Four-member dance and vocal unit TEMPURA KIDZ announced on their official website on Thursday (February 18) that YU-KA, AO, and P→★ will depart from the group following their concert at Shibuya Veats on March 28, 2021.

 

TEMPURA KIDZ began their career as backup dancers for Japan’s queen of pop Kyary Pamyu Pamyu where they were known as the “Kyary Kids.” The original five-member line-up of YU-KA, AO, P→★, KARIN, and NaNaHo made their major debut in 2013. At the young ages of just 15, the group took their unmatched, high-energy dance performances across Japan and overseas. The big stage was ahead of them as they embarked on a world tour to perform in 17 cities throughout 13 countries, beginning with a performance at the Thai music festival TOFU MUSIC FES 2014 where they performed alongside the acclaimed K-pop artists 2NE1 and GOT7.

 

TEMPURA KIDZ at TOFU MUSIC FES 2014

TEMPURA KIDZ also performed at the world’s largest indoor arena, Philippine Arena, in Manila, Philippines for the 2015 New Year’s countdown event. In the performer line-up, TEMPURA KIDZ were just one act behind Chris Brown.

 

TEMPURA KIDZ at Philippine Arena in 2015

TEMPURA KIDZ have taken their exceptional dance skills around the world where they have hosted dance workshops to children at schools. One was hosted in Payatas in the Philippines as part of an Official Development Assistance (ODA) effort and was filmed to be shown on TV.

 

Over the course of their career, TEMPURA KIDZ have also lent their creative choreography to countless artists as well as for commercials and TV shows. In 2019, they performed their iconic “Puputto Fumutto Kaiketsu Dance” on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, an annual New Year’s Eve television special in Japan. The dance was created by the group for the animation series Butt Detective.

 

In 2018, group member NaNaHo graduated for the group, leaving TEMPURA KIDZ with just four members: YU-KA , AO, P→★, and KARIN. However, YU-KA , AO, and P→★ will now be graduating from the group at their solo concert together at Shibuya Veats on March 28, 2021 to focus on their own individual careers.

 

YU-KA aims to become a performer on many different levels and so wants to focus on enhancing her current skill. AO wants to become an actress, and P→★ wants to challenge himself to many new things such as being a DJ, model, and performer to arm himself with a talented skill set. The remaining member KARIN will announce her plans in the near future.

This March will be the final time that the four members stand on stage together as TEMPURA KIDZ. Tickets went on sale on Thursday (February 18), including special tickets that include signings from the members and an invitation to their rehearsal.

 

Comment From TEMPURA KIDZ

“We want to convey our utmost gratitude to you all for supporting us for so long. On March 28, at our solo concert, YU-KA, AO, and P→★ will graduate from TEMPURA KIDZ. Each member has decided to pursue their own paths. This of course means a big change for TEMPURA KIDZ, but all four of us will go all out to put on a hugely successful final show for you that captures out past 8 years together. Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. And remember, this isn’t the end—we’re working super hard to get off to a new start, so we ask you kindly for your continued support.”

 

—From all the members of TEMPURA KIDZ

 

 

Each member of TEMPURA KIDZ also wrote their own handwritten letters to fans which you can read here. 

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 created a new articles series called Stay Home with which we hope to take your mind off the situation, even for just a little bit, to help you feel calmer. It might give you some tips on what you can do while spending time at home.

 

Today, we are joined by all four members of Japanese dance and vocal group TEMPURA KIDZ who have shared with us what they have been doing at home recently.

 

Stay Home With AO

1: Watching movies

I’ve been sipping on nice hot drinks while cosied up watching movies. One that I want to recommend that makes me cry is The Green Mile. For comedy is would be A Story of Yonosuke!

 

2: Reading

Reading at home! I don’t make a lot of progress with reading, but I can concentrate better setting time aside to read at home alone rather than when I usually would on trains or in my spare time. So I’ve developed the ability to read a lot quicker now! I want to use this time to read lots and lots!

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

It’s all about putting the time in right now! I usually don’t get this kind of time to enjoy chilling at home, so I’m consuming lots of media like movies, dramas, anime, and books. I think it’s great time spent to power up my power as a human, by laughing and crying while increasing my knowledge and sensibility!

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

With more time spent at home because of the lockdown period, you might feel a sense of loneliness or anxiety, but it’s important to increase your immunity, even a little, and make your mind and body strong! I hear that tears and laughter are a way of de-stressing and upping your immunity. Let’s immerse ourselves in some kind of media and laugh and cry so we can eliminate stress, increase our immunity, and level ourselves up.

 

Stay Home With KARIN

1: Feeling better with candied fruit!

I’m lifting my mood at home by making candied fruit! It’s super simple, you just need fruit, sugar, and water.

