For Robin

I’m gonna have a short proud moment, just this one time, and say that this rural area of Japan didn’t have much (if any) English info on food before I got here. I dedicate this post on my favorite food places in the north Okayama/Tottori area to my successor, “Robin from England” whom my students (can I still call them my students? waa) are so super excited to meet come August.

Robin, I speak for all of us (my followers and I) when I wish you the very best of time in Ohara. We hope you make the most of every day and cannot wait to see this place from your pespective in future pictures. So without further adieu…

For contemporary-style cafes try: Cafe Roca in Tsuyama

or Moco Lifestyle Store  in Tottori

For a contemporary-style cafe with WIFI: try Dot Diner&Cafe in Yunogo or Nambate in Ohara or Motoyu in Nishiawakura

For the world’s fluffiest pancakes: Cocogarden in Tottori (Mochigase)
Arrive super early or be prepared for a long wait. Also sell udon, fresh bread and omelette crepes (go figure). Open daily from 10am. I recommend the milk soft serve and the organic eggs.

For Thick crust pizza: La Gita in Katsumada

For BIG and I mean, gigantic thin crust pizza, Pizza King in Wake Town
I recommend the spinach pizza.

For the best counter sushi in Japan: Yoshinoya in Mimasaka but only on a Saturday
Every day else, this place is an izakaya (Japanese bar).

For contemporary cafe-style food with the best view: Yukkuru Terrace in Yunogo

For a super cheap sushi train: Sushiro in Tsuyama

For a fancy sushi train: Hokkaido in Tottori (go figure)

For a very beautiful and very Japanese and slightly expensive place to take your parents when they visit: Mitaki-en in Chizu Town

For REAL bread (and takeaway pizzettes): Hugo et Leo in Nishiawakura

Or
Aiyuuwaie in Yunogo

For incredible burgers (and good conversation): Shuvi Du Bar in Tottori
For good Indian with naan the size of your mattress: Sivam in Yunogo (or Sivan – still don’t know which)
For fancy Italian try: Terra in Tsuyama
I recommend the chef’s choice set menu. 

For super fancy Italian: Ristorante Cielo in Tsuyama

For vegetarian: Cafe Bonheur  in Tsuyama

Or Gemmaishokudourakudokan (yeah, it’s a tongue twister)

For fresh gelato: Hashimoto Farm in Tottori

Or Latte in Tsuyama

Ok desu. Think that’s probably enough for now. Happy scoffing, buddy!

An Open Letter To The Mimasaka Board Of Education

To whom it may concern

I am writing this letter to let you know that I will be retiring from my position as Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) on July 22nd.

Please know that I have had the most negative experience here. The Mimasaka Board of Education has continuously surprised me with their unprofessionalism.

I have not recieved or been notified of important information. I was never invited to the ALT orientation or the ALT camp (both of where I would have had the opportunity to make foreign friends in my position and/or receive answers to my countless questions). When information has been given to me, it has been given to me late. For example, the forms for relocation were given to me well past their due date. My emails and phone-calls have gone unanswered. And time after time my supervisors have approached me with requests for large amounts of surprise payments due on the same day.

It is unfortunate that I will be leaving Mimasaka with a heart full of sadness. I have given all of my spirit and energy to my students and in return I have been faced with repetitive negligence.

As a guest in your country, you have made me feel incredibly unwelcome.

However; I am smarter than to judge the entire Japanese community by a small minority’s actions. As a full-blooded Iranian, I know the effects of such ignorance first-hand. I will not be a part of that blindness. For many people of your community have shown me more love and respect than some individuals of my home country and/or race ever have. If it were not for their kindness, I too would have broken my contract like my predecessor.

My wish today on Tanabata is that my successor will not have to go through the same unfair treatment and excruciating pain that I have.

Anisa Kazemi  

 

Lunch with a view (review I’ve lost count)

Turns out Mimasaka ain’t as shit as what I initially thought. Apparently, good old Confucius was right: everything has beauty, but not everyone can see it or something like that. For up in the mountains in Yunogo, there is a little gem of a restaurant called Yukuru Terrace and it’s B.E.A.utiful.

Yukuru terrace is where I’d take my mama (if my mama were in Japan) for lunch. You know what I mean? It’s one of those places. Lunch with a view, free-wifi (if she starts giving you a lecture), an abundance of artsy magazines (probably for the same reason), hot sun shining through the large glass windows and slow slow relaxing (yukkuru) ambiance.

But before you start punching the address in your GPS, there’s a few things left to mention. According to my Japanese friend, they only serve 15 meals per day. After that, it’s only coffee and cake. So, if you want to have one of the two lunch options on offer, you should probably go as early as you can – they open at 11.

Both choices are 1400 yen with an option of adding a tea/coffee and cake for an extra 300.

