Wisdom & Motivation

06/12/2024

Autumn beauty 🍁🍁

07/06/2024

Ekiben（駅弁） 🥢

The term "bento"（弁当）refers to the portable meals taken on outings or to work. When combined with "eki"（駅）, meaning "station," it forms "ekiben"（駅弁）, which are bentos sold to travelers on trains or at railway stations.

The first ekiben was sold at Utsunomiya Station on July 16, 1885, following the opening of the Tohoku Line between Omiya and Utsunomiya stations. This initial ekiben featured two onigiri（おにぎり rice balls）with umeboshi（梅干し pickled plums）and two slices of takuan（たくあん pickled daikon）, all wrapped in bamboo peels. This simple onigiri bento marks the origin of ekiben.

Ekiben are more than just convenient meals for train journeys; they often showcase regional specialties unique to the train lines and stations. Sampling ekiben is an excellent way to experience the diverse local cuisines of Japan.

One renowned ekiben is Toge-no-Kamameshi（峠の釜めし）, meaning "potted rice at the pass." This dish, served in a ceramic pot, includes seasoned rice with various ingredients from mountainous areas. Other ekiben feature an abundance of seafood.

Enjoying an ekiben filled with local specialties while taking in the scenic views from the train is a quintessential Japanese travel experience.

07/06/2024

Ekiben（駅弁） 🥢

The term "bento"（弁当）refers to the portable meals taken on outings or to work. When combined with "eki"（駅）, meaning "station," it forms "ekiben"（駅弁）, which are bentos sold to travelers on trains or at railway stations.

The first ekiben was sold at Utsunomiya Station on July 16, 1885, following the opening of the Tohoku Line between Omiya and Utsunomiya stations. This initial ekiben featured two onigiri（おにぎり rice balls）with umeboshi（梅干し pickled plums）and two slices of takuan（たくあん pickled daikon）, all wrapped in bamboo peels. This simple onigiri bento marks the origin of ekiben.

Ekiben are more than just convenient meals for train journeys; they often showcase regional specialties unique to the train lines and stations. Sampling ekiben is an excellent way to experience the diverse local cuisines of Japan.

One renowned ekiben is Toge-no-Kamameshi（峠の釜めし）, meaning "potted rice at the pass." This dish, served in a ceramic pot, includes seasoned rice with various ingredients from mountainous areas. Other ekiben feature an abundance of seafood.

Enjoying an ekiben filled with local specialties while taking in the scenic views from the train is a quintessential Japanese travel experience.

30/04/2024

Melon-pan（メロンパン)

Melon-pan, a delightful sweet bread, proudly originates from Japan. This round bun is distinguished by its thick coating of sweet biscuit dough before baking. The hallmark of melon-pan lies in its surface adorned with a lattice pattern resembling the texture of a melon's skin, hence the name. Varieties of melon-pan can be found, some resembling the skin of orange melons while others sport a green hue.

What sets different melon-pans apart is not just their appearance but also their fillings and coatings. Some are generously filled with custard cream infused with real melon juice, offering a burst of fruity flavor with each bite. Others opt for a covering of biscuit dough enriched with melon juice, adding a subtle yet refreshing taste.

The diversity of melon-pan extends beyond flavor to encompass shape, color, and texture, providing a delightful array of options to tantalize the taste buds.

As for which melon-pan I'd like to try, I'm intrigued by the idea of tasting the custard-filled variety bursting with real melon flavor.

In terms of similar bread in my country, there isn't a direct equivalent to melon-pan, but we do have various sweet breads and pastries with unique fillings and coatings that cater to different tastes and preferences. Each culture brings its own delightful treats to the table, enriching the culinary landscape with diverse flavors and textures.

26/04/2024

Maneki-neko（招き猫）- lucky cat

Maneki-neko, also known as the lucky cat, is a cat-shaped ornament that typically raises one of its front paws in a beckoning gesture. Depending on which paw is raised, it symbolizes different forms of fortune. The cat with its right paw raised is believed to bring wealth and prosperity, while the one with its left paw raised is thought to attract people and good connections. Both types often hold an oval gold coin in their other paw.

For example, at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, all the beckoning cats raise their right paw, but they don't hold a coin in their left paw. This is because the temple is associated with a samurai family, not a merchant one.

Ultimately, the symbolism of the maneki-neko is about offering opportunities rather than guaranteeing results. It's up to individuals to make the most of those opportunities. So, which type of maneki-neko would you choose to accompany you, and what are your expectations from it?

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19/04/2024

😄😄😄 Enough scrolling today 🤣🤣

🇯🇵 Man in this photo was taken in 1946. This guy is Ken Shimizu. He is 35 years old. He has 2 children. Shimizu never runs. Sleeps late. Eats whatever he wants. Even drinks beer instead of water. Eat dinner with many kinds of food every night...
What does Shimizu do to get such a body?
Shimizu doesn't have any secrets….Shimizu is the person sitting in the bottom left corner of the photo... As for the man standing in the middle..
I'm not sure ;p

25/03/2024

🌸 Cherry Blossoms 🌸

Location: Shiude Mountain in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture.

#日本

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24/03/2024

Mt. Fuji, Japan, 富士山


Did you know, mount Fuji has inspired a special pilgrimage tradition called "Fuji-san kōro" where people climb the mountain to watch the sunrise from its summit, a practice dating back centuries.

#富士山 #日本

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23/03/2024

Mt. Fuji, Japan, 富士山

Kawaguchiko Area, Yamanashi Pref. Japan

#富士山 #日本

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