Wattention Singapore vol 28

Singapore Edition

Tokyo - Taiwan - L.A. - Malaysia - Thailand - Paris - Mumbai - Hong Kong - Indonesia

TA K E FREE Sep / Oct 2015 VOL.28 MCI(P)005/12/2014

Specials

JAPAN AUTUMN SPECIAL

FIND OUT WHAT TO EAT, WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO DO

HOKKAIDO SPECIAL

3 SPEEDY THEMED SIGHTSEEING GUIDES

HOKKAIDO FESTIVAL @ WATTENTION PLAZA

DISCOVER DELICIOUS TREATS STRAIGHT FROM HOKKAIDO

OMAKASE

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CANT’ DECIDE WHAT TO EAT? LET THE CHEF DECIDE

AUTUMN ADVENTURE

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WAttention is a coined term containing “和 (wa)”, which, in Japanese, means “peace” , “calm” and “uniquely Japanese” , and the word “attention”. Since “wa” also has the connotation of ” link” , we gave our magazine

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In Ha rmony w it h t he Se a sons K ANGETSUSAI (27th September and 25th October in 2015)

観月祭 十五夜 九月二七日、十三夜 一〇月二五日

Traditionally dumplings and cooked yams are on the menu for the middle of the fall moon , and chestnuts and beans are se r ve d for th e mo o n af ter to celebrate the harvests of the seasons. 十五夜ではお月見団子や芋の 料理を、十三夜では栗や豆を 使った料理を作る。これはその 時期に収穫された作物を月に 感謝する気持ちからとされる。

The beauty of the full moon that occurs in the middle of fall has been admired by the Chinese since ancient times. This middle of the fall moon is scheduled by the old oriental lunar calendar that was in use before the Gregorian calendar was introduced and is equivalent to modern August. In ancient East Asia, August was regarded as the month when the air became the clearest and people started enjoying the full moon on the 15th of this month.

The actual date of this ancient 15th of August can be translated into modern 27th of September this year. In Japan,

traditionally, the full moon after the middle of the fall was also admired as the moon after or the moon reminiscent of the fall , and it was even regarded as unlucky not to celebrate both moons in some areas of Japan. This year, the moon after happens on the 25th of October.

It is likely that ancient people were already aware that the moon and tidal changes are strongly related to life forces. 日本には、中秋の名月という言葉があります。中秋 とは旧暦のうち 7 月、８月、９月のうち真ん中の８月のこ とを云います。最も空気が澄み、美しい月が鑑賞で

こ よ み を 楽 し む

text & coordination/ Rieko Ido, photo/ Hajime Watanabe 文とスタイリング＝井戸理恵子、写真＝渡邉肇

きる時期として日本の古人たちはこの頃に月を愛でる 習慣がありました。2015 年の中秋の名月は、新暦で は９月 27 日。現代では一五夜の一日に限ってのお祭 りとするところが多いですが、「後の月」や「名残の 月」として、翌月旧暦の９月１３日（今年は１０月 25 日） に十三夜をもお祀りし、両方の月を祀らないとよくない とされる習慣もありました。

Rieko Ido Conducting research into Japanese customs and knowledge from ancient times, and applying technical analysis of these findings to modern lifestyle. Kokugakuin University graduate. Teaches at Tama Art University.

井戸理恵子 國學院大學卒業。日本古来の知見を工学的に検証し次 世代に繋がる「技術」を模索、現代の衣食住を発展させ る提案をしている。多摩美術大学非常勤講師。

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VOL.28

SPECIAL FEATURE P.11

EXPLORE JAPAN’S AUTUMN COLOURS 紅葉紀行 03

In Harmony with the Seasons

06

What s New?

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JPN47 - vol.07 - Hiroshima Prefecture SPECIAL FEATURE

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18

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25

Japan Autumn Special

Publisher

Yasuko Suzuki Minook International (S) Pte Ltd 2B Craig Road Singapore 089662 Tel: (65) 6324-2127 E-mail: singapore@wattention.com

- It s all about where to go, what to see and what to eat

Singapore Edition Producer

Hokkaido Special

Editor in Chief

Teppei Nitobe Naoki Kiyota

- 3 speedy sightseeing guides for Sweets, Nature and Seafood lovers

Advertising Sales

Hokkaido Festival @ WAttention Plaza

Editorial Team

Ayako Miyazaki / Miyoko Takeuchi / Yuki Kawase / Kazuki Okubo / Hana Omori / Arisa Matsui

- Discover delicious treats straight from Hokkaido

Victoria Ng / Pascalle Ji

SPECIAL FEATURE

Chew Yan Qiao / Shunjiro Miyaki / Wendy Lee

Omakase

Design Team Editorial & Design Department in Japan

- Indulge in the best flavours Japan has to offer

Ayako Sogo / Kay Wu / Esra Krabbe / Ian Nagata / Tor Ching Li

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Kawaii Bento Series - vol.04 - Teddy Bear Soboro

Hajime Watanabe / Takao Hara (Luxpho) / Maiko Yoshimoto

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Interesting Findings in Japanese Language vol.02

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Classifieds

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Event & Information

Takaotozan Railway Co., Ltd / Sagano Scenic Railway / Hokkaido University / Moerenuma Park

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Let s Talk Subculture vol.03

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Japanese Brand Story 15

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Prices printed are indicative only.

WAttention is so named with the hope that people in the world would pay more Attention to WA（和）; an important term in Japanese culture meaning harmony with nature, peace and even Japanese culture itself!

WATTENTION is a publication of Minook International (S) Pte Ltd. All articles published are in good faith and based on bonafide information available to The Publisher at the time of press. The Publisher accepts no responsibility other than that stipulated by law. The Publisher also accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced in part or full without the previous written permission of The Publisher. Neither can any part be stored or recorded, by any means. The opinions expressed in The Publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher.

This publication and the name are owned solely by Minook International (S) Pte Ltd, 2B Craig Rd, Singapore 089662. Email: singapore@ wattention.com. WATTENTION is published bimonthly and distributed throughout Singapore. Trademarks and copyrights for all other products, logos and depictions contained herein are the properties of their respective trademark and copyright owners.

世界中の人々に「和」 （WA）に注目（Attention） してほしいという 願いを込めてWA+Attention= WAttentionと名づけました。

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QB House Premium

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Refresh your look quick at Suntec City Need a fast cut-style-and-go while you’re waiting for a movie or dinner? Why not head down to the new QB House Premium outlet for a quick haircut. Delivering the same warm hospitality and speedy, quality service that QB House is famous for, you can now relax and wait in a cosy, comfortable new salon space in the heart of town.

Menu ◦ Cut & Style

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3 Temasek Boulevard 02-347 Suntec City West Wing Daily 11am-9.30pm www.qbhouse.com/sg/

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Savour fresh sashimi, meaty gyutan and homely oden This gyutan (牛タン beef’s tongue) speciality restaurant is popular amongst local Japanese in Singapore for their wide variety of gyutan dishes and heart-warming oden served in a comfy, traditional Japanese setting.

Due to popular demand, they recently introduced fresh sashimi, including hon-maguro (本鮪, blue fin tuna), hamachi (平政, young yellowtail) and other seasonal fish, air flown straight from Japan; to their menu.

Menu $23 ◦ Assorted Sashimi ◦ Sendai Gyutan (6pcs) $25.80 ◦ Oden Mixed Platter (7 types) $26.90

Tel.6333-1516 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-14/15 Millenia Walk Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm 5pm-11pm Sat 11.30am-11pm Sun 11.30am-9pm www.sandaime-bunji.com.sg Sandaime Bunji

Suntec City

Eat at Seven Bold, new concept restaurant opens its doors at Suntec City With seven* of Japan’s top concept restaurant housed in the same area at the newest Sky Garden, Eat at Seven looks to satisfy cravings for Japanese cuisine of all kinds.

3 Temasek Boulevard #03-307-14 Suntec City Sky Garden

*Three to open late 2015. #03-307

#03-316

Menu

ENBU Discover the rustic, smoky flavour of Kochi’s traditional warayaki (わらやき, straw and charcoal grilled) izakaya (居酒屋, bar) style dishes at ENBU and fi nish them off with a refreshing Coedo craft beer.

◦ Katsuo Warayaki from $16 ◦ Chicken Warayaki with Special Spring Onion Sauce $14 ◦ Taco Salad $17.50

Tel.6268-8043 #03-307 11am-11pm ENBU Singapore

NikuNoHi A mecca for meat-lovers, NikuNoHi is a yakiniku joint that offers A5 Kuroge Wagyu and 23 premium beef parts such as Tomo Sankaku, a highly marbled lean cut and Kainomi, a sweet, fatty flank breast, at affordable prices.

