring the Asagaya area in search of a Nepali shop that a friend had told me about. (I was in search of chapati and spices.) Along that route, I noticed an old restaurant that served teishoku (Japanese set meals) for as little as 660 yen, so I decided toContinue reading “Delicious Mapo Tofu & Ginger Pork in Tokyo”
Japanese School Lunch: Cream Stew
Today’s school lunch was a bit unusual. I think this was the very first time that I’ve seen bread served instead of rice! The menu today was sweet potato cream stew, green salad, white bread with strawberry jam, and milk pudding for dessert. The nice old lady who takes care of the kitchen gave meContinue reading “Japanese School Lunch: Cream Stew”
Today’s School Lunch in Tokyo
It’s influenza season here in Tokyo, which means there are a lot of students staying at home sick. This also means that a lot of school meals get left behind. Whenever there are leftovers, the teachers bring them on trays to the kitchen area of our office. Usually, there’s a couple of side salads, maybeContinue reading “Today’s School Lunch in Tokyo”
Elle's Room 