Oyster Hut

One day we went to Hiroshima port to have oysters.
Oyster hut is open in winter time, lits like a prefab house in the middle of the part next to Hiroshima port. That's the place we are looking for. Hiroshima has the largest catch of oysters in Japan. It's said that Hiroshima has 60% of all oyster catches in Japan. So people live in Hiroshima like to go to this place to have oysters in reasonable prices.

We went in to the place and we choose stuff to grill. We choose 2 portions of oysters(about 10 oysters in 1 portion), oyster seasoned rice, potato with butter, and of course beer. They cost us about 4000 yen for two of us.

We started grilling.


For some reason oysters got explosive while grilling the oysters. oh!



it was soooo goood .. really good with beer and sake～ oh~
We would definitely recommend this place if you like oysters!



We hope you have wonderful happy new year!

Kyoto Food Market

Nishiki Market is located in the middle of Knoto city and best spot to get souvenirs and you can see a lot of unique Japanese food and ingredients. This market is the oldest Market in Kyoto. The first store opened at early 1311.

This Market is 130m long,many stores sell Japanese pickles which is flavored in different ways. The vegetables are sold at the Market are mostly produced in Kyoto. Even a pumpkin is pickled!!
If you visit there you might be surprised how colorful those pickles are. Red, yellow,Green, orange,White　and so on..
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　☆Tasting☆





This is "Mame" shop. Mame means "beans" in Japanese.
I like pictures that elderly couple own their shop together at the Market、touches my heart.




This is the candy shop!! i personally recommend the japanese candies for souvenirs because some candies made as Japanese traditional flower and toys.








Roasted (Boiled?)baby Octopus !!
The　small egg is inside of the octopus head. What a funny idea!
I have tried once, it tasted gread but... i felt sorry for biting their head :(

Other than those shops, there are famous japanese iron knives store and of course TO-FU stores represents Kyoto City! This market also has shelter so it is good to go when it is raining.

Spain trip -madrid and sansebastioan-

It has been freezing cold out side...
I hope you had a great white Christmas!

After I returned from Spain,I required 1 week to get over my jet lag...
but I enjoyed Spain so much!!this is my first trip to Spain.it was fantastic!!
I was a little anxious about traveling alone,but it was fantastic!!Spanish people are so friendly and kind,I love them!

I took about 13hours from Japan to instable and about 3 hours from Instable to Madrid.
It was a long way...I knew so well how our guest feels..

I went directly to the hostel at Plasa Mayol in Madrid.I could see Plasa Mayol in my room.





Then I walked around ,sol,church,royal palace..I found such a beautiful place in Madrid.




I spent 2 days in Madrid then I went to Sebastian to meet my friends INAKI and IVAN.
　
They showed me around the town and took me to montigerud.It takes abotu 20 min to the top by cable car.this picture was taken from the top.







I had a lot of PINCHO there, I went to about 5 bar to have different kinds PInchos.





I took some pictures of a sunset, I have never seen a such a beautiful sanest in Japan.




I have a lot of recommendations in Sebastian.so please feel free to ask me anytime about it.

I was so happy to be there and I spent a great my birthday with my great friends.

Santa Claus @ Kyoto Station

Merry Christmas★

Although I do not have enthusiasm for Christmas that much individually, Christmas is one of the bi events for kids so we went to meet Santa Claus coming from Finland on the 24th.

The huge Christmas tree installed under the grand staircase of Kyoto Station. Wakasa Seikatsu which is well known as the product company of Blue Berry Eye. Since it was an outdoor event, it was very cold, but the staff were very kind to give hand warmers to the audience.

A petit concert played before Santa Claus appearance. From the right, guitar, accordion and nyckelharpa. Nyckelharpa is a traditional musical instrument of Sweden. It combines both of keyboard and stringed instrument's characters. It was a wonderful tone.

Santa Claus appearance! He took along a blond beauty (elf). He can speak Japanese a little and occasionally say jokes in Japanese. He plays the fool about the color of famous reindeer's nose, was is white ? blue ? or black? and kids tell him the color.

Ceremonial photography. Our daughter is in her favorite strawberry beanie having become tense to see the real Santa Claus even though she calls "Santa-san" whenever she finds vinyl Santa Claus in town. She refused to approach closer stubbornly.... Handshaking and a hug will subjects for next year.

By the way, we are planning to do rice-cake making in the traditional way on the 4th January.

My Engel's law

Do you know what is Engel's Law(エンゲル係数)?
Engel's law is an observation in economics stating that as income rises, the proportion of income spent on food falls, even if actual expenditure on food rises.
It is pretty known word among Japanese however It may not very known by foreigners.

My Engel's law is very high by the killer.....whose name is IMO-KENPI!!!
It is fried sweet potato stick coated by syrup.
Crispy and sweet but not too much. Mmmmm...Yummy!!!
Please try IMO-KENPI when you come to Japan!
It is easy to find in any super market and good for souvenir!
This is definitely my best snack in 2011!!!
(Incidentally,"Yuki no yado" rice cracker was my best in 2010 :P )

I really wish we will have a peaceful year for 2012.
Merry Christmas and A Happy Happy New Year!
Feliz Navidad y Feliz Ano Nuevo a Todos :)
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo a tutti voi :D