Menu ◦ Wagyu Sirloin from $42.50 ◦ Premium Rare Plate $48

Tel.6837-0263 #03-316 11am-10.30pm NikuNoHi SG Promotion

#03-315

#03-314

ro Hon Magu rio Lunch Megumi T .P.$79) S et $ 4 9 ( U ct 2015 *Valid till O

Nigiro Café Specialising in Japanese-Italian cuisine, the café will offer traditional and fusion dishes that will delight both Singaporeans and Japanese guests. Claiming to serve the best Caesar salad in Tokyo, their menu includes Eggs Benedict and Deux Fromage cake.

Menu ◦ Nigiro Hamburg Steak $24 ◦ Short Pasta Melanzane $19 ◦ Grilled Prawn Nigiro Caesar Salad for half portion $9.50 for full portion $20

Tel.6238-1669 #03-315 11am-10.30pm NIGIRO Café Singapore

Maguro-Donya Miura-Misaki-Kou Sushi & Dining One of Japan’s most renowned maguro and sashimi wholesalers has opened its fi rst-ever overseas restaurant in Singapore. You can now relish the same fresh seafood and high quality cuts of tuna picked from the Miura Misaki harbour without flying to Japan.

Menu ◦ Five Cuts Hon Maguro Sashimi ◦ Megumi Hon Maguro Gunkan

from

$49 $18

Tel.6654-5054 #03-314 11.30am-10pm Miura Misaki Kou Sushi & Dining WAttention Singapore

7

City Hall

Tanjong Pagar

45R

Menya Sanji 麵家三士

Tuck into this limited edition hearty Yokohamastyle ramen

Renowned fashion cult label opens in Singapore Artisanal fashion brand 45R prides itself on producing quality, comfortable clothes that brings joy to those wearing them. The brand’s iconic Ai Indigo jeans are hand-dyed and distressed while their signature Star T-shirts are made from handwoven Zimbabwean cotton. Simple yet classy, they also carry dresses, skirts and accessories.

Tel. 6702-3545 13 Stamford Road, #01-13/14, Capitol Piazza 10.30am-10.30pm www.45rpm.jp/en/ 45R SG

Menu ◦ Richness Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen Sasaki *Free half portion of rice $14.90 ◦ Sanji Ramen $11.50 ◦ Spicy Ramen $11 ◦ Black Pepper Ramen $10.50

This August, Menya Sanji will be adding “Richness Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen Sasaki” to their lineup. Served with thick noodles, it has a rich broth made from pork and chicken bones. Available exclusively at the Tanjong Pagar branch and for a limited time only.

PRECRI

Tel. 6604-8891 1 Tras Link #01-14 Orchid Hotel 11.30pm-2.30pm, 5.30pm-11pm Menya Sanji Singapore

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Bugis Junction #B1-03A

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Writer’s profi le: Pascalle Ji – Majored in Japanese Studies in university.

Has been travelling around Japan and studied in Hiroshima prefecture for a year. Wishes to explore the lesser known areas of Japan more.

JPN 47

- Hiroshima -

Tokyo Narita Airport Airplane 1hr 35mins

Hiroshima Airport Peace Memorial Park

A-Bomb Dome

Lanterns

Mazda Museum

Tokyo Station Hiroshima Station Tokaido / Sanyo Shinkansen 4hr 06mins ¥19,280 (S$213~)

Hiroshima

Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki

広島

Tokyo 東京

vol.

07

Big torii gate

Wedding at Itsukushima

Itsukushima Shrine

Deer

Anago

HIROSHIMA - WHERE NEW AND OLD MEMORIES MEET

Hiroshima is gaining popularity amongst visitors from all parts of the world as a tourist destination. One of its highlights is the Peace Memorial Park . There are many memorials and monuments in the park, including the iconic A-Bomb Dome , which is a registered UNESCO World Heritage site; and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum which should not to be missed.

I was lucky enough to witness the A-bomb anniversary that happens on 6 August every year when lanterns are released into the river to commemorate peace .

Another interesting museum would be the Mazda Museum. You will be brought on a tour to see the museum’s collection of vehicles manufactured by the brand since the 1920s . Plus, you get to visit the factory as well. Admission is free, but reservations are required through their website.

While you’re there, don’t forget to eat the famous Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki , which is made with layers of noodles, meat 10

WAttention Singapore

or seafood, egg and a thin layer of pancake topped with sweet Okonomiyaki sauce. One bite and you will feel like a party is going on in your mouth.

Hiroshima is also famous for one of the most beautiful spots in Japan, Miyajima. It is home to the floating shrine (Itsukushima Shrine), a world heritage site ; the great Torii gate and wild deer spotted all over the island .They will attempt to eat and snatch any food and anything else (e.g. plastic bags, paper) from you so do be careful. If you are looking for a panoramic view of the island, you can either take the ropeway up to Mount Misen or enjoy a hike up the mountain – trust me, you will not be disappointed by the view. Miyajima is also most beautiful during autumn and spring.

A visit to Miyajima is also incomplete without trying their famous Anago and fresh oysters . As Hiroshima is near the Seto Inland Sea, fresh seafood can be enjoyed all year round.

Fresh oysters

SEEING MOR E TH JUST HIROSH AN IMA

Seto Inland Sea

Naos him a

Sh ima nam i Ka ido

There are many side trips you can take while you are in Hiroshima. Many islands are located near the Seto Inland Sea , such as Naoshima , Inujima and Teshima which are well-known for their modern art museums. Cycling along the Shimanami Kaido , which is a 60 kilometer long toll road connecting six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea, is also a very popular tourist activity.

EXPLORE AUTUMN COLOURs As sweltering summer turns to autumn, and leaves take on an amber hue — starting from the mountains in Hokkaido and spreading southwards — anticipation mounts for the visual feast of Fall foliage ( koyo , 紅葉 ) and Japanese people go “koyo hunting”!

こう よう き こう

紅葉紀行 Mt.Takao, Tokyo 高尾山・東京

Top 3 Koyo

viewing spots in Immerse yourself in the symphony of autumn colours at these areas in a variety of ways!

japan

Arashiyama, Kyoto

嵐山・京都 Best time to go: Late Nov to early Dec Travel Tip: There are many ways to enjoy the brilliant autumn foliage in this area at the western outskirts of Kyoto.

Take a boat ride down the Hozu River, stroll across the landmark Togetsukyo bridge or enjoy a nostalgic train ride via the Saga Scenic Railway.

Access: From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station and change to the JR Sagano Line to Arashiyama Station.

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Nikko, Tochigi

日光・栃木 Best time to go: Early Oct to early Nov Travel Tip: Due to the wide range of elevation, the koyo season is longer here. Ryuzu (“Dragonhead”) Waterfall is one of the first spots to colour. Take a cruise on Lake Chuzenji to enjoy the palette of amber from a different view.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, change to the JR Nikko Line to get to Nikko Station.

Yabakei, Oita

耶馬渓・大分 Best time to go: Mid to late Nov Travel Tip: See “eight vistas in one spot” at the Hitomehakkai lookout of Yabakei Gorge, or cycle past mountains tinted with red maples or golden ginko trees along the unused Yabakei Railway, which has been converted to an easy 35km-long cycling course.

Access: From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen to Oita Station or Beppu Station, and change to a shuttle bus that tours the main spots in Yabakei.

WAttention Singapore

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Korankei, Aichi

Metasequoia Avenue, Shiga

Mt. Hakkoda, Aomori

Korankei, Aichi 香嵐渓・愛知

Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto 東福寺・京都

Best time to go: Mid to late Nov

Best time to go: Late Nov to early Dec

Travel Tip: This valley near Nagoya with 4,000 Japanese maples saw over 450,000 visitors last year during its momiji festival last November. Thankfully, the crimson Taigetsukyo bridge over the Tomoe River – which is lined with momiji – was strengthened and widened in 2007. Access: From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, take the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line to Higashi Okazaki Station and change to a 70 minute Asuke bus ride headed for Korankei.

Travel Tip: This is the Kyoto koyo spot. The vast expanse of crimson maples in the valley below the Tsutenbashi bridge (aptly nicknamed the “Tsuten Koyo”) is so breathtaking that one can easily lose track of time at Kyoto’s oldest and largest temple.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to Kyoto, change to the Nara Line and get off at Tofukuji Station.

