Asahidake tours: July 2017

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Walks at dawn in Asahikawa.

Japan in Japanese is like this: 日本 "Nihon".

日 This figure (kanji) represents the sun and also means day.

It is pronounced "Ni" in this case.

本 This one is a tree with its roots. It means roots but also origin (roots are the origin of the tree), and book.

It is pronounced "Hon" in this case.

Nihon= The origin of the sun or day.

In the tourist brochures of the rest of the world: "The land of the rising sun".

In Japan it dawns at three-thirty in the summer.

When I was young I only saw sunrises after a night of "fiesta" haha.

Now I do not sleep as much as before...

And sometimes I take walks at that time.

Perhaps the most beautyful moment.

Thoughts are new and optimistic.

Common and gray places are transformed by intense colors and deep perspectives.

Last Saturday I was enjoying the cool night with my friends until very late, dawn surprised us... and I returned home from the city enjoying a magical bike ride.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Where exactly is Teuri Island?

(160km drive from Higashikawa to Haboro and a 40km ferry boat ride)

Fresh fish is extremely popular here, especially the sea urchin!

teuri island sea urchin salmon roe and raw salmon

三色丼　(fresh salmon, salmon roe, and sea urchin)

Tempura for those who cannot eat raw fish :-)

It's only 10km around the island but lots of climbing!!!

Hundreds of birds make their homes in the sides of the cliffs.

My mini packable bike was perfect for this short trip!

Itsukushima Shrine

A very refreshing getaway to this small island!

Heading into the gorge near Asahidake

Stopped by a small cafe near the Shikisai Hill in Biei

四季彩の丘

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Asahikawa Ramen.

Geishas eating noodles

Although ramen is known worldwide as typically Japanese, its origin is Chinese. It arrived in the Meiji era (1870) and became popular in Taisho era (1912).

Mobile ramen.

First news of ramen in Japan are from 1910, at Rai Rai Ken restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo, 12 chefs introduced it and made it known.
But it is after the Second World War that ramen became popular in Japan. And also in Taiwan.

In the late forties the famous Sapporo's ramen begins to elaborate. In 1947 the first ramen shop open in Asahikawa: Aoba Ramen House (still active after two generations).
Since that, Hokkaido's ramen is the favorite of all Japanese and one of the first wishes of tourists landing on the island.

Asahikawa Ramen:

Despite the proximity to Sapporo, Asahikawa ramen is peculiar and much appreciated.
Asahikawa noodles are slightly wavy and thin, require less water for cooking, their yellow color is paler than those of Sapporo and the result is generally softer.
The most typical Asahikawa broth is made with soy sauce and it is powerful and tasty.

And now I want to present you this "Asahikawa's selection" of my dear friend and great gourmet Mr. Obara. He has been kind enough to share his knowledge and his photos. Thank you very much Mr. Obara.

Koubou Kato Ramen shop.