Anna loves anime, and so she is bringing a new series to our “Tokyo Stroll” feature where she takes us on a pilgrimage to visit real life anime locations! The theme chosen by Anna for this first entry is a solo trip to Okigubo which appears in the anime series Penguindrum (which she is a huge fan of!) Just what kind of encounters will be waiting for her there?

 

Anna puts on the same hat as the anime’s protagonist Himari Takakura (from her own collection) and meets at the station. You can tell she is in high-spirits from behind. The train station too is exactly the same as in the anime!

 

 

 

The first location on the list was Ogikubo Second Children’s Park. Anna did get a little lost on the way there, but she managed to find the giraffe and pig park installations. In the anime, the Takakura brothers live in the house right next to this park.

 

Anna said solemnly “I think the colourful house is a symbol of happiness for the brothers” while confirming that this was the location the house should be if it was the anime. Upon basking in the afterglow, one of the staff members that was with Anna cried out as if to cling onto something!

 

“Survival strategy! I’ll tell it to you lowlifes who will never amount to anything.* Time to go to the shopping district and get my hands on the Penguin Drum!”

 

[*Translator’s Note: This is a quote from the anime series Penguindrum.]

 

Anna was taken aback by this remark.

“I wanted to go there because that appears in the anime too!”

 

And with that, off they went. But just what is the Penguin Drum…?

 

Here’s the shopping street archway that you see in the anime! It’s pretty exciting. Ogikubo is a kidn and friendly place. While strolling the streets, Anna was asking people “Where’s the Penguin Drum?!” to passers-by. Along the way, there was a shop that caught her eye! It was a kebab shop that had a deliciously inviting smell.

 

 

“I’m glad because I was reaaally hungry.”

 

 

The man’s Japanese was very good. Anna went in for the kill, asking, “Please show me your artefact that’s associated with your fate!” He kindly showed her his charm from Turkey that’s preciously decorated in the shop. Does fate relate to the Penguin Drum?! Maybe the Penguin Drum something that each person possesses… Our trip isn’t over yet!

 

The next location can be found on the roof of Town Seven, a shopping center at the north entrance of Ogikubo Station. It’s a wide and open space where a lot of children were playing.

 

This is the scene when the older of the Takakura siblings, Kanba, is talking to his ex-girlfriend, when a memory-erasing red ball comes flying and hits her on the forehead.

 

The playground equipment that appears in the background was very impressive to look at.

 

 

The children became interested in Anna’s hat. She was completely surrounded!

 

The next place Anna headed to was the shrine where the heated fight between the brothers unfolds. The younger brother, Shoma, becomes aware of the events surrounding his older brother, so presses him with questions. Kanba declares that he was playing parent. Anna prayed by herself in the grounds.

And don’t forget to take a commemorative photo.

 

 

Next is the scene with the pedestrian bridge where Kanba blows up a car. We took the photo at the same angle as in the anime.

 

Anna told a story with a serious expression.

“He [Kanba] wasn’t always a bad guy. The fact that he did something like that. That scene shocked me.”

 

 

Anna also passed under the arch to Hakusan Towns shopping district. It seems like it has changed a little since the anime aired, but you can tell it’s the place immediately!

Anna tottered over and shouted, “Survival strategy!” again to a lady passing through. She then made her way to a ramen shop as the lady had also mentioned which is famous among fans.

 

“Sanchan Ramen” is a restaurant with a 60-year history that has continued to be loved by locals in Ogikubo.

 

This is the place used as a location for handing over money between Kanba and the evil organisation. There’s a lot of fans that imitate the anime and slide envelopes with money inside on the tabe.

 

Of course, Anna had a bowl of ramen too.

And gyoza!

 

And beer!!

 

By the way, why do you like this anime, Anna?

 

“Penguindrum is a very deep series, it makes you think about things like love and fate. The art is cute and the music and presentation are gorgeous. I really want everyone else to watch it.”

 

Today’s article will be broadcast on “Kawaii JAPAN-da!!” on MBS (Kansai Local). It will go on air on March 13^th! Don’t miss out on Anna’s solo travel!

 

 

 

In this featured series, we introduce you to ‘power spots’ and goshuin at shrines on the outskirts of Tokyo. Today, we’ll take a look at Onden Shrine, one of the locations where “MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON FESTIVAL 2018 in SHIBUYA” will take place, Japan’s biggest inbound event set to hit Shibuya and Harajuku on March 24^th and 25^th. Ellie visited the shrine to learn about the manners and etiquette behind praying at shrines in Japan.

