Sushi: a Short History and Where to Get It in Hiroshima
Sep 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann
The earliest form of sushi, known today as narezushi, most likely originates in the paddy fields along the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. The prototype narezushi is made by lacto-fermenting fish with salt and rice to control putrefaction. It then spread southward. In Japan, the dish's introduction overlaps with the...[ Click to read more ]
The Red Capped Statues – The Patron Saint of Children.
By Hugh Cann
If you’ve visited Mitaki Temple on the city outskirts or perhaps Daishoin Temple on Miyajima (or many other places throughout Japan) you will surely have come across small stone statues of monks wearing red knitted caps and bibs across the chest. These are statues honoring the Jizo Bosatsu. Jizo is...[ Click to read more ]
Japanese Sake: Sake Festival in Hiroshima
By Hugh Cann
To begin with, we all know the word sake (pronounced sa-keh not sa-ki). But in fact, that is the generic term in Japanese for alcohol. If you want to order it and not sound like a complete “blow-in” you would be better ordering it as Nihon-shu. Most Nihon-shu (from my...[ Click to read more ]
Ganko Yatai: A Night Owl’s Go-To Food Court
Aug 26, 2019 By Hugh Cann
Ganko Yatai is basically six small izakayas (Japanese taverns) wedged into one large room make up this lively spot, where beer or sake are served up with the usual izakaya fare, including some local-style okonomiyaki. You quite likely already know the bustling Nagarekawa entertainment district and actually on a side...[ Click to read more ]
Live Music Venues in Hiroshima
By Hugh Cann
There are over half a dozen active live music venues in Hiroshima. As anywhere and according to taste and interest, some with a slick music venue feel, others quite bohemian and eclectic… Most of the venues are clustered within the Nagarekawa / Yagenbori entertainment district. Nearly all are understandably focused...[ Click to read more ]
Yokogawa: Where Old and New Meet in Hiroshima
By Hugh Cann
Historically, Yokogawa is the old Shitamachi and before the second world war was Hiroshima's commercial business district. The post-war reconstruction shifted most commercial and retail activity to Naka -ku (ward) area of central Hiroshima. Today, some of the businesses in Yokogawa remain much as they were after the immediate reconstruction....[ Click to read more ]
Kure City – Historic Charm on Hiroshima’s Seto Inland Sea
Jul 22, 2019 By Hugh Cann
Kure on the Seto Inland Sea approximately 45 minutes by train from Hiroshima is a city steeped in the historic charm and scenic beauty of the Seto Inland Sea and forms part of Japan's industrial backbone. As the second oldest naval port it hosts the Yamato Museum, other attractions are...[ Click to read more ]
Fukuyama, the Gem of East Hiroshima Gem
Jun 28, 2019 By Hugh Cann
Only a 30-minute bullet train ride or a 90-minute drive from Hiroshima, Fukuyama City has many gems and a big plus is that it is apparently unaffected (so far) by the surge in tourism in Japan. Fukuyama seems like a brother overlooked because of the appeal of elder his brother....[ Click to read more ]
A History of Hiroshima’s Soul-Food, Okonomiyaki
By Hugh Cann
Okonomiyaki (o-konomi-yaki) is often described as a Japanese savory pancake made from a variety of ingredients that includes shredded cabbage, flour, and yam-based batter, meat (generally fresh pork belly) and seafood. The name comes from the word okonomi, meaning "how you like" or "what you like," and yaki meaning "cooked"...[ Click to read more ]
Out Drinking in Hiroshima
May 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann
** Note: 2020.08.22 - This article is currently in the process of being updated. Please check back to confirm details.** You have had a great week and want to celebrate, or possibly it was one of those weeks that felt like a string of Mondays one after the other and...[ Click to read more ]
