Angela Aki's Live Concert in Akita!!!

My favorite singer is Angela Aki, who is half Japanese and half American and sings and plays the piano. She is famous for her beautiful voice, which has captured my heart for a long time... On the last weekend, she came to Akita City for her concert tour!!!

This was the 3rd time for me to enjoy it. The concert began at 17:00 and Angela Aki entertained the audience, including me, with her voice and interesting talk. I really love her friendly personality to make people comfortable.

She sang her hit songs from the oldest to the newest album as well as some cover songs of famous singers both from Japan and overseas. My favorite song is "This Love", which reminds me of my university days and my ex. :P
I couldn't stop crying when she sang it at the very end of the concert, but I felt really really really happy to hear my favorite one this time, too.

I hope to see her again in Akita some day! If you want to listen to her songs, please visit her website -> http://www.angela-aki.com/

French Restaurant, OISHIMBO!

There is a French restaurant, OISHIMBO, nearby my apartment in Akita City. It is not so big but comfortable dining space which may be suitable especially for someone's celebration. Me and my boyfriend had wonderful dinner there to celebrate our 2nd anniversary last year...

Where are we going for our 3rd anniversary this year? :)
Hope you will have a lovely time with the one who you love!

Bookstore Cafe in Akita City

I found a nice Bookstore Cafe in Akita City! It is "Shosai-Cafe" (Shosai means library or study room in Japanese). This cafe was recently introduced on TV and local magazines, so I had been interested in it so far. And finally, I could visit there and eat very-good gateau chocolat!!

This time, I ordered the cake and Earl Grey with soy milk. But next time, I will enjoy the coffee, too. By the way, the gateau chocolat of this cafe is the best, I think!!! The taste is unforgettable...

As this flyer shows, inside of the cafe is full of books. There are about 6000 books, I heard. You can see it from their website -> http://www.r2-design.com/c/index.html

I could forget my busy days once I step into there. I feel happy to have such nice and comfortable places in my city.

Business trip to YOKOHAMA

Hi, guys! :) These days, it's getting colder in the morning and at night in Akita. Take care of yourself not to catch a cold!!

Recently, I went to Yokohama for my 3-days-long business trip. I am now working at a company to help the local company's overseas business. My mission was to attend an international exhibition in Yokohama with the local company in Akita, and to support them to find future customers both from Japan and overseas. At the show, we met a lot of people who were interested in the company's product. I was mainly in charge of translation to connect the company staff and the future customers from different countries. My job was tough but fun! I felt happy to be someone's help.

At night, the night view from there was beautiful. I took a photo for my memory...

humm.... I love Akita, but Yokohama was also nice to visit. :D

Our Specialties: Akita Dog, Akita-bijin, and Neiger!

This year's harvest of our premium rice, "Akita-komachi", has been almost finished. It's time to savor "Kiritampo" which is the most famous local rice-dish originated in our hometown, Akita. Actually, I just had the hot-pot dish for today's dinner. Newly harvested rice is the best gift for us, I think. :-9
(*See my past article dated June 8th, 2012, and you can find more of our premium rice!)

Yesterday on October 13th, a cultural festival was held nearby the Akita Station. Total 21 numbers of the commerce and industry associations in Akita were gathered to promote their local specialties including food, handicrafts, traditional dance, sightseeing spots, etc. 

I could meet two cute Akita Dogs at the festival site! They are very big, but nice to people.

Speaking of Akita, our hometown is known as not only the premium rice but the land of beautiful women, so-called "Akita-bijin" (Bijin means beautiful women in Japanese). It is said that the abundant nature and clear water here is good to make women's skin white and smooth.
Do you know that one of the 3 major beautiful women in the world is Ono-no-Komachi, who was born in this Akita?? :)

Here is a cute girl in traditional clothes of Akita-bijin. How do you think?

Finally, here is a new hero of Akita, Neiger!! He speaks in Akita-dialect and is friendly to everyone. Also, he fights against the evil to save our people and hometown. Children loves him very much!

