Japanese breakfast 'Asa gohan' at Japanese inn

This is breakfast at ryokan, Japanese inn. On the tray, there are a bowl of rice, miso soup, a cold tofu, egg omelette, grilled salmon, tomato, cucumber, natto (fermented soy beans!). A day starts with a healthy diet.

The way of eating noodle in Japan

Listen to this. This is the way of eating noodle in Japan; you slurp. It's not rude in Japan. You are expected to eat noodle in this way. Don't be shy.

We went to Kitakata in Fukushima prefecture by Tohoku Shinkansen. It's about two and half hours from Tokyo. It's famous for ramen (Chinese style egg noodle). There are fanatics loving ramen in Japan. I'm probably one of them. This time, we went there because it was on the way to a hot spring, which was a purpose of our trip.

There are millions of noodle shops in Japan (not exaggerating). People travel to look for delicious noodles. There are TV programmes to show popular noodle shops. There are many articles about them in magazines.

Listen again. This is the way of eating ramen.

Kabuki - inside Kabuki theatre

This is inside Kabuki theatre. We were on the third tier. Arena is expensive but ordinary seating but the second and third tiers are very special; you take off your shoes before seating and there's a table in front of you for eating and drinking. Kabuki lasts a few hours at least and you sit and relax with your own food and drink. It's a total entertainment.

Kabuki - Japanese theatre

This is the Kabuki theatre in Higashi Ginza.

Kabuki is a traditional theatre entertainment. It's played by only male actors; female roles are played by men in female costume (you would not notice it's a man acting...almost.). It's bit like Shakespeare; it started as an entertainment for the common people. However, I must say Kabuki is very special now; The Kabuki actors are very highly regarded in the Japanese society. mostly the names of the actors are passed down within the families. The world of Kabuki can be quite closed for special audience.

I went to see the last part of the day's performance; There are usually two parts: one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. It lasts several hours in total. This particular performance had three parts, a summer special to attract more lame people. One of the piece was directed by Hideki Noda who is from a modern theatre and famous for a unique adaptation. This time Noda adopted Aida (Opera piece) for Kabuki. It was totally coincidence that I just saw Aida a few weeks ago in Verona. I loved both. Noda is such a talented director; he beautifully adapted the story into Kabuki style stage; costume, stage design, colour and music. Well done.

Ginza - Pedestrian Heaven

This is Ginza on Sunday. Ginza is central of Tokyo. They have Pedestrian Heaven 'Hokoh-sha Tengoku' on Sundays. Main street is free from cars during the day. People are walking freely on the street enjoying shopping.

Ginza is a most expensive place to rent in Japan. It's been always the centre of fashion. If you go there, look for a department store and go to the basement to see their food floor. It's just awesome; there are so much Japanese food and the food culture to discover. Visit Sony, Nissan show room, Kabuki theatre, tea rooms, bars and restaurants.

Passion for delicious things. 'Oishii mono niwa me ga nai'

What do you think this queue is for?

I came across with this at a department store in Tokyo. There were about 30 people queuing for a sweet cake called 'Mount-BAUM'. I joined the queue! It took me twenty minutes before being served. I bought two. Other customers were buying five in average. It seems crazy to waste precious time for just a sweetie. But this is Japan; we love food. If you say, there is so and so delicious thing, we will go to taste it. Just cannot let it go......

It was delicious. Would I go and queue again? I would if I had time as I do now....

Summer in Japan - cicada singing 'semi no ne'

How do you listen to this; do you think it's noisy or appreciate the sound of the summer?

For Japanese, this remind us of the summer. It's a typical sound representing the hot and humid summer. You would greet a passer-by saying 'Honto ni atsui desu ne (It's really hot, isn't it?).' It's not a complaint but showing appreciation of the season.

Sorry for the shaky video. I was on my bicycle riding with one hand and another holding a handy cam. The shot was taken in Kamakura. Kamakura is an old capital of Japan (the late 12th century); it's a beautiful city surrounded by the mountains and the sea with lots of temples and shrines. It's my favourite place in Japan.

Japan summer 2008

I will be off to Japan on 21st August. You will find up-to-date Japanese culture: food, theatres, fashion, interior and more. Visit me later.