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| The beautiful streets of Takayamal Source: JNTO |
We are an independent travel company offering the very best in travel planning for people and businesses going to Japan. Our services range from Self-Guided & Tailor-Made Japan Tours to a more hassle free and fully led Small Group Japan Tour. Most of our Japan itineraries include the Japan Rail Pass as well as a combination of traditional ryokans and stylish affordable accommodation options.
Showing posts with label Kanazawa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kanazawa. Show all posts
Monday, 3 August 2015
Cities of Japan - Takayama
Unique Japan Tours loves Takayama. It's a beautiful city, located high in the Hida mountains (hence why it's sometimes called Hida-Takayama). After the hustle and bustle of modern Tokyo, Takayama is a welcome reprieve. A merchant city famed for it's timber and carpenters, the city thrived under the direct control of the Shogun during the feudal period of Japan's history. But what is it like now?
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Gardens of Japan - Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden is a magnificent garden located in
Kanazawa. Renowned throughout Japan as one of the country’s Three Great
Gardens, Kenrokuen means “Garden Combining Six Features”, referring to the
spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, broad views and abundant
water throughout the garden.
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Autumn Foods in Japan
Autumn is one of our favourite seasons to eat in Japan. Sanma, the long, sleek fish (pacific saury in English), grilled with salt. The crisp skin cracks under the pressure from your chop stick, and you come away with this delicious, moist, dark piece of fish meat that tastes right in every way.
Fruit harvests are also abundant in autumn. Japanese apples and pears are juicy and crisp, and persimmons are also starting to appear on trees and in the shops. The waxy skin of the persimmon hides a soft, orange flesh, similar to a peach or ripe pear, but tasting like neither.
Japanese sweet potato, satsumaimo, is another autumn favourite. Slow roasted over hot stones, the soft, baked potato texture, combined with the golden yellow flesh just demands a dab of butter. Don’t forget to pick up some roasted chestnuts while you’re out and about from the plentiful street stalls you will come across on our Japan Discovered Tour.
Shinmai (new rice) is the first crop of rice to be harvested in the year and is said to have subtle taste and texture differences. Some say this rice is moister, a little plumper and sweeter than regular rice.
Finally, autumn is the season for matutake. Matsutake is one of the most sought after mushrooms in the world, due to its unique spicy aroma and flavour. Highly prized in both Japanese and Chinese cuisine, one kilo of matsutake can cost up to €1,800 for the early season, highest grade mushrooms.
To experience this world class cuisine during one of the best times to see Japan, join our October 28th Japan Discovered Small Group Tour, or, if small groups are not for you, contact us for a tailor made self guided adventure.
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| Grilled sanma, an Autumn delicacy. Source: https://flic.kr/p/71XHGi |
Japanese sweet potato, satsumaimo, is another autumn favourite. Slow roasted over hot stones, the soft, baked potato texture, combined with the golden yellow flesh just demands a dab of butter. Don’t forget to pick up some roasted chestnuts while you’re out and about from the plentiful street stalls you will come across on our Japan Discovered Tour.
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| Daigakuimo, fried Japanese sweet potato coated with sugar. https://flic.kr/p/gHYCmc |
Finally, autumn is the season for matutake. Matsutake is one of the most sought after mushrooms in the world, due to its unique spicy aroma and flavour. Highly prized in both Japanese and Chinese cuisine, one kilo of matsutake can cost up to €1,800 for the early season, highest grade mushrooms.
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| Matsutake mushrooms on sale in Kanazawa. Source: https://flic.kr/p/aGVHcg |
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Kanazawa: 2015 Holiday Hotspot
You may have seen Kanazawa was selected by the Guardian newspaper as one of their Holiday Hotspots for 2015. Kanazawa features on several of our tours, both small group and self-guided, and is a favourite destination among everyone here in the UJT offices. Today we're going to dig a little deeper in Kanazawa and discover this beautiful city.
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