We have unique specialties, so please come and experience them together! :D

SPICA-TRAVEL, a cute cafe in Akita City

Hi there!! Akita has been rainy and humid these days, and I think it's changing from summer into fall. This means the year 2012 is going to end! Time goes so fast...

Well, I feel like many cafe and restaurants are hiding around Akita city. Car is necessary for people living in Akita because we do not have so convenient urban transportation system like Tokyo. I often drive a car whenever I go for a shopping or anywhere, so I cannot take time in looking for a good cafe even if I want to. But, I can discover many of them behind the street when I walk around there... "SPICA-TRAVEL" is one of the cute cafe in the city, I guess! :-)

I tried a rare menu... This is mackerel sandwich originated in Turkey!! It was surprising for me because I had never thought of making sandwich with mackerel like this. It was very good! 

You can also enjoy cute drinks like this. (For your information, the left one is not for a drink but a vase! ;P) Frozen fruits were put in the glass already, and then, we pour the soda to drink by taking our time. By the way, this cafe changes to bar at night. We went there at lunch time, but try its bar next time, too. :D

Yummy! Soba-noodle at KAFUKUTEI

Today's Akita was extremely hot... XP  I had lots of water and ate Ice Cream to get over the heat. I miss winter already!!

Anyway, I want to introduce you one of my favorite Japanese Soba-noodle stores, KAFUKUTEI, which is located in front of Hirosaki Park in Aomori prefecture, a top cherry-blossoms viewing spot of Japan. So, here is the yummy and healthy Soba-noodle (i.e. noodles made from buckwheat) of KAFUKUTEI!

The above photo is "Tenzaru" which comes as a set of Soba-noodle and Tempura (fritter-like dish of shrimp, vegetables, etc.). The black ones on the noodle is called "Nori", or dried laver seaweed. It's not a paper, so you can eat them all. Don't worry! :)

Also, there is a unique dessert... It's a bean cake made of Soba-noodle, "Soba Ohagi".

Normal bean cake includes rice inside, but this is very unique in that the inside is not rice but Soba-noodle!!

This was really surprising to me!! I believe many Japanese people may be surprised at such unusual sweets! haha! Well, all of them are very good, so let's try sometime!! ;D

Blue sky & ocean in Aomori pref.

Although summer must be ending by now, Akita has been really hot these days. I cannot stand staying anywhere at around 35 degrees Celsius! XP
Well, on the last weekend, my hometown Akita had annual national fireworks competition called "Omagari-no-Hanabi". I could not come to the site this time, but you may refer to my past post about this event: "Summer is coming! ~Omagari National Fireworks Competition~ " (June 9, 2012).

While people enjoyed the fireworks competition in Omagari, the southern town of Akita, me and my boyfriend were driving up to Aomori prefecture to eat Ikayaki (broiled squid)!!
*Please see my older post titled "My favorite view and Ikayaki!" dated June 11, 2012. :-)

We drove along the Japan Sea, which was very beautiful!!! So, let me share the good view...

We drove and drove for about 12hrs on that day. During the trip, we enjoyed the ocean view, specialty foods like Ikayaki (broiled squid) and Shijimi (corbicula) Ramen, Onsen (spa), etc...
The photo below is the evening sun against Mt. Iwaki.

It's good to live closer to the nature. And I hope to keep sharing the beauty of our Akita and the neighboring prefectures with you all... Thank you.

Nishimonai Bon Odori, the summer festival in Ugo!

My hometown, Ugo-machi, is well known for the traditional summer festival, "Nishimonai Bon Odori (Dance)", which is a significant, intangible folk cultural asset of Japan. It attracts many people every summer (16-18 August)!!

