Rice Planting: Thoughts from the Paddy

I looked at the muddy pool and then at my shoes. I was not sure how this was going to work. I wore my hiking boots in an effort to be prepare for outdoor adventures that day, but there was no way I would be able to move around very well with two heavy shoes dragging...

Hosting a Dinner Party

I can only imagine what that hour might have looked like to an outside observer. We all shuffled about the house, skillfully ducking in and out of the rooms. We frantically shoved clothes out of sight while the distinct sound of sizzling oil could be heard from the...

Experiencing Kitakata Ramen

We knew there are some ramen shops in Kitakata, but we did not know there are so many. We knew ramen is very popular in Kitakata, but we did not know there is a ramen shrine. We had a pleasant surprise when we walked into the Kitakata Ramen Shrine and saw everything...

Connecting With Japanese Culture Through Miso Making

We started with soybeans and mold.  Yes, mold.  Rather than taking the familiar approach of sterilizing, sealing, pasteurizing, and refrigerating to ensure the complete elimination of all living substances from food products, we planned on mixing fresh soybeans with...