AUGUST 2020

Click on photo or link to read the feature Beyond Tokyo: Let's visit the most refreshing waterfall in the world Just looking at pictures of this astonishing waterfall is enough to beat the summer heat, but being surrounded by its 180° music is one of life's truly sublime moments. Come with me now, and experienceContinue reading "AUGUST 2020"

Japanese Summer Rice Bowl

This rice bowl features Poached Salmon with Spicy Miso, Chilled Snow Peas with Soy-Lemon Dressing, and Peppery Marinated Mushrooms This delicious topping is rich in umami goodness, and can be used on fish, chicken, cold veggies and salads with equally tasty success! Spicy Miso Topping 2 T. (30ml) soy sauce 3 T. (45ml) rice vinegarContinue reading "Japanese Summer Rice Bowl"

Tall noses, small faces & big feet

Japan beauty goals "Your nose is so tall!" No foreigner lives in Japan for long without encountering this strangest of comments, delivered with an inexplicable tone of admiration. But having a big nose is not the only Japanese compliment that sounds like anything but. Here are five Japanese beauty standards that will have you checkingContinue reading "Tall noses, small faces & big feet"

Surprising flower extravaganzas of fall

Flowers that look small and humble by themselves, but are spectacular and mighty in great numbers When I started thinking about what's so special about September in Japan, the first things that came to mind were three obscure flowers that are nobody's favorite. By themselves, they're utterly small and forgettable. You might even be aContinue reading "Surprising flower extravaganzas of fall"

Tanuki Town: A quaint mountain village filled with all manner of tricksters

This month's destination: Shigaraki, in Shiga Prefecture Tanuki figures always feature outsized ballsacks, and the reason for that actually has nothing to do with their studly prowess. Makers of gold leaf used to wrap the nugget of gold in tanuki skin while working it. The skin is so tough, it's said that a tiny pieceContinue reading "Tanuki Town: A quaint mountain village filled with all manner of tricksters"

Exclusive for Japanagram subscribers only!

You can't buy this book anywhere ...but you can get it for FREE Between now and October 20, 2020, when The Last Tea Bowl Thief comes out, I'm giving away copies of this all-new not-for-sale Yumi & Kenji short (76 pp) to Japanagram subscribers! IT WAS YOU An Only In Tokyo Short by Jonelle PatrickContinue reading "Exclusive for Japanagram subscribers only!"

The winner of the July Book Giveaway is…

If you recognize this email, congratulations!  You just won a copy of Shinjū, by Laura Joh Rowland. If this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it, and I'll have one sent from Amazon pronto! (Much to my chagrin, I discovered there's no ebook edition, so I regret that I can't offerContinue reading "The winner of the July Book Giveaway is…"

Book Review & Giveaway AUGUST 2020

CLIMB By Susan Spann This month's book giveaway is Susan Spann's wry and moving new memoir, CLIMB. Two and a half years ago, her life appeared to be rocketing along quite nicely—not only was she a successful lawyer, she was jaunting off for extended annual stays in Japan to write a popular mystery series. NoContinue reading "Book Review & Giveaway AUGUST 2020"

Two reviews: Claws of the Cat / Climb

By Susan Spann Book #1: CLAWS OF THE CAT Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A beyond-the-history-books journey into the fascinating and uneasy lives of the first foreigners allowed to stay in Japan Claws of the Cat is a tale set in the fascinating 16th-century period inContinue reading "Two reviews: Claws of the Cat / Climb"

Okinawan Brown Sugar Dessert Sauce

Vanilla ice cream topped with Okinawan brown sugar syrup and roasted soybean flour is a favorite summer treat in Japan Dessert is the hardest thing to decide on for a Japanese meal, because most Japanese "desserts" are pretty disappointing, especially when compared to (duh) chocolate. Which is why I'm delighted to show you how toContinue reading "Okinawan Brown Sugar Dessert Sauce"

In Japan you can be “Honorably Alone”

How Japan has perfected the experience of eating, drinking and traveling by yourself We've all had that awkward experience of having to dine alone in a restaurant—the meek acceptance of the mingey table nearest the swinging kitchen door and the studious attention to an open book so people don't think we were stood up. InContinue reading "In Japan you can be “Honorably Alone”"

The Most Refreshing Waterfall in the World

This month's destination: Sharaito-no-taki, near Lake Kawaguchi Just looking at pictures of this astonishing waterfall is enough to beat the summer heat, and being surrounded by its 180° music is one of life's truly sublime moments. This natural wonder is beautiful in every season—in the summertime, when the June monsoon sends cascades of rainwater coursingContinue reading "The Most Refreshing Waterfall in the World"

