Hey there! So it's been a while since my last post--about two months. I didn't plan to take such a long break, but life, family madness, and -blink- two months fly by! But here I am, and it's Christmastime, %$#^@# it. So to quote the local grocery store, Let's Make a Christmas! For many Christmas …
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Let’s Eat Junk Food: Ebi Filet-o at McDonalds
In previous installments we tried Doritos and Oreos; today we find ourselves in Okinawa on vacation and humoring the older child, who celebrated a birthday yesterday. "I want McDonalds for lunch!" she declared. So off to the Golden Arches we went. I heard about the Halloween Pumpkin Chocolate fries, but they didn't even look good …
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Everything But the Food: a Visit to Kappabashi Kitchen Town
This past Thursday I played hooky from my usual Japanese class and headed into Tokyo with my friends Chika and Sabina. Our destination: Kappabashi, or Kitchen Town. Guidebooks often call Kappabashi the plastic sushi district, or the place where many restaurants buy the food samples that they display in glass cases out front. A better description? Everything …
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SUUUMOOO!!!
Sumo! Last week we all headed into Tokyo to check out Sumo for ourselves. We arrived at the sumo arena called the Ryōgoku Kokugikan and (eventually) found our seats. Which wasn't so easy, at least for me. I had two seating options when purchasing tickets. The first tier seats offer better and closer views--but also the chance to …
Again With the Shower Shoes in the Kitchen: Or, a Weekend at Iijima Sushi Resort in Chiba Prefecture
A long weekend in late September means a quick getaway to Chiba Prefecture! Most Yokohama expats know Chiba for surfing beaches around Onjuku and Kutsuura, but unfortunately those hotels booked up before I found a spot. So we ended further south in Minami Boso, a quieter area better known for farming, fishing, and growing flowers for the big city. We arrived at Iijima …
A Rainy Tuesday in Ueno Park and Yanaka, Tokyo
Last week a friend invited me to join her and some others on a hike to Mt. Takao. The outing would last the whole day, so I booked doggy day care for Miss Ruby. This morning I awoke to steady rain and a soggy forecast for the rest of the day, which postponed the hike to …
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The Absolute Worst Time to Visit the Ramen Museum
Pro tip: the absolute worst time to visit the Ramen Museum is on a weekend around mid-day. OK, so calling it the Ramen Museum is a bit of a stretch--it's really a collection of nine ramen restaurants clustered in a faux street setting, Disney-style. But still! They had us at ramen, so off we went …
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Using Up Those Leftovers, Japanese Style: Yakisoba Noodles
Living in Japan has altered my kitchen staples, and one addition is yakisoba noodles. I usually keep a package on hand in the fridge. Each package contains three servings of noodles individually wrapped and three packets of seasoning mix (which I usually skip). Another staple: kaeshi. The recipe for kaeshi is simple: combine 3/4 cup soy …
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omg SPIDER!!!!!!
After dinner tonight this happened. Notice Mark's cackle, and my scream. This bad boy was about six inches across. You're welcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIdGj8AZ_2Q
The Conclusion of the Daijobu Chronicles, or Part Two of When Your Neighbor Hits Your Piece of $!@>*^ Car
As loyal martayaki readers recall, a few days ago our neighbor accidentally backed into our car Benji while turning around. Mr. and Mrs. Neighbor came over to apologize twice--once bearing I'm Sorry pastries--and both times I deployed the handy Japanese phrase daijobu, or No Worries. After the second visit from the neighbor I reached out to an American …
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