An unusual Pokèmon appeared at Yoshinoya in Japan
A whole generation has been affected by these pocket monsters called Pkémon and now you can find them at Yoshinoya in Japan! But how is that possible?
2019 marks the 120th anniversary in the beef-bowl business for the popular chain Yoshinoya. The popular fast restaurant decided to celebrate it through an interesting partnership with the Pokémon franchise.
To catch’em all will be easy and super delicious, only 6 Pokémon available this time! From December 19th, customers across Japan will be able to order a new type of beef-bowl: The Pokémori!
The Pomémori at Yoshinoya
Available in three varieties, Gyudon, Kid’s Gyudon, and Curry Rice, all for less than 500 yen (US$5), this special menu includes a juice box and Pokémon figure.
The word “gyudon” means “beef bowl” in Japanese, so in honor of this incredible meal of Japanese cuisine something special has been arranged. You will get the chance to find six figures of Pokémon with “don” in their Japanese name.
Left to Right: Charizard (Lizardon), Groudon, Slowpoke (Yadon), Weepinbell (Utsudon), and the West/East versions of Gastrodon (Tritodon)
However, the surprises don’t end here!
We know that the Japanese culture has a strict policy when it comes to respecting the public areas. So for all good boys and girls who clean their plates, there is a special plus! It is, in fact, possible to discover one of these monsters hiding at the bottom of the bowls, which are also specially designed to resemble Pokéballs.
Unfortunately, the surprise bowls are only used for eat-in orders in Japan. However, if you order Pokémori to-go you can get specially designed containers and bags too.
Furthermore, it is possible to enjoy one of those Pokébowls in the comfort of your own home by participating in Yoshinoya’s Twitter contest. All that you need to do is photograph and tweet your receipt from either dining in or taking out a Pokémori order. Follow Yoshinoya’s Twitter account and retweet a specific contest post, you’ll be in with a chance to win one of the Pokébowls (only available in Japan).
＼ポケモン＋吉野家＝『ポケ盛』発売記念‼／
✨ポケ盛専用ドンぶりを抽選で30名にプレゼント✨
🔊応募方法
①@yoshinoyagyudon をフォロー
②このツイートをRT
〆切1/5ポケ盛専用ドンぶりほんっっっとうに可愛い( ;∀;)💗
たくさんの応募待ってます🎶#ポケ盛ゲット pic.twitter.com/jNKdM8Zj2N— 吉野家 (@yoshinoyagyudon) December 11, 2019
All the Pokémons are already waiting for you at Yoshinoya. However, if you want to fully live the experience, you should check out the Yoshinoya Ebisu Station location, also known as one of the swankiest Yoshinoyas around. This location will be, in fact, redecorated in a Pokémon motif too.
Decorations are planned to stay up until 5 January, however, Pokémori itself will only last as long as supplies do. So hurry up, you really should catch’em all!!
Source: Yoshinoya
Photo Credits: Yoshinoya, perfectly-nintendo.com, nintendosoup.com
Travel guide: Tokyo - Episode 01
Can you ever imagine Tokyo as a modest fishing village? Probably not. Like so many other cities in the world - the atmosphere that was breathed in the Edo period was quiet and very far from today's frenzy. It was only when the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, after 1868, that the city radically changed his identity.
photo credits: visa.com.au
Today Tokyo, with its 23 districts, is the largest megalopolis in the world, a conglomeration of cities, lights and colors fused together that continue to amaze visitors.
Walking around the capital is an almost otherworldly experience. From the very crowded streets, you could turn the corner and find yourself suddenly in an oasis of serenity near some shrine or Shinto temple. Or, decide to venture out shopping in stores that sell strange and wonderful things, or take the subway (or train) and reach incredible places!
In our blog, you will find many articles that focus on Tokyo neighborhoods. However, what we want to suggest to you today are those unusual, unique and extravagant activities that, for those visiting the city for the first time, could turn into unforgettable experiences!
Admire Tokyo in its vastness
photo credits: lonelyplanet.com
A visit to the observatory of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, a visit to the Tokyo Skytree or the Tokyo Tower, or going to Roppongi Hills at Tokyo City View becomes necessary to enjoy a breathtaking view. The unique and incredible scenery of the city will hurt your heart because going back will be difficult, very difficult!
