Japanese sweet Potato

Japanese sweet potato is called in Japanese Satsumaimo. Satsumaimo potatoes are mainly harvested in fall. Satsumaimo have dark-pink skin and are slightly sweet.Satsumaimo are sold fresh at grocery stores and are also used to make shochu (distilled liquor) in Japan.

Satsumaimo is a common ingredients for tempura. Also, adding diced satsumaimo when cooking steamed rice makes imo-gohan (satsuma-imo rice). Usually, satsuma-imo are used to make desserts or snacks.

Easy ways to cook are grilling or steaming. Grilled satsuma-imo is called yakiimo. Grilled/steamed satsumaimo are simple but are popular snacks in autumn/winter in Japan. Candied satsuma-imo, called daigaku-imo, are also delicious snacks. Japanese sweet potato cakes are simply called sweet potato. Sweet potato cakes are usually oval shaped and are golden yellow.

Sweet potato is very cheap in this period in Japan, in addition, it is very nutritious. So I decided to try this recipe (Sweet Southern Potato Casserole Recipe) with some modifications. It was very delicious.
I forgot to take a photo, hehe.

Potato Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups sweet potatoes, boiled & mashed
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup whole milk
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shredded coconut


preheat your oven to 350 F, or 175 C.

In a large bowl- mix together the sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, white
sugar, vanilla extract, coconut & butter. Scoop into your favorite baking dish.

Spread some sugar on top of sweet potato mash and you're ready to bake your
casserole for 30 minutes.

"Morning Selection" bread

I received this information

"We bought by accident the bread called Morning Selection.

We asked the company and unfortunately it contains animal fat"

This is the photo of the bread

Tanabata, the star festival

Tanabata, also known as the "star festival", takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year, when, according to a Chinese legend, the two stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated from each other by the milky way, are able to meet.

During Tanabata, Japaneses write two wishes on two colorful pieces of paper (called tanzaku), and hang these pieces of paper on a specially erected bamboo tree. They believe that the wishes will become true.

I remember that my sensei during the extensive Japanese course explained to me why they put their wishes on the bamboo tree, she said that the tree will take these wishes to god. She asked me then to write two wishes and put them on the tree. So, I said that I cannot because my religion forbids me to do that, if I want to ask something from god, I should ask him directly. Elhamdulileh, she respected my opinion ^_^ without any problems.

The problem with Tanabata is that Japaneses celebrate it in schools, teachers asks children to hang their wishes on bamboo trees and tell them different stories on Tanabata. For a muslim child, believing that the tree will make their wishes true is not good. It is very difficult to raise a child islamically in Japan, since Japaneses still believe in such matters. The good thing with Japaneses is that they respect other religions, when a muslim asks teachers that his child will not participate in such celebrations, they accept without any problem.

History of Tanabata:
Tanabata originated more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale called Kikkoden. Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, they were playing all the time and forgot their jobs. The king was angry at them and separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River (Milky Way). The king allowed them to meet only once a year on July 7th. This is why tanabata is also called the Star Festival. People say that Orihime and Hikoboshi can't meet each other if July 7th is rainy, so they pray for good weather and also make wishes for themselves. From (http://gojapan.about.com/cs/japanesefestivals/a/tanabata.htm)

How to clean toddler teeth?

I think it is not safe to use a toothpaste for a toddler even if the manufacturer says it is safe. I never used a toothpaste for my son who is a toddler, as the dentist has recommended to wait until he can spit the toothpaste out.

In Akachan honpu and Kawachi, it is possible to find wet tissues for cleaning toddler teeth, I think it is the safest one. The tissues are called in japanese: HAMIGAKI NAPPU (歯磨きナップ）.

Mugi-cha

Roasted barley tea is the best drink for summer, called also mugi-cha in japan (麦茶), it is a popular tisane made from roasted barley. In Japan, it is regarded as a summer beverage. Many people in Japan believe that mugicha helps to cleanse the body.

