The Worship for the deceased in WWⅡ!

by Kazu

We were so struck by the Steak Frites in "Maison Marunouchi" ,  The Four Seasons Hotel Marunouchi Tokyo with the contrast of bright lights from the windows of the skyscrapers. The dairy cow Ribeye steak from Hokkaido seemed to have been treated, flavored, grilled so nicely.   

We really appreciated the way of cooking and respect extended to the meat matured and produced in Hokkaido. The cow had been raised for milk, not for Wagyu Beef but the red meat was so preferable for us who had savored so much Canadian, in particular Albertan beef in Canada.   

Above is the menu of our dinner on that day. Thanks to the chef's selection that added so much premium to the dairy cow beef from Hokkaido. The Tokyo Sky Tree was playing the roll as the landmark as well as the twist for the landscape of the big city.

 

Steak Frites in the Four Seasons Hotel !

by Kazu

After "the Amuse",  steamed mussels followed. It was named "Moules Marinieres".  It was a pity that the mussels were not from Hokkaido but the quality of the them were what I had craved for. It was so delicious. 

The chef showed his high degrees of skill with the top-quality beefsteak.The sauces were peppercorn sauce,Hollandaise and Cafe de Paris Butter. I thought Hokkaido also needed this level of art culinary delights.

To be surprised, the steak was Hokkaido DairyCow Ribeye Steak! We were so pleased to see the top-quality Hokkaido beef was artistically cooked and it made other guests so happy too. 

 

Culinary Delights in Japan !

by Kazu

We met so enthusiastic Hokkaido supporters in Tokyo and had Taiwanese cuisine because Taiwan was and is one of the strong supporters for Hokkaido island and the citizens. The chef's signature dishes were amazing and grabbed our stomachs and hearts.

The traditional boiled pork showed us the melting skin of the pork like amber or whiskey with the layers of meat. Watching the art of culinary delights stimulate our appetite so much.

After having nice Taiwanese lunch in Nihonbashi Area, we headed to the other downtown of Tokyo and enjoy shopping and watching beautiful garden. After walking so long, we entered so nice French restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel near Tokyo Station.

 

Departure !

by Kazu

Early in the morning of our departure day for Tokyo, it was very fine without any cloud. So-called "Magic Hour" came with the beautiful twilight on the east side of Sapporo City. The orange and white lights at the northern end of Hokkaido University's premises were still giving nice twist to the scenery. 

The atrium of the New Chitose International Airport was decorated so nicely with the citizen pride sign  "Hokkaido Love!" on the backside of elevator case. 

The name of the sponsors such as dairy foods producing company "Yukijirushi Meg Milk" and other businesses headquartered in Hokkaido were shown on the elevator case and other walls. 
 

Cheng Long Chinese Restaurant in Iwamizawa City !

by Kazu

On my way of business jaunt to Mikasa City, one of the biggest coal mine area in Hokkaido, I dropped by so nice Chinese restaurant renewed in the downtown of adjacent Iwamizawa City a few years ago. The name is Cheng Long, Seiryu in Japanese pronunciation.  

It seemed to have had been newly built and have a few ample space for the people who throw a party on the basement floor. It had enough space for car-parking and was much closer to the train station and the central area of the city.

The timing of sunrise was getting earlier than in mid-winter. I will be able to see this scenery much more frequent for months. I hope the rising sun will ignite my heart again this year.  

 

Cloudy?

by Kazu

It has been half a year since we saw green leaves in last autumn and soon we'll see young foliage of trees in Sapporo after enjoying a variety colors of cherry blossoms in coming spring.  

My wife and I have already indulged in the beauty of pink cherry blossoms in Tokyo including the premises of Yasukuni Shrine but we are craving for the season of the starting flame of lives on this northern region.

We have to wait more than a month to see what we are eager to savor but the smell of the wind gave us a subtle sign of the beautiful season from the south. We would like to try the cherry blossoms tour from the southern end of Japan in the not-so-distant future.

 

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters winning !

by Kazu

The cheerleaders of the professional baseball team Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters cheered up the team and audience. They showed their regular dance between the innings. Most of the fans of Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters love the show and many girls want to become a member of the cheerleaders. 

Fortunately, we could see a home run by the hitter of Fighters and dancing lights of playing up the beautiful arch of the ball in the stadium. I experienced the enthusiasm of the people for the first time this year.  

The cheering-up drum, shouts and clapping resonated through the stadium and many fans of Fighters ordered another pints of beer in the seats. Drink-delivering girls went up and down the stairs between the seats in the stadium. That may be tough even for young girls with a tank of beer on their back.