The Pet Cafés and the thematic Cafes
photo credits: ddnews.gov.in
We have already talked about thematic cafés before, enchanted places where we can become children again and dream a little. However, we talked very little about Pet Cafes. In Japan they are very popular and Tokyo is full of these cute cafes. The concept is that of a place with soft lights in which to relax, pampering an animal: cats, dogs, owls, snakes and even hedgehogs!
Compulsive shopping at Daiso!
photo credits: planetyze.com
Exactly, compulsive shopping. In fact, Daiso offers 5 stories of articles of all kinds and all sold only for 100 Yen! Furthermore, the biggest Daiso is located in Takeshita Street and some others are scattered all around town.
Plunge into the green in Tokyo
photo credits: blogdiviaggi.com
There is no shortage of beautiful parks in Tokyo. We'll talk about it in-depth in the second episode of our travel guide on Tokyo, but it is absolutely one of the things to do while walking around the city! Cherry trees in spring and momiji (Japanese red maples) will give you moments of pure relaxation in autumn, so a stop at each of the city's parks is essential. Absolutely not to be missed!
Sumo Tournaments
photo credits: japanistry.com
If you visit the city during tournaments (usually January, May and September) you should give yourself the experience of attending the Japanese national sport combat sessions at Ryugoku! For the Japanese, in fact, Sumo is not just about sports, but about a real unmissable form of art.
Tokyo Museums
photo credits: jrailpass.com
Like any self-respecting city, Tokyo also offers museums, but in this case, they take on an even more special feature because there are so many types of them. From the historic Tokyo National Museum at Ueno, to the Edo-Tokyo Museum to Ryugoku, and the Ghibli Museum for Studio Ghibli lovers or the bizarre Museum of Parasites in Meguro!
Golden Gai
photo credits: theculturetrip.com
The Golden Gai is a small area of Kabukicho in Shinjuku, famous for its network of narrow alleys that are connected by even closer passages. Along these narrow streets, there are more than 200 tiny bars, clubs and restaurants that are absolutely unique and characteristic.
Travel on the Yurikamome-line
photo credits: wow-j.com
The Yurikamome-line is the railway line whose trains are driverless and speed through the skyscrapers of the city! A must-try when the sun goes down and the city lights come on...
Izakaya
photo credits: jamesmagazine.it
Izakaya is a typical Japanese restaurant where food is served to accompany a vast amount of alcohol. Usually they are places frequented by colleagues from a company who, after a long day of work, give themselves a break to talk about a bit of everything.
Sashimi for breakfast at the Toyosu fish market
photo credits: travel.sygic.com
How many times have we eat sashimi or sushi and say "wow, this is really good and fresh!" Well... we probably still have no idea what fresh and good means!!!
photo credits: corriere.it
These are only 10 points we thought of, but in reality, there are really a million things to do in Tokyo. For example, you can taste everything that exists with green tea, go to an onsen, cross the Shibuya intersection, participate in Hanami, pray in a temple, admire Mount Fuji. To not forget yet, Ginza, Shinjuku, Kanagawa, Saitama, Odaiba... Tokyo is not a city, but a wonderful dream!
TENOHA & | TASTE - GIN DAYS
September is upon us and TENOHA always thinks of how to surprise you.
This time we are offering you another special appointment, one of those you can't miss. A weekend entirely dedicated to one of the most famous spirits in the world: Gin. Also taking advantage of the fact that this is the year of the Gin, enthusiasts and why not, even non-enthusiasts, can enjoy a selection of the best beverages including the three distillates of the Rising Sun:
• KOZUE: distillate of Wakayama prefecture including: Japanese umbrella pine, Unshu mandarin and Sansho pepper.
• KI NO BI: with yellow yuzu from the north of Kyoto prefecture, hinoki wood onions, bamboo, gyokuro tea from the Uji region and green sanshō berries.
• NIKKA: produced by the Miyagiko distillery with Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shikuwasa, Sansho pepper, apple juice, juniper, angelica, coriander, lemon peel and orange peel.
We are sure that Gin enthusiasts will feel in Heaven and the same will happen to neophytes. New lovers of Japanese gin on the horizon!
Obviously, we at Japan Italy Bridge will not miss it. Would you like to join us for a kanpai? We are waiting for you!
When and Where
When: 6-7-8 September
Where: Via Vigevano 18, 20144 Milano
Food & beverage: 15€ aperitivo + gin drink
For more information: https://www.tenoha.it/
TENOHA & | TASTE - Hakken menu returns
Holidays are over and with the reopening of TENOHA it is possible to taste the new menu starting today! Following the success of the first Hakken menu session, TENOHA accompanies you on another exciting journey through Japan's prefectures.
