Stay Home With Etsuna: Tips On Having Fun With Kids While During the Lockdown Doing Crafts and Cooking

03.April.2020 | FEATURES

Here at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON, we post news and information about Japan in six languages. Our aim is to deliver a variety of content related to Japan for those who love and enjoy Japanese culture.

 

Right now, people across the globe are in self-isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The same goes for Japan too, so we’ve taken this opportunity to create a new series on the website to show how we’re spending time at home here in Japan.

 

The future is yet uncertain, and we hope for normality to return for all of us soon. We hope that this article takes your mind off the situation, even for just a little bit, to help you feel calmer, and just maybe it might give you some tips on what you can do while spending time at home.

 

Etsuna (悦奈)

Etsuna is a model and talent from China who currently lives in Japan. She owns her own fashion brand where she designs clothes, and she posts news about Japan on her social media pages including Instagram and weibo. She’s also a mother of two.

 

She kindly took some photos for us to share with you to show how she is spending time with her family at home right now.

 

Making Pikachu with pipe cleaners!

Here she’s prepared some colourful pipe cleaners! She’s combined them to create various different things, like Pikachu and a jellyfish. The colour of the jellyfish is just like Etsuna’s usual fashion aesthetic♡

 

Simple banana art that kids can do too

All you need for this are bananas and a toothpick. By using a toothpick you can ensure you don’t actually pierce the banana, just the surface of the skin. Stick at it and within 30 minutes to an hour you’ll have created your own piece of banana art like Etsuna.

Her banana art is the real deal, as expected from an art college graduate!

 

Create mini figures using rocks and art tools

Here, Etsuna’s prepared various rocks of different sizes. Add your own paint touches to a rock of your choice to create your very own mini figures. Possibilities are endlessーEstsuna’s tried everything from a Japanese daruma doll to Luigi’s hat.

 

Enjoy your own Japanese festival at home

You can make chocolate bananas like they sell at Japanese festivals using the same bananas you made the banana art with. Etsuna decorated hers with various Japanese candies like Pastel Sugar and Poifull. To make them, simply skewer the banana with a chopstick, lather the banana in chocolate, and add toppings of your choice!

 

Simply & kawaii 3:00 P.M. snacks

With a little planning, you can make some super cute snacks. Here, Etsuna has made a tasty parfait with yogurt which she topped with heart-shaped kiwi and banana, granola, raisins, and other surprise delights. Try making a cafe-quality dessert like this yourself at home.

 

Poké Ball onigiri set

Estuna’s kids love Pokémon, so she made some onigiri rice balls that look like Poké Balls for them. They’re filled with salmon flakes and umeboshi dried plum. They’re then topped with seaweed and cheese to make the Poké Ball details. If you have some Japanese ingredients at home, like Japanese rice and seaweed, try it yourself too.

 

Etsuna also answered some of our questions below.

 

What’s the secret to spending time at home?

“Kids can get pretty tired of staying at home all day, so to make it more fun and so it doesn’t feel like self-isolation for us, we do pretend play like having indoor picnics and playing shopkeeper. You can create situations that make it feel different from being inside, and my kids seem to be enjoying that.”

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

“The world is in a tough spot right now from the coronavirus. There are many people having to self-isolate in lots of different countries, from Europe and America to China. Make time to have fun at home so you can protect the lives of yourself and those you love.”

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    Akiu-sha Lunch | ¥1,280 (Before Tax)

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    Akiu Saiseki Chocolate | ¥850 (Before Tax)

    A white chocolate dessert inspired by the unique rocks of Akiu. Customers can use the little wooden hammer to break apart the dessert to create a rubble of chocolate. The inside of the restaurant is spacious with towering beams holding it up. "The vegetables are so fresh, I couldn't believe how tasty they were! This flavour is unique to this place."   Akiu-sha Address: Nozoki-9-4 Akiumachi Yumoto, Taihaku Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Opening Hours: 11:00-17:00 (Last Food Orders 14:30 / Cafe Last Orders 16:00) Closed: Tuesdays TEL: 022-724-7767 (Bookings not possible) Access: 50-minutes by bus from Sendai Station Official Website: http://akiuwinery.co.jp  

    Akiu Winery

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    Akiu Winery's line-up of wines are famous in Sendai. At the back of the winery is the expansive grape field.

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    At the outdoor terrace you can enjoy a BBQ grill together with a glass of wine. "The sight of the grape field made me feel like I was in France. You can enjoy a BBQ too so I definitely want people to come here!”   Akiu Winery Address: Biwaharanishi-6, Akiumachi Yumoto, Taihaku Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Official Website: http://akiuwinery.co.jp

    Akiu Great Falls

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    Around Sendai Station

    Sendai Station can be considered as the doorstep of Japan's Tohoku region. It of course runs JR East's Tohoku Shinkansen bullet trains as well as operates Sendai Subway services and buses. The area around the station is great for finding tasty local delicacies, shopping, and souvenir-buying.  

