Japan never ceases to amaze me with the interesting flavored snacks they release.
While I was in 7-11 the other day to grab a milk tea I happened to walk past the chip isle and these caught my eye.
They actually went too bad. I couldn’t really detect the “cream cheese” flavor but I definitely could taste the prosciutto. When you opened the bag it was like opening a bag of smoked prosciutto.
If your ever in Japan always check your local konbini. You’ll never know what you’ll find.
Ja Ne!!~~
So this year for my spring break I went to Osaka for a friends birthday. It was my first time in Osaka so I was really excited.
My friend and I took the bus from Matsue Station to Osaka. It’s about a 5 hour bus ride. It was really relaxing. The bus has free WiFi and a place charge your phone.
The first thing my friend and I did when we got in Osaka was……..eat takoyaki!
Every time I talk to my students about my love for takoyaki they always tell me I should try takoyaki in Osaka. Osaka is well known for their takoyaki. And well it makes sense. The takoyaki was really really good. So good I actually ate it twice.
We also found a good restaurant in Osaka for Mexican food called El Pancho. It’s so hard to find good Mexican food in Japan but this place was golden. They even had margaritas.
This weekend, February 3, was Setsubun (節分). This holiday used to be where the seasons divided from winter to spring but now it’s know more for being the start of risshun (立春) or spring. Setsubun a holiday where you throw dried soybeans at an “oni” or demon. Usually the dad puts in an oni mask and the other family members throw soy beans at them outside the house saying “Demons outside, Good luck inside” or お庭外! 腹話内! I heard that after you throw them you have to eat one bean for every year of your age. So if you’re 25 like me you have to eat 25 dried soy beans!! That’s way too many. Even though I didn’t do that I celebrated Setsubun in my own way. I went to Yonago with my friends and we took a picture with an oni by the bar we were going to. 
We haven’t seen each other since leaving for Christmas to it was nice catching up and playing Jenga. 
But then more friends arrived at the bar and the bar owner from across the street saw a group of us and made us Ehoumaki. Ehoumaki is a long sushi roll eaten on Setsubun for good luck. It also has to be eaten facing the lucky direction of the year and this year you had to face East! You can also buy these from many grocery stores and konbini’s around Japan! 
So hopefully as it becomes Spring we all have the best luck in this new year! Ja~~~
This month on the 22 Coca-Cola releases a new flavor of coke to get us in the Spring mood. Which I think we do desperately need with all of this snow.
Last year Japan had ginger coke as a flavor in winter but this year it’s…….PEACH!
That’s right Peach Coca-Cola
It taste so good. It’s got a light sweet peach flavor with the same coke taste underneath.
If you live in Japan you can find these at your local grocery store and the Convenience store.
Ja~~
So even though it’s been a while since I’ve wrote Japan hasn’t stopped coming out with new and interesting food.
The most recent one I found at the store has been this! 
This is a pudding that pancake flavored with real maple syrup!
And it comes with a separate container filled with real maple syrup. Once you open it that’s all you can smell.
It really does taste like pancakes but it also taste kinda like a soft cream brûlée. It’s really good. If you’re in Japan you should try it!
Jaaaa~~~
Earlier this month I had a friend come from Hiroshima and stay with me for Golden Week. Golden week is a week in the Spring where Japan has many celebrations and holidays such as ‘Boy’s Day’ and the Emperor’s Birthday.
For the spring the island next to me had a wonderful display of flowers. On the island of Daikonjima there is a Japanese garden named Yuushien Garden it is a traditional Japanese garden and they’re well known for ginger and peonies.
During the spring peony festival they have over two million peonies of two-hundred and fifty different types bloom, of those the ‘Chinsen Peony’ early blooms get chosen and they are then put in the pond for display. Apparently Daikonjima is so well equipped to grow peonies because of the volcanic ash on the island since it is still an active volcanic island. So the gardeners use that and in turn cultivate millions of peonies.
They were so beautiful and vibrant floating in the pond. When there were wilted ones you could see many of the garden keeps out there with baskets picking them up and replacing them with new ones. It was so magical almost to see so many flowers just floating in the pond.
During this festival I also discovered that the peony is the Prefectural flower of Shimane! This was such a beautiful event, yet another reason why Spring is the best season.
jaaaa ~~~~~
In March it was a long break for me, school ended and then my friend came from America to come and see me for almost 3 weeks. I have so many pictures from Tokyo that I will end up making blog post about, so don’t worry!
But when I came back home from all of that Tokyo exploring I have been to the castle almost twice a week checking on the cherry blossoms or sakura to see if they had bloomed already. But every time I went they were still naked trees. Still a beautiful castle just no blossoms in sight!
But a friend and I went and even though it drizzled a little we persisted and still had a wonderful Hanami. My friend and I sat under a cherry blossom tree with my favorite snack genmai dango, which I found out is made with brown rice, and just relaxed.
There were a few people who actually had Hanami parties and bought loads of food and were talking and drinking on the castle grounds. It was so fun to see everyone finally taking a break and relaxing.
And there was even a ninja!
So today I went to the local Family Mart with my friend who went to buy a ticket for the Beerfest happening next month and I was walking up and down the isles just looking and I happened upon these bad boys!
These are ‘Eggs Benedict’ pringles.
They honestly taste exactly like egg yolks it’s so strange how that taste can translate into a potato chip. It’s got the salt and pepper taste and everything.
Hands down this is the most interesting chip flavor that I’ve ever had.
Jaaaa~~~~~
So the weather is finally turning into summer weather!! It’s finally breaking from that spring chill allowing for a BEACH DAY!!
We found the most majestic beach near Saikaminato. It’s between mountains and was absolutely beautiful. Photos don’t do this beach justice.
It was so nice to finally get some sun after being shut in with all that dumb snow. I am already ready to go back and swim some more.
Jaaaa~~~~
So while Starbucks in America has the Unicorn Frappe that is causing a huge social media stir Japan has a new frappe too!!
I bring to you the American Cherry Pie Frappe!!
So after the light cherry flavor of the Sakura Frappe this time the cherry is in full force for this “American” inspired drink.
It taste like cherry pie filling with vanilla ice cream and it even comes with a pie crust dome.
I’m not the biggest fan of cherry pie, but if you love it you would love this it tasted practically like eating a pie!!
Jaaa~~~
Worldly Adventures 