Because there is no written material about this festival, we can't tell exactly when it was started. But, a legend tells us that its origin dates back to 1280s when an old priest started this Bon Dance with villagers to pray for a good harvest. Then, it came to have another meaning as to mourn the lord's passing after being defeated in a battle. And today's Nishimonai Bon Odori was born at last.
You can learn more from here! -> http://www.town.ugo.lg.jp/sightseeing/detail.html?id=340

Last weekend, I went to see this old dance with my family and my boyfriend. It has been almost a decade since I saw it last time, so I was really excited to experience the atmosphere again! :)

As you can find, there are two different types of clothes and hats of the dancers. One is a set of colorful Kimono (traditional clothes) and woven hat. This colorful Kimono is called "Hanui" that is made of pieces of different clothes to make it colorful. I heard villagers in the old days were not rich, so they made such nicer clothes by collecting pieces of fabrics and created a new beautiful one by themselves. By the way, my mother is Hanui-maker and sews them by her hand before the festival. I can see the real Hanui from up close at home!

Different from Hanui, the other dancers wear darker clothes and black hood, or "Hikosa Zukin". They represent the dead people as far as I know... The origin is unknown yet.

Once you experience this event, I think you'll feel something different. And also, you can enjoy more if you understand Akita-accent of the lyrics because the classic songs during the dance includes local joke. :D That's funny!
I hope you will enjoy such a unique festival in my hometown next year! Welcome!

Akita Kanto Festival!!

On 3-6 of August 2012, we enjoyed Akita Kanto Festival which is one of the major three summer festivals in the Northern Japan.
"Kanto" is a bamboo pole mounted with lanterns to represent a rice ear. Well-trained men lift it up higher in the air to brighten the night sky of Akita city. Only men are allowed to lift the "Kanto", while women play the traditional music during their performance. It's the very Japanese summer festival!!

This festival can be found in an old document written in 1789 according to its official website (http://www.kantou.gr.jp/english/index.htm). This has been held to wash away evil spirits and to pray for the good harvest of that year.
Today, children and adults participate in the performance and entertain not only people in the city but visitors from all over Japan! I heard about 1.3 million visitors gathered here this year!! Amazing!!

I love to come to such traditional summer festivals because I can make sure that I am Japanese and enjoy the atmosphere from my heart. :-)

Ryusendo Caves in Iwate pref.

On a hot summer day, it is nice to enjoy the sun but is also good to look for a cool place. I'm the latter, so now, let me introduce you Ryusendo Caves in Iwaizumi town, Iwate prefecture (next to our hometown, Akita). 

See?? It's beautiful, isn't it!? This is one of the 3 major limestone caves of Japan. In the cave, visitors can find 3 underground lakes as above photos at the moment. (The 4th one seems to be under investigation.) The total length of the cave is more than 3 kilometers at present, but is estimated to be over 5 kilometers long! 

Even in the middle of summer, inside of the cave is very cold at about 10 degrees Celsius and you will need to wear a jacket. Also, the floor is slippy! Watch your step not to fall into the water! =D

Outside the Ryusendo Caves has beautiful nature!! Look at these greens and streams!

Whenever I come there, I never get tired of such lovely scenery. Let's feel close to the nature in Ryusendo Caves this summer! 

Driving to the north, Shirakami Mountain Range

On the last weekend, I enjoyed a small trip from my hometown, Akita prefecture, to the north, or Aomori pref. It was a sunny day and perfect for driving. Me and my boyfriend woke up at 7:30a.m. on Saturday and had been driving for about 8 hours!

I took the above photo at a parking area of highway on the way to our destination. Skies were sunny without a cloud! 

We fully enjoyed the nature of Shirakami Mountain Range, the world heritage located between Akita and Aomori pref. It was so green!! (The photo was taken in my car, so it's not clear very much... sorry!)

This is Anmon-no-Taki (waterfall) in the Shirakami Mountain Range. You can get a special apple ice cream nearby the fall in summer. 

