Eat, Drink, Sleep @Tokyo, Now in Nagasaki

東京で食う飲む!Restaurant or Bar around Tokyo and Far East. There is a great diversity of food and culture in Japan. You will enjoy the huge range style of food from very local Japanese food to a lot of foreign foods. I hope you will find and feel the diversity of foods in Japan.

31 May 2016

White wall church, Shitsu Catholic Church, Nagasaki, Japan [The pilgrimage tour around Nagasaki]

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White Wall Church made with the Japanese- French style

From the Kurosaki Catholic Church, you will head to North more and find a small white church, named Shitsu Catholic Church. This church was located middle of the mountain and formed a small complex of the religious facilities as church, clinic and orphanage. All facilitates were designed by French bishop de Rotz. The French European style buildings have some Japanese character in the detail. The Kurosaki Church was also built by Bishop de Rotz as the different style.

The contrast of white-gray-light blue show the French European style of this building. The roof was Kawara brick.  
The first impression of exterior in this church was low roof with white wall. The churches or cathedral in other places show the high roof that congregation can feel the greatness of god. This church was built with bricks and covered with white mortarplasterstucco. Because this village has strong wind climate from the sea, the designer, bishop de Rotz, had produced the lower roof of this church. The strong winds were come from the East China Sea. The roof and door was painted with the sky blue paint. The contrast of white and blue on the church show you the European atmosphere. All windows and doors were sliding doors to protect from the strong winds. The glasses in the windows which welded for the large window were made in France.

History

On 1882, Shitsu Catholic Church was built by Bishop Marc Marie de Rotz, born in Normandy, France. Till 1902, he had extension of the church twice because of increasing the number of congregation in this area. From this reason, this church has elongate rectangle floor shape.

The interior was very frugality. The wooden chairs were place and simple cross was hung on the wall. The coordinate was similar to the Normandy countryside church. The windy climate and frugality interior show the religious or life outlook of Bishop de Rotz.


There was the statue of Santa Maria on the roof top of the tower. She is looking down the East China Sea and the daily life of the people in Shitsu.
2633 Nishishitsu, Nagasaki city, Japan

The reservation by phone call or website is necessary. Please contact to the information centre by phone.

095-823-7650

28 May 2016

Red brick church on the hill, Kurosaki Catholic Church, Nagasaki, Japan [The pilgrimage around Nagasaki]

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Red brick church in the West Sonogi peninsula, Kurosaki Catholic Church

Taking a car heading to Northwest in the West Sonogi peninsula from Nagasaki city, you will face to East China Sea, on the road on the west coast of Kyushu Island. On the West Sonogi peninsula, there are several villages which have the historical churches. The villages are located in small inlets on the intricate coast line of this peninsula. Before Meiji era, the local people had only access by the sea. This geographical characteristic made the “hidden Christian” (call as the “Kakure” Christian) culture around this ocean area. 

The Kurosaki Church was faced the Sumo Nada Sea. The contrast of blue sea and red brick was very beautiful in spring. This church was built with Red brick romanesque motive with the rib vault ceiling. The design was originally come from the French styles brought by French Bishops. All windows were stained glass with the stained. The simple design primary color of the stained glass were showed as the heart of the village adherents. 

the Statue of Santa Maria in front of the church will welcome visitors.
After “discovery” and freedom of the religion, small European style Catholic churches were built by the missionaries from European countries. This church was designed by French bishop de Rotz. These two church, in Shitsu and Kirosaki, show the lovely contrast; as red and white, simple and showy, high roof or low roof. Each church had lovely harmony with the classical style of houses in the villages.
 
Rib vault ceiling show lovely interior.


The stained glass were simple design as the village peoples' heart.

27 May 2016

ブナハーブン蒸留所 Bunnahabhain アイラウイスキーの旅 [スコットランド蒸留所巡り]

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 ブナハーブン蒸留所の門この石組みのきれいな建物が入江に沿って並んでいる.

アイラらしからぬ中でのアイラらしさの探究をするなら,このウイスキーは良い材料だろう.重厚な褐色の液体の向こうから見えてくる,ほのかなピート味と塩味は,ピートの層を通って茶色になってしまったこの島の湧水によるのだろうか.
ポットスチル.この訪問は冬のような寒さで,この部屋は酒の香と温かさのうれしい.