Hakken Menu
Soumen & Takomeshi with Tempura
19 August - 1 September: Soumen & Takomeshi with Tempura (そうめんとたこ飯のセット 天ぷら添え) - Hyogo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture is located in the midwest of Japan and overlooks the Inland Sea of Seto and the Sea of Japan. The dish chosen for this prefecture is Soumen and Rice with octopus. For those of you who do not know what Soumen is, it is a thin Japanese white flour pasta and is popular as a summer dish. Rice with octopus is famous for being the local dish on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea.
These delicious Japanese noodles are served cold accompanied by dashi broth, rice bowl with boiled chicken and tempura of assorted vegetables.
Kanpachi Teriyaki
2 - 15 September: Kanpachi Teriyaki (カンパチの照り焼き) - Kagoshima Prefecture
The prefecture of Kagoshima is located at the southwestern end of the island of Kyushu. With a similar scenario in Naples, the city of Kagoshima has long been called the "Naples of Japan" and twinning agreements have been signed between the city of Kagoshima and the city of Naples. The signature dish of this prefecture is the amberjack, the most cultivated fish in Japan. From September, you can get grilled amberjack in teriyaki sauce with seasonal vegetables, accompanied by rice and miso soup.
Ready to lick your chops? Stay tuned to discover the next dishes and we are waiting for you at TENOHA in via Vigevano 18, Milan!
Luxury Ryokans in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
Finding the ideal hotel is not at all difficult in Japan, especially if you want to stay in a Ryokan! Modernity will always give you unforgettable experiences, but you can also immerse yourself in the rhythm of the countryside.
Tokyo is an amazing city, always on the move and full of wonders to explore. However, if you want to regenerate your soul for a few days around the big metropolis, then the ryokan are what you are looking for!
photo credits: gorahanaougi.com
When time stops
The ryokan (旅館) is nothing more than a hotel with very few rooms whose style has remained unchanged since the Edo era. From the well-kept aesthetics, in these traditional hotels there is always a garden visible from any point of the washitsu (和室). In this typical essential Japanese room we find the tokonoma (床の間). It’s a small closed and raised window in which we find Japanese parchments, called emakimono, ikebana and bonsai. Here, the floor is strictly composed of tatami (畳), above which lies the futon (布団, literally "rolled mattress"). The only traces of modernity are given by the presence of air conditioning, television and telephone.
Guests of the ryokans are entrusted to the care of an old maid. The latter welcomes visitors by serving them welcome tea, collects orders and accompanies them to the Osen (thermal bath) or Ofuro (bathing in hinoki wooden tubs).
photo credits: gorakadan.com
The Ryokans are scattered a little throughout Japan, especially in the inland areas. However, today we will limit ourselves to those that can be reached more easily, located between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka!
Ryokan of the Hakone region
The Hakone region is located along Tokaido, the historic streets of the Edo period and is perfect if you want to move comfortably between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Moreover, if like me you are madly in love with Mount Fuji, the ryokans that I am about to present offer a breathtaking view!
photo credits: yado-resort.com
The first ryokan is the GORA HANAOUGI in the most famous area of Hakone and surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape.
Address: 1300-681 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimogun, Kanagawa 〒250-0408
Phone: + 81-460-87-7715
Website: https://gorahanaougi.com/
photo credits: kiwicollection.com
The second ryokan is the GORA KADAN which stands on the grounds of Villa Kan’in-no-miya, the former summer villa of a member of the imperial family in the city of Gora in Hakone.
Address: 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa, 〒250-0408
Phone: +81-460-82-3331
Website: https://www.gorakadan.com/
photo credits: ryokancollection.com
Finally the splendid YAMA-NO-CHAYA that rises in a bamboo grove through a suspension bridge.
Address: Tounosawa, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa, 〒250-0315
Phone: +81-460-85-5493
Website: https://luxury-ryokan.com/
The Ryokan of the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula is located south of the Hakone region and Mount Fuji. Being less known than the Hakone region, it is a slightly less touristy destination, but one that will not disappoint you!
photo credits: ryokancollection.com
For this area I selected the YAGYU NO SHO, a ryokan where traditional cuisine, baths, hospitality and Japanese architecture blend together.