You can buy prepared mugi-cha from shops, but I prefer to prepare it at home. I bought a bag of roasted barley (198yen, topvalue brand), the bag contains 52 small bags. I put one small bag in 1.5l of water and put it in the fridge for about 1 or 2 hours and the mugi-cha is ready.

You can give mugi-cha to children, it has no side effects. In the nursery school where my son is, they start to give mugi-cha from age 6 months. In shops specialized with baby food, it is possible to find mugi-cha for babies.

How can you travel cheap in Japan

You might be interested in discovering the beauty of Japan. Have you heard that traveling in Japan is very expensive? Well, traveling in Japan is not necessarily expensive. Fortunately, there are cheap ways to enjoy traveling in Japan.

• Transportation: Japan Railway (JR) provides very cheap tickets that you can use to take JR trains anywhere in Japan. These tickets are called 18 kippu. They are usually sold during vacation (see here). 18 kippu are sold as a set of 5 tickets. You are allowed to share with other people. One 18 kippu costs 2.525 円 (about 24 $) and you can use it for 24 hours with different JR trains! So convenient. You can plan your trip in advance by using this database of transportation in Japan.
  

• Hotel: There are youth hostels (Japanese website, English website) everywhere in Japan. Usually, one night costs around 3000円 (about 29$). Youth hostel is a dormitory, where you share your room with other people. An excellent opportunity to make friends. Women dorms and men dorms are separated in Japan. In some youth hostel you can stay in family rooms, but usually they are more expensive. I personally like staying in youth hostels because they are clean, cheap and offer a friendly environment, like a home!
  

• Food: Generally, the managers of youth hotel provide you with sanitary hot water if you ask. Now, you may ask what you can do with hot water. What about having Nescafe with sweets that you brought from home as breakfast? What about having sea food cup noodle as dinner? Moreover, some youth hostel have shared kitchen. So nice, you can cook your dinner and prepare sandwiches or obento for lunch.

Finally, is it safe to travel in Japan? Yes it is! Actually, Japanese are glad to meet foreigners that are interested in their local customs and sightseeing. If you behave politely and respectfully then you receive warm welcome and generous help.

Enjoy your trips :) !

A website to share Crime Announcement in japanese forums

I read that Japanese launched a website to share Crime Announcement on internet. The website is Yokoku.in where anyone can share crime announcements that can be found on any Japanese online forums.
I tried to see the website but it looks that it is not working for the moment

This is inspired by the stubbing in Akihabara on june 8, to prevent another crime at an earlier stage. The 25-year-old man went on a killing rampage in central Tokyo on Sunday, he posted a series of messages on an online bulletin board from his cellphone. He wrote that he intended to use his vehicle and knife to kill people in the central Tokyo district of Akihabara. Seven people died and 11 were injured. Kato was splattered with blood when he was arrested during the attack.
I started to feel that Tokyo is no more safe for families, may be it is exaggerated but when I think about the victims who died on that day, they did know that their lives will end like that. May be they were just walking or shopping. May Allah protect us inshallah.

日本語で読みましょう！

You might be interested to improve your Japanese by reading. Fortunately, there are novels dedicated to foreigners who are learning Japanese language. 日本語読む　series are created by 日本語多読研究会. The topics of these novels are mainly legends of Japan. There are four levels: level 1 and 2 are for beginners, level 3 is for lower-intermediate and level 4 is for intermediate. I used to read these novels. I found them quite helpful to enrich my vocabulary.

If you live in Tsukuba, you can find these novels at Tsukuba University Central Library. Or, you can buy them from Maruzen.

Have a sweet reading.

My Japanese home stay family and my burqa?!

The day of my meeting with the home stay family came.　We decided to meet at the station. Then the mother would take me by car to her home. In order to be recognized, she told me that she would be wearing a red hat. I told her that I would be wearing a black coat. I thought that being a foreigner with my every day black coat can’t be missed in a small town! However, given I am Muslim, my Japanese mother imagined that “black coat” means “black burqa”, like she saw them on TV!

