TAI -- sea bream --

There are two kinds of SUSHI.

One is Akami, the other one is Shiromi.

Akami means reddish SUSHI for example MAGURO.

Shiromi means whitish one which represent is TAI, sea bream.

Shiromi is more crispy and light taste than Akami.

There are a lot of kinds of Shiromi SUSHI.

I always try some kinds of those.

UNI -- sea urchin --

One of my favorite SUSHI is UNI, sea urchin.

But you need to be careful when you order UNI.

Because UNI is very delicate SUSHI, in other words freshness is so important.

Especially in Hokkaido, it is quite delicious in the best season.

It is wisdom to ask somebody when you choose SUSHI restaurant.

MAGURO -- tuna --

One of the most popular menu of SUSHI is tuna, MAGURO.

MAGURO has three category.

One is AKAMI, lean.

This is the cheapest category of tuna. It has only low fat.

Second one is CHUTORO.

It has more plenty fat than AKAMI, and also price is higher.

Last One is OTORO.

Much fat is there and the price is so high!!

Of course my favorite is OTORO, but because of my wallet situation, I always compromise CHUTORO instead of OTORO.

SUSHI -- sushi --

I guess SUSHI is already known by everyone who are interested in Japan.

It is one of the most poplular Japanese food.

When you want to eat SUSHI, you have two choice.

One is KAITEN-SUSHI, the other is not KAITEN.

Today I introduce KAITEN -SUSHI.

It is very convenient for tourists, because the price is quite clear and you can choose with your sight.

SUSHI on the dish is moving in front of you, so you just pick up your favorite one.

Some restaurant have English menu also.

Usually we eat SUSHI with soy sauce.

When you go to KAITEN-SUSHI restaurant, at first you should watch another customer's behavior, and it is OK you follow the way. It is very simple.

If you can not find anything you like, you can order to the staff directly.

It is enough one time experience.

From 2nd time you might look not tourist.

AYU no SHIOYAKI

-- river fish grilled with salt --

AYU is one of the most popular river fish in Japan.

Fishing season is from May to October.

Most nice way to cock AYU is grilling with salt, SHIOYAKI.

Additionally when you do SHIOYAKI, you should use charcoal fire not gas stove.

Recently the nature AYU is decreasing year by year. In spite of nature one, it is increasing cultivated one.

But the taste is so different it causes the difference of the prices.

If you have the chance to eat the nature one, you are so lucky!

UNAGI -- eel --

Japanese eat ells as usual.

It is quite strange culture in the world.

In July there is a day called "Doyo-no-hi".

At that day it is good to eat ell since long time ago.

I guess, the day is located at the beginning of summer, therefore people believe they need to take nourishment by eating eel.

Anyway, at that day, the store which sell eels are so crowded, people make long line.

There are some way how to eat eel.

Most popular one is KABAYAKI, it means broiled one.

We enjoy not only taste but also smell.

In front of the store it spread nice smell.

YUDACHI -- shower, squall --

Especially in summer season, it sometime has Yudachi in the afternoon.

It is like a shower or squall.

The signal of coming Yudachi is towering cloud.

It is not expectantly and it continues for a while.

If you are living alone, you need to be carefully to dry up your clothes at outside through the day.

No matter how it is shiny in the morning, it might have rain in the afternoon.

Also, when you go out, it is better to bring a small umbrella.

BONODORI

-- dance in summer festival --

ODORI means dance and BON means specific summer season.

In summer festival it has held BONODORI event.

At the center of the dancing area, a tower building is built with Japanese drums.

Around the tower people are dancing to the music and drums.

Usually dance is easy not so difficult.

So you look for a while, you could join the dancing circle.

Let's enjoy Japanese dance!

NATSUMATSURI
-- summer festival --






July and August are the seasons of summer festival, Natsumatsuri.
There are plenty festivals in Japan, which are all characteristically depend on each local culture.

In most cases, those are consisted of fireworks show, Bonodori ( dance show), street stalls.
You can also see YUKATA people, it means the people who wears Japanese kimono.

When you go to the Natsumatsuri, you need to bring Uchiwa and to spray insect repellent.

SENSU -- folding fan --

This is very useful to carry out.

It is able to be folded compact like a pen case.

When you spread it, it will be shown various graphics on the SENSU.

About at least 30years ago, many people have had SENSU.

But now, it is difficult to see those people.

YUKATA -- plain summer kimono --

There are some kinds of kimono in Japan.

Yukata is plain one in summer.

At least 5 and more years ago, only few people take Yukata in special occasion, like summer festival, fireworks show.

But recently, Yukata is getting popular including among young generation.

People feel cool and comfortable with Yukata.

For the men it is also good as indoor wear.

Yukata has plenty variation of colors and design.

It is fun not only wearing but also watching.

UCHIWA --flat fan--







This is a Japanese traditional item in summer.

This is used as a handy fan in home, office and sometimes at outside.


Now when we feet hot, naturally we use air conditioning.
But only 50years ago, most of Japanese were using Uchiwa.

Let's get your favorite one.

Hiyashi Chuka --Cold Chinese noodle--

Another typical food in summer is hiyashi chuka, it means cold Chinese noodle.

It is based cold noodle and cold soup, and topped with tomato, grilled pork, eggs, etc.

Usually we eat noodle called "Ramen" through the year.

But in summer, it is too hot. So many people order Hiyashi chuka. Hiyashi means cold.

Sometime we eat it with mustard or mayonnaise. It is up to the favor of each person.

We can eat hiyashi chuka, basically, from June till September.