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