カリラからいくつかの入江の向こうにあるこの蒸留所はアイラ島の蒸留所の中でも,公共交通機関ではたどり着くことが難しいもののひとつである.雨の降りしきる中,とぼとぼと丘を越えて,蒸留所へ向かっていると,赤いゴルフがクラクションを鳴らして近づいてきた.「あなたブナハーブンの蒸留所に向かっているでしょう?」この島では人々は顔見知りで,よそ者で東洋人が歩いていると観光客と認定されるムラ社会なのだ.「いいから乗って.送っていくわ.今日はツアー客が来てるはずだから,彼らと一緒にツアーに参加すればいいわよ」と事務のやや年配のご婦人の送迎を受ける.周りには小さな集落があり,蒸留所の従業員が済んでいるらしい.ザンザ降りのなか,コペンハーゲンからのツアー客に交じって,蒸留所ツアーに参加した.完全に飛び入りである.聞くと,9月でもツアーを受け付けていない時期であったようだ.
事務所への階段.ここでツアー申込も.

おっさんたちが楽しそうにスピリットを樽詰め.香りだけでも十分に酔えるような.

石積みの重厚な,海から見ると要塞のようにも見えそうな,建物群の前には一本の桟橋が伸びていた.アイラの蒸留所にはこの桟橋がつきもので,ここからスコットランド本土やアイルランドへの積み出し,材料の搬入を行ってきたという.
ピアからの風景.海沿いの蒸留所によくある綴りの書いた白い壁

塩味とピート味はかすかに効いているものの,不感症であるとスペイあたりの何でもない蒸留所と勘違いしてしまいそうな,そのようなウィスキーである.骨格の中にアイラのニュアンスを読み取れた瞬間が私は嬉しい.






24 May 2016

Buffalo Burger, Martini burger, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo

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 The Classical New York Style Burger at Shinjuku, Tokyo
This burger shop was established by Eliot Bergman who was born and grew in New York. This burger shop is serving the modern but pure-blooded American style burger which was built the identity till 1950s, before the MacDonald chain had spread their territory, as the bread and beef pate were nicely selected. If you go to Sasebo which has the US Navy base, there are a lot of just old American style burger shops around the city.

The huge glass window signed the shop name “Martini burger” lead the beautiful sun shine into the shop on the sunny day. The owner, Eliot, was teaching English spoken in Upper east coast, to his staff. The furniture was simple but well selected for making the atmosphere of down town in New York. In the centre of the shop, there was the white and simple bar counter the owner leaned and observed the outside of the shop.

Mr. Bergman named a lot of style of burger after the area of New York City as Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn. I have ordered the Buffalo Burger with buffalo spicy sauce and gorgonzola sauce. The burger steak was made from 100% beef meats. In Japan, it is very difficult to find the 100% beef burger shop in these islands.

They also served the lovely selection of liquors or wines. The shop vodkas for Martini were Absolute including several flavours. We can have some Californian Wine from their selection.

The combination of Martini with burger reminds me the happy hour custom in the bars of 1990s in the United States. The customs had not developed in 21st century. This combination seems a little bit old – fashioned style in New York.
Nakazatocho 31, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0804
(03) 6280 8920
Open Tuesday–Saturday: 11:00–23:00 (LO 22:00); Sunday, 11:00–22:00 (LO 21:00). Closed Mondays, unless national holiday. 

20 May 2016

How to eat White asparagus? La belle époque, Hotel Okura Tokyo, Akasaka, Tokyo

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The renewal of the interior at La belle époque and spring cuisine

White Asparagus

The Season had come again. The spring brings white asparagus. As usual spring, I have been to la ber epoque to enjoy white asparagus. This time, I had attended to my mother to introduce the taste of white asparagus.
The white asparagus is the seasonal vegetable. White asparagus on the market informs us the timing when the spring is coming. The white body, a little bit bitter and sweet taste, lovely soft but fibre texture and the flavour of soil has shown the length of winter and seasonal cycle of the nature. This ingredient is generally cooked as poiret (roasted with butter), steamed with butter or stuff into the soup etc.

Renewed interior but the taste and presentation were kept La belle époque style.

On my visiting to la Belle Epoque in Hotel Okura, we had tried two cooking method of white asparagus, steamed with butter and poiret. I had preferred the poiret which had rich with the fibre texture and the essence of taste and flavour from white asparagus. The steamed with butter was very nice at la Belle epoque. The degree of the cooked temperature and duration was perfect to bring out to the dish. The creamy and less fibre texture has juicy vegetable soup from itself. The bitterness was little bit stronger in poiret one.
The poiret of asparagus.

Meuniere of dover sole
As the conclusion of our discussion, steamed with butter, generally cooked in Japan, was the best in our idea.


18 May 2016

スキャパ蒸留所 Scapa [スコットランド蒸留所巡り]

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この蒸留所はどうにもとっつきにくく,何とも個性が同定できなくて苦労をしたもののひとつである.日本にいてもわからないだろうからと出かけていった.