I was few minutes earlier. I saw her coming with her red hat. I waved to her with my hand but she seems to be so absorbed in her thought (or perhaps worries J) that she didn’t notice me! When I was close enough to her, I called her “いさん,　いさん ファドワですよ！！”. Finally she noticed my existence!!

We had a nice chat on our way. She is communicative woman. I immediately felt easiness to speak to her. Upon arriving, she introduced me to her husband and daughters. We talked a lot! Only after deeper acquaintance, my Japanese mother told me that I look normal. “Look normal”? I asked her surprised how she was expecting me to look like. That moment, I knew that my Japanese family had not been well informed that there are different Islamic branches, conservative ones as well as liberal ones. She laughed when I told her that I am sorry to disappoint her since she was expecting a more "exotic" visitor.

I discovered that my Japanese family had borrowed books about Tunisia. They seemed to be studying them. My Japanese mother showed me Bourguiba’s picture and told me: “The book says that he is your hero!” Surprise, surprise, this is exactly the person who is responsible of making me look "normal" to her! To be continued…

Things you need to bring when travelling to Japan

I thought may be it will be interesting for muslims who are coming to japan to know what things they should bring with them:

1. Medicines: bring with you all the medicines you need or may need (in case of flu, headache, ...). It is may be impossible here in Japan to find the same medicines that you use in your country. Medicines here are sold under doctor prescription. There are drug stores where you can buy drugs without doctor's prescription but when you are new and do not speak/read Japanese it is difficult to find what you are looking for. If you have a baby, it is better also to bring medicines against fever because doctors here refused to give drugs against fever for my baby .
2. Clothes: it is difficult for a Muslim woman to find suitable clothes for her (I mean long skirts, long jackets, scarves...). It is more difficult if you wear large sizes, most of clothes here are size S, M or L and sometimes LL. LL is considered a very large size here. The same thing goes for shoes.
3. Bring lace-less shoes or shoes you can easily slip on. You’ll be surprised to find how often you'll be taking them off.
4. If you have problem to speak English, bring with you a dictionary to translate from your language to English. But do not worry because Japaneses do not speak English well so you will need to talk in English occasionally.
5. It is difficult to find Halal vanilla and gelatin, so if you need them, bring them with you. Tahini and Nigella sativa (black seeds) are also difficult to find. I recommend also to bring dried herbs like Oregano, verbana, mint.
   
6. Bring some food with you if you do not know any muslim where you are going to live, it is difficult in the beginning to know which food is halal .
7. Bring with you your official papers (translated in English) like the driving license, original transcripts and degree, vaccination record for children....
8. Many institutes pay salaries at the end of the month, it’s important to bring quite a bit of cash.
   
9. Gifts: it is appreciated to give a gift for your professor.
   

Things you do not need to bring with you:

1. Electrical appliances like a hair dryer because you will face electrical compatibility problems. Japan operates on 100 volts. In addition, used appliances are very cheap here and can be found easily.

Once you are in Japan and realize that you need things for your new home like plates and spoons, batteries, pens..., you can buy them from 100yen shops, these shops sells things at 100 yen, very cheap when you are in Japan.

The suicide forest at Aokigahara on Mt Fuji

This is really a place to avoid, the forest of Aokigahara (青木ヶ原) , also known as the Sea of Trees (樹海, Jukai), is an old, dense and dark forest bordering Mount Fuji, so dense and thick that from just a few kilometers inside it no sounds can be heard other than those produced by the forest itself.

In 2002, 78 bodies were found within the forest, replacing the previous record of 73 in 1998. It is a popular place for suicides, due in some part to the novel Kuroi Jukai (Black Forest), which ends with the lovers of the novel committing suicide in the forest. The high rate of suicide has led officials to place signs within the forest, urging those who have gone there specifically with the purpose of suicide in mind to seek help and not kill themselves.

