In the summer, Mount Fuji should simply not be missed. Official tours start in June and end in August – the mountain is closed the rest of the year because it is too cold and dangerous to climb.  Known throughout the world for its perfect cone shape, this mountain is breathtaking and spiritually connected for all those who climb it.  Over 350,000 visitors from around the world come to see Mt Fuji every year.  An interesting fact is that fewer than one percent of Japanese people ever climb Mount Fuji!  There’s a famous quote, “Your are wise to climb Fuji once, but a fool to climb it twice.”  I’ve personally climbed this magnificent mountain many, many times – I guess that makes me a fool!.  (wink, wink)

Fuji san – absolutely breathtaking!

Here’s a view from the very top, sunrise approximately 4:35 am

Photo below was taken by Lisa Kilmer Do you see the five pointed star in the sun?

If climbing isn’t your cup of tea, then you should at least go and visit the 5th station, where you can drive up to. You can take some wonderful photos if the weather is good.

Antoher great attraction is to visit a few of Japan’s beautiful temples and famous shrines. Visit cities like Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, just to name my favorites. Many of these are quite historic and you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to see them.  People in Japan visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines on various occasions to pray for good health, happiness, safety, and wealth.

Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

Tsuwano Shrine, Tsuwano

Miyajima Island, Hiroshima

Some helpful tips before you enter the torii (entrance gate) of a shrine, bow to it.  Stop by the purification fountain.  Fill a ladle, called hishaku, with water. Pour some water over each hand from the ladle. Put some water in your left palm and rinse your mouth with it.

When you pray to the Shinto deities, the followings are common steps.

1. Ring the bell if it’s hung above the offering box.
2. Throw offering coins into the offering box.
3. Deeply bow twice.
4. Clap your hands twice.  Make your wish.
5. Deeply bow once.
Note: Keep in mind that taking photographs might be forbidden in certain areas.  Please ask.

How about watching Sumo! Sumo is the national sport in Japan and is a very popular form of entertainment.  You might not completely understand the experience, but you should definitely go at least once and experience the power and excitement.

Visiting historic sites and museums is another great way to enrich your cultural experience…

Hiroshima Peace Museum & Atomic Dome  - Japan’s most thought-provoking and impactful museum contains exhibits examining Hiroshima’s militaristic past, the events leading up to the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, the city’s terrible destruction, and its active anti-nuclear movement.

Adachi Museum & Japanese Garden – Japanese modern art is the focus indoors, while the perfectly landscaped garden — comes into view through framed windows, making it part of the art in a very beautiful way

Himeji Castle is widely held to be the finest surviving castle (WWII) in Japan.  Standing at the base of Himeji Castle, one cannot help but be overwhelmed by the size, power, and beauty of the architecture

Kintai Bridge – (錦帯橋, Kintai-kyō) is a historical wooden five-arch bridge in the city of my hometown of lovely Iwakuni. Declared a national treasure in 1922, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, especially for the Cherry Blossom festival in the spring and the autumn color change of the Japanese Maples.  I love this place so much!

Also, try out various forms of travel while in the country. Driving around Japan by car is an entirely different experience than zipping around on the “bullet train” or as the Japanese call it, Shinkansen.   Take the time to see the country from its many sides and explore as much as you can!

Rice fields near my home

The land of many islands – Seto Inland Sea

Crane Dancing Statues – Tsuwano

If  you live in Japan or anywhere else around the world  take the time to plan your summer days with excitement.   Trust me the time will slip right by and the summer season will be over! One morning sit down and encourage your children and teens to voice what they wish to do or see.   Also, don’t forget you!   What do ‘you‘ wish to do?   Not sure?   Visit several websites or talk to others about what they have done  that was really fun, educational, inspiring, and super memorable. Dream up ways to be adventurous this season and  jot a few  ideas – maybe its a new place to go, exploring outdoors, or getting crafty indoors, participating in a festival or a cultural exchange. The ideas are endless! Write it all down, hang it on the refrigerator (I recommend next to big calendar) and cross the list off as you accomplish each activities.   You’ll be amazed of all that you’ve done in such a short amount of time and will feel great about not wasting time.