蒸留所の風景

Scapaの海岸を望める高台に広がっていて,ゆったりとした時間が流れている.陽ざしの温かい晴れ上がった午後に,小川の流れる音や打ち返す波の音,羊の咀嚼音や鳴き声,青臭い草木の香りを嗅いでいるだけで,島まで来た意義がある.ヴィジターセンターにはスミス社のアンティークの壁掛け時計がぶら下がっている.

なだらかな丘陵の中でのんびりと

スキャパを個性のない酒と思っていたが、現地で再発見される個性

16年のカスク(未発売)はややオイリーだが,エレガントの一言でまとめてしまうのは惜しい気もする.フローラルで,グレープフルーツやオレンジを思わせるやや甘いシトラス香やファッジのカラメル香,これらも強くもなく,弱すぎずで,天気の変わりやすい島の晴れ間くらい繊細だった.ノンビンテージばかりが出てくる昨今ではなかなかできない貴重な大変であった.

施設全景.天気は最高峰

スピリットは,これはこれで完成された酒で,青リンゴ感に加えて,フローラルな要素が強く出ている.あの海を眺めながら蒸留されているアルコールなのだから,周辺の景色は酒の個性になるのかもしれない.もっとも,ローモンドスティルをFirst で使用しているからというのが本当のところだろうが.

ある意味お約束の風景

Highland Parkとは歴史的にも人材交流や技術・技術交流など長いお付き合いがあるようだ.ミルの機械はHighland Parkへのお譲り,1994年からの閉鎖期間中もHighland Park の職人が機械を動かし続け,ごく少量だが生産していたという.ご近所さん同士のお付き合いがなかなか大切な業界である.
Scapaビーチを望んで

行き方・予約

行き方:バス#2(一日6)Kirkwall Travel centreから.乗車時にScapa Distillery と告げると途中で下してくれる.帰りはその向かいの道路で,バスに向かって手を振るのみ.往復券を買うとよい.

予約:望ましい.携帯電話の電波が悪い地区もあるため,滞在先のホテルから予約なり,事前メールなり手を尽くす.


戦史マニアにはたまらない英軍と独軍のスカパ フローとして知られる入江.ストローンウェルまで行くと戦史博物館がある.引き上げられた工具や弾丸,戦艦の食器など.おびただしい戦艦の沈没している海域である.



17 May 2016

Tokyo traditional Dumpling, Tenryu, Ginza (銀座天龍), Tokyo, Japan

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  The Showa style Chinese food restaurant in Ginza

The Tenryu is the Chinese style restaurant in Ginza, the heart of Tokyo. The “Chinese style” meaning, this category foods were minor developed in Japan. The foods shape or form was kept the original from China continent. The taste or cooking method had been changed to fit our Japanese taste on the establishment.
Tenryu is the local popular restaurant in Ginza and is famous as restaurant serving dumplings. The tables were filled with business person taking lunch noon. There were also elder people who continued to have their lunch afternoon after their retirement.
Tenryu is located on 4th Floor (3rd floor of British)

Dumpling in Japan and Ginza

Dumpling is one of the popular foods among Japanese, as Ramen, curry and rice, Udon or Soba. Curry and rice had gotten major after World War I, Ramen or dumpling had after World War II. Curry and rice which was completely deformed from the British style to Japanese style at the Imperial Navy. Ramen or dumpling had come from the Manchu, the northern part of Chinese continent.
Dumpling is Chinese style Japanese foods as Ramen, Tenshin han (Tianjin rice, omelette topped rice with Chinese style sticky soup). The default form of dumpling was kept through 70 years, Kawa (sheet) and Ann (stuffing). This dish was cooked in the families in China or Japan, boiled with soup, fried or braised. The dumpling was made as Ann minced pork meat and some vegetable was wrapped with Kawa sheet made from flour.
the Brown tanned sheet had lovely texture. the juicy soup were spread from the stuff.
The character of Dumpling in Tenryu was thin sheet and juicy but simple stuff. Braised thin sheet was crispy and the warmed stuff containing meat juice as pork soup. This marriage brought us feeling of fullness and happiness.


the memory of Showa era.

As the Additional order, I had braised noodle, the taste of old days of Tokyo.

Web site:http://ginza-tenryu.com
Address: 2-5-19 Ginza, Chuo ku Tokyo 

13 May 2016

Scotland meet French cuisine in Tokyo, Crown, Palace hotel Tokyo, Marunouchi, Tokyo

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 The Modern French meet the non-French ingredient in Tokyo

After World War II, several restaurants which known as the pioneer of French foods had been established in Japan. Le belle epoque in Hotel Okura Tokyo was one of pioneers. The Crown in Palace Hotel Tokyo was also the pioneer. These hotels were established just before the Tokyo Olympic Games on1964.

