On a beautiful autumn weekend a long, long time ago (ok, well, two weeks ago), I headed down to Nara on Friday night after work. My mission: be a good tour guide to some visiting Australian friends, Ali & Adrian, who were travelling around Japan. I promised some time ago that if they arranged to come… Continue reading A fortnight ago in Nara
Category: Japan
Offal
Chunky bits of chewy offal on the charcoal brazier. This is called “horumon” cuisine, and the centrepiece for tonight’s dinner with friends in Tokyo.
Modern Kyoto
Kyoto Tower at sunset from the 10 year old but still very modern station building. I’m changing trains here on the way home from Nara.
Kushiyaki in Yurakucho
Here I am in Yurakucho eating kushiyaki (skewer food) with the Buchanans, friends from Melbourne.
Chicken lasagne
I’m in Nagoya eating chicken lasagne with Eriko and her family. I haven’t had many home cooked meals since I left Australia. This one was just like one of mum’s. In fact, it was exactly the same as mum’s chicken lasagne, because that’s where Eriko got the recipe!
Nikko & Nantaisan
Last week, I played host to Steve, a friend visiting from Australia. There were some truly Lost in Translation moments during Steve’s visit – but what happens on tour stays on tour. On the weekend, I decided to give Steve a taste of historical Japan and the countryside, so we headed up to Nikko and nearby… Continue reading Nikko & Nantaisan
Three wise monkeys
*The* thing to see in Nikko.
Get me down from here…
… said the little red Mini.
Natto
I can’t believe it. Steve likes natto!
Dinner with Clunesy
We’re eating some sashimi that translates into English as “grunt”. Think I prefer the Japanese name.