I’m a firm believer that we learn from experiences and as parents we can offer our children more positive experiences just by suggesting and getting involved.   Try to do as much as you can together as a family- because once the kids are all grown up there IS no turning back the clock. Fill up their “memory-tanks” with happy memories and pictures of each event.   I guarantee you it will help them to open their minds, visit new interests and hopefully guide them to an abundance of living as they grow older. So don’t miss out….

Have fun and enjoy a great summer!

Kyuuka wo tanoshinde ne!

日本は魅力的で美しい国です。私はここに住んで１3 年になりますが、この国のユニークで素晴しい事柄の全てを体験できた訳ではありません。だからこそこのサイトで皆さんに紹介したいと思いますし、私がここを「ホーム」と呼ぶ理由を心に留め続けるきっかけになればと思っています。

If you are visiting or living here for any length of time, you should take advantage of everything the country has to offer.  There are many sights and experiences in Japan that simply shouldn’t be missed.  Here are a few ideas for “must-do” and “must-see” activities and destinations in Japan.  Let’s start with local, simple, traditional Japanese cuisines -日本料理 Washoku 和食  Oishii!!   (Delicious!)

滞在期間の長さに差があるとしても日本を訪れたなら、体験できることの全てに挑戦してみましょう。ここには沢山見るべきもの、体験すべきものがあるのですから、チャレンジしないと勿体無いですよ。では、日本で「しなければならないこと」「見なければならないこと」のいくつかをご紹介したいと思います。最初にご紹介するのは地元のシンプルで伝統的な日本食ー和食から始めましょう。美味しいわよ！！

If you enjoy sushi, you’re in the right place; and if you’ve never tried it, maybe you should have it at least once or twice.  That’s what I did and now I am hooked! (No punn intended)  In Japan, sushi restaurants are literally everywhere!  Many different kinds of restaurants in Japan serve sushi, ranging from fancy restaurants to simple establishments that treat it almost like a fast food snack.  Many people, when they first visit Japan, are surprised as to how many kinds of sushi are actually available, unlike other countries where there is only a very simple and limited variety.

お鮨が好きな方にはぴったりですね。そしてお鮨未体験の方には是非１度か２度挑戦してみる事をオススメします。私はすっかりはまってしまってます！日本ではお鮨屋さんはいたるところにあります。非常に高級なお店から一般のファストフード的なお店まで種類もさまざまです。そして多くの人が、日本国外では限りのあるメニューが、ここ日本ではたくさんの種類があることに驚かされるものです。

The various noodle dishes that are popular in Japan are another culinary experience that shouldn’t be missed. Ranging from the familiar ramen-style noodles, to the Japanese udon noodle which is much thicker; you’ll find that noodles are prepared in many delicious and interesting ways. There are also fried noodle dishes such as yakisoba, which is an absolute favorite for many Americans.  This popular dish is generally served with a vegetable and meat combination, along with a a tangy brown sauce. Also okonimiyaki is another foreigner favorite, I know it was for my parents when they visited Japan!  It is served in two ways; Hiroshima style (layered like a light pancake omlette – personal favorite) or Osaka style (all mixed up together like a giant western omlette).

いろいろな種類の麺類にチャレンジしてみることも、外せない美味しい経験ですね。ラーメンのようなスタイルの麺から少し太めのうどんのような麺、いろいろな調理方法で調理されます。また、多くのアメリカ人の大好物「焼きそば」のような炒めた麺料理もあります。焼きそばは野菜、肉、麺を炒めて少し濃い目の茶色いソースで味付けをします。「お好み焼き」も外国人に好まれるものの一つですね。うちの両親も大好きです！調理方法には広島風（クレープのような生地の上に具材を重ねるもの）と大阪風（生地と具材をすべて混ぜて焼くもの）の２種類があります。

If you have the opportunity to go to a Yakiniku restaurant, don’t miss the chance. These Korea-influenced style of restaurants let you do some of the cooking yourself. You simply choose your meats and then you can cook them yourself at the table on a grill that is built right into the table. You can then dip the cooked meats in tasty sauces and enjoy.