Metasequoia Avenue, Shiga メタセコイア並木・滋賀

Kenrokuen, Ishikawa 兼六園・石川

Best time to go: November

Best time to go: Late Nov to early Dec

Travel Tip: This picturesque boulevard with 500 conical, flaming-red Metasequoia (or dawn redwood) trees lining a 2.4km stretch of road was chosen as one of Japan’s 100 Best Roadside Tree Scenes. Drive, stroll or enjoy the park facilities at Makino Pic-Land. Access: From Tokyo Station, take Shinkansen Hikari to Maibara, change to the Hokuriku Line for Omi-Shiotsu Station, change to the Kosei Line for Makino Station, and take the town bus, Makino Kogen Line, and get off at Makino Pic-Land.

Travel Tip: With the new Tohoku Shinkansen bringing Kanazawa closer to Tokyo, this landscaped garden — one of Japan’s top three — is likely to be packed with tourists during the koyo season, when the 340 momiji trees will be illuminated nightly.

Access: From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen to Kanazawa Station, change to a 15-minute bus ride headed for Kenrokuen.

Mt. Hakkoda, Aomori

八甲田山・青森

Miyajima, Hiroshima

宮島・広島

Best time to go: Late Sept to early Oct

Best time to go: Mid to late Nov

Travel Tip: Take panoramic photos of Mt. Hakkoda’s autumn colours from above via a ropeway that leads to one of its volcanic peaks 1,324m from sea level. From there, you can choose from a 30 minute or 60 minute easy hiking trek around a small marshland with views of surrounding mountains and valleys. Access: From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori, then transfer to JR Ou Line to Aomori Station. Take the JR bus headed for Lake Towada and get off at the Hakkoda Ropeway Station bus stop.

Travel Tip: Capture the mesmerizing contrast of the “floating” ochre torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine in the blue ocean, with an autumn-tinted mountain in the backdrop against an azure sky and discover why this is one of the Three Views of Japan.

Access: From Tokyo Station take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station, transfer to the Sanyo Honsen, take the train to JR Miyajimaguchi Station, walk to the pier and take a 10-minute ferry to Miyajima.

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Popular

AUTUMN Rides To Try

Nagatoro River Rafting, Saitama

Mt. Takao Cable Car, Tokyo

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, Kanagawa

長瀞舟下り・埼玉

高尾山・東京

箱根海賊船・神奈川

Best Time To Go: Mid to late Nov

Best Time To Go: Mid to late Nov

Best Time To Go: Early to late Nov

Travel Tip: Go koyo hunting on this boat that is steered manually downstream along the Arakawa River and see the autumn leaves on bushes lining the gorge. Reward yourself with a salt-roasted sweet fish afterwards, and catch the steam train back to Tokyo!

Access: From Ikebukuro Station, take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line (Express) to Chichibu, change to the Chichibu Railway to Nagatoro Station.

Travel Tip: You don’t have to climb all the way up Mt. Takao to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of mountains ablaze with koyo. Just hop on a scenic cable car ride which passes through the foliage to the peak.

Access: From Shinjuku, take the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station.

Travel Tip: Board a luxury pirate ship and set your sights on Hakone’s hills autumn cloak during this hour-long cruise around Lake Ashinoko. On a clear day, you might be able to catch the perfect symmetry of Mt. Fuji towering in the background.

Access: From Shinjuku, take the Romance Car to Hakone Yumoto Station, and transfer to the Hakone Tozan Bus (Route H) to Hakone Machiko.

ttention WA r ecommends Must-see Autumn colour From landscaped gardens, temples and shrines, rugged mountains and tree-lined avenues, pick your “koyo hunting” site and discover Japan’s culture and history beyond metropolitan Tokyo.

Kenroku en, Ishikawa

Miyajima, Hiroshima

Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto

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AUTUMN TASTE in JAPAN

clothbanner.pdf 2 2015/07/02 18:42:39

Autumn awakens the appetite in many Japanese, and for good reason – the season’s bounty of fish, fruits and vegetables is both a visual and sensual feast!

Rice//Kome 米

Rice is planted in spring, cultivated in summer and harvested in fall, so Autumn is the season to try the freshest rice. The most famous brand of rice in Japan is the Koshihikari from Niigata produced in the Uonuma district. It is favoured for its ideal balance of stickiness, starch and taste.

Largest producer: Niigata

Cook up authentic Japanese rice in your own home Kinmemai Koshihikari // 4.5kg // $38

This sweet, rich-tasting Japanese short grain rice retains its kinme (bud base) and sub-aleurone layer, which makes it rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. It also has a high amount of LPS (lipopolysaccharides) that may help prevent hypertension, making it the healthier choice for your daily intake. Available exclusively at Meidi-ya.

■ ☎ 6339 1111 MEIDI-YA SINGAPORE CO (PTE) LTD 177 River Valley Road #B1-50 Liang Court Shopping Centre, 10am-10pm ■ Imported by Tong Seng Produce Pte. Ltd. tspsonghe.com.sg

Bite into a sweet treat Hokkaido Pumpkin // $4.80

Renowned for his creative and delightful treats, this season Chef Yamashita will be introducing a classic autumn treat with his signature twist. Using only the freshest Hokkaido Pumpkin, the pie’s filling is smooth, creamy and has a rich, sweet pumpkin flavour while the pie’s crust is light, buttery and flaky.

■ ☎ 6604 9709 Chef Yamashita #02-44 Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm Sun & PH 10am-4pm Chef Yamashita

Pumpkin//Kabocha カボチャ

Commonly called kabocha in Japan, this squat-shaped fruit has deep green skin and bright orange-yellow flesh. It has an exceptionally naturally sweet flavour, moist, fluffy texture and is usually used in side dishes and soups. It is best harvested late summer or early fall.

Largest producer: Hokkaido

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Chestnuts//Kuri 栗

A classic autumn symbol, kurigohan (chestnut rice) is must-have of the season for its sweet and nutty taste. These spiny fruits fall from the tree when ripe and harvesting them is a popular activity for families. The nuts are eaten roasted, boiled and used in pastries, cakes and sweets.

Famous Producer: Obuse, Nagano

Savour the season’s fish Sanma Sushi // 2 pcs for $8

Kyoho Grapes 巨峰

This is the grape taste of Japan, which you may find familiar from grape-flavoured sweets or drinks.

Tasting the sweetness of the real fruit will make you wonder how it can be natural. These blackish-purple juicy Kyoho, ,meaning “giant mountain grapes”, weigh 10-12 grams each.

Discover the rich flavours of sanma in traditional Niigata style cuisine.

Whether you have it in its most natural state as sashimi, regular nigiri sushi (握り寿司) or an entire grilled fish, it’s hard to go wrong thanks to the skilled chefs at Tomi Sushi.

■ Tomi Sushi: Millenia Walk, Novena Sqaure (Velocity), Katong V, Echigotei (Cuppage Terrace) www.tomisushi.asia

Largest Producer: Yamanashi

Pacific Saury//Sanma A traditional, naturally sweet fruit treat Suikanjaku // 1 for $9, 4 for $38, 6 for $56

Made in the Nagano prefecture, this dessert uses sweet ichidagaki (市田柿, persimmons ) that are dried and filled with creamy white bean paste that melts in your mouth. The persimmons have a rich, vibrant orange colour and are carefully handled during the drying process to maintain their natural sweetness.

秋刀魚（さんま）

The aroma of salted, grilled sanma wafting in the air heralds the arrival of autumn. Translated literally as “autumn sword fish”, this is the representative fish of the season, and is also delicious as sashimi. Its southward migration to Hokkaido from the northern Pacific Ocean at the end of summer is eagerly anticipated by fans.

Largest producer: Hokkaido

■ ☎ 6735-1315 Minamoto Kitchoan (Singapore) Pte Ltd 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower A #B206-1 Daily 10am-9.30pm

Persimmon//Kaki 柿

The sight of bright orange kaki, or persimmons, hanging on a leafless dark brown tree is a familiar autumn memory for many Japanese. This is one of the season’s orange bounty, and the sweet, soft and sometimes fibrous flesh is enjoyed as it is, or preserved and eaten dry.

Largest Producer: Wakayama

Matsutake Mushroom

Sweet Potato// Satsuma Imo

松茸

さつまいも

The matsutake is an autumn delicacy. Sought after by chefs for its deep, earthy aroma, it is steamed with rice or used to flavour soup or meat dishes.

Meaning “pine mushroom”, it is harvested wild from the foot of pine trees and is the most expensive mushroom in the world.