"The perfect place to die." That's how Aokigahara was described in Wataru Tsurumui's bestselling book The Complete Manual of Suicide. Aokigahara is famous throughout Japan as a popular spot for those taking their final journey. By May of 2006, at least 16 new suicides had already been found. More than a few of them were even carrying copies of Tsurumui's book. No one knows how many bodies go undiscovered.

Behind this, there is evidence to suggest that growing numbers of Japanese people are clinically depressed. Statistics from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry suggest that one in fifteen suffer from depression at some point in their lives.

Japanese society puts more pressure on individuals to show outward happiness and this may explain why depression is more likely to result in suicide in Japan; if depression is less acceptable, suicide might seem to be an easier option than seeking help.

There is also another factor helping the suicides, Internet. The Internet in Japan is a space where depression sufferers can find similar individuals and make arrangements to meet up and commit suicide as a group. The Aokigahara forest is one of the suicide hot spots.

I was really surprised to know this side of the japanese society, I was always thinking that they are the happiest people on earth, since they have almost everything to make them happy, peace, wealth and prosperity and not many crimes! Ok, it seems that I was wrong.

My Japanese home stay family and my food

My first home stay experience in Japan was two years ago with a warm family. Although they hosted several foreigners in the past, they have never been in contact with a Muslim person. As many Japanese, their only experience with Islam was through TV or newspapers. Media is not always trustful source of information. Although, it is easy and practical way for widening our knowledge, it can be responsible of negative stereotypes and prejudices.

First, when I applied, I had to specify in the form my religion. Furthermore, in the same form they asked whether I have restrictions in food. At the beginning, I was not going to mention my preferences in food. I said to myself that I will try to avoid eating food that are suspicious to me and have sweets and cracks in my bag in case I find nothing to eat. Eating sweets and cracks for two days will not kill me, I can bear that. Furthermore, I am going for the cultural and social purposes. Food is not my priority along this home stay experience. But, I changed my mind; I want to enjoy Japanese homemade food!! Therefore, I mentioned that I would greatly appreciate if alcoholic drinks and meat are withdrawn from my meals.

Few days later, I received feedback from the host family. They accepted my application. Moreover, they included a questionnaire: “Do you drink milk?”, “Do you eat cheese?”, “Do you eat raw fish?”, “If we cook a soup with meat than we remove meat, can you eat the soup?”…

Oh!! So many details!! They could compete Ghada and Hafidha in their accurate selections of Halal Japanese products, just joking :) ! I really didn’t want to cause so much disturb! I am kind of person who does not feel comfortable in giving requests to unknown people. Having no choice, I replied to their questionnaire and politely thanked them for their care. To be continued…

Interactive website to learn Japanese using illustrations

I found a good website to learn Japanese http://www.languageguide.org/nihongo/
What I like in this website is that when you move the mouse over a picture, you can hear how to pronounce the word and in the same time you can see how to write the word in japanese and its reading in english. This website is ideal also for children to learn Japanese.

For the hiragana : http://www.languageguide.org/im/alpha/jp/hiragana.jsp
For the katakana : http://www.languageguide.org/im/alpha/jp/katakana.jsp
For the body : http://www.languageguide.org/im/body/jp/, http://www.languageguide.org/im/body2/jp/
For farm animals: http://www.languageguide.org/im/farm_anim/jp/
For birds : http://www.languageguide.org/im/birds/jp/
For fruits: http://www.languageguide.org/im/fruits/jp/
For vegetables: http://www.languageguide.org/im/veg/jp/


There are other languages also, check here: http://www.languageguide.org/

Really a wonderful website!!

