News — Travel

Deep in the south of Osaka city remains the last of its tram lines. The tram departs from Ebisucho and will take you all the way to Sakai city, on the way is Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of the main shinto shrines in Japan.  Ebisucho is next to "Shin Sekai", literally meaning new world, a district where time stood still. It captures both the mood of early post world war two and the working class roots of industrial Osaka. The area has many cheap bars and restaurants that fed the workers of the city. These days it still has lots of...

Hotaru ika, spring seasonal delicacy.

Once a month, usually on a Saturday, I'd head to Tsukiji, the worlds largest fish market to stock my refrigerator often in preparation for a BBQ with friends. Sadly, the market will leave its current site later this year for a new one further away from the centre of the city. The market consists of an inner and outer section, the "inner" being a wholesale market for professionals and the outer for the general public. In the outer market you can buy not just fish but also meat, vegetables and an array of condiments and cooking utensils at bargain basement...

Sashimi, presented on ice at Marugin, Minami, Osaka.

Tsubo has two meanings it can refer to a vessel or be used as a measure with one tsubo equal to 3.3 square metres or two tatatmi mats. In a country where space in the cities comes at a premium a style of garden known as "tsuboniwa" developed. These pocket sized gardens are found in many older houses particularly in Kyoto. They vary in size and taste but are usually enclosed on all sides and are simple in their beauty. The attached photo is from Kyoto taken in Muromachi Doori and is typical of "tsuboniwa" in Kyoto.