From May to August, summer festivals of various scales are held in various parts of Japan. These include rice planting festivals, purification festivals, festivals of souls or shinkosai (Shinto festivals in which mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets). From the day before the festival, the area is enveloped in a festive atmosphere. The energy of the people carrying the magnificent portable shrines and the enthusiasm of the onlookers seem to bring the summer heat to a peak.
Today’s summer festivals feature mikoshi carried by men wearing hanten (short coat) and matahiki (drawers) and street stalls of goldfish scooping, cotton candy, masks, etc., comprising the festival attractions in summer.
Most summer festivals are observed to thank the gods for a peaceful and happy life in the past half year or to prevent any disaster and appease the spirits of the deceased.
Fireworks displays, the Bon Festival (featuring bon-odori dances), hozuki (Japanese lantern plant) markets and morning glory markets are also regarded as summer festivals.
Speaking of markets in Tokyo, the Tsukiji and Tsukiji Outside Markets, which have been relocated to Toyosu, are famous for the fresh fish you can buy and the Shokudo (cafeterias) where you can enjoy a breakfast or lunch. On par with the Tsukiji Market is the lesser-known Adachi Market, the Tokyo Metropolitan Wholesale Market, located in Senjuhashido-cho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo. Supplying mainly fresh marine products, it is the kitchen of Tokyo.
Adachi Market is small for a central wholesale market, with approximately 42,000 m2 of land, which is the only market in Tokyo specializing in marine products, and offers a wide range of products such as fresh and delicious fish as well as vegetables and Japanese omelettes (Tamagoyaki). In addition, just like Tsukiji, several cafeterias offer delicious gourmet food for breakfast and lunch. It is not well known, so it is a good place to visit without worrying about crowds.
Located in the East Tokyo area, Asakusa (浅草) is one of the most visited tourist spots in Tokyo.
Asakusa is famous as one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist destinations, especially for Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street, and Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The area covers approximately the eastern half of Taito Ward, Tokyo, and is one of the areas that make up the downtown area of Tokyo.
Located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo and has a history spanning 1,400 years. And the temple is famous for fulfilling various wishes.
Eggplant is a vegetable that can be liked or disliked if not cooked well. Nasunin, the pigment in the skin, is a type of polyphenol that has antioxidant properties and helps prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
To freeze, fry well and place in a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for about 1 month. When you use them, we recommend using them straight into miso soup or stir-fry!
Eggplant is a vegetable that can be liked or disliked if not cooked well. Nasunin, the pigment in the skin, is a type of polyphenol that has antioxidant properties and helps prevent lifestyle-related diseases. It absorbs oil well, so it is effective to soak it in salt water or sprinkle salt on the cut end after cutting.
November 15 is Shichi-go-san (7-5-3). It is a day to give thanks for health and pray for guardian gods for the future happiness of three and five-year-old boys, and three and seven-year old girls.
In the old days, the mortality rates of young children being so high, children were thought to belong to the gods until the age of seven. A child younger than seven years old was not considered a full-fledged member of society. They were not punished for their sins and did not have to mourn. The Shichi-go-san festival was an important event to mark turning points during infancy, and to show one had become a member of society.
Some of you might knew from YJC’s IG story but I visited NYC and filmed for TV program in mid October.
And the filming in New York will be broadcasted in Japan soon!
If you live in the Kansai area, please watch the program and tell me how you liked it.
Date and time: November 4 (Fri.) 25:34~26:34
TV Channel: 6 (ABC TV)
Name of the show : “Discover JAPAN in your Fridge”
* This program will be aired in Japanese but I might be speaking English there.
I hope they have added subtitles during the show. 😉
Special THANKS to talented chef Mr.Yoshi & Fun and amazing crews from ABC TV!
YJC’s shop curtain called “Noren” and signboard, under my husband’s direction, are now complete!
The Noren is hung in front of the cooking class and removed when the class is over. In the past, customers often got lost in the neighborhood, but thanks to this Noren, they don’t get lost at all. The signboard is displayed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so it has become a bit more noticeable in the neighborhood. LOL. We are very happy that more and more people are complimenting us on the YJC logo. Please come and see the new YJC’s entrance!
I recently had the opportunity to work on a TV program and went to New York for the filming.
Since I started teaching cooking classes, it has been one of my dreams to visit homes overseas to teach cooking, so when I was offered the opportunity, I wondered if it would really happen, but as the day of my trip to the United States approached, I gradually realized that this is a reality.
