In my previous blog, I introduced the local sweets called Akafuku. The name of this sweets is also the name of this shop.  And this shop is located in a Okage Yokocho. According to their website, “The idea of Okage Yokocho emerged through a deep sense of gratitude for the beautiful surroundings, bountiful resources and appreciation for all living things in the small, tucked away town of Oharai, in front of Ise Jingu in Ise City”.

There are so many unique local shops along the side of Okage Yokocho. We didn’t have time (and energy with a small child) but you can spend half day or one day there. Since I hold Ramen & Gyoza class in my cooking class, I’m always interested in tasting other ramens when I go outside. So as this time, I tried cold ramen and Japanese beef ramen 🍜. For Beef ramen, they use Japanese premium beef called “Matsusaka-gyu” for soup broth. 🐮 I am sure some of you, Japanese food lovers, know but a Matsusaka beef is locally grown beef in this area and also one of the premium Japanese beef. How rich and gorgeous this ramen is!!! They also use chicken for the broth and it adds the rich flavor. My husband and I both loved this beef ramen at Yokocho soba.

Taking the Shinkansen express train from Tokyo station, my family and I visited Nagoya station first to transfer. Then, we took the local express train called Ise-shima liner to visit the Ise jingu. I was so surprised to know that its area is roughly the same size as Paris. Since our 3 year-old son likes to visit local shrine so my husband and I wanted to take him to there. Technically, he was too young to walk long distance from entrance to the main area but we could feel the sacred atmosphere and enjoyed the beautiful Isuzugawa river.

When visiting Ise jingu, you should not miss local sweets called Akafuku. Akafuku is a Mochi coated with red bean paste. It’s not too sweet (like chocolate) so I recommend for you who like less sweet dessert. My family and I visited the headquarters of Akafuku honten so we could feel the concept of this brand. 😌🍵

I recently went to Wakayama and Mie prefectures for “food research”! 😋 For coming days, I will introduce local Japanese foods for you! Hope you enjoy!!!

YUCa’s Japanese Cooking original chopsticks!
I wonder if you (who have joined my class already) noticed but I created special chopsticks early this year and have been using in the class. Since then, many of my guests asked me if I sell this in the class. So, I decided to start selling them in my class and YJC’s online store.

What I like about this chopsticks is you can put them in a dish washer. I’ve been using almost everyday for past 6 months but it still keeps really new. How about using this chopsticks at your home or giving them to your friends who like Japanese food and culture? For order, please go to the store page. Thank you & Enjoy Japanese food!

Do you know this Japanese style savory pancake?
This pancake is called Okonomiyaki. There are two kinds of Okonomiyaki here in Japan. They are Osaka-style and Hiroshima-style. I usually teach Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki in my class.👩‍🍳🍳 Because this pancake has volume and it’s fun to flip several times to make it! If you are interested, please join our Okonomiyaki & Gyoza class!

There is a local park called “Arakawa-yuen” near my house. After the class, I sometimes go there with my son and we enjoy watching scenery of Tokyo from their ferris wheel. This is one of our favorite activity!

In April, you can also enjoy seeing full-bloomed sakura cherry blossoms all around the park. This year, we visited this park almost everyday because they bloom for only a week! How precious they are!!

Champagne at lunch time.🍾 Because it’s spring! 🌸

The main reason was…It was a belated anniversary for my hubby and me. ㊗️ He proposed me at this Hibiya park 7 years ago. Wow, time flies so fast!!!

I feel grateful that he is always being helpful and the best supporter in both private and business life. I enjoy the journey with him (and my son 👦🏻, Mario 🐶and Luigi🐶). Happy anniversary. 😘🎉

This French restaurant called Hibiya Matsumotoro had nice and quiche interior. I loved it!

Sakura cherry blossoms are about to bloomed here in Tokyo. 🌸🌸🌸 One of the best season has come!!!

The other day, talented and influential journalist Piti came to my cooking class and we cooked home-style vegetarian ramen together. Piti has her own website “Piti no japao“. We chatted and laughed a lot while filming the video. As she works with famous travel site “Japan travel“, she introduces this video on their site as well. I hope you enjoy the video!!

Happy Girls’ Festival Day!
To know more about this seasonal Japanese event, please click here!