Though I’m at home indoors, it makes me feel like I’m at a stall at a Japanese festival, so it makes me happy!

 

It’s really easy to do, so why not give it a go yourself?

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

If you use your time at home wisely to try out things you normally don’t have time for you’re bound to discover something new. I think that’s important.

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

Wash your hands, be aware that each and every person is a potential danger, and make the right decision until the fun days return. Let’s all get through this together!

 

Stay Home With YU-KA

1: Dancing on TikTok at home!

I started using TikTok just recently. Since the lockdown means being at home everyday, I’m posting dance videos everyday as part of my daily routine!

 

They’re super easy to make and post, I think it’s the best kind of content to enjoy with everyone. Plus, you feel refreshed after moving your body about, and it lifts your mood!

 

２: I can’t meet with the other members, but…

I’m also doing duet dances in my videos too! When the lockdown finally ends and I get to meet with everyone again, my happiness won’t feel incomplete anymore.

 

Doing this means you can stay connected with people even if you’re at home. It made me realise again what a convenient time we live in. I’m posting everyday, so I hope it kills a bit of time for everyone at home!

 

Check out my videos here: https://www.tiktok.com/@yuka_tempurakidz

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

This period we’re in now might actually be a great opportunity to do those things you’ve been neglecting everyday, or to challenge yourself to something new! You might also realise something you didn’t before because of this very situation. It’s made me reconsider the peaceful life I took for granted, so let’s think of it as a plus because of the good time we’ve been granted!

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

Our want for the lives we loved together to continue will ensure that they return quicker. Let’s pray for things to turn back to normal and work hard to get through this together!み

 

Stay Home With P→☆

1: Making music and editing YouTube videos

I’m set on making music and editing YouTube videos, and other things too. I’m using my time at home to do the things I normally wouldn’t be able to because it takes time. I’m also absorbing myself in a lot of research and making things. Keeping myself busy by looking up the things I love relieves my stress and makes me feel great.

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

Feeling positive trying out things you normally can’t!

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

Make sure to properly self-isolate at home, and let’s all look forward to and work towards when we can enjoy outdoors again! I’ll work hard to deliver entertainment to everyone from home too!

Dance and vocal unit TEMPURA KIDZ―who have taken their boisterous personalities to 13 countries around the world―have just dropped a new song entitled Tapi Tapi in collaboration with French DJ and music producer Moe Shop.

 

This marks their second collaboration with Moe Shop, the first being the release of UKIYO back in June.

The bubble tea-inspired song takes on a future funk sound, a genre which Moe Shop is at the forefront of. The lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Aoi Yamazaki. It’s a colourful pop dance anthem littered with the TEMPURA KIDZ members’ unique character.

You’re sure to be humming the words “tapi tapi” along to this catchy tune in which the members sing positive things like, “Let’s drink tapioca and be happy” and “Something good’ll happen if you live life smiling.”

 

With the Olympics right around the corner, TEMPURA KIDZ are looking to continue their global activities to help spread Japanese culture to the world. Be sure to give Tapi Tapi a listen which is also available now on Spotify.

News photos of dance and vocal unit TEMPURA KIDZ have been released. The photos were taken under the supervision of the leader of Harajuku’s kawaii culture Sebastian Masuda.

 

It has also been announced that the group are set to perform at the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE in Harajuku every Wednesday for a new event aimed at foreign and locals tourists entitled TOKYO POP CULTURE NIGHT ~HARAJUKU CELEBRATION~.

The theme of this event is “Harajuku Tribe” which sees TEMPURA KIDZ dressed up in colourful tribe-like Harajuku wares in which they will put on a new performance called “Harajuku Celebration.” The group teamed up with French DJ and producer Moe Shop to create original music for the performance.

Both artists will release their collaborative track UKIYO on June 18. The song features a “Future Funk,” a genre which sees Moe Shop as its spearhead. It is a colourful pop anthem that fuses with TEMPURA KIDZ and the members’ personalities.。

 

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics right around the corner, TEMPURA KIDZ continue their mission to spread Japanese culture around the world.

P→★ of Japanese pop dance and vocal group TEMPURA KIDZ loves animals, and this is his featured series in which he visits animal cafes around Tokyo. For diary entry No. 5, our P→★ heads to mipig cafe, Japan’s first ever micro pig cafe that opened in Meguro just last month.

Micro pigs are a super small type of pig bred in the UK through selective breeding. They are smaller than miniature pigs. The concept of the cafe is “A Backwoods For Micro Pigs.” The pigs are given a huge space to live and play around in. As soon as you enter the cafe they are there to greet you.