Address:1116-6 Shuzenji, Izu, Shizuoka 410-2416
Phone: +81-558-72-4126
Website: https://www.yagyu-no-sho.com
Ryokan between the Sea of Japan and the Alps
In the Chubu region, between the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Alps there are two areas of extraordinary beauty. We are talking about Hokuriku and Hida, about 3/4 hours away from Tokyo with the Shinkansen. Are you ready to immerse yourself in the generosity of nature?
photo credits: japanish.tours
BENIYA MUKAYU is a place where everything that you have always considered useless, will acquire great value. A place where your mind will finally be stripped and you will find the peace you have been looking for so long.
Address: 55-1-3 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa, 922-0242
Phone:+81-(0)761-77-1340
Website: http://mukayu.com
photo credits: jetsetter.com
WANOSATO absolutely deserves our attention. Located in the heart of Gifu prefecture, near Hida-Takayama, it offers the opportunity to live a unique experience, immersed in nature, in tradition and tranquility.
Address: 1682 Ichinomiyamachi, Takayama, Gifu 509-3505,
Phone: +81 577-53-2321
Website: http://www.wanosato.com
Don’t you feel that strong desire to run away from everyday life and take refuge in one of these magnificent traditional hotels? I do. I would leave in this very moment and let myself be pampered by the scents and sounds of my beloved Japan.
photo credits: Masa Angenieux
Yuki-Onna: the mysterious incarnation of the Japanese winter
In the endless world of yokai (supernatural creatures of the Japanese tradition), the figure of Yuki-Onna (雪女) stands out. Legendary snow woman, with her icy and lethal charm, embodies the terrible beauty of winter in the mountains of Japan.
Despite being known by different names and stories in the various prefectures, this character is renowned above all in the coldest and most inaccessible areas of the archipelago.
The Yuki-Onna is described as a beautiful woman with white skin, which appears on mountain trails and in snowstorms. She is dressed in a light white kimono or naked and covered only by very long hair, black or white depending on the legends. Ethereal and floating apparition in the snowy landscape on which it leaves no footprints, it can suddenly disappear turning into a cloud of fog or very fine snow.
Yuki-Onna: the Origins
The origin of this figure, like other yokai, is lost in the most ancient times. The first written trace of its history is found in the Sōgi Shokoku Monogatari, dating back to the Muromachi period (1333-1573). Here the monk Sogi describes the encounter with a woman of extraordinary beauty during his stay in the province of Echigo (current prefecture of Niigata). This mysterious woman was dressed in white, tall and with a very pale complexion and long white hair. From a young appearance, she mysteriously appeared one morning in the frozen garden of the monk. However, it disappeared just as mysteriously under the incredulous gaze of man.
photo credits: smitefire.com
The two faces of winter
Like the winter that can manifest itself with a dazzling and serene splendor or with a cruel and lethal force, so is the Yuki-Onna. Sometimes it appears as a ruthless predator that attracts lost travelers into the storm to feed on them with their life energy. At other times it appears as a benevolent presence or even in its turn seduced by human charm.
In the most ancient stories, the monstrous and destructive aspect prevails. In fact, in these stories, parents who have lost their children in the mountains are approached by a woman. She asks them to pick up a child she can't bring herself. The unwary who accept this invitation are destined to freeze to death, overwhelmed by the fatigue of carrying a heavier burden at every step.
photo credits: wikipedia.org
Or in the stories, the Yuki-Onna seduces men subjugated by its otherworldly charm. They end up succumbing to his mortal kiss, able to drain their life force and freeze their hearts. Or again in dramatic stories, in which Yuki-Onna does not simply wait for the passage of bewildered travelers. Here, in fact, it enters the houses forcefully, opening doors and windows in the form of violent snowstorms, killing the unfortunate inhabitants.
In the West, we know a more romantic aspect of this reading. This is mostly thanks to the work of Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, a Ireland-born journalist and writer from Japan, also known as Koizumi Yakumo (小泉八雲).
photo credits: letterboxd.com
The Lafcadio version
"Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things" is a 1904 work containing a collection of popular beliefs and also an interpretation of the culture and customs of Japan. Here the legend narrated by Hearn speaks of two woodcutters, Elder Mosaku and his young apprentice Minokichi, who return home after a day's work on a cold evening. The two characters surprised by a violent snowstorm find shelter in a hut near a river. Afterward, the two men lay on the floor of the hut and, overcome by fatigue, they fall asleep. During the night Minokichi is awakened by an icy wind, which seems to have opened the door and windows of the hut. Still confused by sleep and believing he is dreaming, he sees a woman dressed in white and with long hair, bending over Mosaku, intent on breathing a cold mist like breath over him.
