June 11, 2021

In the Japanese lunar calendar, June is referred to as "Minazuki," but the term is also the name of a Japanese confectionery that is famous as an event food in Kyoto.

In the Japanese lunar calendar, June is referred to as "Minazuki," but the term is also the name of a Japanese confectionery that is famous as an event food in Kyoto. On June 30th, just before the onset of summer, there is a custom in Kyoto to eat minazuki, a triangular uirou with sweetened azuki beans sprinkled on top.

This day is also called "Nagoshi-no-Harae," on which a shrine ritual ‘'Ooharae" is conducted to purge the sins and impurities that have accumulated over the past six months. Minazuki is served on this occasion as its triangular shape resembles ice to ward off the heat, and the red color of the red beans is meant to ward off evil spirits.

The most distinctive feature of minazuki is its beautiful appearance. The white, plump, and transparent cross-section is gorgeous. The uirou, or sweet rice jelly, which is the dough for minazuki, is made by steaming rice flour made from non-glutinous rice or refined rice flour mixed with wheat flour and sugar.

The best time to eat minazuki is from the day it is made to the next day. If you refrigerate it for a long time, it will become hard, so it is best to keep it at room temperature. When eating, please use our tableware and enjoy the Japanese culture.

Otera Kohachiro Shoten's Kanamari
https://www.shokunin.com/en/otera/kanamari.html
Yamaichi’s Chinese Seiro
https://www.shokunin.com/en/yamaichi/seiro.html

References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybypR9ycQBo (Recipe)
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/keikaku/syokubunka/k_ryouri/search_menu/menu/minazuki_kyoto.html
https://wa-gokoro.jp/japanese-food/wagashi/350/
https://cookbiz.jp/soken/culture/minaduki_wagashi/
https://wagashi-season.com/%E6%B0%B4%E7%84%A1%E6%9C%88/

June 10, 2021

The tin plate, which was compressed and extended by craftsmen for many times, can be freely bent, allowing the users to transform it into a variety of objects, such as plates, vases, and accessory cases.

Syouryu's Suzugami provides users with a magical experience.

The tin plate, which was compressed and extended by craftsmen for many times, can be freely bent, allowing the users to transform it into a variety of objects, such as plates, vases, and accessory cases.

The innovative product comes in three types and four sizes. Each type depicts the different marks left by nature. The hammered pattern of popular Kazahana, for instance, expresses the layer of snow that is formed on a sunny, cloudless day.

The creative and entertaining plate is also recommended as a wedding present or a housewarming present.

Syouryu's Suzugami
https://www.shokunin.com/en/syouryu/

June 09, 2021

Sumoto Onsen is the largest hot spring resort on Awaji Island, located in Sumoto City, which flourished as a castle town.

Sumoto Onsen is the largest hot spring resort on Awaji Island, located in Sumoto City, which flourished as a castle town. There are many long-established luxury inns lining the coastline, and you can take a bath while enjoying the seascape during the day, and the night view of the Osaka Bay area and Kansai Airport at night.

The famous Hotel New Awaji also locates in Sumoto. The hot spring area was first opened in the Showa era, and a new source was developed in 1993 by boring down to 1300 meters underground. It consists of simple alkaline springs, and in addition to gout and hypertension, it is also effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, and frozen shoulder.

It is only about 2 hours from Osaka Station by direct bus, and about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Sannomiya Station in Kobe by bus, and is also popular for its many tourist attractions such as theme parks, flowers, and places where you can interact with animals.

Sightseeing spots include the Sumoto Castle and Senkoji Temple where you can experience Japanese history, the Awaji Island Monkey Center and Ohama Beach where you can enjoy with your family, and the Aiya Waterfall and Narugashima Island where you can feel the nature of Sumoto firsthand.

Near the Awajishima Museum, there is also a footbath with a great view of Sumoto Castle. The castle was built in 1526 by Atagi Haruoki, a chief vassal of the Miyoshi clan, who was powerful throughout the Kinai region. Most of the stone walls of today's famous castles have been beautifully maintained, but Sumoto Castle has a charm of retaining the right amount of roughness that reminds us of the past.

Furthermore, the town of Sumoto, which flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, still retains some of its original atmosphere. Retro Komichi is an area where many stores are lined up in such historic houses. The atmosphere of the streets, which have been used for filming movies, is also very attractive. As you walk along the path, you will find stores selling handicrafts and a wide variety of restaurants such as curry, sandwiches, homemade oven-roasted pork, and confectionery.

If you would like to visit Sumoto Onsen, you may consider bringing Ao's Stereoscopic Weaving Towel and Siwa's Coin Purses, stylish and functional goods that would surely support your trip.

Ao's Stereoscopic Weaving Towel
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ao/rittaiori.html
Siwa's Coin Purse
https://www.shokunin.com/en/siwa/saifu.html

References:
https://www.kaigetsu.jp/bath/
https://haveagood.holiday/areas/9294
https://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/spot/0856
https://www.asoview.com/note/793/
https://www.expedia.co.jp/Sumoto-Sumoto-Onsen.dx553248633981723400?pwaLob=wizard-package-pwa
https://travel.rakuten.co.jp/mytrip/ranking/onsen-kansai/
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B4%B2%E6%9C%AC%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89