Spider Whoopie Pies

My sister has made spider whoopie pies with the cake-mix I brought to Japan. Everything needed to make these monster spiders is in the box. I hope it wasn't too hard to make.... They look just like what's on the box! Good job, sis!

Look at those googly eyes! They look like fun to eat.
I like the ones with crazy looking eyes!

This is the cake-mix I brought as a souvenir. 

Our new decoration for this year. It changes colors at night.
Kona doesn't like it....

Here is another one. It turns into a window silhouette at night.
Kona doesn't approve....

So, how did they taste? I hope the kids enjoyed them! Happy Halloween, guys!

Trick or treat!

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The Last Stop: Sapporo

Sapporo is my hometown. It's always close to my heart, even though there is 5,000 miles between us. It's a place where I can be a little kid again.

Kids made a welcome sign for us! Aww!

Double-decker carriage ride for sightseeing.

Bicycles are lined up like a little army.

I used to take this streetcar to school everyday.

Every Ultraman you can think of was sold in this store.

Why do they sell these at a souvenir store? Only in Japan!

Susukino district. Hundreds of restaurants and bars gather here.

... like this Jazz Cafe.

Yes, Herbie Hancock came to this cafe to hangout!

And Chick Corea and many many other musicians.

Inside the Jazz cafe. Excellent atmosphere and acoustic.
You can just sit here for hours listening to great music.

There are turntables and a bunch of old vinyl records at the cafe.

A view of the backyard of my family's house.
 Some things never change.

Also check out my other posts:

• Tadaima, I'm Home, Japan!
• First Stop: Kyoto
• Yuba: Kyoto's Good Eats
• Next Stop: Nara
• Nara's Good Eats
• Sapporo's Good Eats (1)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (2)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (3)

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Nara's Good Eats

If you live anywhere near Georgia, you know what kudzu is. It's an invasive vine that takes over your house, yard even electrical poles. Also spelled kuzu, the plant is specially cultivated as food, and Nara is considered to produce the best quality kuzu in Japan. 

Kuzu (aka kudzu) mochi cakes in molasses sauce

Matcha

You can see out a beautiful courtyard from this eatery.

Lanterns with cutout patterns create a beautiful backdrop.

Nara is the first place to make sake in Japan.
There are a lot of sake tasting places in Nara. Dare to try them all?

Check out all these labels of local sake!

Also check out these posts:

• Tadaima, I'm Home, Japan!
• First Stop: Kyoto
• Yuba: Kyoto's Good Eats
• Next Stop: Nara
• The Last Stop: Sapporo
• Sapporo's Good Eats (1)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (2)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (3)

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Next Stop: Nara

I first visited Nara as a high school student. All I remember is long bus rides and how sick I got from them. Now that I'm older and wiser and the access to the city got better, the place is a delight. My hubby fell in love with the city, so much so that he even wants to move here. 

Here we are at JR Nara station. Wood-wrapped columns.

Kohukuji Temple. Two minutes from our inn.

Our room at Asuka-sou inn in Nara. Loved it!

We woke up to the bell tolls at Kohukuji Temple every morning. It was a peaceful way of waking up. We were jealous of how people live in Nara.  

Samurai armor was displayed at our inn.

Beautiful silk kimono displayed at our inn.

My hubby feeds deer at Nara park.

Awww!

Giant Buddha at Todaiji Temple

Bamboo forrest

Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara. Beautiful orange red roofs.

Wedding was going on when we were there.

Rows and rows of lanterns at the shrine. 

The only geisha in Nara lives here. 

"Monkey" charms are hanging in front of houses to ward off bad luck.

An old Chinese medicine pharmacy is still in operation after 100 years.

Tortoises are getting sun in a lake nearby our inn.

People respect and co-exist with the national and world treasures that surround them. Time is slow, and people are nice. Nara is a magical place.



Also check out these posts:

• Tadaima, I'm Home, Japan!
• First Stop: Kyoto
• Yuba: Kyoto's Good Eats
• Nara's Good Eats
• The Last Stop: Sapporo
• Sapporo's Good Eats (1)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (2)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (3)

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Yuba: Kyoto's Good Eats

There are many things to eat in Kyoto, but my hubby and I were determined to have a nice multi-course meal of yuba. Yuba is a paper-thin skin that's formed when warming soy milk. The texture is out of this world; silky, creamy, delicate yet firm when cooked right. There's not much flavor to it, you just enjoy the texture.

Yuba-sen is the name of the restaurant. Try it when you get a chance.

You can see them work in the kitchen from your table.

Everything is made with yuba! How beautiful and creative is this?

Fresh yuba that had been just made upstairs of the restaurant.
Melts in your mouth.

Agedashi yuba in sweet tempura sauce

Yuba sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi

Yuba bowl. There is rice underneath the soft layer of yuba.

This restaurant was very close to Kiyomizu Temple, and the price was reasonable. If you are in Kyoto, you've got to try yuba at least once.

Also check out my other posts:

• Tadaima, I'm Home, Japan!
• First Stop: Kyoto
• Next Stop: Nara
• Nara's Good Eats
• The Last Stop: Sapporo
• Sapporo's Good Eats (1)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (2)
• Sapporo's Good Eats (3)

Click if you like this post