Sunday, December 30, 2007

Fish names in japanese and english

This is a useful list of fish names in japanese and english when you are shopping. (the list was taken from http://japanese.about.com)

sakana

fish

kai

shellfish

awabi
あわび

abalone

ebi
えび

shrimp

hamachi
はまち

yellowtail

hirame
ひらめ

sole

ika
いか

squid

iwashi
いわし

sardine

kaki
カキ

oyster

kani
かに

crab

karei
かれい

flounder

katsuo
かつお

bonito

maguro
まぐろ

tuna

masu
ます

trout

nishin
にしん

herring

saba
さば

mackerel

sake

salmon

tai

sea bream

tako
たこ

octopus

tara
たら

cod

unagi
うなぎ

eel

uni
うに

sea urchin


Thursday, August 30, 2007

Free guided tour of Akihabara!

From “New Discovery of Akihabara” (website)

Free tour ”New Discovery of Akihabara” on every Saturday, will take you the places where is the most excited in Akihabara such as, pop culture ( Kotobukiya ,Tokyo Anime Center ) , electric town and duty free shop.

Period : Every Saturday
July 7, 2007~January 19, 2008
Tour guide language : English

Meeting place : 1st floor of Radio Kaikan
(30 seconds from the Akihabara Electric Town Exit )
Meeting time : 0:50PM
Departure time: 1:00 PM

Tour course
(please visit the New Discovery of Akihabara website for details):
*1 Radio Kaikan
*2 Electric Town / Shopping District
*3 Tsukumo Robot Kingdom
*4 Overseas model products
*5 Knowledge Field at UDX building
*6 Radio Kaikan (disband)
Fill out a questionnaire and disbands at Radio Kaikan.
( Gift will be given at the end of the tour.)

The tour takes approximately 2 hours.

* The tour course may change due to weather.
*Let us remind you that you may be interviewed by Japanese TV or newspapers due to strong popularity of the tour.


Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Fresh Vegetables in Tsukuba

Imagine you can find Farmers buying their fresh vegetables here in Tsukuba.

This fresh mini-market is in Namiki Park every Saturday morning. Namiki area is in the other side of AIST. You can take south direction in the Higashi Odori , after AIST you will find a benzene on the right side, the one in the picture.
Turn left and another left in the narrow street. after you pass the first bridge you will find this sign on right....
Turn right and go strait in this road till you find Namiki Shopping Center on the right side, and you will find the farmers in the left side. The official time for this fresh market is early morning from 10:00 to 12:00. Usually the farmers go their about 8:30 to 9:00. Remember to take bags with you, they are farmers so they don't have many bags to serve all.

You can spend a good time their with your family, there is a nice lake view and small area for children to enjoy playing.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Origami 折り紙


Origami is the Japanese paper fold art. The word origami is composed of two words: 折り(ori) which means folding and (kami) which means paper.
Starting from a piece of paper and using only hands, origami artists, called origamist, can create impressive paper works.


Origamist provide diagrams of their works called orizu. By following the orizu, everyone can create several objects. You can give them as handmade present or use them to decorate your space or teaching you child how to make them. Origami is simple, enjoyable and easy to practice. I selected for you the following origami’s websites, enjoy!

  • The famous tsuru or crane diagram in 3D animation:

http://www.origami.org.uk/

  • Diagrams for beginners:

http://www.origami-usa.org/fold_this.html

http://www.origami-club.com/en/


Finally, it is important to mention that origami can be fun as well as educational for children. Actually, origami is considered as a tool for geometric constructions. In Japan, origami is used as an interactive way for teaching geometry to children.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Braille block “点字ブロック(てんじぶろっく)”


One thing you notice when you are walking in Japanese cities is the yellow lines on some pedestrian roads. These yellow lines are called "braille blocks", in japanese "Tenjiburokku"(点字ブロック(てんじぶろっく)). They are made for people who are visually impaired.

The line is composed of many raised directional tiles or pavers. There are two types of tiles, one with protruded rectangle patterns which means "go". And the other type with protruded dots which means "stop".



