Tonkotsu ramen, 豚骨ラーメン
Tonkotsu ramen is a local dish representing Fukuoka-prefecture.
Meaning of Tonkotsu ramen is pork born soup noodle created in Kurume,
Fukuoka-prefecture.
Toppings include roast pork, wood ear mushrooms, and boiled eggs, etc.
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The restaurant on the photo is Toryuken in Kitakyushu.
Opening the port created Christian town Nagasaki
Nagasaki Port was opened in 1570 by Sumitada Omura, who was the first feudal lord
in Japan to be baptized as a Christian.
At that time, there was a Christian family who immigrated with Figueiredo.
Many of them were people fleeing persecution, coming from Shimabara, Iki, Goto,
Hirado, and Yamaguchi. This was the beginning of the Christian town Nagasaki.
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Sumitada Omura donated the territories of Nagasaki and Mogi to the Jesuits in order
to fend off attacks from nearby enemies.
In 1580, Japan Society of Jesus established its headquarters in Nagasaki.
Dec. 28, 2023
Christian missionary work in Nagasaki
Christian missionary activities in Japan began after Francis Xavier came to
Hirado in 1550.
The Jesuit missionaries who accompanied Francis Xavier carried out missionary
activities in Hirado, Omura, Nagasaki, Goto, Kuchinotsu, Shimabara, Iki,
Amakusa, Bungo, etc. And then many people converted to Christianity.
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main missionaries;
Cosme de Torres (Spanish), Juan Fernandes (Spanish), Luis de Almeida (Portuguese),
Gaspar Vilela (Portuguese), Luis Frois (Portuguese), Melechor de Figueiredo
(Portuguese), Alessandro Valignano (Italian)
Dec. 27, 2023
How was the great nature of Aso created?
Aso possesses the world’s largest Caldera with 18km west-east and 24 km north-south,
created by 4 times of explosive volcanic activity in the ancient time, 3 million years ago.
Surrounding the caldera is the world’s largest outer mountain, and there are 5 mountains
included Mt. Naka which is still active volcano in the outer mountain.
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The 4 times volcanic activities in the ancient time also affected the surrounding area of Aso,
resulting in the formation of the following nature.
Takachiho Gorge, Nabegataki water fall, Harajiri water fall, Keya cave
Dec. 26, 2023
Japanese Religion
Japan’s indigenous religion is Shinto. It is an ethnic religion that has continued from
Japan’s ancient times to the present day, and has permeated all aspects of Japanese
life and culture, and has the energy to accept foreign cultures including religions and
transform them into a Japanese style.
Unlike many religions, it has no founder or scripture, and is based on the idea that God
resides in all things. It is an animistic, ancestral spirit-worshipping folk religion that focuses
on myths, eight million gods, nature and natural phenomena.
Japanese Buddhism was introduced through China in the 5th century and is a religion
that has now been incorporated into Japanese life along with Shinto.
Udon, うどん
Udon is a representative dish of Japan that has been eaten for a long time and
is one of the popular lunch menus.
Udon is made by adding water to wheat flour and kneading it into noodles.
Cooking methods, ingredients used, and side dishes vary depending on the region.
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Udon on the photo is Sukesan Udon restaurant which is popular Udon restaurant
Udon chain established in Kitakyushu.
Hoshino village, in Yame
The most beautiful village in Japan. Located in the south-eastern part of
Fukuoka Prefecture, and east side of Yame-city, at altitudes between 200
and 1,000 metres above sea level. As 84 percent of the village is covered
with mountain forests, agriculture and forestry are the two main industries.
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Hoshino Village is one of the leading place of Gyokuro in Japan.
Gyokuro is a type of green tea.
When growing the leave of Gyokuro tea leaves, the tea leaves are
covered to protect them from sunlight.
This tea has a sweet and mellow taste.
Kaiseki / the ultimate Japanese dining experience
Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course meal and is served at Japanese style
accommodation as dinner or at high-class Japanese restaurants.
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Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner made up of dozens of small
dishes with different tastes and textures. It is considered the most refined form of
washoku (Japanese cuisine), which was designated as an Intangible Cultural
Heritage by UNESCO.
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With fresh seasonal ingredients and delicious flavor combinations that are carefully
selected and beautifully presented to you, kaiseki is definitely a must-try for anyone
visiting Japan.
May 06, 2022
Large tea tree in Ureshino
One of the symbols of tea-producing Ureshino, estimated to be 350 years old, it is a huge tree with
branches of about 80 square meters and a height of about 4.6 meters.
This is designated as a national natural monument.
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Sake brewery, Suginoya
Sake is an alcoholic beverage brewed from rice, koji mold and yeast.
Its alcohol content ranges from 13% to 16% and its quality varies
according to its fermentation processes.
Suginoya was founded in 1870 in Itoshima and Sake, local beer
as well as special liquors are producing.
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July 06, 2023