Sachiko in Osaka

Here is Ami(when she was little over one month old) and my grad mother. My grand mother is going to be 95!!!! in August. She is very well and surprisingly she still teaches Japanese Poem called Haiku. My grand father is 98!!!!!!!!!!! Although he in nursing home, he is very well and his mind is still sharp. Japanese average life expectancy is 79．19 years old for men and 85．99 years old for women. We held world longest average life expectancy for 22 successive years. I think Japanese food and life style is very healthy, this is why I would like to share with many people all over the world. These are the hospital meal after the labor of Ami. I had to stay in the hospital for 7day after the labor but I didn't mind at all. But don't get me wrong not all Japanese hospitals give you the great meals like this.... This hospital is private hospital and have better service, they even gave me a massage with aroma oil. My husband Iwao was born in this same hospital too 41 years ago....

She is 5 month now..... Time goes so fast. She is very active and Genki ( fine/very well in Japanese ) She don't quite like her new hat. Little upset here.....

We went on the ship called Santa maria at Nanko (Osaka port). You can see the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan on the picture behind my husband. This aquarium is massive and you can see about 580 different kind of fishes and mammals. http://www.kaiyukan.com/eng/index.htm We went to the shopping arcade to buy Osaka's famous steamed buns for first time. In this arcade there were many nice little Japanese traditional shops of food, flowers,cloths, sweets and so on. Then we found the bakery we were looking for. They give you 50% discount if you go with a child under the age of 5!!! which was a great offer. There steamed buns were so good. We would definitely go back and get some more. http://monsieur-musipan.com/menusweets.html

With a history of over 1,000 years, Osaka Tenjin Festival is known as one of the three greatest festivals in Japan alongside Kyoto Gion Matsuri and Tokyo Kanda Matsuri. It attracts more than a million visitors every year. About 3,000 participants dressed in historical costumes walk about 4km from Osaka Tenmangu Shrine to Midosuji street, then to Tenjinbashi Bridge. The other is called Funatogyo. It's a procession of about 100 boats through the Okawa River. Many girls wear Yukata(summer Kimono) on summer festivals or firework festivals. I have yukata as well and I wanted to wear but it is so uncomfortable and it takes long time to get dress, about 15min to 20min. When I need to take care of the baby Ami, it is not functional. Fire works at night for the finale. If you want to see more pics of Tenjin Matsuri, visit this web sight. http://gojapan.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gojapan&cdn=travel&tm=156&gps=327_334_1020_521&f=22&su=p531.50.336.i...

●Fried Kurumafu (a kind of wheat gluten) ●Mini tomato ●Chinese cabbage with sesame dressing ●stair fried paprika ●Golden needle mushroom ●crab meat and potato Crockett with 　　　 　heart ketchup ●brown rice with topping of Nori and Shiso 　 Drew little face there can you see?? ●Orange for a dessert

My husband went to Tokyo for a business seminar and came back with this little souvenir. The package was very nice and ears of rice was on it. There are Japanese traditional snack called " Senbei " inside of the package . Senbei (煎餅,せんべい) are Japanese crackers, made from rice. Senbei are often eaten with green tea as a casual snack. From the left; Plane senbei , Sesami senbei . Nori senbei (seaweed senbei ) These are different variety of seaweed I found in my kitchen. Actually , I missed two important seaweed called Aonori and Hijiki . Some of them are used for raping rice with, some of them for salad, soup, or for Dashi (soup stock). Japanese eats lots of seaweeds, especially as we are semi vegetarians we eat more than ordinary Japanese to get your minerals and calcium from it. The study shows Japanese has beautiful hair because we eat lots of seaweed. It has great amount of dietary fibers and low calorie so it's very good for a diet.

I found this organic grocery shop in down town. All the veges are nicely displayed and.....EXPENSIVE. 450yen($4.20)for a pumpkin. Not in Halloween season......

Ami and my mother. My mom love her so much she can't take her eyes off her!!

I took these pics from 25 th floor of the building near our apartment . There are nice big park around Osaka Castle. You can go inside of this castle, there are some museum and you can see great view from the top floor. If you want to know more about Osaka Castle in English visit this official web sight. http://www.osakacastle.net/english/

We are very happy~~~~! (Shiawase desu! in Japanese )

I go to the church every Saturdays. Our church is pretty big and we have worship by Japanese pastor on 2 nd floor and English worship in 1st floor for foreigners . There are people from Philippine , UK,USA, Jamaica , Africa, Korea, Australia , Peru and so on. After a worship we eat and talk. Each of us bring some food from home which is vegetarian. Ami is an idol there. About our English church.. http://osakasdaenglish.googlepages.com/

Brown rice with Shiso ( Perilla , a perennial herb in the mint family) Plum for dessert . Gobo (greater burdock), Corn, mini tomato, Asparagus , pumpkin Korokke (deep fried dish originally related to a French dish, croquette), Age(fried tofu)with Miso . As we are vegetarians(sometimes eat seafood) we get our protein from Soy product like Tofu, Age, Natto , Miso and so on. I think Miso is the best among all in low-residue. What is " Miso " Miso is a traditional Japanese food produced by fermenting rice , barley and/or soybeans , with salt and the fungus kōjikin (the most typical miso is made with soy ). The typical result is a thick paste used for sauces and spreads, pickling vegetables or meats, and mixing with dashi soup stock to serve as miso soup called Misoshiru , a Japanese culinary staple. High in protein andrich in vitamins and minerals , miso played an important nutritional role in feudal Japan . Miso is still very widely used in Japan, both in...