    WANOSHOKU NIKAI

    Seri-nabe is Sendai's new specialty food If you're asked to give an example of a famous speciality food product from Sendai, chances are people will jump straight to the city's gyutan beef tongue, but what has been the talk of the town recently is seri-nabe. Seri-nabe is a type of hotpot cooked with Japanese parsley ('seri') - one of Japan's seven spring flowers. Miyagi Prefecture boasts as a top class producer of Japanese parsley. The hotpot is served in a simple duck broth which allows the fragrance of the parsley to come through. "I can't get enough of the crunchy texture of the [parsley] roots! It was delicious, I had a refreshing soy sauce soup finished with ramen."   WASHOKU NIKAI Address: 2-5-15 Ichibanchō, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Opening Hours: 17:00-Midnight No Fixed Holidays TEL: 022-224-6040  

    Iroha Yokocho

    Bar crawl deep into the back streets The side streets of the Sunmall Ichibancho arcade have a retro Japanese vibe to them, packed full of shops that make one feel nostalgic. The long, winding alleys feature plenty of Instagram-worthy spots. "This is a great spot for enjoying a bar crawl, just having a light drink and then moving onto the next place. Even if you don't drink there's tasty food to enjoy too!"   Iroha Yokocho Address: 2-3-28 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi TEL: 022-223-3151

    S-PAL Sendai

    A fashion mall connected to the station S-PAL is a fashion mall directly connected to Sendai Station, home to apparel stores, restaurants, souvenir shops, sundry sellers, and more. Here are some sundry stores selling a variety of miscellaneous items perfect as souvenir purchases.   Nakagawa Masashichi This is an old-time chain that has been around for 300 years. Specialising in lifestyle goods, this S-PAL branch is the only one in all of Tohoku. Its interior design has a retro feel to it with shelves and tables piled with cute bits and bobs.

    Kaya-ori Tea Towel | ¥440 (Tax Included)

    A specialty product of Tohoku, this tea towel is made using the traditional weaving technique of kaya-ori. Exclusive to Tohoku.   IORI IORI is another shop you'll only find in the Tohoku area. They sell imabari towels which are perfect as gifts to yourself or another.

    Handkerchiefs | ¥600 Each (Tax Included)〜

    These handkerchiefs are only sold in Sendai and feature a variety of embroidered motifs like the windsocks of the Sendai Tanabata Festival, kokeshi dolls, the helmet of Date Masamune, and more.   KANEIRI STANDARD STORE A select shop stocking stationery and other trinkets that promote the culture and craftsmanship of Tohoku. This store is right next to Sendai Station and has plenty of souvenir-worthy items, so it's absolutely worth a visit. As well as lifestyle goods, the store also sells items made in Miyagi, like kokeshi dolls.

    Matsukawa Daruma | ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

    These Matsukawa Daruma are super cute, especially the blue one which is inspired by the Sendai Domain, also known as the Date Domain.   Dagashiya Zousan Dagashiya Zousan sells old-time Japanese sweets and confections, stocked with many popular treats from Tohoku adored by both kids and adults alike. The traditional sweets are all packed together along the shelves and up the walls.  

    The popular souvenir shops of Sendai

    You can't go home after a fun trip without picking up a souvenir, so here's s line-up of shops that have been surging in popularity recently in Sendai, all of which sell Sendai-specific items.   Drinkable zunda at Agurienomori Mitte

    Drinkable Zunda | ¥370 (Before Tax)

    Zunda are mashed green soybeans boiled and turned into a sweet paste. They are also a local delicacy. Zunda mochi are very famous, but zunda beverages are popular too. This shop sells a variety of zunda treats to pick from.   Bamboo grass kamaboko at Kanezaki-ya There are many makers of sasa-kamaboko, or bamboo grass fish paste, but what makes Kanezaki-ya's so great is how it retains the original umami flavour and plump texture of the fish.   Zaou cheese at Tohoku Meguri Irotoiro

    Zaou Cream Cheese, Vanilla Cream Spread | ¥557 Each (Before Tax)

    A food select shop selling a range of different ingredients. Their kaou cheese with sweet vanilla is their most popular item. "It's a fashion mall so of course they sell clothes, but they had a bunch of other stuff too, everything from traditional Japanese daruma to food. I really recommend S-PAL Sendai if you're searching for souvenirs!"   S-PAL Sendai Address: 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00 (Restaurant wing open 11:00-22:00) No Fixed Holidays TEL: 022-267-2111 Access: Connected directly to Sendai Station Official Website: https://www.s-pal.jp/sendai/    "Sendai looking and progressing into the future as it overcomes the effects of the disaster. It's a place with amazing food, fun shops, and is teeming with nature. If you've never been to Sendai before, then be sure to visit and have fun!"
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    In an effort to ensure the safety and protect the health of guests and staff, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) introduced strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on June 8, 2020, such as limiting the number of people who could enter the park each day and enforcing thorough cleaning routines. This enabled the park to reopen after its temporary closure. It has since been able to deliver its scope of fun and excitement to guests, albeit in a more structured way. USJ wants to make wearing masks more fun too, and so it is releasing a range of character-inspired face masks, such as Snoopy, Elmo and the Cookie Monster, on August 7. Part of the money made from sales of these masks will be donated to the USJ Wonder Kids Program which helps support children in need.

    Universal Studios Japan original design masks

    The masks' unique designs take the mouths of each character. These can be worn together with each respective characters' headband which are also sold at USJ. Designs include Elmo, Cookie Monster, Snoopy, Tim, Jurassic Park, and Jaws.   Photos provided by Universal Studios Japan.HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s20)Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2020 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.TM & © 2020 Universal Studios.© 2020 Peanuts© '76, '20 SANRIO© 2020 Sesame WorkshopTM & © Universal Studios & Amblin EntertainmentTM & © Universal Studios.TM Universal Studios.