Actually, this photo was taken about 2 years ago. When we went there on the last Saturday, the road was unfortunately closed due to damage by the earthquake on March 11, 2011. Though we could not get closer to the waterfall, we still enjoyed the nature and ice cream around there. =)

After that, we kept driving to Hachinohe City, Aomori, that is a port town with fresh seafood. We had tasty Sushi and relaxed in Onsen (hot spring) at night. Well, it was a great trip... Guys! Why not taking a long drive sometimes? ;)

My neighboring cafe, NAGAHAMA COFFEE

As you may realized, I love to spend my time visiting comfortable cafe and restaurants. There is such a good cafe nearby my home on the way to my workplace. When I have time, I often drop by there, "NAGAHAMA COFFEE", and have a breakfast before going to work. This is my precious time in the busy morning that I can relax for a few moment...

Here, you can see the "Morning Set (breakfast set)" of toast, salad and coffee (500 yen per set). This time, I got a cappuccino with cute art! YAY!!
Well, I also like cakes of this store, so sometimes I buy a piece of them after work. :)
This is a nice place to enjoy coffee time without thinking about the everyday hustle and bustle.

Organic Italian Lunch at TERRA!

I've been introducing some restaurants in Akita City...And! This is my favorite restaurant, TERRA!!

I've been a big fan of this restaurant since last year. A female cook and owner offers creative organic dishes by using locally grown ingredients. My favorite menu is "Otona-no-Okosama Lunch", a set lunch coming with salad, main dish, dessert and coffee (1,200 yen per set). This menu changes on a daily or weekly basis (I guess), so I never had the same dishes so far. This is very exciting!

On the last weekend, I went there with my boyfriend and ordered it as usual. Main dish of that day was... as you can see above! =P I can't explain them well because they were all creative, artistic and mysterious! All I can say is that they were very very very good! lol

After the main dish, we finished the lunch with a cute dessert and coffee. Can you see a small tree branch under the coffee cup? According to the female cook, it adds natural flavor once we stir the coffee with it! This is such a fancy way to enjoy the coffee, isn't this?

Well, if you plan to have lunch or dinner there, you better make a reservation first.
Humm... when will be my next lunch at TERRA? I already miss it!

Locally popular sweets, Butter Mochi

Have you ever heard of "Butter Mochi"? It has a long history as local sweets in Kita-akita City, Akita. But I had never heard of it until recently, although I've lived here for more than 20 years... I think this is because the sweets originate in the very northern region of Akita which is far away from my hometown in the southernmost town.
There days, "Butter Mochi" was widely introduced on TV and gained its popularity in the nation.

"Butter Mochi" is a rice cake made of butter and other ingredients like rice, sugar, etc. In the old days, Matagi hunters in the northern region of Akita used to go hunting with this rice cake. Today, it has become local sweets of the region. It is featuring soft texture and is slightly sweet. Each family has individual tastes of this traditional sweets.

Nowadays, many stores make them with their own recipe, so they tastes a little bit different. My favorite "Butter Mochi" is the one as above photo that is made by Sen-ei-do confectionery store in my hometown, Ugo town. I love it!

When you visit Akita, please try it and find your best one. ;)

Lunch at French restaurant, Bistro Terre!

Recently, it has been sunny days in Akita! Today, I went for a drive to find something fun in the city... And, I found a small but comfortable restaurant, "Bistro Terre". (Terre means the earth or the ground in French.)

I ordered "One-plate Lunch" (1,000 yen) which came with potato soup, home-made bread, and coffee or tea after the meal. I especially liked the hamburg steak with mashed potato! Its demiglace sauce was a little bit sweet and was good to eat with the bread, too. 

The restaurant was crowded with female customers, so it was noisy sometimes... But the dish was good! Before I left the store, a staff gave me a small gift as above photo. It was handmade cookie!!! It was surprising and made me happier. :)

Well, I think I will come there again, maybe with my boyfriend next time. haha. 

Because the restaurant is hidden in tiny alleys, you better check the map carefully in advance. Hope you will have a good time there, too!