 

The Waterwheel at Onden (Katsushika Hokusai, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, Reproduction)

 

Onden Shrine is located just a 10-minute walk from both Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station via the JR Yamanote Line or 7-minutes from Meiji-Jingumae Station via the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. It has been enshrined in Harajuku for more than 400 years where it has watched over the area. The area around Onden has a long history. In the Edo Period, the flowing Onden River was used for rice cultivation. This historical background is depicted together with Mount Fuji in Katsushika Hokusai’s Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.

 

Deities enshrined at Onden Shrine include Omodaru no Kami and Ayakashikone no Kami. These deities give blessings for marriage ties between husband and wife, as well as in blessing and improved skill in art. The picture above is of Mutsuko Funada who lectured Ellie on the manners and etiquette of worship. You too can use this opportunity to learn together with Ellie.

 

Shrines are sacred places. Upon visiting one, be sure to bow once at the torii gate. Keep in mind that the center of the path up to a shrine is where the gods walk, so it’s  best to walk at the edge of the path rather than directly down the middle.

 

Next, you must cleanse yourself at the temizuya, or “water purification basin.” Take the ladle with your right hand, scoop up some water, and rinse your left hand.

 

Do the same again but this time switch hands – hold the ladle with your left and rinse your right hand.

 

Take the ladle again in your right hand, pour some water in your left hand and rinse your mouth. It’s best not to show your mouth as you do this.

 

Lastly, tip the ladle to drain the water. Don’t scoop water from the basin multiple times – use just one scoop of water for the entire cleansing.

 

手水舎で身を清めたら、いよいよ参拝です。社殿の前で軽く一礼しましょう。お賽銭を入れて鈴を鳴らして、神様にお参りに来たことをご奉告します。そして、社殿に向かって二礼、二拍手、一礼をします。

 

 

 

 

 

Red and white plum blossoms dotted the surroundings of the shrine. We recommend taking photos in a photogenic area like this for your social media.

 

It’s common at shrines to see komainu. They take on the form of an imaginary lion-dog-like animal, and it’s said that the shape of their mouth makes express the sacred ‘om’ sound. The one with its mouth opened is called Agyou and the one with its mouth closed is called Ungyou. Be sure to check them out when you visit a shrine.

 

There is also an Inari shrine at the grounds which is home to the deity of agriculture, industrial manufacturing and commerce, so be sure to pray to them all collectively.

 

Today’s main mission was also a success – Ellie managed to collect her ‘goshuin’ shrine stamps! She received one for each shrine – the Inari shrine stamp is on the left and the Onden Shrine stamp is on the right. Both cost \300.

 

Onden Shrine is a site for blessings in things like marriage and beauty. It offers a lot of keywords particularly favoured by girls, so it’s definitely one to visit. There’s a range of good-luck charms for sale at the shrine, including one for marriage that’s inspired by the blooming plum blossoms in the shrine grounds, one for beauty and more, so if you’re interested you should definitely check them out. We will be holding an event called “MOSHI MOSHI ENNICHI” at “MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON FESTIVAL 2018 in SHIBUYA.” You can look forward all sorts of stalls like you’d see at a Japanese festival lined with lots of food, activities like yo-yo fishing and more! There will also be a stage where you can witness a Japanese ‘taiko’ drum performance, and there will also be a character DJ festival where DJs will dress up and perform. The bustling atmosphere of a Japanese festival is perfect to enjoy on dates, please be sure to drop by.

 

 

Outfit： Aymmy in the batty girls

The first date of 2018 with Yutaro was to visit a ‘power spot’ so we can have a wonderful year this year too. That being said, we went to “Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine” in Sendagaya which is next to Harajuku. This was our hatsumou, the first shrine visit of the New Year, and we went wearing kimono.

 

Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine is a 5-minute walk from Kita-Sando Station via the Tokyo Metro Fukukoshin Line, just one stop from Meiji-Jingumae Station in Harajuku. It’s super easy to get there from Harajuku or Shibuya. You can also walk there in 5-minutes from Sendagaya Station if you take the JR Sobu Line.

Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine has a long history, even going as far as to be recorded in the Edo meisho zue, an illustrated guide to famous Edo places that was published at the end of the Edo period. The shrine grounds features the shogidou, where a huge Shogi (like chess) piece is enshrined; the Koga Inarisha shrine where the Koga-Gumi, a group of ninja serving the Tokugawa Shogunate, would pay reverence; a Noh stage; the main building that was completed in 1993, and more.

According to the Shinto chief priest Hirano, the oldest things in the shrine grounds are the 3 ginkgo trees planted there. If you visit the shrine, be on the lookout.

We finally arrived. After bowing, we headed through the torii gate and onward towards the shrine. We cleanse our hands and mouth before praying. I wonder what could he be praying for? He has an unusually serious expression.