Miso soup

Few weeks ago, my husband saw his friend buying Miso paste (a fermented soybean paste originating in Japan). Since we are here in Japan, we have never tried miso soup, so he asked me if I want to try. My answer was NO, NO, NO!!!
But after searching about the health benefits of Miso paste, I changed my mind. This is what I have found:

• Because Miso is fermented with a B12-synthesizing bacteria, miso has been commonly recommended as a B12 source for vegans.
• Miso is quite high in sodium (1 ounce contains 52% of the recommended daily value for sodium), but a little miso goes a long way towards providing your daily needs for the trace minerals zinc, manganese, and copper.
• A single tablespoon of miso contains 2 grams of protein for just 25 calories. An impressive nutrient profile for a flavoring agent!
• Miso's Minerals Support Immune Function, Energy Production, Bones and Blood Vessels
• Protection Against Breast Cancer

After knowing all these benefits, no way I can say no to Miso.

The Miso I am using is called 純正こうじみそ (jyunsei-kouji-miso). This one is Halal, it contains only soybean, rice, and salt. As you see, no preservatives or additives which means more healthy (BTW, I am trying to avoid eating products that contain long term harmful additives).

Miso soup is very easy to make, just take a cup of warm water and add 1 table spoon of miso paste, then you can add the mixture to a vegetable soup, to noodles, or just drink it as it is.
For more information about Miso, see the following website: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=114#healthbenefits

A Few Quick Serving Ideas: (from the previous website)

• Miso soup is quick and easy to prepare. Heat miso paste and water over low-medium heat. Eat as is or add in some traditional fixings including shiitake mushrooms, tofu, scallions, burdock, carrots, and daikon radish.

• Miso-tahini sandwiches are one of our favorites. To make your own, just spread miso on a piece of bread and then top with tahini. Enjoy as is or add sliced avocado.

• Use miso as an ingredient in marinades for meat, fish, poultry or game.

• Carry dried miso soup packets with you and enjoy them as a pick-me-up coffee substitute.

• Combine a little miso with olive oil, flax seed oil, ginger and garlic to make an Asian-inspired dressing that can be used on salads or cold grain dishes.

Japanese Toilet Training for Kids

Do you want to know how the Japaneses train their children for the potty, see this video, it is a Japanese cartoon to teach children how to use the toilet. Nothing can surprise me here in Japan!!

Online Japanese language tools

This a list of my favorite (and may be the best I know) online Japanese language tools:

• Translator, to translate from Japanese to English and from English to Japanese: http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/
• To read a Japanese text (Yomikata):
  
• http://www.popjisyo.com/WebHint/Portal_e.aspx
• http://yomoyomo.jp/
• Dictionary (eng-jap, jap-eng, kanji+kana+romaji): http://kanjidict.stc.cx/dict

Have a nice Japanese reading!!!

How to send items through post office

Many times, I want to send some items through the post office but each time i found it difficult because I do not know all the possible options available and I could not ask because I cannot speak Japanese.
So I decided to search on internet about shipping in Japan. This is a summary of what I found.
For a summary about shipping rates through post office, see the following page: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/fee/simulator/kokunai/parcel.html#02

1-Yuu-pack ( ゆうパック)

• Use for: heavier items over 500g
• Cost: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/fee/simulator/kokunai/parcel.html#01
  
• More information: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/parcel/you_pack/index.html (Japanese)

For heavier items, postal Yuu-Pack is probably the best option. You need to fill in a blue form with the receiver's and the sender's details, including phone numbers. You can specify a certain time of day for delivery. The fee will depend on the overall size, not the weight, of the package, so try to squeeze it into a small box! You receive a 100yen discount on the price if you take it to the post office by yourself,rather than having the parcel picked up from your home. A few days later you will receive a postcard to let you know the package has been delivered.

Options for Yuu-pack:

Yuu-pack can be sent 着払　Chakubarai　(in english, COD for cash on delivery) or 　代金引換　daikin hikikae　(in english POD for payment on delivery).

1. Chakubarai: The receiver pays the Yuu-mail rate, plus 20 yen for this service. sender fills out a pink COD form. The receiver's phone number is needed. sender can specify a time of delivery (morning, afternoon, late afternoon, evening).
   