Most prized from: Tanba, Kyoto

Known as Satsuma Imo in Japan, this red-skinned sweet potato is most famous from Kagoshima (its olden name being Satsuma), after which it is named. The sweet potato is eaten either steamed by itself or in rice, and used in confectionary as well as for sweet potato pies.

Largest producer: Kagoshima WAttention Singapore

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FAll For These

Autumn Spots

in Sapporo Mention Sapporo and white comes to mind – snow, ice sculptures and White Lover cookies. Hokkaido’s capital is equally romantic when tinted with an autumn hue. Here are some picture perfect selfie sites.

Hokkaido University 北海道大学

Four blocks from JR Sapporo Station’s north exit, is the Hokkaido University. With its lush sprawling grounds and 70 golden gingko trees lining the road, it is a sight not to be missed.

A popular omiyage ( お土産 , gift), “Milk Cookies from Sapporo Agricultural School”, uses Hokkaido milk and a special method to achieve the ideal milk cookie taste and texture.

Address: Kita 8, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo Access: A 4-minute walk from Nanboku Line Kita 12-Jo Station Exit 2 URL: www.oia.hokudai.ac.jp Hokkaido University 北海道大学

Onsen Escapade @

定山渓

Jozankei Just an hour by bus is a gem of an onsen resort, Jozankei. This mountain hideaway spa resort has 56 sources of hot springs and hosts dozens of ryokan and restaurants. During autumn, a koyo gondola and koyo bus offer scenic views of the mountain koyo.

Access: From Sapporo Station Bus Terminal, take the Jotetsu Bus number 7 or 8 for Jozankei Onsen. Buses take 75 minutes and cost 770 yen one way.

Or, take a direct shuttle from Shin Chitose Airport, which costs 1,650 yen and takes 100 minutes.

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Maruyama Park 円山公園

Hike through the park and enjoy the palette of autumn colours from crimson momiji ( 紅葉 ) to orange sakura leaves. Then head to Maruyama Zoo which is connected to the park and find out how the popular polar bears and cubs spend their autumn.

Hours: All day Address: Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Access: 5-minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station Exit 2 on the Tozai Metro Line URL: sapporo-park.or.jp/maruyama Maruyama Park 円山公園

sapporo EVENT autumn fest 2015

11 Sep - 4 Oct 2015 Venue: Sections of Odori Park URL: sapporo-autumnfest.jp

festivals With the perfect weather for outdoor activities, Oct, 4 Sep 11 From n.

Autum in swing come into full s of the enjoy the fall colours of Odori Park and flavour eight season at the Sapporo Autumn Fest. Held at nt theme, segments of the park, each zone has a differe ido Hokka and shes fi , dishes local to from Oktoberfest l cuisine. ramen, soup curry and sweets, and internationa enjoy the Or, just pick a spot to relax under the sun and ic in hand. breeze with an ice cold can of Sapporo Class

Moerenuma Park モエレ沼公園

The park spreads over 100 hectares and features futuristic landscaping and sculptures by Japanese-American artist, Isamu Noguchi. Explore the yellow larch lining the hills in the park, and have a picnic on the field with a bento from a café within the glass pyramid structure that seems to recall the Louvre.

Moerenuma Park モエレ沼公園

Hours: 7am-10pm (last admission at 9pm) Address: Moerenuma-koen 1-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo Access: Take the Toyo Line headed for Kanjodori Higashi Station, and change to a bus headed to Moerenuma Park East/West Gate URL: moerenumapark.jp/english WAttention Singapore

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Speedy Sightseeing in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city and capital, is easy to get about by foot or public transport.

So why not go on some themed walks that are within 30 minutes of the train station?

The Sweets Lovers’ Trail Sapporo is the Disneyland of Desserts. Head to Daimaru department store, directly connected to the station, for free smells and sights!

Daimaru at the Sapporo Station The Daimaru basement boasts all the heavyweight confectionery brands such as LeTAO from Otaru, famed for its light-as-air cheesecakes. Watch out for the Daimaru-limited edition sweets and one of the six Kit Kat Boutiques throughout Japan, with a hot favourite being—unsurprisingly – the butter-flavoured Kit Kat, only available in Sapporo.

Rokkatei Main Store (Sapporo) The next sweet-spot is just a 5-minute walk from the south exit of Sapporo Station. Cross the main road and turn right and you will see at the top of a grey building the words 六花 亭, pronounced as “Rokkatei”.

This Sapporo main store just opened in July.

Address: Connected to Sapporo Station Opening Hours: Daily, 10am-8pm

The Nature Lovers’ Trail

Another two blocks from the Akarenga (赤レンガ) in the same direction is the Odori Park (大通公園, Odori koen). This 1.5km park stretches across 12 blocks, perpendicular to the Sapporo Station, starting with the Sapporo TV Station at the Nishi 1-chome grid and ending with

Start your floral adventure from the former Hokkaido Government Office Building, the Akarenga , just two blocks down from the Sapporo Station.

The Seafood Lovers’ Trail One can’t leave Sapporo without having feasted on a rice bowl overflowing with freshly caught fish and a mountain of ikura and uni.

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Sample Hokkaido’s seasonal crabs at the Nijo Fish Market (二条市場, Nijō Ichiba), which is around 10 blocks down the road from Sapporo Station’s south exit, or an easy 20-minute stroll past Odori Park. Due to its central location, it is popular with tourists and locals alike for seafood and souvenirs, similar

to the Tsukiji outer market but with a much wider variety of crabs, uni and ikura. Reward your walk here with a seafood bowl or a freshly roasted uni, and buy some frozen seafood here or on your way back to the station at Sato Suisan Honten,

On the ground floor, you will find a shop selling every product made by this confectioner which started churning butter in the 1930s in Tokachi, a place famed for its dairy products. This is why Rokkatei is loved by the Japanese for its butter sand - a butter cookie sandwich filled with white chocolate, cream and raisins.

Takeaway cakes are also available at

reasonable prices, starting from around 280 yen a piece.

On the second floor, there is a cafe where you can indulge in original dessert creations. such as the strawberry mille-fille.

the former Sapporo Court of Appeals.

If you’re lucky, you may find a flower festival or competition going on at the park. From late June to July, the Flower Festa 2015 Sapporo is held here.

So if you don’t have the chance

which is right in front of the Sapporo Station. Try their ikura in various original flavours – salt or spicy mentai, instead of just the usual shoyu, as well as the salmon sausages, seafood pate, roasted fish and more.

They’ll help you ice-pack your seafood souvenirs to last your journey or buy a handmade jumbo onigiri or bento for the train or plane ride back!

If you can't wait for a seat, don't fret — there is a takeaway counter offering takeaway treats such as soft-serve ice cream with a bitter chocolate

biscuit topping which you can enjoy while embarking on your next themed walk!

to head to Furano for the lavender fields, you can still enjoy blooms of the season just a few blocks down the road from Sapporo Station — and have time to spare to head to the local crab market for some fresh seafood!

Access to Odori Park: beside Odori Subway Station or a ten minute walk south of JR Sapporo Station. All of Sapporo’s three subway lines intersect at Odori Subway Station URL: sapporo-park.or.jp/odori

Address: 6-3-3, Kita-4-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Phone Number: 011-261-6666 Opening Hours: Daily, 10am-8pm URL: www.rokkatei.co.jp.e.sy. hp.transer.com/shop/index.html

Address: Minami 3-jo, Higashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Opening Hours: [Shops] 7am-6pm [Restaurants] 6am-9pm *Shop and restaurant hours may vary URL: www.welcome.city. sapporo.jp/find/shops/ nijo_fish_market/?lang=en

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A I HOKK DO GOURMET STREET

clothbanner.pdf 2 2015/07/02 18:42:39

@ WAttention Plaza From 28 Aug (Fri) to 6 Sept (Sun)

Sticker1.pdf 2 2015/07/01 13:03:38

Treat yourself to a taste of Hokkaido without having to take a plane. WAttention Plaza brings you all the must-try local foods from soup curry, ramen, seafood bentos, ikura dons and desserts prepared using fresh ingredients from Hokkaido, and from the latest up-and-coming restauranteurs.

麺屋開高

Men-ya KAIKO

Signature item: Scallop/Seafood Tonkotsu Ramen Price: $10 for scallop ramen, $13 for seafood ramen Known for its tonkotsu and miso soup base, Stick df 5 2015/07/01 13:05 this ramen establishment fromer4.p Obihiro City has:49 created a special seafood ramen just for this fair. It is made with thinner noodles, tonkotsu and essence of scallop with a topping of scallop and crab claws.