After praying, we climbed the fuji-zuka, a manmade mound made to imitate Mount Fuji. It has received much attention as a ‘power spot,’ a place believed to heal visitors through special energy. The Edo period was a time when it was difficult for people to climb Mount Fuji, so common folk would look to fuji-zuka as Mount Fuji for their worshipping.

It is said that Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine was constructed in 1789, and the fuji-zuka, the oldest still standing in the city, was designated a Tangible Folk Cultural Property.

Yutaro-kun hasn’t climbed Mount Fuji before, so this will be his first!

Mount Fuji has 5 stations you can stop off at leading up. Climbing fuji-zuka was tougher than we thought, so we agreed to wear sneakers next time. While being cautious we continued our climb without falling.

Writing from the Kansei era is written on the komitake sekison daigogen at the 5^th station. You can’t help but feel the length of the fuki-zuka’s history at Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine!

The view from the top is amazing! When you see the tree-wrapped shrine grounds, your heart feels gentle and calm.

 

“It’s a dream come true that we can climb Mount Fuji in Tokyo.”

We took a different route going down. This route is steep too!

After we safely reached the bottom, we receive a goshuin shrine stamp to commemorate today’s Mount Fuji worship. The ceremony fee is ￥300. Be sure you get one too after reaching the top!

Finally, we drew one of Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine’s unique “Hato Mikuji.” The omikuji blessing was “small blessing” (sho-kichi). After reading the omikuji carefully, we tied it to tie a link with the gods. Before we knew it, the date had come to an end.

 

How was this first kimono date? If you’re thinking you want to walk around Harajuku in a kimono like Yutaro, then we recommend checking out a rental kimono store. The kimono worn today was rented at the Moshi Moshi Kimono Salon in Harajuku. Please enjoy yourself by going out in a kimono with your friends or on a kimono date with that special someone.

 

 

 

 

Sushi is the probably the most famous Japanese food! Below are 5 sushi restaurants we highly recommend.

 

Roppongi “atelier Morimoto XEX”

“atelier Morimoto XEZ” is a combined restaurant produced by Masaharu Morimoto who works in foreign countries centering around the U.S. You can make an order until 3:00 AM and enjoy many kinds of dishes which are a mixture of Japanese style and Western style. “Edomaezushi” is the recommended dish. Why don’t you enjoy the dishes created by this top chef who is loved by people all over the world?

 

Detailed information：http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/58797

 

 

 

Shinjuku “Sushizanmai”

“Sushizanmai” is a sushi chain restaurant. The price of one of the lunch menus “Maguroduke Donburi” is only 477 yen (tax not included)! Moreover, you can drink as much coffee as you like. The lunch menu noted previously is offered from 11:00 to 17:00 at Shinjuku Higashiguchi Store (only on weekdays.) The helping of rice can be chosen at will and the menu comes with miso soup. The menu is recommended for those of you who want to enjoy seafood at a low price!

 

Detailed information：http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/34111

 

 

 

Shinjuku “Hokkaido Sushi Unimaru”

The branch store of “Hokkaido Unimaru” where you can enjoy sushi and dishes of sea urchin opened inside of “Odakyu Ace” at Shinjuku Station’s West Exit. The set “Uni Tabekurabe” (1,800 yen) offers three kinds of sea urchins; Murasaki Uni, Bafun Uni and Ensui Uni. Accordingly, you can compare the taste of these different sea urchins. This set menu is highly recommended. You can choose either “Shiro Shari (white rice)” using rice vinegar or “Aka Shari (red rice) using red vinegar.

 

Detailed information：http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/40869

 

 

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Japanese model Yuri Sugunama, a.k.a “Yurippa,” is taking us on the third trip in her series series where she goes to personally experience Japanese culture and cultivate new hobbies. This time, she gets involved in a cooking lesson to make springtime temari sushi! Yurippa has always had an interest in homemade cooking but never really had the opportunity to challenge herself to it. So, how did she do…?

uki-uki cafe is located in Daikanyama which is just one stop from Shibuya on the Tōkyū Tōyoko Line. It’s an easy place to get to just 5-minutes from the station tucked away in a quiet residential area. Upon opening the door to the café, you are greeted with a fresh space full of green plant life. You’ll totally forget about the hustle and bustle of the city.

Teaching the lesson is uki-uki cafe’s representative, Ayumi Kashiwabara. She’s a food co-ordinator who promotes happy cooking that you’ll unintentionally want to take a photo of. Not only does she serve food that makes your everyday dining table evermore buoyant, she also holds cooking lessons every now and then. “Call me Ayu-chan-sensei, okay?” she says with a pose. She’s extremely friendly!