Actually...this is me when I was little. Do I resemble Ami??

Sometimes little nice walk makes a great exercise, it also relaxes your mind. This is the entrance for " Fujita Garden" which used to be somebody called Mr Fujita's (who I am not sure.....but must be rich.) private garden, now open for just anyone. This garden is just 5min walk from our apartment . You will see very nice Japanese botanical garden once you enter the gate. Here is my husband and Ami. It's not raining..... Most Japanese women always have parasol in the summer when we get strong sunshine. He is holding my parasol for Ami. You will get to the riverside after you walk through the garden which is also nice. You can see the water-bus on the picture, you can get on to ride by the bridge . The water-bus runs around Osaka city which is nice little ride especially on the cherry blossom season. You can see more about Osaka water-bus on this web sight. http://suijo-bus.jp/language/english/aqualiner.aspx

If you ask "What is the famous food in Osaka?" 9 out of 10 Japanese say "Takoyaki" Takoyaki (literally fried or baked octopus) is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced or whole baby octopus. Making takoyaki requires a takoyaki pan, a special frying pan made of cast iron with hemispherical molds. It is usually considered to be fast food and mostly sold on the streets. If you want know how to cook Takoyaki. Visit this web sight. http://www.hotland.co.jp/english/wthas-tako.html

Me, Ami and mother-in-law. (my husband Iwao is taking a picture...) We had a lunch at restaurant called Mimiu . They are specialized in Udon noodles. From the left, Udon noodle with Uba (tofu skin), Tenpura , dessert ,pickles,rice, Soba noodles (type of noodle made out of buckwheat flour) with lots of toppings... Mimiu official web sight http://www.mimiu.co.jp/mimiu/top.html

Taiko -en is a famous exclusive hotel in Osaka. People often use this hotel for wedding reception. Actually, it is 5min walk from our apartment . This place was used for the banquet when the G8 Finance Ministers Meeting was held in Osaka2008.6.13. http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/venue/osaka_04.html We went there for a dinner on Saturday and we had a great time. This is an appetiser . Each plates are just an art. Little plates and bowls like this comes one after the other. Kaiseki style. What is Kaiseki: kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food.To this end, only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and are prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavor. Local ingredients are often included as well. Finished dishes are carefully presented on colorful plates that are chosen to enhance both the appearance and the seasonal theme of the meal. Dishes are beautifully arranged and garnished, often with real leaves and flowers, as well as ed...

There are big summer bargains going on in Japan right now. I went to the department called Daimaru in Shinsaibashi . I had a tea break at place called Afternoon tea room in Daimaru . restaurants I ordered Organic Cassis tea with peach compote. yummy !!! It was soooo refreshing!

Ami is now able to roll over and go on her stomach. This is her going to venture with best friend on her back.

I went to Solviva Cafe in Shinsaibashi , Osaka today for lunch. (1min from Shinsaibashi St.) They have very good organic selection of the lunch, snacks and drinks. There are many variety of bread and buns. Menus are written in English which is very helpful for foreigners. You can sit inside or outside terrace. I like chilling out in this cafe watching people and cars go by. They have brown rice and organic veges set meal. I ordered a pumpkin bun, too. :) Itadakimasu !! (Japanese say this before we eat.)

No, Ami ! We don't eat chicken remember ?! Onigiti ;The rice boll wrapped in nori (edible seaweed). * Onigiri is merely a method of making rice portable and easy to eat for the lunch or snacks. It is very popular among Japanese. Atuage (fried tofu) with miso spinach Hijiki ( seaweed ) Corn Kinpira Gobo (Greater burdock) Konnyaku * Konjac is a Jelly which created by large starchy corm. It is often used as a vegan substitute for gelatin .

Ami wearing a Yukata .(a summer kimono) People wearing yukata are a common sight at fireworks displays, bon - odori festivals, and other summer events. My husband was surprised and happy to see this little fancy dinner ready for him. We eat the cold noodle in the summer often. You dip the noodle in the soup and eat. On the bottom of the pic you can see Makizushi .(rolled sushi) I arrange this as vegetarian using brown rice and only vegetable like carrots , Shiitake mushrooms and some green vege .