Glimpses of Japan Local - in JEnglish

Oyster Grills at  Funakoshi  and the Majestic Maple of  Raizan Sennyoji Itoshima has been getting some buzz as the setting for a recent morning drama, and for me, this season in Itoshima means one thing: grilled oysters! During a recent TV program, I learned about a new variety of oyster called Sunbaider. While I always look forward to the plump, juicy flavour of freshly grilled oysters, sometimes you spot little bumps on the flesh—apparently, a sign they’re gearing up for spawning. The  Sunbaider , however, doesn’t spawn this time of year. That means its pure white flesh is plump, creamy, and worry-free. It’s even said to taste three times better than regular oysters—hence the name  Sunbaider  (literally "three times better")! Intrigued, I decided to order 2 kg to try. And wow—so good! Walk It Off: Exploring Raizan Sennyoji 's Great Maple After indulging, a walk was definitely in order.  Flipping through the Fukuoka Cultural Guide: Scenic Spots Edi...

  At the end of March, I had a small bike accident. It messed up my balance due to some inner ear issues, which not only put biking on hold but also impacted my day-to-day life in ways I didn’t expect. Time does heal, though, and without realizing it, I found myself returning to normal. While I was laying low, I picked up some new hobbies. I practiced traditional chanting solo, read through my stack of books that had been sitting around, and got lost in  Sudoku  puzzles. Basically, I embraced a lazy lifestyle again. Even those unbearable, air-conditioner-dependent summer days have finally given way to a hint of fall. The potted plants in my tiny garden are showing their seasonal colors as well. Toward the end of summer, some pests took over my  Fujibakama  plant, so I trimmed it all the way down. But in true wildflower spirit, it started growing fresh shoots and even budding again. I’m not holding my breath for the butterflies to come, but it’s nice to see it bo...