Super Sake Boy and I have been planning a trip to Provenance, Beechworth for years. Simone, aka as the Sake Mistress, tempted us with wonderfully carnal descriptions of both food and Amaro. Simone, and her chef husband Simon, love visiting Provenance, and often spend special occasions at the restaurant and accommodation. COVID disrupted our planning … Continue reading Provenance, Beechworth
Earlier this year I was walking in the sunny hills around Brisbane when a friend called in a panic. Her ex-husband was taking her kids to Japan a few days later. She had just learned that ADHD medication may be illegal to carry in. I had had coffee with her ex-husband, and given him some … Continue reading Japan and Prescription Medication
There are over 2000 temples in Kyoto. Seventeen of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites. You are somewhat spoiled for choice. I love going to the temples that are not over-run with tourists. The places where you can actually feel the gravity of the history. These enchanting places that are part of local people’s everyday … Continue reading Kyoto’s Tangible History
Book Review Between Christmas and New Year I read a fascinating novel by Yu Miri called Tokyo Ueno Station, which was in my Christmas stocking ☺️ The writing style is different to any I have encountered before, with no chapters, not many scene breaks and a fluidity between different points in time. Written from the … Continue reading Tokyo Ueno Station and Homelessness
New Year's Eve morning, 2015. Seven years ago. I am sitting in the Emperor Award winning garden of my friend Maki's grandfather. I have travelled to Takimoto, Kochi, Shikoku, Japan with my friend Maki, her two kids and my two kids. It is my third New Year alone, after losing my late husband, Michael. It … Continue reading Setting Intentions in Kochi
JR Value? Lots of people ask me this question. On the surface, a JR Pass, or Japan Rail Pass can seem expensive. At this time a 7 day pass is $345, a 14 day is $550 and a 21 day $703AUD. If you are intending to explore Japan beyond Tokyo, the pass is exceptional value … Continue reading Is a JR Pass worth it?
Premium Matcha Importer and fellow Japanophile Erin Lindwall is an Australian who, like me, has a deep affinity with Japan. She is also a self-confessed Matcha addict. Matcha is finely ground green tea, grown in the shade which makes it vibrant green in colour. It was historically served in Japanese Tea Ceremony (Cha No Yu in … Continue reading In Conversation with Erin Lindwall
Have you ever wished you could stow away in a bookshop over night? I have always been a bookworm. Intrinsically able to navigate my way to and from the train station without taking my eyes away from the words. I could read for hours at a time, in the bath, under the blanket with a … Continue reading Tokyo Book and Bed
Kōji is indistinguishable from magicRené Redzepi ~owner of Noma, voted best restaurant in the world five times, including 2021 Shio kōji chicken is a favourite dish in our house. The kids love it because it is really delicious. We love it because it is so simple and easy. It is one of the quickest Japanese … Continue reading Shio kōji Chicken 塩麹チキン
Ōsōji 大掃除 is “New Year’s Cleaning”. More literally it means big cleaning. It is a custom observed by most people in Japan, sometime in December. Often in the last few days of the year. Usually around three days cleaning, not dissimilar to a "spring clean". This allows the space to be purified in order to … Continue reading Uniquely Japanese- Ōsōji お掃除