2. Daikin hikikae: Payment on Delivery allows the sender to post the parcel to the receiver at the receiver's expense AND collect an extra amount on top of the postal fees.

For more details about options available for Yuu-Pack:
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/you_pack/add.html

2-Yuu-mail (ゆうメール), called before "sasshi kozutsumi "（旧冊子小包）

• Use for: books, magazines, cds, dvds, videos up to 3kg, H+W+D limit: 1.7 m
• The flat rates for anywhere in Japan are:
  
  up to 150 grams: 180 yen
  up to 250 grams: 210 yen
  up to 500 grams: 290 yen
  up to 1 kg: 340 yen
  up to 2 kg: 450 yen
  up to 3 kg: 590 yen
• For more information about Yuu-mail (in japanese) http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/you_mail/index.html
  http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/you_mail/use.html

Yuu-mail can also be sent chakubarai (in english, COD for cash on delivery), entailing an extra 20 yen collection fee or sent Daikin hikikae (POD for Payment on Delivery) (see Options for Yuu-Pack for more information).
For more details about options available for Yuu-mail : http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/you_mail/add.html


3-EXPACK500（エクスパック）500
Sometimes it is possible to cram something that would be going for the top rate of 590 yen of the Yuu-mail into a 500 yen ExPack envelope, saving 90 yen.

• Use for: anything that will fit inside the envelope
• Fix cost: 500 yen for whatever you can fit inside the envelope (248mm×340mm) and the weight limit is 30 kg.
• More information (japanese) http://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/expack/index.html

There is a flat 500 yen charge nationwide, as long as the parcel fits inside the envelope provided. There is no need for complicated postage calculations and affixing stamps, and in addition to collection by postal workers, the "EXPACK 500" can also be mailed in a post box 24 hours a day. Moreover, by entering the barcode, tracking information can be checked via PC, and a seal to confirm receipt can be obtained from the recipient.
You can track EXPACK500 on the internet or cell phones. There is no insurance for these so you should not use them for valuable or irreplaceable items and it is not permitted to use them to send money. These envelopes will not fit in the mouth of some older mailboxes.

Halal Milk for babies

Few months ago some muslim women asked me about halal baby milk. A japanese mulim woman helped us to get more information about the baby milk prouced in Japan.

Unfortunately, the only confirmed halal milk for babies we know is "Chirumiru" of Morinaga: from (9months to 3 years)(http://www.hagukumi.ne.jp /products/chirumiru/chirumiru .shtml)

The japanese sister, asked the maker Morinaga about "HAGUKUMI" suitable for newborn until 9 months, this is Morinaga answer:

"Lecithin is from soy bean, but unfortunately, Hagukumi contains enzyme from pork (or lard)."

The milk of Meiji is Haram (confirmed form ingredients).

All the other brands could not confirm if their products are halal. The japanese sister has asked both of Bean Stalk Snow (group comapny of Yukijirushi) and Wakoudou (group company of Asahi Beer) about their baby milk, unfortunately, their replies were not satisfactory.

Both of them said that as ingredients, haram materials are not included, but they do not have total control on the manufacturing process of their suppliers of ingredients. Enzyme or other ingredients may have been produced or extracted utilizing the material derived from pig.
Therefore they cannot guarantee if their products are halal and they request consumers who have religious restrictions shall not use their products.

If you want to use the baby milk for a baby from 0 month until 9 months and to be sure that the milk is confirmed Halal, I think the only choice you have is the soy milk baby formula, I do not know the brand names but I think it is easy to find it in the store. But, I have been told that soy milk is not good for baby health if used for long time.

I do not know if it is possible to import baby milk from Islamic countries but I think the muslim community here in Japan should consider this option since the only halal baby milk we know is "CHIRUMIRU" of Morinaga and it is only suitable for babies above 9 months.