Category Archives: Japan

Food Report: Baikōken (Asahikawa)

One can’t fail to be impressed by Japan’s knack for making culinary combinations that might seem daft at first – and I mean downright lunatic – yet end up working beautifully in the end. Like wasabi-flavoured Kit-Kats, for example. Or like miso-flavoured rāmen with a pat of butter and some corn thrown in.

Field Report: Asahikawa, Japan (07 February 2014) – Part 1/2

Diego’s off to visit Japan’s northernmost zoo, in Hokkaidō’s second-largest city. But we don’t even have to wait until we arrive to get a taste of the animal experience – because in this case, the zoo comes to us!

Field Report: Sapporo, Japan (06 February 2014) – Part 3/3

The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri isn’t just a daytime affair. In fact, it seems that the festival atmosphere only really kicks in when the sun goes down and the lights come on. We’ve had a taste of that on the first night, when we visited the main venue at Ōdōri Park – but there’s lots moreContinue reading “Field Report: Sapporo, Japan (06 February 2014) – Part 3/3”

Food Report: Lavi (ESTA Branch, Sapporo)

In terms of fun and enjoyment, the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri was certainly hot, hot, hot . . . but not even the festival atmosphere could keep the weather from being so very cold, cold, cold. I’ve never bundled myself up so thickly in my entire life, with enough layers on my person to stock aContinue reading “Food Report: Lavi (ESTA Branch, Sapporo)”

Field Report: Sapporo, Japan (06 February 2014) – Part 1/3

The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri is a big annual event, and it has a giant footprint to match: no less than three large venues in different parts of Hokkaidō’s snowy capital. We’ll hit all three sites today, starting with a place that’s great fun for families.