You should not park your bicycle on this yellow line because it may cause an accident for persons with visual imparment.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Yamazaki Rolls (味付けロール) are Haram


The following Yamazaki Rolls (味付けロール) are not Halal (forbidden) because the margarine in not from a Halal source.
Please be careful from the margarine, it may contain fats from pig. Margarine is not always Halal.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Japanese schools

I am a mother of 3 children, i have twins two girls and one boy.
My daughters now are in a governmental Japanese primary school ,grade 2.
They received their education in kinder garden also in japan.
1-About the primary schools in japan; about my case, Japanese people depends on the activities especially ORIGAMI; some colored papers they can make some shapes from them, all the kids like ORIGAMI, Japanese people are very good in making a lot of shapes, they also teach the kids how to make them. They have also every week one subject for making a new idea, like to make a bag a doll and the children should prepare all the materials to make the idea.
2-Japanese school has a curriculum and they have Japanese language, story, math, activity, music, sports.
3-They have everyday cleaning time after lunch time; they should clean the class after eating by groups, also during the lunch time there are groups for distributing the food to children.
4-they teach them also music, they have some books and they can read by themselves.
5-the children can share in any ceremony with his effort.
6-they can prepare the child to has self-confidence .
7-in kinder garden they can make activities only, no study.

Written by sister Shahira

Thursday, May 17, 2007

All Pasco pans are Haram(forbidden)

I have bought Pasco Pan roll (超熟ロールパン) by mistake.



In the ingredients, there are no emulsifier or shortening, however there are "processed oils" in japanese "加工油". Processed oils may be haram if the source is from animal.

so, I wrote an email to Pasco to ask about the origin of the oils, but unfortunately, they said that they cannot answer my question.
this is their email:

Shortening and emulsifier are made from almost vegetable oil on products of Pasco. Generally speaking, most bakery ingredients contain some amount of those items coming from animal fat, e.g. emulsifier, shortening, etc. Besides, it is very difficult to say what items are free from animal fat. We are very sorry we can not answer you exactly which items fit your needs because most of the Japanese bakery ingredients have great opportunities to contain animal fat or even have a chance of contamination in the ingredients.

so, I searched in the website of Pasco and this is what I found here http://www.pasconet.co.jp/community/index_faq.html

加工油脂は何の油ですか。

answer
私どもの商品に使用している「加工油脂」は、大豆油、パーム油、菜種油、コーン油、魚油、豚脂などの各種食用油脂を混合したマーガリンなどの製パン用油脂です。植物性の油脂のみ使用した場合と植物性と動物性を混合している場合があります

the meaning of what is written in japanese is: " the processed oils in all Pasco Pan can contain vegetable oils and animal fats and precisely from pig and fish"
So as a conclusion, all products of Pasco are Haram(forbidden).

Friday, April 27, 2007

Tylenol or paracetamol in Japan

It is possible to find Tylenol (also called in some countries paracetamol or acetaminophen) in the drug stores in Japan (like Kawachi).

Tylenol is a drug for relieving pain, reducing fever, and relieving the symptoms of allergies, cold, cough and the flu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tylenol).

There are 3 types of Tylenol in Japan:

1. Tylenol A (タイレノールA 20錠)



The price of Tylenol A (for Adult, over 15 years old) is around 1100yen.

2.Tylenol FD (タイレノールFD “anywhere”24錠)



The price of Tylenol FD (for Adult, over 15 years old) is around 880yen.

3.Tylenol FD for children ( タイレノール FD 小児用 )



There is also Tylenol FD for children (between 5 and 14 years old).

You can find more information about these products on the following website (japanese): http://tylenol.jp/products.html

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Some kinds of fish in Japan.. How to cook?

The first type ; Aji  (あじ)
There are small and big Aji the small one is more taste and you can fry it after clean and put it with flour .
The price of packet around 100 – 200 yen .
Your can buy a good FISH from Kasumi or Jusco or market in Lala garden

Second type; SANMA (さんま)

This kind of fish is not for fry because it has fat and oil so you have to use the grill or oven to cook it but there is a notice put it at net of oven and in the plate under it put water to avoid the bad smile of fish. it is tasty and very good for health and it is famous in Japan in special season.
One piece of it around 50 – 100 yen




The third type; Iwashi (いわし)
The very small iwashi is the most taste and you can fry it .
One packet around 100-200 yen



The fourth type; Salmon (サーラムン)
It is with orange color and it is very very taste and you can put it at oven or grill 、Japanese people eat it for breakfast every day it is healthy .
You can find it at market like a small slice and each one cost 75-100 yen .