もし、焼肉屋に行く機会があれば、ぜひそのチャンスを逃さないでください。韓国風焼肉店では、お肉を自分で焼くスタイルになります。食べたいお肉を注文し、各テーブルに備え付けられているグリルで焼いて食べます。焼いた後は美味しいタレにつけて召し上がれ。

These restaurants also offer other foods, but it’s the meats that are the real highlight of the meal.

If you are in the mood for some fast but delicious food, try stopping at a stand that serves Yakitori. This grilled chicken-on-a-stick is a popular food in Japan, especially if you are on the run!

これらのレストランではもちろん他のメニューも豊富です。もしあなたが手っ取り早くおいしいものを食べたいのであれば、「焼き鳥」に挑戦してみてはいかがでしょうか？これは竹串にさした鶏肉をグリルした料理です。

***  Sunday, August 1st  SPECIAL ***
FREE lesson,  including ski equipment.  Make your reservation ASAP!  This offer won’t last long….

以前放送された「トラベル」のコーナーから、その一部のご紹介です。
アレン家では、水上スキーの体験レッスンに参加してきましたよ。子ども達はあっという間に自然に溶け込み、なじんでしまうからすごいわよね。もし、私が失敗する場面をご覧になりたい方がいらっしゃっるんじゃないかしら・・・。残念ながら、このサイトでのショート・クリップではありません（笑）　とっても楽しくて、エキサイティングな一日でした。もちろん子ども達にとっても最高な経験でしたよ！ 

For one of our travel segments, we went on a fun waterskiing adventure in Hiroshima.  Yasaka Dam is located less than an hour away from the air station.   The kids were naturals in the water and took to it right away. If you want to see me crash a few times, you’ll have to watch the whole segment on TV, but here’s a short clip for your entertainment. It was a really fun and exciting day and the kids had a wonderful experience!  You should try it! 

Visit their website for more information:  http://homepage1.nifty.com/ywsc/

Thank you again to our friends at Yasaka Water Ski Club!  Please contact Emi-san, she will answer your questions! (English is spoken)

取材にご協力いただきました、弥栄水上スキー・クラブの皆様に再度お礼申し上げます！

トライしてみたい方は、上のえみさんのE-mail アドレスへご連絡をどうぞ！

ジャッキー

広島市は平和と共存する多様性にあふれた美しい街へと成長し、変貌を遂げています。　是非訪れてみたい魅力的な場所です。

I read an article from Forbes Magazine about “The 10 happiest cities in the world” and to my surprise no Asian city made the list.  I felt the world should know what an incredible country Japan really is and the City of Hiroshima should be on that list.

雑誌「フォーブス」の記事で「世界の１０のハッピーな都市」という記事を読んだのですが、リスト中にアジアの都市が１つも選ばれていなかったことに驚きました。そして世界はもっとこのすばらしい国「日本」について知るべきであるし、「広島」はリストに入ってしかるべきだとその時思ったのでした。

Interesting enough, a few days later I saw the announcement from Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba to bid Hiroshima for the summer Olympics in 2020.  What a fantastic idea!  Bring the world together in Hiroshima, the City of Peace!

興味深いのはもちろんのことですが、昨年広島の秋葉市長が２０２０年の夏季オリンピック招致を表明した模様を見ました。これはなんと素晴らしいアイデアなのでしょう！平和都市広島で世界を１つになるのですから・・・。

I want to help with this vision and show the world how the people of Hiroshima have risen to build such a beautiful city of peace and harmony as an example for us all.

こういったビジョンこそ援助したいと思いますし、広島の人々がどのようにこの地を平和とハーモニーにあふれる美しい町を築き上げたのかを、私達すべての良い例として世界の皆さんにご紹介したいと思います。

This video was put together by a local resident of Hiroshima and does a great job of capturing everyday activity in and around the city throughout the year – enjoy!

A beautiful statue to remind us always…

Come with me and let’s explore the beauty of this amazing and colorful city!  I will take you to Fisherman’s Warf, Peir 39, Coit Tower, Lombard Street, and we will even stop at Ghirardelli Square for their annual Chocolate Festival!