When the woman turns to Minokichi, the young man remains enchanted by her incredible beauty. However, he cannot sustain that look that inspires an unspeakable terror. Softened by the youth and the attractiveness of the boy, the woman decides to spare his life on condition that he never reveals to anyone the existence of such a creature. If he ever spoke to any of those events, his death would be certain.
The following morning a boatman, owner of the hut, finds in his interior the now frozen body of the elderly Mosaku, but manages to rescue Minokichi, now semi-frozen to safety.
A year later...
Having overcome the terror and exhaustion of that terrible night, the young man marries a beautiful young woman named O-Yuki. Suddenly appearing in his village she was immediately well-liked by everyone for her charm and her gentle manner. For many years the two live a happy marriage, blessed by the girl's inexplicable eternal youth, whose beauty seems to endure unchanged over time despite the birth of ten children.
Until one-day Minokichi, forgetting the promise he made, recklessly tells his wife of a supernatural creature he met many years before and that somehow seems to remind him of his charming bride. To his immense surprise, O-Yuki, suddenly transfigured by anger, reveals herself to be the woman he met that night. After having reproached her husband for not having been able to keep the promise of secrecy made so many years before, she decides to spare his life for the sake of their children. So, after warning him to take good care of them, she disappears forever.
photo credits: aminoapps.com
Yuki-Onna in the contemporary age
Like the bride of Minokichi, the legend of Yuki-Onna, cruel and romantic at the same time, seems to preserve its charm over the centuries.
In fact, in contemporary times it has inspired numerous films. We remember in fact Kwaidan (怪怪) of 1965, directed by Masaki Kobayashi, winner of the special prize of the jury at the Cannes Festival. Kwaidan was also in the running for the Academy Awards with a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
The success of this film was followed, in 1968, by Kaidan Yukijoro by Tokuzô Tanaka, until 2016 with Yuki-Onna, directed and performed by Kiki Sugino.
The beautiful and lethal snow woman, in her innumerable variations, then appears as a protagonist or leading figure in a vast range of video games, anime and manga. Nurarihyon no Mago or Ranma ½, just to name a few. However, its timeless charm will continue to enchant us for a long time, with its eternal, candid winter.
Festa del Giappone 2019 Video Report
On June 9th, we had the pleasure of participating in the "Festa del Giappone". Organized by our friends from Giappone in Italia at the Circolo Magnolia in Milan, the event was a real success!
Among stalls, workshops, conferences, and shows connected to Japan, the public was able to dive even for a little bit into the true Japanese culture. Furthermore, Kokeshi dolls, paintings and many delicacies that have attracted the attention of all visitors. While starting from the Okonomiyaki passing through the typical Japanese curry rice to the famous Takoyaki, the Japan Festival also involved several personalities from the Rising Sun scene in Milan.
We at Japan Italy Bridge have made a little video recap and we hope to see you at the next Japan Festival!
Bringing Japan to Italy: episode 04 – Takeuchi Hideki
On the occasion of the Far East Film Festival, we had the honor and pleasure of being able to interview Takeuchi Hideki, director of "Fly me to the Saitama" (翔んで埼玉 - Tonde Saitama), presented in Italy during the festival for its European premiere!
Takeuchi Hideki made his debut working for Fuji Television and in 1996 he directed the first of his series for this TV station. In 1998 he won the award for best director at the Television Drama Academy Awards for "Just a Little More, God" but the awards won didn't stop there.
His movie debut came in 2009 with the dramatic two-part musical comedy Nodame Cantabile. Takeuchi Hideki continues to alternate between the big and small screen with Thermae Romae and two television series, passing with great ease from the historical drama to the brilliant comedy.
Thermae Romae has achieved such a resounding success in the Japanese box office that Takeuchi-san created the sequel, Thermae Romae II, released on April 26, 2014 and previewed after a week at the 16th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.
This year, the director returned to the Far East Film Festival with "Fly me to the Saitama", a brilliant and somewhat surreal comedy about the parochialism that exists between Saitama and Tokyo, starring singer and actor GACKT-san and actress Fumi Nikaido, supported by other famous names within the cast. Fly me to the Saitama, also won the MyMovies.com award for best film acclaimed by the public.
The one with Takeuchi-san was an interesting and entertaining interview that tells the backstage of the film, curiosities and perspectives for future collaboration between Italy and Japan. Enjoy the video and we are curious to know your feedback!