A chance to get to Japan, kilted of course...

[CDNSushi]

Wow! That's quite a campaign... But I'm torn between saying, "But of course I'll hlep keep a clueless American from the States out of trouble!" and just standing back and watching the fun. Yes, the schadenfreude in me is strong!

[Drac]

Wow! That's quite a campaign... But I'm torn between saying, "But of course I'll hlep keep a clueless American from the States out of trouble!" and just standing back and watching the fun. Yes, the schadenfreude in me is strong!

Ouch!!

Can't argue though I would also be torn

I've always understood that Japan may not be as welcoming as other tourist countries. Some of the things I really want to do I have heard that it can be rough for foreigners such as onsens and festivals.

But some of the other things I want to see such as the cherry blossoms and to eat myself sick (several times) on food. Also want to go shopping for cookware that isn't avaible here. I do eat bentos for lunch here most of the time since it is a fairly heathy meal.

My lunch today -



A couple pieces of inari, three slices of tamago, a piece of ebi nigiri, a kamaboko (crab stick) maki roll, miso soup (just add water) and edamame.

Jim

[CDNSushi]

I've always understood that Japan may not be as welcoming as other tourist countries. Some of the things I really want to do I have heard that it can be rough for foreigners such as onsens and festivals.

Jim, if that's a part of your regular diet, you'll get along just fine. Actually, onsens and festivals are a highlight for me, and despite some of Japan's dark underbelly that I described above, neither I nor any of my friends have ever had ANY grief going to an onsen... (Debito Arudo's onsen discrimination lawsuit was in Sapporo -- a loooong way from Yamanashi). Many years ago there were a couple of small problems here but common sense prevailed fairly quickly.

If you make it over here, I'd love to take you to an onsen. Nothin' like a bit o' full nudity between friends!

[kc8ufv]

Ouch!!

Can't argue though I would also be torn

I've always understood that Japan may not be as welcoming as other tourist countries. Some of the things I really want to do I have heard that it can be rough for foreigners such as onsens and festivals.

But some of the other things I want to see such as the cherry blossoms and to eat myself sick (several times) on food. Also want to go shopping for cookware that isn't avaible here. I do eat bentos for lunch here most of the time since it is a fairly heathy meal.

My lunch today -



A couple pieces of inari, three slices of tamago, a piece of ebi nigiri, a kamaboko (crab stick) maki roll, miso soup (just add water) and edamame.

Jim

That looks like a tasty lunch (well, except for the kamaboko, never been much of a fan of crab). Sure beats my Salami sandwich.

[Drac]

That looks like a tasty lunch (well, except for the kamaboko, never been much of a fan of crab). Sure beats my Salami sandwich.

Salami is good too. Another favorite lunch of mine is salami, bread, olives and cheese, marinated buffalo motzerlla if available.

I'm not obsessed with Japan, just a fan. I grew up on Japanese animation and later manga.

I love a lot of different cuisines from Oriental, Europian, the various Americas, can't get enough.

One of the reason for the bentos in not only becasue of a fondness but also health reasons. While a little high in carbs it is still fairly balanced for triglycerides. I choose the ingredients for things that can be frozen or stored, hence kamaboko. I also enjoy onigiri with furikake, various savory flavored sprinkle that remind me of fish food especially my favorite of shreaded shrimp, bonito flacks and nori. I have tried experimenting with fillings but sor far the umeboshi (pickled plum) and gourd strips (don't know what they are called) didn't work well for me. I'm trying a seaweed/seseme seed filling, genkina tsukudani goma kombu?

Sorry natto is not on the menu with or without mayo. Not trying to be mean but it reminds me of the "chum" the guys use for fish for catfish.