Sacramento is an interesting and fun place to visit.  One of the first things you will notice are the number of trees in this metropolitan city – Sacramento has more trees per acre than any other major city in America. The city has a  good balance of old and new; and I was amazed at some of the well preserved Victorian style homes, some even dated from the 1800’s.  The location of Sacramento is also convenient; only 1-1/2 hours from San Francisco or the beach, and 2 hours to Lake Tahoe for skiing, or gambling and shows at Reno.

As for the people and atmosphere; Sacramento is said to be one of the “most diverse ethnic cities in America” according to a recent Time Magazine article.  I was pleasantly surprised with the energetic “buzz” that embraces this fun town.  There’s a lot to do, places to see, and wonderful restaurants and cafes to try. Enjoy, Jackie

サクラメントは興味深く楽しい場所。あなたが気付くことの1つはこの州都を囲む木の多さね。実際サクラメントはアメリカの他の主要な都市と比べても１エーカーあたりの木の数は１番なの。またココは古いものと新しいものが絶妙なバランスで共存している町。よく手入れされたビクトリア様式の家とか、1800年代にからこの町にあったものに私も驚かされっぱなしだったわ。更にサクラメントはどこの行くのにも便利な場所なの。サンフランシスコやビーチまでたった１時間半、ワールドクラスのスキー場ならタホへ、ギャンブルとショーならレノへ2時間よ。

雑誌タイムの記事によれば、サクラメントの人と街は、「アメリカの中で最も多様なエスニックの街」。この街を彩るエネルギッシュな活力は嬉しい驚きだったわ。あちこちに見たいものや、知らなかった素敵なレストランやカフェでいっぱい。
あなたもこのビデオで私と街を巡って一緒に楽しみましょうね！

先日カリフォルニアのナパ・パレーに行ってきたのよ。　そのとき取材したものは、１１月の番組の「トラベル」でご紹介する予定ですよ。 ナパではワイン・トレインが走っていて、先日私も乗車してきたわ。ワイン・トレインの動画と、そこで出されるおいしい食事の写真を下においていますのでご覧下さいね。　その料理を作った総料理長とお話しすることもできて、とってもセンセーショナルだったのよ。カリフォルニアに行ったら、カンパーニュ・ビスタ・ドーム・ビントナーズ・ランチは絶対にオススメ！　１１月の放送をどうぞお楽しみに！　かんぱい！　サルー！　（スペイン語で“乾杯”）、チアーズ！（英語で“乾杯”）

I just returned from a magnificent trip to Napa Valley, California.  The segment will be in the travel section on my show in November.  Here is a great documentary about the Wine Train and some photos of the delicious food; and the Executive Chef who took the time to sit and chat with us. It really was a sensational time and I highly recommend the Champagne Vista Dome Vintners Lunch experience if you are visiting Napa. Kanpaii, Salud, or Cheers!

Life – A cute center piece for your table, “Thankful Tree”

Sugoi Cooking Lesson – Mushroom & Celery Stuffed Chicken Breast (an alternative Thanksgiving meal)

Life – Apple season, simple craft “Apple Stamping”

Food – a classic German dessert “Apple Kuchen”

Travel- Jackie visits California – Napa Valley and the state capitol, Sacramento

１１月の放送内容

ライフ・コーナー　     　　：「サンクフル・ツリー」センターピース

すごいクッキング・コーナー：マッシュルームとセロリの詰め物入りチキン（感謝祭用ディナー・メニュー）

ライフ・コーナー　      　　：アップル・スタンプの小物作り

フード・コーナー　　      　：アップル・クーヘン

トラベル・コーナー　     　：ジャッキーのアメリカ案内　ナパ・バレーとサクラメント

As you can see, it’s a busy show and there is a lot of content packed into 30 minutes. I had lots of fun making this show and now we are working on December’s episode, so it’s non stop around here!

We will post many of the segments of each show online, but to see it in its entirety you will have to watch ICN Cable here in Japan – until we expand further. If there is enough public interest, we could possibly put the episodes on DVD or maybe setup a download. If you are interested, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.