Andre and the Nabe Pot

The year is alive!
Things this year in Japan have started pretty much as they left, albeit a little colder. It’s winter.

So for some winter warmth a few friends and I got together for Nabe. I like the word Nabe, I like saying it lots of times – NabeNabeNabe. What on earth is it? Think of a communal pot of bubbling hot water, sitting on a little portable stove. And then, you wanna eat it? Just drop it in the water – crab, chicken, pork, beef, cod, salmon, mushrooms, shungiku… you get the idea. When it’s done, grab your chopsticks and fish out whatever takes your fancy. Pop it in your bowl with some daikon, celery, garlic and Japanese Ponzu. Add alcohol and music and you got yourself a hippie party. Thanks to Bill and Mineko for putting on this fun little shin dig. (more…)

Pauanui Panorama (click for larger)

Home is where the heart is. This was to be my first Christmas home for three years and I was looking forward to seeing family and sinking my teeth into a juicy glazed Christmas ham laced with cherries and pineapple. And kiwifruit and strawberries and Pavlova and Christmas cake… No Sushi for Christmas, thank you. (more…)

Naomi and I at Senzairou

Senzairou is a special Japanese Ryokan dating from 1764 nestled in the wooded mountains of Yoro. Yoro town is itself a special place, famed for the purity of its waterfall, and the bizarre ‘Garden of Reversible Destiny’. So this special place is where I took Naomi for her birthday weekend.

We checked into the Ryokan and were greeted with traditional Japanese hospitality. Every detail was authentically preserved. We drank tea in our gracious rooms, with doors sliding out to the garden and pond below. Century’s old calligraphy and painted screens adorned our room.
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