忍者麺

NINJAMEN Signature item: Ramen that can be cooked in a Ninja art box (aka microwave) Price: $10 for eat-in, $6 for a ramen packet

The perfect solution for the office warrior who needs good, fast and fuss-free food, these nama (raw) noodles spring to life with hot water and three minutes in the microwave. Try this with shoyu, tonkotsu, miso, spicy miso or vegetarian soup. shinsen.co.jp/ninjamen Sticker5.pdf 6 2015/07/0 1 13:09:28

カレー食堂 心

Soup Curry COCORO

Signature item: Soup Curry Price: From $11-$13 depending on topping of chicken, scallop or pork Using a French method of making fond de veau (veal broth), a special blend of 25 spices, top quality Hokkaido rice and potatoes and juicy Hokkaido scallops, owner-chef Katsuya Hiraki has created a curry dish that is out of this world. cocoro-soupcurry.com

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二條亭

Nijoutei Signature item: Onigiri rice balls Price: Ranges from $1.50 to $6.50 Enjoy the simple pleasure of sticky Japanese rice with Sticker4.p df 5balls 2015/07/01 13:05:49 fillings such as plum, kelp, bonito, pickles, salmon and cod roe. Or try sekihan ( 赤飯 ) — glutinous red rice with red beans with octopus, salmon and scallop eaten on festive occasions. ekiben.ne.jp/asahikawa

ベントス

BENTOSS

Signature item: Kanimeshi Tempura Bowl (Crab meat tempura bowl) Price: $7 Hokkaido-based bento maker, Bentoss’ special menu features tempura on top of a layer of red snow crab, mixed with thinly sliced bamboo shoots for an extra crunch and fibre. Regular bentos will be available at 94:01:31 March 2016.

Meidi-ya supermarket from 10/70/510 2 8 fdp.7rekc

itS

bentoss.co.jp

スナッフルス

SNAFFLE'S

Singapore Branch

Signature item: Catchcakes Price: $3

Hokkaido’s top-selling cheesecakes come in bite-sized portions that melt ☎ 6884-6077 30:40:31 10/70/5102are 3 fdp.2rekcitS in your mouth. These “catchcakes” ■ #B2-56 Plaza Singapura / made using fresh milk free range cows, #B2-K2 Bedok Mall / #02a cream cheese specially developed A85 International Plaza for fluffy omelets, eggs from millet-fed snaffles.jp/english chickens, and no animal protein.

なかむら商店

NAKAMURA shoten Signature item: Ikura rice bowl Price: $12 Autumn is the season for salmon and salmon roe.

Savour the natural sweetness of salmon roe as Nakamura’s factory is close to the river and the roe is harvested and packed and shipped within an hour from catching the salmon. en.ikura-nakamura.com

WAttention Plaza is an event space conveniently accessible at Jurong Point and dedicated to showcasing the very best of Japan. Bringing to you the latest food fads and long-selling products from Hokkaido to Okinawa, watch out for the special events and limited-period booths held here on a regular basis.

Promote Japan Enterprise Pte Ltd WAttention Plaza (Inside Shokutsu Ten Japan Food Street)63 Jurong West Central 3, #B1-78A Jurong Point Hours: 11am- 9:30pm www.pje-sg.com

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Enjoy Good Quality Rice at a Friendlier Price! 高品質で美味しい 日本米をお値打ち価格で お楽しみください！

Rice Sampling Sept 11-13

Uonuma Koshihikari (5kg) Now @

$39

Promo period: 01/09 to 30/09 Only at MEIDI-YA @ Liang Court *While stocks last.

Sept 4-9

(U.P. $44)

Rice Sampling

Yamagata Haenuki (5kg) Now (U.P. $37)

@ $29

Sakura Hitomebore (2kg) $16.80 per packet

Yamagata Tsuyahime (2kg) $24.50 per packet

Sept 18-20

Rice Sampling

Iwate Furusato Hitomebore (5kg) Now (U.P. $39)

@ $32

Iwate Furusato (5kg) $44.00 per packet

Niigata Koshihikari (5kg) $41.00 per packet

Niigata Koshiibuki (5kg)

Kinmemai (4.5kg)

$35

Iwate Sasanishiki (2kg) $22.00 per packet

$38

Iwate Akita Komachi (5kg) $33.00 per packet

33 Senoko South Road, Singapore 758085 Tel: (65) 6756-6128 (8 Lines) Fax: (65) 6756-3268 Email: tspltd@tspsonghe.com.sg Website: www.tspsonghe.com.sg

Hokkaido Yumepirika (5kg) $49.00 per packet

おまかせ O M A KA S E In omakase, your chef decides what dishes will be served throughout your meal. It is the best way to savour different flavours as the menu changes depending on what seasonal ingredients available throughout the year. So the next time you can’t decide what to have for dinner, why not just leave it to the chef?

$$$

A culinary adventure worth every dollar that leaves you wanting more Nestled along Mohamed Sultan Road is one of Singapore’s first omakase dining places, Hachi. Hachi remains true to the omakase style of dining by not offering a dinner menu at all.

However, with a chef that hails from the Michelin 3-Star Ryugin in Roppongi, Toyko, the diner’s faith is always rewarded. With their dishes firmly rooted in traditional Japanese recipes, the restaurant continuously impresses guests with new fare that are on par with the latest dining trends in Japan. Hachi firmly believes in the the harmony of ingredients or “Wa”. Their dishes mimic the change of the seasons by easing into a new spread a few dishes at a time. Their fresh ingredients are air-flown regularly from Japan – including their own A5 Ohmi wagyu. With its chic interior and relaxing atmosphere, Hachi is the ideal place for special occasions, meeting dinners or just a treat for yourself.

Editor’s Feature Dinner at Hachi is a visual and culinary treat. The carefully selected plates bring out the personality of the dishes, such as an oyster on a beautiful rocky blue and white dish that reflects the oyster’s oceanic roots.

Hachi’s outstanding menu also includes the availability of unique foods that you may not find elsewhere in Singapore. This autumn, Hachi is offering a rare Japanese favourite – suppon (す っぽん, soft shell turtle). Served in chawanmushi-style (茶碗蒸し, egg custard), the dish has a hearty richness and is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

八

Hachi ☎ 6734-9622 Clarke Quay 6 Mohamed Sultan Road Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm Sat & Sun 6pm-11pm ■ hachirestaurant.com

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Dinner Omakase Course .................$128/$198

Lunch Omakase Course ...................... from $68

$

An affordable crowd favourite that never fails to surprise and please Dining at Teppei is an experience not to be missed.

As much actors as they are chefs, Teppei’s kitchen seeks to entertain guests with their cheeky antics and deft culinary skills. With Chef Teppei’s keen eye for unique seasonal ingredients from all over Japan, you can expect to try rare and unexpected dishes such as kame no te (亀の手, goose barnacle) and baby sawagani (サワガニ, Japanese fresh water crab). The waitlist can stretch up to four months, so remember to book a place early by calling in or via their Facebook page.

てっぺい

Teppei Japanese Restaurant ☎ 6222-7363 Tanjong Pagar

1 Tras Link, Orchid Hotel Mon-Sat 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm Closed on Sun Teppei Restaurant

Omakase menu ................... $60-$80

$$

$$

Experience heartwarming homecooked goodness

A modern taste in a nostalgic place

Apart from using a rich katsuo dashi (かつおだし, bonito soup base) to create a wide array of Japanese comfort food, Okameya also offers assorted sashimi and sushi as part of their a là carte menu. Their Manpuku omakase course lets you have your choice of beef or one of a variety of seasonal fish prepared for your meal.

Despite its intimate space, it has a private room that sits up to 24 people.

Set behind a traditional mee pok store, this restaurant and bar’s main attractions are its three seasonal omakase menus based around their tori (鳥, chicken) dishes. Cleverly tucked away in the backstreets of Tiong Bahru, they also have Japanese-inspired cocktails, alá carte yakitori ( 焼き鳥, grilled chicken skewer), donburi and hotpot sets.

