Tsuyu (Rainy season)
In early summer, we have a rainy season called Tsuyu (or Baiyu) here in Japan. Tsuyu literally means “Plum rain”. Coincidentally, it is also the season of plum ripening.
The rainy season is caused by the collision of cold northerly and warm southerly air masses, which results in a relatively stable bad weather front over the Japanese archipelago for several weeks.
In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July. Only Japan’s northern most main island of Hokkaido usually doesn’t get affected by the rainy season. I think it’s very unique!
The most common way to enjoy Plum is to pickle them. It is said that the most oldest pickled plum is the one made in Muromachi period.
The main nutrition of pickled plum is the citric acid, which is the main factor of sourness. This has the effect of “fatigue reduction”. And it breaks the “lactic acid” in the muscle which is the cause of the fatigue, suppresses and also works on lactic acid in the blood, so it’s also effective in arteriosclerosis, rheumatism and a poor circulation measure.
It is also said that citric acid helps to secrete saliva, removes the oxygen radical which causes the origin of cancer, makes the movement of internal organs active, digests and helps absorption.
Additionally, citric acid suppresses multiplication of the bacteria which causes food poisoning. So, citric acid has the effect which can defer decaying food, and they’re the ideal ingredients in the humid season.
Rice and pickled plum lunch box called “Hinomaru Bento” might be quite reasonable in Japan with the high humidity. I also like pickled plum so I usually put them in my bento box.
Okoshi-gane
Have you ever had Okonomiyaki ? Okonomiyaki is the Japanese style savory pancake. We usually put cabbage, spring onion, egg, tempura batter, shrimp and bacon etc.
There are two kinds of Okonomiyaki in Japan. They are Osaka-style and Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki. In my class, I teach Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki since it’s more fun and you need to do more flipping! (Don’t worry! I can teach Osaka-style Okonomiyaki if you request.)
And this stainless spatula called “Okoshi-gane” is the MUST item to enjoy Okonomiyaki. What is interesting about this tool is that this can be both knife and spoon. So, you can cut Okonomiyaki into bite-size pieces and scoop it. Would you like to try using it? Come and join our Okonomiyaki & Gyoza class !
Children’s Day (Boy’s Festival)
On 5th of May, we celebrate Children’s Day (Boys’ Festival) in Japan. It is called Children’s day but families with a boy put up carp streamers and display doll warriors, armor and war helmet decorations and similar and offerings to the gods, with Chimaki (cake wrapped in bamboo leaves) and Kashiwa-mochi (rice cake wrapped in oak leaves).
Since I have a younger brother so my mother used to put iris leaves in a bath tub. By taking a bath to which the leaves and roots of this plant are added, people hoped that noxious vapors would be driven out from the body and their children would have sound health.
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Egg Piercer
Do you know this tool? What do you guess?
I am sure some of you saw this tool in the kitchen.
This is an egg piercer. I use this tool during the Ramen & Gyoza class. With using this gadget…
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Kitchen renovation is done!
My kitchen renovation is done! 
Special thanks to Humming Design (http://www.humming-design.com/) & Kasumi kensetsu (http://www.kasumi-k.co.jp/)!!
Lesson Voucher
[Information]
YJC started offering the Lesson Voucher comes with 4 tickets!
This voucher comes with 4 tickets and you can use anytime within 6 months. This might be perfect for expats living in Japan, or great gift to your friends/family studying or working in Japan etc. For more information, please send a message to us! Thank you.
P.S. Special thanks for talented illustrator Ericca😘
New Ramen Bowls!
New Ramen bowls have added in my cooking class! 
Those are one of my favorite Japanese ceramics called “Mino-yaki”.
Noodle Strainer
New items are added for the home-style Ramen & Gyoza course!
This tools is usually for restaurants but I use in my cooking class. So, I don’t shake the noodles over the floor but over the pot! 
It’s such a handy tool so I use this strainer to boil vegetables. To cook home meals (especially small portion for my son), this strainer is good to go! 
