Mochi-tsuki (pounding mochi)

I went pounding "Mochi" (rice cake) at community center with my son. Many children came to the community center to pound and eat "Mochi". We use "Kine" (wooden hammer) to pound steamed glutinous rice on the "Usu" (a mortar).  My son used a small "Kine" to pound.

After pounding "Mochi", we entered the community center and received "Mochi" wrapped with "Kinako" (soybean flour) ,  "Anko" (bean jam), and black sesame. We went back to home and we ate them with my family. It was very tasty !

Goichi Winery

There is a winery named Goichi near my home. There are several winery in Shiojiri-city. I often go to Goichi winery when I buy wine for gift. "Shiojiri Merlot" is the most popular red wine at the winery. It is Medium Body and it tastes good.

Fuji-Q Highland

I took three holidays and went to Fiji-Q highland with my family. It was a fine day and we could see beautiful Mt. Fuji. It was warm to play in the amusement park. I guessed there might be few people because of the weekday, but there were many students and Chinese. There were few little children.

I got on the "TEKKOTSU(steel) BANCHO". It was exhilarating. I think my kids would enjoy more if they grow up because they can ride more exciting vehicle like roller coaster.

Genba summer festival 2015

There was a Genba summer festival on my town. There are many shops (Yatai in Japanese) around the road. Many people enjoy eating, dancing, and playing games. I also enjoyed a lot with my family. My kids liked "Rubber duck scooping" a lot :-)

Mango in Miyakojima Island

My younger sister gave me Mango when she went to Miyakojima Island on a business trip. Miyakojima Island is located south of Okinawa Main Island. There are many Mango-flavord foods in Japan these days, but I ate a fresh Mango after a long time. I was used to ate fresh Mango when I was in Philippines on a busines trip around 5 years ago.

I have to avoid a big flat seed inside when I cut the Mango. Then cut it into small cubes and lift from beneath so that I can easily spoon up them.

Philippines Mango is yellow, but Miyakojima's Mango is red. I like both Mango :-) I feel Miyakojima's Mango has refined sweetness.

Cherry blossom of 2015

The cherry blossom bloomed at the park in Matsumoto city. We had a lunch around the cherry blossom. I like cherry blossom. I think most Japanese like cherry blossom.

Dried Japanese persimmons

We dry Japanese sour persimmons outside in Winter season. This process makes them very sweet persimmons. The white powder on their surface is crystal of sugar content happend by this process.