The winner of the June Book Giveaway is…

If you recognize this email, congratulations!  You just won a copy of The Essential Haiku, edited by the amazing Robert Hass If this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it, and I'll have one sent from Amazon pronto! (Much to my chagrin, I discovered there's no ebook edition, so I regretContinue reading "The winner of the June Book Giveaway is…"

Shinjū

By Laura Joh Rowland Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A well-researched and deeply entertaining crime read, set in samurai-era Japan Who hasn't wondered what it would have been like to live in a more chivalrous era, when warriors kept order with the world's sharpest swords,Continue reading "Shinjū"

A serene lotus garden grown from 3,000-year-old seeds

This month's destination: Gyoda Ancient Lotus Park, Saitama An excavation for a new city building unearthed 3,000-year-old lotus seeds of a variety that was thought to be long extinct. When they sprouted and bloomed, scientists were so delighted that the city dedicated a large tract of land to their cultivation, and the Gyōda Ancient LotusContinue reading "A serene lotus garden grown from 3,000-year-old seeds"

Sweet & Salty Miso Sauce

Dengaku Sauce is one of those tasty toppings that makes even people who "don't like Japanese food" beg for seconds. Everything from eggplant to slices of pork tenderloin to skewers of grilled chicken will disappear in record time if slathered in Dengaku. Sweet & Salty Miso Sauce 6 Japanese eggplants (or one big European one)Continue reading "Sweet & Salty Miso Sauce"

Souvenirs NOT to buy in July

Beautiful, right? So summery! The ultimate souvenir not only reminds you of the place where you bought it, it also reminds you of the joys of being in Japan during that season. Which is why you might be tempted to bring home one of these lovely handpainted flower lamps that are only sold during JulyContinue reading "Souvenirs NOT to buy in July"

The winner of the May Book Giveaway is…

If you recognize this email, congratulations!  You just won a copy of Marie Mutsuki Mockett's Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye! If this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you'd prefer an ebook or a paperback, and where to send it (let me know which email to use for anContinue reading "The winner of the May Book Giveaway is…"

Japanese Chicken Salad with Tangy Soy-Lemon Dressing

Summer is heating up in Japan, and this salad is the perfect way to avoid slaving over a hot stove! It tastes fresh and summer-y, satisfying enough to be a light meal in itself, or as a side with rice and grilled meat. It's a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, and the TangyContinue reading "Japanese Chicken Salad with Tangy Soy-Lemon Dressing"

How to stay cool in the summer, the Japanese way

Here are five ways that the Japanese have traditionally survived the miserably hot & humid summer months. Some actually work, and some rely on powers of imagination that this foreigner can only aspire to. 1 Goldfish Yeah, goldfish languidly waving their fins in their cool, watery world supposedly have the power to cool you off,Continue reading "How to stay cool in the summer, the Japanese way"

Let’s go to the Japanese island where the only residents are lots and lots of bunnies

This month's destination: Okunoshima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture Remember when you could go to the airport half an hour before your flight and just walk onto the plane, without going through security? Remember when children could play outside until dark, with no supervision? Remember when we could all go to restaurants and bars and shopsContinue reading "Let’s go to the Japanese island where the only residents are lots and lots of bunnies"

The Essential Haiku

Edited by Robert Hass Setting & details: N/AAuthenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: The most enjoyable book of haiku in the whole world I'm going to admit a shameful secret: I'm not a poetry reader. Except for this poetry. For some reason, whenever I sit down for five minutesContinue reading "The Essential Haiku"

Six things you didn’t expect to discover on a pilgrimage

Naturally, the Japanese have figured out a way to make their version of a spiritual Iron Man not only good for the soul, but one of the most memorable journeys you'll ever make. Here are six things that will surprise and delight you on your Japanese pilgrimage: 1 The most awesome souvenir in the entireContinue reading "Six things you didn’t expect to discover on a pilgrimage"

Let’s go to one of the most mystical pilgrimage sites in all Japan

This month's destination: Koya-san in Wakayama Prefecture This is Kōbō Daishi (or Kūkai, as he was also known), who founded Shingon Buddhism and built Koya-san. He taught that anyone could reach enlightenment (even common people, not just the high-born or priestly) and by following certain strict practices in this life, it was possible to attainContinue reading "Let’s go to one of the most mystical pilgrimage sites in all Japan"

Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye

by Marie Mutsuki Mockett Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: Thought provoking and insightful This is the book that made me want to visit Koya-san. The author takes us along on her own search for meaning in the wake of her father's death, and visits allContinue reading "Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye"

Yakitori Chicken Mini-Burgers

This is a little less than half a recipe. I usually freeze half of them, then throw together a batch of sauce on another night for an easy five-minute dinner Serves 8 (if one serving size is 5 mini-burgers) Chicken Mini-Burgers 12 oz (340g) ground chicken 12 oz (340g) silken tofu (the soft, custard-y kind,Continue reading "Yakitori Chicken Mini-Burgers"