The fifth type; SABA (さば)
It is not small and very big and you can cut it and fry or by grill but Japanese cook it with sauce like boiled fish and I think it is better ,

The sixth type; The MAGRU (まぐろ)
It is the very big fish and it is famous in Japan they eat it with out cook for sashimi and you can cook it grill like KABAB or you cut it small piece and fry with onion and vegetables or tomato it is
like the meat of chicken in taste and it is sold by small pieces but it not cheap comparing with other types two or three piece 300-400 yen or more

The seventh type; SUZUKI すずき
It is a big one and it is good for grill and it is cost 400-500 yen

The eight type; bori ぶり
It is with small slice and it is to grill and it is tasty also three piece 300-400 yen
This kind u can grill it and Japanese cooked like boiled fish .
There is a small and big size and it is good for grill , it is tasty .
This is the most popular fish and there are a lot of kinds but I don’t know the names but I will add pictures,

This kind u can grill it and Japanese cooked like boiled fish .


Collected By sister Samar

Monday, April 23, 2007

How to say in Japanese (Cleaning Vocabulary)

Cleaning Vocabulary:
  • ant spray - ari no sacchu zai
  • baking soda - juso-u
  • bath heater cleaner - furo kama yo senjo zai
  • bath tub cleaner - furo yo sen zai
  • bleach - hyo haku zai
  • chlorine bleach - enso kei hyo haku zai
  • color fast (non-chlorine) bleach - sanso kei hyo haku zai
  • carpet cleaner - jutan yo sen zaide
  • humidifying pellets - shiikke tori
  • dish washing liquid - shokki yo ekitai sen zai
  • drain cleaner - paipu kurina
  • dust mite or tatami mite killers - dani no kujo
  • fabric softener - junan shiage zai
  • floor cleaner - fuki soji yo sen zai
  • floor wax - juka yo wakkusu
  • furniture polish - kaguno tsuya dashi
  • laundry soap - sentaku yo sekkennon-phosphorus
  • laundry soap - murin sentaku yo sekken
  • soap powder - konasekkendetergent - gosei sen zai
  • mildew spray - kabi kira
  • moisture collectors - joshitsu zai, shikke tori
  • mosquito coil - katori senko
  • electric mosquito repellent - denshi katori
  • moth repellent - bochuzai
  • roach hotel - gokiburi hoi hoi
  • room freshener - hoko zai
  • sink cleaner - nagashi yo sen zai
  • spot cleaner - bubun araiyo
  • stain remover - shimi nuki yo sen zai
  • starch (goes into washing machine) - sentaku nori
  • starch spray (used while ironing) - sentaku nori supure
  • for toilets - toire yo
  • toilet cleaner - toire yo sen zai
  • toilet cleaner, neutral type - toire yo sen zai chusei
  • toilet cleaner, chlorine type - toire yo sen zai enso kei
  • toilet cleaner, acid type - toire yo sen zai sansei taipu
  • toilet cleaner, antibacterial type - toire yo sen zai jokin senjo
  • toilet plunger - tsumari tori ("blockage take out")
  • wool cleaner - uru yo sen zai
  • washing machine tub cleaner - sentakki so kurina

Reference: http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/cleaning.html

Friday, April 20, 2007

Stain removing bleach for colorful clothes


I have recently discovered a powerful bleach called "Super Temanashi Bright" that can be used also with colorful clothes.
This bleach can remove stains from clothes. Just put a little on the stain and put the cloth in the washing machine, you will see, the result is perfect!!!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Haram Ingredient List


While you are in Japan, you will find most of the progucts contents written in Japanese,

so this is most of Haram (not good to eat or drink as a Muslim) ingredients. If you find any of these items in any products so search for alternative.

click on the list Image to find out the whole list........



Marriages Lead Women into Islam

One of my friends sent to me the following mail to contribute to the blog. I found it interesting, I hope you too you will like it.