ビンチョウ

Bincho

おかめや

Okameya

☎ 6438-4567 Tiong Bahru

☎ 6221-5809 Duxton 74 Duxton Road Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm (L.O.10pm) Closed on Sun

Okameya course ................................ $98 Manpuku course ......................... from $128

78 Moh Guan Terrace #01-19 Tue-Sun 12pm-3pm, 6pm till late Closed on Mon ■ bincho.com.sg

DINNER Hanabi ................................................ $50 Komachi ......................................$65/$85 Bincho .............................................. $130 Miyabi Hotpot (min.2 pax) ....................... $150 LUNCH Donburi sets range ....................... from $25 (includes appetizers, salad, pickles, karaage, soup and dessert)

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$$$

Discover the many different flavours Japan has to offer in one evening Led by executive chef Akihiro Maetomo, who hails from the restaurant’s Michelin-starred main store in Tokyo, Chikuyotei’s omakase menu brings you on a culinary adventure using the finest produce available seasonally from all over Japan. Their fall menu includes succulent Senzaki kuro awabi (黒鰒, black abalone), delicate Chiba hirame (平目, flathead) with Australian black truffle and Kanazawa gold flakes; juicy Kagoshima black wagyu sirloin and smoked Saga kensaki ika (剣先烏賊, squid).

The 12-course dinner closes with a surprisingly pleasant dessert – Chikuyotei Wasanbon Sugar Pudding. This caramel custard pudding is made with wasanbon (和三盆, traditional Japanese sugar), offered only a là carte or with the omakase course.

Located inside the historial Intercontinental Hotel, Chikuyotei is ideal for both special dates and business dinners.

Editor’s Feature

竹葉亭

Chikuyotei ☎ 6738-1990 Bugis 80 Middle Road #01-01 Intercontinental Singapore Daily, 12pm-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm Chikuyotei-Singapore

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Omakase Dinner .............. $178

Speak to the chef while you’re dining at Chikuyotei and you will be fascinated by the philosophies behind his dishes. His charcoal grilled Nagasaki tachiuo (太刀魚, largehead hairtail) was inspired by the fish’s ability to live in both fresh and salt water. To reflect this concept, he created a beautiful landscape that complemented the dish’s taste. The fish is fresh and has a clean, slightly salty flavour. It is accompanied with a refreshing green Kyoto chili and air-dried renkon (れんこん, lotus root) chips that added a nice crunchy texture to the dish.

$$$

Savour simple, straightforward, traditional Osaka-style sushi and sashimi This sushiya (寿司屋, sushi bar) serves nothing but deliciously delicate sushi that has a perfect balance of rice and seafood. They use seasonal ingredients that are directly imported from Kyushu, where the seafood is more likely to be caught wild rather than farmed. Apart from being home to some of the rarest sake in Japan and Singapore, Mei i Sushi has an age restriction – guests below 16 years old are not allowed to dine there.

To get a seat for dinner, do called to make a reservation; it is not unusual for the sushiya to have 2 month waitlist.

銘寿司

Mei i Sushi ☎ 6220-3466 Tanjong Pagar The Scarlet Hotel 33 Erskine Road #01-01 Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10pm, Sat 6.30pm-9.30pm Closed on Sun and PH

Lunch Omakase ...................................... from $120 Dinner Omakase ..................................... from $150 (Options include Sushi or Sushi and Sashimi course.

Omakase includes miso soup, salad and fruits)

$$

A cosy izakya with authentic Okinawan cuisine

3 things you need to know!

This is the ideal place to grab an after-work-beer. En offers a wide variety of sake and beer and uses only the freshest seasonal catches from Tsukiji Fish Market and Okinawa for their high quality yet affordable omakase sets. They can even create a special menu to suit your budget.

It’s an adventure in eating The best way to experience omakase is to go with an open mind and try everything the chef has to offer. Unless you have allergies, you should avoid being picky and telling the chef what you want during the meal.

Meet the chef Omakase creates intimate moments where the chef and the customer can converse and share ideas about the ingredients and dishes that were served. It’s a great way for your chef to better understand your taste and preferences.

エン

En Japanese Dining Bar UE Square and more UE Square ☎ 6735-2212 207 River Valley Road #01-57 UE Square Sun-Thur 6pm-12am Fri, Sat, Eve of PH 6pm-3am Alocassia ☎ 6235-0080 383 Bukit Timah Road Alocassia Apts #01-01 Mon-Fri 6pm-10:30pm Sat, Sun & PH Lunch: 12pm-3pm Dinner: 6pm-11pm ■ www.endiningbars.com

Once-in-a-lifetime menu 6 Course Omakase ............................ $50 7 Course Omakase ............................ $70 8 Course Omakase ............................ $120 Customised menus are also available

Because the menus served are often seasonal, it is possible that you may only be served specific dishes during that time of year. This means that if you don’t make a return trip to the restaurant in the same season, you may might not get to eat that dish till next year, if ever again!

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$$

Explore genuine Niigata-style cooking and one of the freshest seafood in town What makes this omakase experience unique is that it revolves around Tomi Sushi’s traditional hometown dishes such as hiyashi noppe (冷やしのっぺ) and suruten (する天, dried squid tempura).

Plus, the Cuppage branch, also known as Tomi Sushi Echigotei, has a water tank for the live seafood that they import directly from Japan. The fish, which changes seasonally, will only be served upon request to ensure maximum freshness. You can choose to enjoy the fish as sashimi, sushi, grilled or all three.

To accompany your meal choose between a bottle of light, crisp Secchubai (雪中梅) or the slightly stronger Imayo-Tsukasa (今代司).

Both sake are from the Niigata region are known for their tanrei karakuchi (淡麗辛口, dry, refreshing taste) and are available exclusively at Tomi Sushi.

Omakase sets start at $75++ and can be adapted for those with higher budgets.

Editor’s Feature This is a great place for after-work drinks or for a weekend hangout with friends. The open air terrace has a lively atmosphere while the bar counter is great for cosying up with the chef – which is the best way to find out what’s so special about each dish.

One must-try dish is the shiro ebi kakiage (白海老かき揚げ). Made with fresh Toyama white shrimp and sweet white onions, this mixed ingredient tempura is battered and fried to a crispy pale gold. Light but not oily, it goes best with a cup of cold sake.

富寿し

Chef Omakase Course .................................. from $75

Tomi Sushi

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(Mozuku-su, sashimi, grilled dish, kakiage. sushi,chawan mushi, hegi soba)

☎ 6238-1123 Millenia Walk 9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-12/13

☎ 6348-7897 Katong V 30 East Coast Road #02-14/15/16

☎ 6255-2355 Novena Sqaure (Velocity) 238 Thomson Road, #02-76/77 ■ www.tomisushi.asia

☎ 6333-4633 Echigotei (Cuppage Terrace) 35 Cuppage Road

WAttention Singapore

TOMI

SUSHI

Today’s Osusume Nigiri 5pcs ...............................$28 Tokusen Sashimi (for 3 pax) .....................................$140 Secchubai Honjozo (720ml)..................................$98 Imayotsukasa (300ml) .........................................$24 *Menu is subject to availability. Reservations required for omakase.

$$$

Be amazed by a feast that tastes as good as it looks Misaki serves only the best in seasonal seafood with fresh ingredients flown in weekly straight from Japan.

Here you can expect to experience some exclusive Japanese foods such as junsai (蓴菜, water shield) in vinegar. One must-try, is the restaurant’s highlight: negitoro-ikura-uni (葱とろ, イクラ, 海胆, chopped tuna belly, salmon roe and sea urchin) sushi. The three kinds of seafood create an explosion of flavour and texture with every bite. Due to its location at Marina Bay Financial Centre (Tower 3), it is ideal for cosy after-workdinners or lunch meetings, especially with its extendable private dining room that sits 14 to 20 people.

三崎

Misaki ☎ 6443-1187 Marina Bay 12 Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Tower 3 #02-08 Mon-Sat 11.30am-3pm (L.O. 2.30pm) 6pm-10pm (L.O. 9.45pm) ■ misakirestaurant.com.sg

Special lunch Omakase ............................. from $100 Dinner Omakase .............................. from $150-$200 ($300 Omakase minimum one week advance booking)

$

Hearty and homely traditional dishes from Hakata The star of this course meal is Torikin’s speciality Hakata-style mizutaki (水炊き, hotpot). They use highquality Sakura chicken which has less cholesterol and fat but retains its tender and juicy texture. Their house ponzu (ポン酢, citrus-based sauce) is made from daidai (橙, Asian bitter orange) and adds a refreshing flavour to the chicken. The menu also includes sashimi, sushi, shabu-shabu and tonpei yaki (とんぺい焼き, pork omelette dish). Plus, on the third week of every month, you can enjoy free samples* of three different kinds of sake in the store’s cosy, homey atmosphere. *Terms and conditions apply

鶏金

Torikin ☎ 6465-5908 Bukit Timah 557 Bukit Timah Road #01-14/16 Mon-Fri 6pm-12am Sat, Sun & PH 12pm-3pm, 6pm-12am (L.O. 10.30pm) Torikin SG

Shabu-Shabu Omakase.. $90 Mizutaki Omakase.......... $60

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KAWAII BENTO Vol. SERIES 4 INGREDIENTS: • Japanese rice • Meat soboro • Egg soboro • Japanese cucumbers • Sushi seaweed • Lettuce • Sliced cheese

TOOLS: • Bear cutter • Star cutter • Round cutter • Scissors • Tweezers

1.

