Pickled vegetables

Kōnomono (香の物)

Pickled vegetables, 'Tsukemono' (漬け物), are prepared by mixing them with salt or by dipping them in rice bran. Rice bran is the powder produced from the outer coat of rice. Radish, cucumber and carrot are common ingredients of pickled vegetables. Tsukemono has been popular since ancient times at the snowy region for preserving food.

Also there is one kind of pickled vegetables called 'Iburizuke' (いぶり漬け) which was originally from Akita Prefecture. In the inland mountains of Akita Prefecture, it was hard to dry the radishes in the fall because of the early snowing season. Therefore people started to hang and smoke-dried pickled vegetables indoor. Because of the smoke-dried method, the pickled vegetables turned to golden brown and got a unique taste and smell of smoke.

Tsukemono is usually served as a side dish, like a snack for drinks or garnish for a meal. For Kaiseki, it can be a course known as Kōnomono (香の物). It is beautifully made by chef with seasonal pickled vegetables.

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URL: 日本新発売（JNTO Hong Kong campaign page)

Toraya Yōkan

Omogake from Toraya

Traditional Japanese confections, wagashi(和菓子), evolve into an art form. The typical one called Nama-gashi (生菓子) which is moulded in the shape of flowers, birds, and fruit, to represent the seasons, and are served mainly at the tea ceremony or special occasion.

Another wagashi called Yōkan which is not fancy as nama-gashi, but it is one of the most popular among Japanese traditional confections. Yōkan is made from a mixture of azuki bean paste, sugar and agar-agar and shaped in a mould. It is very sweet as it contains much sugar. Also it can keeps for a long time.

Toraya(虎や) is very famous wagashi shop which has more than 100 years history of making wagashi. Its Yōkan (羊羹) is very famous. I try their product called 'Omokage' (おもかげ). This name gives a sense of nostalgia. There are many different taste of Yōkan at the shop. Omokage is made with brown sugar. This is good to have it along with a cup of green tea for taking away a bit of the sweetness.

Toraya official website

This blog is a part of the official JNTO Hong Kong Campaign

URL: 日本新発売（JNTO Hong Kong campaign page)

Happy St Valentine's Day with my Mr. Snow

Mr. Snowman

I do feel lucky to back Tokyo yesterday without any snow. The weather deteriorates today. This morning the wind was still light, but it's picking up this afternoon and even it's snowing now. Road conditions are difficult because of the driving snow. I can't feel my toes at all!

That's the most terrible job than ever!

Hard to stop anyone for TV interview in such a freezing day.

Shinjuku

This blog is a part of the official JNTO Hong Kong Campaign

URL: 日本新発売（JNTO Hong Kong campaign page)

Tokyo International Airport

Obsevation Deck at Tokyo International Airport

Haneda Airport, is officially known as Tokyo International Airport resumed handling international flights last October after the completion of a new runway and international terminal building, which is connected to a monorail and a train line. I found it very convinient to access to the heart of Tokyo. Also the international terminal features several unique floors, the shopping zone called 'Edo Ko-ji', Tokyo Pop Town and observation deck on the top floor.

Shopping Zone: Edo ko-ji

Tokyo Pop Town is a pre-security area located at 5th floor at the terminal building. Hello Kitty Japan is pretty eye catching shop with its huge size Hello Kitty doll. Many limited edition products are selling there.

R Burger is just next to the Hello Kitty Shop. Their Fujiyama burger on the meun is special for the Haneda Airport. I tried their avocada wasabi burger. The taste of wasabi is slighty strong and over the taste of avocada though.

This blog is a part of the official JNTO Hong Kong Campaign
URL: 日本新発売（JNTO Hong Kong campaign page)