My friend wrote:
"Since the blog is about sharing experience of muslim women in Japan, I suggest the following article from Japan Times which was written a long long time ago by Lynne Y. Nakono, Staff Writer, Japan Times, published November 19th, 1992 :
http://www.jannah.org/sisters/japan.html
or
http://thetruereligion.org/modules/xfsection/article.php?articleid=184
The article describes the difficulties that Japanese Muslim women encounter in Japan. The majority of those difficulties still remains nowadays. I hope it is helpful."

How to say in Japanese (In the Store)

Dose any one here speak English?
Eigo o hanasu hito wa imasu ka?
えいご お はなす 人 は いますか。

I do not know how to use it.
Tsukai kata ga wakarimasen.
つかい かた が わかりません。

It is expensive, make a discount
Takai desu ne. mousukoshi yasukushite kudasai
たかいですね。もうすこし やすくして ください。

I will take / buy this
kore ni shimasu. 
これにします。

I will not take it
warui desukedo mata ni shimasu.
わるいですけどまたにします。

Could you wrap this one and this one separately
kore to kore betsubetsu ni tsutsunde kudasai
これ と これ べつべつ(別々)に つつんで(包んで)ください。

Do you have a cheaper/bigger one than this?
kore yori yasui/ooki no arimasuka.
これより やすい(安い)/大きいのありますか?

Do you have it in different color?
kore no iro chigai arimasuka?
これ の いろ(色) ちがい(違い) ありますか?

Yukijirushi Neosoft Margarine (雪印ネオソフト)

The following margarine Yukijirushi Neosoft Margarine (雪印ネオソフト) is HALAL.
This is the ingredients contained in the margarine:

食用植物油脂、食用精製加工油脂、食塩、粉乳、乳化剤、香料、着色料(カロテン)、(原材料の一部に大豆を含む)

The nyukazai (乳化剤) and the purified oil (食用精製加工油脂) are from plants. Sister Amina jazaha Ellah kheiren for all her efforts called the company and asked about the ingredients.

So the Margarine is Halal
雪印 ネオソフト

Thursday, April 12, 2007

How to ask in japanese if the ingredients are from plants

When we live in Japan, it is important to know how to ask a company if one of its products is from plants or animal.
This how you can ask:

  • Is the ingredient (X for example) of the product (Y for example) from animal or plant?
In japanese: Yの原材料のXは、動物由来ですか。それとも植物由来ですか。
Reading: Y no genzairyou no X wa doubutsu yurai desu ka? soretomo shokubutsu yurai
desu ka?
  • Are all the ingredients from plants.
In japanese: 原材料はすべて植物性ですか。
Reading: Genzairyou wa subete shokubutsusei desu ka?

  • Is anything from animal contained in the ingredients?
In japanese: 原材料に動物性のものは含まれていますか。
Reading: Genzairyou ni doubutsusei no mono wa fukumarete imasu ka?

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

List of some online Halal food shops in Japan

siswahyu food shop : www.siswahyu.com

Azhar Halal Foods Store
Halal food
(http://mall.azhar.jp/ihf/mise)

Couscous Online Store
Products from Tunisia (Halal)
http://www.mandpcorp.co.jp/web_eng/tun_prod_products.htm)

Grand Bazaar - Online Food Store
Halal food (most produts are from Turkey
(http://www.baharu.com/e-shop/indexen.htm)

NABI San Halal Food
halal food and egyptian food.
You need to see the price list and contact him by email
(http://www.geocities.com/nabisan2000/)

Online store baticrom
Halal food (http://http://baticrom.com/)

Piyopiyoland / Asian World Shop
Online Store where you can buy halal food
(http://www.piyopiyoland.com/)

Spice House
Halal food, not expensive (http://www.spice-house.com/)
Tengu shop
Tengu is a mail order service for ORGANIC vegetarian foods.
NOT ALL FOODS ARE HALAL

(http://www.alishan.jp/shop/nfoscomm/catalog/)

Tonmoy grocery
Halal food shop (http://www.tonmoygrocery.com/index.php)

Tukina international
Halal food shop (http://www.tukina.com/)