Indian Restaurant in Akita City

I love to cook and eat local dishes of Akita, such as Kiritampo (mashed rice put on a chopstick), but I also love to taste some different food. "Peacock" is an Indian Restaurant where you can enjoy the real Indian dishes while staying in Akita, Japan.

It has been more than three years since I became a fan of this restaurant. Although I am not good at spicy food very much, curry and naan of this store are so addictive! There are various menu of curry and you can select the level of hotness, size of naan, etc. My favorites are "Meat Curry Naan Set" and seasonal Coconut Juice. ;)

If you are staying in Akita City and want something different, try Peacock! 

My favorite view and Ikayaki!

I was born in the southern part of Akita, but have lived or visited various places so far. When I lived in the northern city of this prefecture, I used to have a long drive to the north areas with my boyfriend. Fukaura town in Aomori (Akita's neighboring prefecture) is our favorite place.

Because my home is surrounded by mountains, rice fields and river, such an ocean view is always new to me and is impressive! Also, you can find the very unique "view" there...

A number of squid is dried under the sun!! They are then cooked to be my favorite local dish, "Ikayaki" (broiled squid)... yummy!

Here, you can enjoy a nice drive, beautiful ocean view, besides the tasty Ikayaki. Love it!

Summer is coming! ~Omagari National Fireworks Competition~

Do you have four seasons in your country?
Yes, we do! And in Akita, we have seasonal events such as cherry blossoms festival in spring, fireworks and summer festival in summer, autumn leaves and yummy foods in fall, and skiing and snowboarding in winter. This is not all of my hometown's attractions, so you can find more entertainments here from now on. :)

One of my favorites is... "Omagari-no-Hanabi" (Omagari National Fireworks Competition), which is held in Daisen City, the southern part of Akita, on every August. Many skilled firework artisans gather from all around the nation in this event. So, a lot of visitors come there to enjoy the beautiful summer-art during this season. I am one of the audiences who love to see it! 

Have you ever been to such romantic festivals with your girlfriend or boyfriend? You can't miss it this year! 
Well, here is another local attraction that you can taste only in summer.

This is known as "Baba-hera" ice cream. It's like a sherbet (or sorbetto) featuring a cute flower shape. I have been familiar with this ice cream since I was little, but it became famous nationwide in recent years after introduced on TV. 

This is how I enjoy summer in my hometown. Hope you can also experience them in the future!

Where shall I begin?...maybe, about my hometown

Nice to meet you, I am a native Akita-girl who was born and grown up in Akita, the countryside of the northern part of Japan. First of all, thank you for visiting my blog! :)

From today, I will write down about my peaceful life here and want to share "something fun" in my hometown...Let's start from a brief introduction of my hometown, Akita.

Akita is located on the northern part of Japan and is famous for rice farming, sake (Japanese rice wine) and "Akita-bijin" meaning beautiful women created by the nature here.
The above photo, taken on September 2011, is one of my family's rice fields! Normally, the rice planting starts from May and its harvest is around September every year.

This is "Akita-komachi", one of the most popular rice brands in Japan! It is featuring sticky texture and sweetness as you chew. Smoking hot rice ball of the "Akita-komachi" is really good!

Well, as you know, the northern region in Japan was hit by the big earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. But, my hometown, Akita, had little damage fortunately because of the solid land surrounded by the mountain range. Recently, we are living here in safe with such delicious rice! Thank God!!

But still, I realize that there are many people in the northern Japan who are suffering from the disaster even today. At the same time, I found many people there have guts to move on.
The other day, I had a chance to talk to a volunteer group consisting of the local people and many people from the world, who are working/ staying in Japan. They have been doing volunteers like raising scholarship fund, providing free fruits, removing garbage, etc... They told me that it was surprising to meet lots of people who were really cheerful and powerful to overcome the event, even if they lost their house or family members. And they gave power to the volunteers... This story was impressive and I was moved to do something for them, too.

No one knows how everyone's life goes on. So, I want to take action to live my life fully!
Well, nice to meet you all. :D