Today’s challenge is making two items: ‘temari sushi’ and ‘spring mizore soup.’ First off, the temari sushi! You begin by mixing together 250g of rice with 25ml of vinegar, 15g of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This is then divided into 8 portions. Spread out some clingfilm and place ham in the middle. Then put one portion of rice on top and roll. Do this for all 8 portions. Roll the ham and rice into one and when taking the clingfilm off make sure that they stay together and don’t separate.

Next is making plum lotus roots. Fill the holes of the lotus roots with bainiku plum. Use your finger to delicately press it all together. It’s easy if you use a tube for this part. An excited Yurippa exclaimed, “This is the first time in my life I’m making food using bainiku plum!”

At this point, Ayu-chan-sensei added a small touch: “It’ll look gorgeous if you do it like this.” With just a little twist, she made it look even more fantastic by putting on thinly sliced lemon and sprinkling over some pepper. The two of them looked like they were having fun cooking next to each other.

Before dishing up the temari sushi, it’s time to make the mizore soup. Add two teaspoons of Japanese dashi to 120ml of water and mix in one teaspoon of soy sauce, one teaspoon of sake, one teaspoon of mirin, and a little salt. Bring to the boil and just add some grated daikon. Daikon skin has nutritional value, so wash it thoroughly and rub dry.

Finally, add green beans into the mizore soup, put in wheat gluten, and… “All done!”

Yurippa’s colourful temari sushi and mizore soup is complete and perfect for spring. Going out and adding seasonal a lunch mat, pair of chopsticks and tableware is fun too.

Yurippa was happy, commenting: “I can feel that food made by hand really is more delicious! It was easy and didn’t take long, plus I like how exciting it looks. I want to invite my friends over to my house for a meal.”

 

Cooking lessons are held once in a while at uki-uki cafe where you can learn how to make food that’ll make your ordinary days more fun. If you think a cooking lesson is a little too much to handle, then just pop in to the café for a kawaii meal. Coming face to face with the food at uki-uki cafe will surely make your day that much happier.

 

 

 

 

This article is based on the blog, 和ごころLA (Wagokoro LA) which is about sightseeing in LA and the American way of living.

This is report about a popular Sushi restaurant near Redondo Beach.

 

The name of the sushi restaurant is “CASA ARIGATO” which means “thank you for the umbrella”. It was originally located near the Torrance inland area in the past but it has since moved to along PHC. There is a sign saying SUSHI & BAR CAFÉ with a lantern saying “coffee”.

If  you go in, you’ll see a sushi counter and poppy wall art.It’s not a traditional Japanese style atmosphere in there. It has a more casual style and there are many young workers so that you can go there easier.

When I was hesitant about what to buy, I found “steamed sushi”. One of the popular menus for workers was “Ocean Gaudium” so I ordered it.

Salmon, bass, eel, shellfish, shrimp, ikura and sushi rice were steamed softly. Because the ingredients were steamed,  it didn’t have that fishy smell and the taste was very soft.

 

I pretty much like all kinds of raw food, so I can eat Sushi as usual. Sushi is getting popular  all over the world but some people still don’t like to eat raw fish. It’s good idea to eat “steamed sushi” to begin your Sushi adventure!

Of course, there is also normal Sushi made by Japanese professional chefs. Ikura and sea urchin are highly recommended!

This area is famous for crab so I ordered crab shu-mai too.  The texture was very soft and I really liked it. Plus, the iced coffee costs only 3$.

You can go there by yourself and spend time using Wi-Fi. It opens at 11:00 to 15:00 in the morning and 17:00 to 22:00 in the evening.

 

You can go there with your boyfriend/girlfriend,  do your work using a computer, or you can just go there to eat wonderful sushi!

There are a lot of other Japanese food such as curry rice, tendon and tekkadon as lunch menu.

You can experience real Japanese food even in America!

 

The Wagokoro LA site has been checking out “how close is this food to real Japanese food?”. You should check it out from the link below:

http://la-life.info/casaarigato/

 

■Information

Casa Arigato

Address：629 S Pacific Coast Hwy　Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Website：http://www.casaarigato.com/

Parking：Behind the shop

Food：Sushi, Coffee, and other Japanese food

Service：Wi-Fi

 

Source：Wagokoro LA

Lives in Los Angeles. Studied abroad in LA→Worked as a publisher→Married internationally. I live in America, but I love Japanese flavours, so I rate restaurants based on their level of authentic Japanese flavour. This is my blog: a Japanese person and my life living abroad in Los Angeles.

 

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Related article：Kit Kat Chocolatory to celebrate opening of Ginza store with sushi Kit Kats!

 

Related article：The entertaining sushi restaurant that you can feel like being in Edo.