[GOURMET] Akashiyaki vs. Takoyaki

  In our second installment from the Gourmet series, I decided to show the difference between Akashiyaki and Takoyaki. They look very similar, so some people may wonder what the difference is. I visited Akashi to taste the true Akashiyaki. 

  A famous dish from the city of Akashi in Hyogo prefecture, it is also called tamagoyaki by the locals. Akashiyaki is considered to be the root of Takoyaki, which is very popular throughout the country.

        

Akashiyaki of Akashi                            Takoyaki of Osaka

[GOURMET] Sweets

  Starting today, we’re going to write features on a series of popular themes. The first theme is gourmet food, starting with Kobe sweets.

  Kobe is the birthplace of Japan’s western sweets. This makes Kobe sweets famous throughout Japan, and it has many of the country’s most famous stores, cafés, and restaurants that serve delicious sweets.

  Western-style sweets in Japan are known for their cute displays, but Kobe sweets are made with extra attention given to looks and presentation. The stores are known to be very chic as well. But of course, the taste of these artworks is also amazing.

 

They all look so delicious!! 

 

The “Egret’s Eye View” is Now Open

 On March 26, a special visitor’s facility for the Himeji Castle Restoration named heron in the sky officially opened.

The famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is currently undergoing restoration. The castle main keep is covered but they have built an elevator that will take visitors straight to the very top of the castle. Visitors can watch the restoration of the large roof and the exterior of the castle up close.

The Movie "Hankyu Densha"

  Hankyu Densha, a novel written by Hiro Arikawa, was made into a movie. Hankyu Densha, or the Hankyu Railway, runs through Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, but this story takes place on the Imazu Line, a very short line that connects Takarazuka Station and Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station in about fifteen minutes.

Hankyu Railway Imazu Line

 The unique, maroon-colored Hankyu train is known for its retro-style and nostalgic atmosphere. This heart-warming story takes place on one of these trains. The story is about different passengers who ride this train, and how their lives start to change on this short, 15 minute train ride. I personally use the Imazu Line fairly often, but nowadays, thanks to the novel, I can’t help but wonder about the lives of other people on the train. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them are thinking the same thing!

Fundraiser for East Japan Earthquake

  On March 29, the Hyogo Tourism Association held a fund raiser in Kobe to support the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami that hit the northern part of Japan. Hyogo prefecture experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake 16 years ago, and received support from people all over the country, so we really wanted to do our part in helping out those who are in need. We got members of “Okami-no-kai” (female owners of Japanese style inns), the Hyogo Tourism Ambassador, Habatan, and the members from our association.

Hanami: Unique Japanese Tradition

  In this issue, I want to introduce one of Japan’s main cultural events, hanami, or cherry blossom viewing.

           Every year, during late March through April, cherry blossom information is all over the news, and a popular topic among Japanese people is when and where they should go see the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms have always appeared in poetry and literature, songs, and more. It’s definitely a big part of Japanese culture.

　 

Regarding Tohoku District-Off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake

Please  let  us  express  our  sincere condolences for the victims of the　recent　earthquake that struck eastern Japan. As Hyogo citizens have experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in the past, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies to all　those affected by this terrible disaster. We pray for the earliest possible recovery of the affected areas so that the people can soon return to their normal way of life.

Thank you very much for many emails from home and abroad asking about the situation not just the devastated area but in Hyogo & Kobe. In Hyogo and Kansai region, no damage from the earthquake has been reported so far.

  Governor Ido, as chairman of the Union of Kansai Government, announced that he would like to support the affected area with all the power in Kansai, which experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

*Hyogo-related information concerning the earthquake

http://web.pref.hyogo.jp/ac02/index_d.html （Japanese)

*Latest correspondence from the Government of Japan

http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kikikanri/jisin/20110311miyagi/index.html  (Japanese)
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/topics/2011/earthquake2011tohoku.html （English）

Hyogo Tourism Association