Of course, we did that because it takes insane self-control to turn down cake and overall, everything was great.

For 1700 we were given a garden salad, sweet potato soup, octopus spaghetti, bread roll, coffee and a slice of apple ricotta cake fit for an anorexic caterpillar – you know, the usual Japanese standard.

review no29 La Gita italian restaurant

You know it’s gonna be good pizza when there’s a legit wood-fired pizza oven in the room. Everyone loves Italian but for some reason, the Japanese are obsessed with it. After the Jap classics (teppan, sushi, ramen etc), here, Italian restaurants are the next big thing. Naturally, they can’t all be amazing so it’s pretty exciting when you come across a good one. La Gita in Katsumada is definitely up there. Not only is the food delizioso, the atmosphere is great, too! My favourite details include the chequered table cloths, the football jersey on the wall and the wait-staff’s uniform. The menu is in Japanese and ITALIAN so make sure you’re familiar with the basics before you go: margarita, marinara, frutti di mare etc. My only complaint would be the size of my tiramisu. I mean, come on, look at that picture. No wonder the Japanese are so skinny, I inhaled it in one bite.
I WANT MORE.

review no28 sivam indian restaurant

After the novelty of authentic Japanese food wears off (and it will), it’s beyond gratifying to chow down on anything that isn’t flavored by the sea, fried or rice. However; the rice at newly opened Sivam Indian restaurant in Yunogo is an exception because it comes with authentic Indian curry (cooked by Indian chefs) and ginormous as-big-as-your-torso naan. In addition; they have vegetarian options which are scarce in Japan. Pictured above is a set lunch option of vege curry and naan for a mere 750 yen (about $8NZD)! Sivam also sells adorable pottery, chopstick stands (in the form of edamame, broad bean, mushroom and chilli-pepper), house-made carrot dressing, chilli powder and mukhwas, a colourful indian after dinner snack or digestive aid. Definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in Yunogo. In fact, Yunogo is becoming one of my fave hangouts!

review no27 cafe rocky garden

First and foremost, Cafe Rocky Garden is dedicated to the owner’s deceased corgi. Need I say more? If adorable corgi-inspired decor isnt enough to lure you in, then I don’t know what will! Actually, I lie. The french toast is bloody good too. Situated in Katsuta, Rocky Garden camofolouged by the surrounding greeny (aka Mimasaka) is easy to miss but once you find it, it shall forever stand out (just call me cheese).

In addition to my french toast which was super big and fluffly (as all good french toast should be) I ordered a “cinammon latte” which was actually milky instant coffee, topped with sweet cream, maple syrup and cinnamon powder but, it was seriously divine. According to my colleagues they also do a delicious Japanese curry for lunch.

Whats-more, Cafe Rocky Garden  sells potted plants and vintage knick-knacks, also.

For the location, please address (see what I did there?) the all knowing Godgle as my Japanese/technology-skills fail me here.

Review No26 Dot Cafe

Traditional Japanese eateries are nice and all…but, as with all good things, a breather is needed once in a while. That, is where Dot Cafe comes to the rescue. So cool so contemporary, a visit to Dot Cafe will undoubtedly rejuvenate you and here’s why: 1.They play RECENT music. As in 5SOS and not Celine Dion or Frank Sinatra (no offence to both). 2.An extensive menu (not just Japanese) including pad thai, nasi goreng, curry and pizza meaning you’ll have a hard (but happy) time choosing. 3.There’s more than 40 drink options to choose from – including Indian chai! 4. Decent SALADS! (seldom can one find good salad options in Japanese restaurants except seaweed salad which is, put politely, not nice). 5.KILLER DESSERT PARFAITS. 6.Mr O the owner is a MAGICIAN. Yep, you read right; a full-blown magician. So, if you’re lucky and he’s about, be sure to ask him for a trick or two and just like that, instantly upgrade your casual evening meal to a first class “dinner and show”. 7.Upstairs is the most lush yoga studio – don’t take me lightly on this, the studio is seriously beautiful. 8.Next door, Katsuragi boasts one of the best onsens (hot pool) I have been to. Need I say more?

sometimes pictures speak louder than words!

Some words:
-Every single restaurant in Japan, without exception will give you a damp white cloth to wipe your hands and face with before gobbling your meal.
-Slurping is OK so don’t be surprised when you hear it and I guarantee you will!
-99% of restaurants serve Japanese green tea (hot or cold depending on the weather/restaurant/time) with each meal which is heavenly for digestion – definitely one to learn from!

konbini

Puzzled in Shopping Town,
surrounded by aisles
of unidentifiable items
marked with squiggles,
serves as motivation
to make it past ‘konnichiwa’
if wanting to eat “outside the box”.
Also literally,
beyond instant noodles.