 Palace Hotel and Tokyo Kaikan, Western meet Tokyo.

The Palace Hotel Tokyo has the tradition coming from the Tokyo Kaikan. On establishment of this hotel, Tokyo Kaikan had organised from education of staff to selection of wines and the relationship was continuously remaining for 60 years.

The restaurant, Crown is faced to the Palace place which has huge flat field and skyscraper on the back. In the early evening, you will enjoy the best twilight scene in Tokyo from this restaurant.
The night view from the restaurant

Scottish ingredient and French is British?

On my visiting, I had two course dinners of Scottish ingredients. Starter was the Scottish Salmon. And the main course was Omar blue from Scotland. The served wines were also lovely. The selection of champagne was including the major cuvees and some minor but tasteful ones. I had chosen Pascal Doquet grand cru for the Starter. Orange flavour, honey smell were corroborate with the thick yeast flavour. The deepness of the taste was powerful and show nice marriage in late spring.
  • Pavé de saumon d’Écosse “Label Rouge” mi-cuit et couteaux crémeux de chou-fleur et caviar de Belgique
Salmon from Scotland with seasonal vegetable sauce

The Homard bleu from Scotland was the main course

The main course was the festive course with full of colour, texture. The white asparagus from France brought the smell of soil and fresh flavour on the dish. This course was formed with the warm dish and cold dish. The harmony of these two dishes were lovely.

  • Homard bleu d’Écosse : Les pinces et le corps cuits au beurre de corail / grosses asperges blanches salade des jardins / vinaigrette de truffe aestivum

Warm dish of main course. Asparagus basement, topped Omar blue

Cold dish of main course.

Reservation: recommend.
Tel: +81 3 3211 5211 Crown +81 3 3211 5317

11 May 2016

ハイランドパーク Highland Park [スコットランド蒸留所巡り]

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オークニーへの旅路

一日にエジンバラから何便かSAAB340でとろとろと飛んでいくこと1時間で着くこの島には2つの蒸留所がある.個性はあるものの,アイラ島のような強烈なものはなく,どこか影の薄い存在である.

その程度の認識で島に渡ったものであるから,飛行機は2時間遅れ,ロストバケージの上,レンタカー屋も早々にシャッターをおろしていた.何かの罰だろう.飛行機マニアであるだろう観光案内所のおじさんがやさしくタクシーを呼んでくれた.そんな始まりで,島の人情を感じる旅は始まった.
隣の敷地からもこの通り.

キルンが象徴的なハイランドパーク蒸留所の外観

Highlandでもないのにこの名前がついているというある意味不思議な蒸留所である.小高い丘の上にあり,そこからHighlandの名前がついたというが,Kirkwall (キルクウォールとでも表記するか)の中心からは坂をえっちらおっちら上ったその先での蒸留所である.パゴタを思わせる二つのキルン(煙突)は遠くスキャパの蒸留所からも見える.

マッシュタンクからはいつものイースト香
磨かれたポットスチル

ツアー向けの言葉と思い巡らす言葉は分けた方が良いのか?

England風のジョークを混ぜながらのツアーは,他の蒸留所と大きく違わない過程を見せるだけである.ピートは島によって違うだろうから,アイラのものとも実は香りが違うのではないかとか,そういうことにはあまり興味がないのかもしれない.アメリカンオークとフレンチ/スパニッシュオークと呼びならわしてしまうのはややもったいないドラマがあるのだけど,そこもすっ飛ばし,後ろ髪ひかれながらのテイスティングとなる.

スモーキー(この言葉はTrickyであるから,好きではないが)で,シェリーの利いたウィスキーのバリエーションが楽しめる3種類テイスティング.ピーティの印象まで変わるアメリカンかフレンチかの違いは加水しないカスクならより鮮明になるだろう.税金対策とはいえ,スコットランド人の精神性ではそこまで回らないのかもしれない.
ピートは積まれてこの通り.いろんな混ざりものがあるようにおもう.
貯蔵庫

オークニー諸島の中でも有数の大企業であり,一大観光スポットであるのは確かだろう.クルーズ船が立ち寄ると人でいっぱいになるという.

このすぐそばのLynnfield hotelではオールドのボトルをはじめ様々なウィスキーが楽しめる.

行き方・予約


行き方:Kirkwallcity centreから徒歩13分.地図参照されたし.

予約:望ましい.メールで予約可能.1230分からのコノショワなどは英語力要
 




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