Fill your bento box with cooked Japanese rice and position the teddy bear cutter.

2.

Fill in the bento box with the meat soboro outside the cutter, followed by the egg soboro inside the cutter.

3.

Remove the cutter gently.

4.

Add in your favourite vegetables. You can use cutters to cut the vegetables and decorate the bento box.

5.

TEDDY BEAR SOBORO BENTO 1.

2.

Add in the features of the teddy bear including seaweed for the eyes and seaweed with sliced cheese for the snout and nose.

3.

4.

Popular food blogger and award-winning bento artist Shirley Wong, aka, Little Miss Bento, is well-known for her adorable Japanese bento creations and unique sushi art rolls on her blog and social media channels. Following the success of her first cookbook, Kawaii Bento (2015), Shirley will launch her second cookbook, Kawaii Deco Sushi in July 2015 for making deco sushi that are not only a feast for the eyes, but for the palate as well. Both books are priced each at $32 excluding GST, available at all major bookstores. http://littlemissbento.com

5.

6.

Soboro（そぼろ）is minced toppings on rice (donburi, どんぶり), usually made from meat or egg. It is easy to make and also very delicious. The recipe usually uses mirin, sake and soy sauce, giving it its signature sweet and savory taste.

Shirley Wong

32

WAttention Singapore

Discover Japan's charm

WAttention Plaza is an event space conveniently accessible at Jurong Point and dedicated to showcasing the very best of Japan. Bringing to you the latest food fads and long-selling products from Hokkaido to Okinawa, watch out for the special events and limited-period booths held here on a regular basis.

WAttention Plaza 63 Jurong West Central 3, #B1-78A Jurong Point (Inside Shokutsu Ten Japan Food Street) Hours: 11am- 9:30pm www.pje-sg.com

AD_AZMAYA.pdf 1 11/8/2015 9:59:01 PM

WAttentionPlaza

WAttention Singapore

33

ing t s e er

gs t n i d n I Fin

ら 外国人か い 白 見た面 ！ ！！ 日本語

in

To da y’s Le ar ne r:

わくわくする

発音

waku waku

Form

副詞 [Fukushishi]

Adverb + suru

形

Meaning 意味

In Japan, “sakusaku” brings to mind crispy cutlets and “pakupaku” is the sound created when one eats heartily. To the untrained ear, these may seem like random sounds out of a Japanese anime, but these onomatopoeias and mimetic words are what breathe life into the language.

moya moya

The phrase originates from the noun ‘moya’ (mist). Used to describe a foggy room, cloudy memory or an overcast mood.

どきどき doki doki

The literal meaning is (heart) throbbing and pounding because of anxiousness, surprise, expecting good things or you work out hard.

VOL.

Ching Li

from Singapore It is likely that no other language has as many words that mimic the sounds of animate and inanimate objects and various states of conditions of the world. Grasping the meaning and use of these words is a fun and effective way to add colour to any conversation.

その他の擬音語

t originally came A mimetic word tha ’ (water coming ku ‘wa b from the ver means you feel It d). from the groun ill. the excitement or thr

もやもや

02

Conductor Aki Loves exploring how culture affects language differently around the world and works as copywriter & editor. Also has a postgraduate certificate in TJFL (teaching Japanese as a foreign language).

Discover new interesting Japanese words and phrases from a Japanese learner’s point of view with the aid of a Japanese teacher. Let’s get started! ☺

T od a y’ s W or d

Pronunciation

Japanese Language

Ot he r EX PR ES SIOr NS fee lin gs! to sho w you

うきうき

いらいら

だらだら

‘Ira’ (prickle) is the origin; used to associate unpleasant experience from stings which interprets your irritation of the feeling.

The adjective of ‘darashinai’ (untidy and shapeless) is the root.

It is used to convey the action of doodle or being lazy.

uki uki

‘Uki’ (buoyant) is the noun, and is said to show light-hearted, blissful or on cloud nine feelings like you are bouncing.

のびのび nobi nobi

The meaning of ‘nobi’ (stretch), conducts an unconstrained condition and leads to your carefree and happy feeling.

ira ira

y’s T o d ak e n Bro nese Japa

Originally the word ‘yaba’ (slang for jail) was used in 17th century and became an adjective with ‘i’. The word was re-discovered by youngsters in the 80s to deliver the expression of bad or risky. By the further extension, people started expressing it in a positive sense to mean ‘very cool’ or ‘delicious’ in the 90s.

Nowadays, people tend to use it in a positive reaction but still work for a negative expression as well.

やばい ya

ba

i

やばいっす ya ba i

dara dara

ssu

やばいよ ya ba i

yo

やべっ ya be

Illustration credit: www.irasutoya.com

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CAREER

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WAttention Singapore

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- Word limit: 50-70 words - Materials (Logos, photos, etc.) to be provided by client - Deadline: End of every odd month (e.g. 31 January, 31 March) For bookings and enquiries, contact us at E-mail: singapore@wattention.com

Hokkaido butadon joint in Clarke Quay Hall Manager: Kitchen Staff: Service Staff: Part-Time:

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12 Nov (Sun), 4pm-5.30pm • Location Trinity Christian Center @ Paya Lebar

Jpn F&B in Clarke Quay/Marina Kitchen Staff/Sushi Chef: $1.7-3K/mth *Based on experience P.T. Service/Kitchen: $8-15/hr 8 hrs/day, 6 days/wk . P.T. min 3 days/wk No experience necessary.

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Singaporeans or PR holders Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Bugis For more information, call

Sales Staff: $1.7-5K/mth

Hair Removal Salon in Dhoby Ghaut Therapist/Consultant Senior level: $2.5-5K/mth Junior level: $1.8-3.5K/mth Training provided. Friendly environment.

5 days/wk, 8.5 hrs/day incld. Sat, Sun & PH Free IPL treatment & other benefi ts.

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• First-half of Practice Schedule (All are welcome, incl. 1st timers) 12 Sept (Sat) 3pm-4.30pm 17 Sept(Thu) 10.30am-12pm & 7.30pm-9pm 15 Oct (Thu) 10.30am-12pm & 7.30pm-9pm 17 Oct (Sat) 3pm-4.30pm

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Providing consultation to hair loss problem.

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Workplace: Somerset/Raffles Place

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NEED CLEANING OR DISHWASHING STAFF? Licensed cleaning company offers daily/ one-off/short/long term cleaning Building, shop front, office, preand post-moving, after-event, kitchen, exhaust, spot & others For free quotation,

email: dt@shinesquadpl.com SMS: 98318902 shinesquadpl.com

FOR MORE INFO/MOBILE ONLY

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NIGIRO CAFE

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Sake & Jpn cuisine in City Hall

New Jpn-themed café in Suntec City

Yakitori & Kushiyaki joints in Boat Quay

Leading job ad agency in Clarke Quay

Assist Manager: $2.5-3.5K/mth

Sous Chef: $2.5-3K/mth Chef: $2-2.5K/mth Trainee Cook: $1.5-2K/mth

Kitchen/Service Crew Food Prep. Crew (Seniors welcome) Full-Time: $2.3-3.6K/mth+ Part-Time: $10+/hr

Tele Marketer: $10/hr + incentive

Advantage for Japanese speakers

Service Staff : $1.7-2K/mth Dish Washer : $1.5-1.7K/mth

Opening staff – Also hiring Supervisor, Service Captain & Barista.

Beginners & Part-timers also welcomed.

2 days off/wk, Rotating shift Be an opening member with us!

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Japanese proficiency an advantage as we have many Japanese clients. You can work at home – housewives & students are welcomed.

