Transition to Japan

Going to the supermarket in Japan is always an adventure. There are two types of supermarkets I tend to visit- those in the basements of department stores, and normal stand alone markets. Every visit you can find new and unusual treasures, even if you return often.

Department store markets tend to have lots of floor space and see large crowds. A lot of department stores have two separate sections for food -one being dedicated to pastries, high end edibles like chocolate, senbei, jellies and other specialty gourmet gifts, while the other section is dedicated to groceries and fresh foods. Most markets also have lots of “deli stalls” that sell all kinds of prepared goodies. Department stores usually offer the best selection but can be on the expensive side.

The brick and mortar markets range in quality and size, but if you live near a good one you are fortunate. I got lucky- I am a short walk from a really good supermarket called FEEL. Their selection isn’t always the best, but what I like about them is that they stock a nice selection of seasonal vegetables. And I can usually find things there to use for my cooking blog. The other thing I like about FEEL is that they always have people to wave you in and out of the parking lot. Day or night, rain or snow, if FEEL is open the parking attendants are there.

I wasn’t always so lucky. The last place I live had a small supermarket as well. But the seafood section always stunk- so I was never brave enough to try the sashimi.

Here re some recent photos from the grocery store…

毎日歩いている道にふと下に目を向けると、可愛らしいピンクの花が咲いていました。調べてみると、シモツケと言う花らしく白やピンク、そして赤の花を咲かせる種類があるそうです。ちょうど今の季節が見頃見たいです。

Written by Miki

この4日間、6月とは言えない暑さでしたが

ほぼ毎日のように真っ赤なハイビスカス🌺が花を咲かせてくれました。

Written by Miki.

Lake Ogawara (Ogawara-ko) is the largest lake in Aomori prefecture and the 11th largest lake in Japan. I have been visiting Misawa City in Aomori for a few years. There is a spot on a hill here that overlooks Ogawara-ko and provides an amazing view. I snapped a photo today, and then it occurred to me that I have taken almost the same picture before at different times of the year. So here is Ogawara-ko in the summer, autumn, winter, and spring.

お散歩していると、黄色い花が咲き乱れています。ヤマブキと言う花でとても綺麗です！

Written by Miki

But more about how they say it…

I have dozens of these and will continue to update…. Feel free to share yours!

Everybody has heard of bullet trains – also known as the Shinkansen. It is pretty nice to be able to travel 200 miles per hour between cities. It also beats flying in my opinion. Flying from Tokyo to Osaka takes about an hour and a hal. And the airports tend to be outside the city. Tokyo to Osaka is about 2 1/2 hours. And you don’t have to deal with airports. But they won’t save you any money- the “shin” usually costs as much or more than airfare.

Covid has really taken a toll on travel and both commercial flights and trains are not too crowded at all. But the trains will keep running no matter what. It’s nice to have a whole carriage to yourself~ and it has happened more than once.

Anyway, I thought I would test out my new video editing software and splice together some videos I have taken. Here are just a few bullet trains…

今日は、生麩の茶蕎麦を食べました。ここの茶蕎麦とお出しが美味しくてたまに無性に食べたくなります。😋

ここのデザートもハズレがないのもありがたい！

いちごミルク🍓も暑い日には、最高です。

Written by Miki.

This is an actual doodle I drew when I should have been doing homework…. 😃

　朝からの雨があがり窓の外に目を向けると綺麗な夕焼け。

Written by Miki