2012-09-30

Juugoshima (Fifteen islands) Park in Sapporo City again!

by Kazu

It seems that all the mistakes we've made must be faced today. If the negotiation among some countries did not go well about their own territories, an economic special area should be designated for the benefit to all the countries involved. We have to find the way that will be accepted by the pertinent stakeholders. We are the generation whom was handed down the difficult problem to solve. I believe that we can make it!









Last Saturday was fine for BBQ and good for stuck negotiation. Everybody should sit on the director's chairs around the grill, drinking beer. Some good ideas to solve the problems between the countries must be come up with.    
As you may know, Japan is the country of clean pure water flowing through the beautiful forest. So if any conflicts between the persons or people, we say "flow the problem in the water" to step into the productive stage. It may be difficult for the brainwashed people filled with hostility to compromise but some intelligent people are there in both countries. Arrogance shown to the neighbouring countries will be contemplated enough by international community without mianzi and guanshi.
Sophisticated manner must be required on the international stage but it may be difficult for arrogant countries with some enemies.      
Besides, critical bilateral negotiations can be set in such comfortable situation? Table manner shows the background of the people.

This time we grilled saury on the bank of Toyohira River in Sapporo City.
Just salt and lemon are required for the saury in autumn. Sooooooooooooooo, nice!

Potatoes and pork steak are the must in the outside BBQ for us.
My wife can not eat grilled chitterlings because of the smell but some crispy pieces attracted her this time. Winter will come soon. Before snow falling, let's hit the road and enjoy the outside activities in Hokkaido!  

Sapporp Autumn Fest 2012 !

by Kazu

Until today September 30(Sun.), culinary delights produced all over Hokkaido can be seen and tried in Odori Park in Sapporo City. On September 27(Thu.) , the stands selling the produce and products sourced in Sorachi sub-prefectural area increased and were beefed up.
From Bibai City,  chicken rice and skewered grilled chicken made by the well-established local restaurant "Tatsumi" and "Fukuyoshi" are sold in the stands at Odori 7-chome and 8-chome.
Tomato Ramen, egg noodle soup of Tsukigata Town was sold out on September 29(Sun.). Thank you very much for attention and contributions!
 Nanporo Town set the stand for selling Kimuchi, pickled cabbage or Chinese cabbage flavoured with red hot chili, and Jingisukan, lamb meat with special BBQ sauce. Of course, Kimuchi Ramen is the big draw of the day.
Yubari City set the stand to sell mainly "curry noodle soup in cooperation with well-founded restaurant Yoshinoya. It is different from the national famous fast-food diner chain Yoshinoya that provides with so-called Gyu-don, boiled beef and veggie rice bowl flavoured with broth and soy-sauce-based soup.
 Mr.Ueda is working for the municipality of Yubari after the city went bankruptcy. He did good job on the day as he has done in Yubari City so far.
Mikasa City sells black fried chicken called Sekitan Zangi which means coal fried chicken, skewered grilled chicken and chitterlings fire pot flavoured with chicken sauce.
Naganuma Town sells ice cream and veggies. Various kinds of flavours they have and strawberry taste sells like pancakes. Akabira City sells "Gan Gan Nabe" which means chitterlings and veggie fire pot. Mr.Sato next to my wife is the master player of nose flute and showed excellent performance in front of the booth for selling veggies produced in Yuni Town as other municipality like Naganuma Town, Iwamizawa City, Kuriyama Town, Takikawa City, Urausu Town and Sunagawa City. The food sold in each booth changed and filled up the booth every morning. Please visit Odori Park in Sapporo City today! Utashinai City sells pickled veggies as it does in New Chitose international Airport.















2012-09-29

Yunni-no-yu, Hot spring spa in Yuni!

by Kazu

First of all, this cheese-taste snack is  irresistible !
This is fried rice-cake , so harder than cheetos made of corn. Tougher and crispier than corn-basis snack so worth more than 525 Japanese yen, I think and so does my wife.  

Yuni Garden has a wonderful hot spring spa in its premises and many citizens of Yuni Town and neighbouring  towns soak in the bath and get the second wing.
I could not take photos that shows its perspectives so please check more clear view at  http://www.yunni-spa.com/
It also has the accommodation with very nice furniture. I am planning to book my host family in Albuquerque, New Mexico  
in this hotel next year. Access to the airport is nice and the circumstances are excellent. How do you feel abot the plan, Kathleen?
I will send you email soon.

2012-09-28

The British Garden in Yuni Town, Yuni Garden!

 by Kazu

Do you know that the hill of 1.02 millions of Linaria, in other words "Spurred snapdragon", a variety of gardens with  British taste can be seen in Yuni Resort without crossing border.
I have never heard boos and catcalls from the people who visited Yuni garden and resort.
 I could not take good photos of this garden yesterday, so please check the beautiful scenery of this garden at http://www.yuni-garden.co.jp/

Not so many people were inside the building yesterday but it was so comfortable for me that I bought some snacks for 525 Japanese yen.
 To use the lawn mowers in this garden, it was fine with dry wind and moderate temperature.
It seems that the insects in this garden are preparing for winter in the situation of larva or pupa.
 Yuni Town does not have a roadside station with locally-sourced veggie and other produce as well as products made in Yuni Town and neghbouring towns.
I bought the cheese taste rice cracker on the left for my wife as a souvenir but i was so hungry on my way of business jaunt that I ate up the half of the bag.
 This is the fried burdock sold as a snack. Most of the snack is 525 Japanese yen for one plastic bag. Is it competitive price, considering the payroll of the tourists from abroad?
Melon taste jelly made of Yubari Melon by Patisserie  Hori is one of the biggest draw in the company.
 This soup curry was developed by this Yuni Resort Company recently and got the main display space in this Farmer's Market.
As you may know, Sorachi Valley produces good wine in this five to ten years. These bottled wine named Saikonso is made in Maoi Winery of Naganuma Town. Located on the Maoi hillside overlooking the town of naganuma, is Maoi Winery which forms a part of Saikonso, a small farm run by Mr. and Mukai.
Please check the details of the wineries and vineyards in Sorachi sub-prefectural area at 
 http://www.eco-pro.co.jp/hokkaido-pedia/
next month. Sorachi sub-prefectural area is featured with wineries and vineyards.
long noodles are popular in Japan and other Asian countries as a symbol of longevity and luck.
 Thick wheat noodle Udon and buckwheat noodle Soba made in Sorachi are sold with the name of "Longevity"in this souvenir shop. A kind of them is flavoured with green horse radish.
The fireplace is decorated for Halloween, as well as the shops and restaurants.
 I have not heard of the Halloween party or "Trick or treat" events in this garden and Yuni Town but the atmosphere is so nice in this season even if the gardens are not filled with flowers.
Needless to say, a hot spring spa is near the garden with an accommodation. "Yunni-noYu" is the name of the spa. Many citizens of Yuni Town and neighbouring town visit the spa everyday, as well as the tourists dropping by. 
 Mr.Tadashi Ohkubo is the manager of the facility. He is very nice and gentle but does not lay his cards on the table.
To stay fit, it may be dangerous to visit Sorachi sub-prefectural area because it means to pack the extra pounds and expand our waistlines.
 I am getting hungry so please enjoy the photos of the facility.

 

 

I am missing the fireplace that warmed up our bodies and hearts in Canada. I get over last winter without using stove except for the time when my wife visited me. I was fine without stove last winter because the residents of downstairs warmed up their flat enough for the senior lady but I am not sure i can do the same again coming winter.