Outlets in Clarke Quay/Marina Blvd

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Premium Organic Japanese Rice & Sake Enjoy quality, fresh rice delivered straight to your doorstep* Hokkaido Yumepirika 2kg & Nanatsuboshi 2kg set $39† Niigata Koshihikari 2kg $18

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WAttention Singapore

35

event & information

IN SINGAPORE [Sep & Oct 2015]

5-6 Sep Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival 2015

Catch your favorite Jpop artists like Yasutaka Nakata, yanaginagi, Hachioji P, Anna Yano, and Harajuku-based performance group TEMPURA KIDZ live. Experience Japanese culture like karaoke, fashion and cuisine for free! *SCAPE The Ground Theatre and Playspace Ⓦ afachan.asia/2015/06/moshi-moshi-nipponfestival-world-tour-comes-to-singapore/

6 Sep West Winds Presents the Enchanted World of Hayao Miyazaki II Be enchanted by the second instalment of West Wind’s tribute concert to Japanese master animator and director, Hayao Miyazaki, featuring soundtracks from his masterpieces such as Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and The Wind Rises.

Esplanade Concert Hall, Standard $15 Ⓦ sistic.com.sg/events/miyazaki0915

12 Sep EGOIST Live in Singapore 2015: A Live is Worth a Thousand Pix Ani-song superstar duo EGOIST is here to rock your town with their hits. Join them as they perform songs from Guilty Crown and PSYCHO-PASS, including “Namae no Nai Kaibutsu” and “All Alone With You”.

36

WAttention Singapore

University Cultural Center, National University of Singapore VIP $148, GA $88 Ⓦ japanmusicfestival.asia/egoist2015

12-13 Sep Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) STGCC juices up the pop culture universe with offerings from the worlds of toys, games, comics, anime, manga and collectibles. Get ready for a weekend jam-packed with autograph sessions, stage performances and exciting exhibitons.

Level 1, Halls B & C Sands Expo & Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, 1-Day $19, 2-Day $28 Ⓦ singaporetgcc.com/

3 Oct Eir Aoi World Tour 2015 – ROCK THE WORLD!! – IN SINGAPORE

Get ready to rock the house down with songstress Eir Aoi in her first-ever solo concert in Singapore. The ani-song singer is famous for anime theme songs such as “MEMORIA”, “AURORA” and “INNOCENCE”.

The Coliseum™, Hard Rock Hotel® Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, Standard $148, $88 Ⓦ japanmusicfestival.asia/eiraoi2015

9-18 Oct Singapore Jewel Fest 2015 Discover eight of Japan’s most glamourous and dazzling jewellry

and accessories from brands such as Casmine, Fujimori, Jurio®, Kajita, Kawamura, Kodama, Mitsuhiro & Suwa.

Jewel Pavilion Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza Ⓦ singaporejewelfest.com

17-18 Oct EBIZO ICHIKAWA XI's Japan Theatre 2015

Witness a significant moment in kabuki history where Ebizo Ichikawa XI returns with two spectacular never-been-seen before kabuki plays, a brand new piece created especially for Singapore and another which has not been performed in a hundred years.

The Grand Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands, Standard $89, $115, $145, $185 and VIPS $350 Ⓦ sistic.com.sg/events/ebizo1015

25 Oct JCS Japanese Cultural Festival

The Japanese Cultural Festival provides the opportunity for Singaporeans and Japanese residents a chance to experience authentic Japanese cultural performances, contests and exhibitions.

Jubilee Hall (Raffles Hotel) Ⓦ jcss.org.sg/cultural-festival

27-29 Nov ANIME FESTIVAL ASIA 2015 Southeast Asia’s largest and most followed J-pop culture event will feature booths centered on Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga and video games, as well as a cosplay contest and numerous panels and stage events.

Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Ⓦ animefestival.sia

WAttention FIELDS Research Institute ］ ［

Let’s Talk Subculture Explore the fascinating world of Japan s subcultures with insights from the inside.

VOL.03

“Breaking” the stereotype of your ordinary otaku Is your image of otaku, glasses-wearing guys who stay locked in their rooms all day, watching anime and playing video games? If so, professional dance crew Real Akiba Boyz (RAB) is about to “break” your stereotype.

The Real Deal Based in Akihabara (“Akiba”), the mecca of otaku, dance unit RAB is comprised of breakdancers Atsuki, Keitan, Dragon, Muratomi, and Maron. Yet breakdancing is just one of the passions that brought this group together. These guys are all self-declared “Akiba-style otaku”: people obsessed with anime, manga, and video games. Having made their professional debut, joining with famous voice actress Kaori Fukuhara and going by the name “Kaori Fukuhara and RAB”, this group performs original dances to anime songs at live events, released their first album, and has been featured multiple times on Japanese TV.

Dance video goes viral Originally on rival dance teams, rumors that each of these five members shared a love for anime sparked their first “off-kai” (offline gathering) in 2007 in Akihabara,

Meet the Members

from which they started meeting regularly.

This common interest inspired them to create a dance to member Atsuki’s favorite song, “Hare Hare Yukai”, the closing theme song to the hit anime “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya”. Upon posting a recording of this dance on video-sharing website Niconico, word of “otaku who can dance” quickly spread, attracting attention from both media and newfound fans. Since then, RAB’s videos have reached over a million views, and they have performed internationally, including at last year’s Japan Expo in Paris before a stage of 14,000.

Overflowing with otaku-ness But what is it about these Real Akiba Boys’ dancing that is so appealing? For one, they have world-class skill. Originally members of well-respected breakdance teams prior to forming RAB, several members have competed at both the national and international level. Dragon for example, has represented Japan four times at the UK B-Boy (Breakdancing) Championships World Finals.

But beyond such technique, RAB brings an originality that overflows from their otaku-ness. They don’t just dance to anime songs, but also try to capture the heart of anime in each dance, integrating gestures,

poses, and even facial expressions that are typical of anime characters. While such moves might not require as much skill as say pulling off a headstand or flare, the ability to smoothly combine such animeinspired elements with top-level breakdance quality is no easy feat; perhaps why no other similar group has yet to surface with equal popularity.

Animated aspirations Yet, RAB isn’t particularly interested in starting an otaku breakdance movement, or in changing the reputation of otaku around the world. They just enjoy spreading their zeal for anime through dance. After all, it’s this shared passion that not only drew this group together, but drives them to fulfill their dream. What might that be? When WAttention asked, they responded that their greatest hope wasn’t reaching international fame or performing on the world’s largest stages. Rather, they’d want to become the subject of an actual anime. Truly an aspiration birthed in Akiba.

［

］

Find out other fascinating aspects of subculture in this special Let s Talk Subculture series online at www.wattention.com.

Keitan

Atsuki Suzumiya

Irresistible Urge: Buying his favorite anime character’s goods at the convenience store when they’re the only ones not being bought.

Name Origin: Took the name of his beloved anime character “Suzumiya” for himself.

Dragon

Muratomi

Unforgettable Moment: Talking to his idolized anime voice actress on the phone.

Special Power: Able to predict the next popular manga series based on “good feelings”.

Maron Weekly Habit: “Watching anime each Sunday night empowers me for the week!”

This article was written with the assistance of Fields Research Institute, which conducts research in entertainment.

WAttention Singapore

37

J a p a n e s e

About the Company

Brand Stor y 0 1 5

Founded in 1887, Kao Group is a leading Japanese manufacturer of consumer products. Recently marking its 50th anniversary in Singapore, Kao Singapore has grown to be one of the top personal care and household products companies.

Constantly evolving to meet consumer’s changing needs, Kao Singapore continually introduces a wide range of innovative and high-value products with exclusive design and technology from over 18 brands, including market leaders like Bioré, Magiclean and Laurier.

WAttention picks up uniquely Japanese brands and products that are on the rise in the Singapore market.

Magiclean Fabric Freshener

Keep your hard-to-wash fabrics clean and fresh Made in Japan with natural deodorizing extracts, this spray penetrates deeply into fabric fibres, killing 99.9% bacteria from inside out. Using a unique Japanese trigger technology that dispenses the micro-mist spray for wider, more even coverage, it also has an ergonomically shaped bottle that makes it easier to hold. It eliminates bad odours such as the smell of cigarettes and cooking for up to 24 hours.

Suitable for bedding items, baby fabric toys and stroller seats, sofa, carpet, curtains, car seats and fabric shoes and available in three scents: Fresh & Light, Refreshing Mint and Clear Citrus. This fuss-free solution to maintaining fabric cleanliness is quick and easy to use on a regular basis.

Available at all leading supermarkets from mid-September 2015, retailing at $4.95 for 370ml bottle and $3.75 for 320ml refill.

Japan’s number one laundry detergent Attack Quick Clean

Formulated with “Ultra Anion”, Attack Quick Clean is an ultra-concentrated liquid detergent that targets and breaks down stubborn stains in just five minutes so clothes get a thorough cleaning in every wash. Available in November 2015.

Your BRAND. with WAttention

singapore@wattention.com Past featured Brands:

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WAttention Singapore