The building is four storeys high. Each floor has been made into a house for the micro pigs. The initial entry payment is ¥800 for 30 minutes and an extra ¥500 for every 30 minute extension. If you want a drink the prices start from ¥600. The cafe is very new and so is very popular right now, so if you’re looking to visit we recommend making a reservation in advance. It’s possible to get extensions on the day but you won’t be able to if lots of reservations have been made.

The pigs are very friendly with people. As soon as P→★ entered the room the pigs came right up to him. They climbed straight onto his lap.

They stayed in P→★’s arms the entire time without moving. Perhaps it’s because they feel safe and relaxed when embraced. P→★ was happy with it too: “I feel so peaceful♡. I want to stay here forever!” he announced.

Micro pigs aren’t their own species, they are mix of different species, so even if the piglets are born at the same, their size and colour will be completely different. The four pigs in the photos above are all 4-month-old siblings. Currently there are 10 micro pigs at the cafe. Pigs are tidy and very intelligent animals, so with enough practice they can be trained like dogs. There are pigs in the mipig cafe that can turn around and sit on command.

Since the pigs are so friendly with humans, one meeting is enough to have you captive and want to stay with them. They will stay close to you and not move so there’s plenty of opportunities for photos!

As well as drinks the cafe also serves food including cakes. They even serve “Tokusei Cheesecake” (¥850 before tax) from Hasegawa Minoru, a top dining restaurant in Japan. The restaurant is so popular that you have to make reservations up to 2 years in advance. And on weekends and holidays only the cafe sells 10 servings of their special “Pig Cake.”

It’s common in the US and UK for people to have pet pigs, but in Japan they’re still mostly regarded as domestic animals. mipig raises their micro pigs in a way like cats and dogs are in Japan. They are also in contact with farms in the UK and sell micro pigs too. Although they are called micro pigs they can weigh up to 40kg when fully grown. There is a floor in the cafe where you can see a grown up micro pig as shown in P→★’s photo above. Perhaps you can add a new member to your family too. But since the pigs are popular right now it could take over a year for you to receive one.

 

How did you find the mipig cafe, P→★?

“Of all the animal cafes I have been to so far this one was the most fun! It was fun being able have contact with them the entire time. Now I want a micro pig of my own! They don’t smell either, I could be with them forever. I wasn’t able to get an extension because there were a lot of reservations, so I recommend booking a long stay when you make one! And the cheesecake was super tasty too, so definitely be sure to try it yourself!”

If you’re in or planning a trip to Tokyo then be sure to get your reservations in for the newly-opened mipig cafe in Meguro ASAP!

 

 

Model: P→★（TEMPURA KIDZ）@0830_pika

Photo: Haruka  Yamamoto

Text: Sayoko Ishii

Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

The long-awaited next entry to P→★’s Animal Café Diary is finally here!

 

P→★ of Japanese pop dance and vocal group TEMPURA KIDZ loves animals, and this is his featured series in which he visits animal cafés around Tokyo. For diary entry No. 4, our P→★ visits the Harajuku Mame-Shiba Cafe located along Harajuku’s famous Takeshita Street.

Harajuku Mame-Shiba Café is Tokyo’s first animal café for Mame-Shiba Inu. It’s very easy to find being just a 3-minute walk from Harajuku Station and 5-minutes from Meiji-Jingumae Station so you can pop in during your Harajuku sightseeing.

 

There is also an owl cafe called Harajuku Owl’s Forest in the same building on floor B1F which you can see in the picture above. P→★ also visited another owl cafe in Harajuku called Owl’s Garden.

Upon stepping your paws into the Harajuku Mame-Shiba Café you are met by Mame-Shiba dogs wearing bandana around their necks. The café itself has retro style decor with Showa music providing your soundtrack. It also has tatami flooring so you will need to take your shoes off beforehand.

 

Tickets can only be bought at the café. It’s ¥880 for an adult for for 30 minutes. Once you have your ticket you wait until your designated time. It’s not uncommon for tickets to be sold out on the day so we recommend buying yours early in the day.

You can pick out one drink from the vending machine with your ticket. Pick from a range of teas, coffees and juices, sit down on the tatami mat and enjoy playing with the adorable Mame-Shiba. The café also as a retro TV and Japanese-style ‘chabudai’ tables for sitting on the floor.

The pups are very energetic in the morning and each enjoy living their own lives in their own way as they please. A popular site to see is the dogs basking in the sunlight that shines through the café windows.

Customers are prohibited from picking up and embracing the dogs, but like P→★ they may give you one instead! Stroking and interacting with the bouncy bunch however is fine.

Use toys to play with them, give them food and treats, and find your favourite Mame-Shiba Inu from the pack.

When noon draws in the dogs start going into nap mode. You’ll see the number of them tumbling over for a sleep increase one by one. This makes it easy to snap some photos, so if you’re looking to take lots of photos with them you should go at midday!

There’s also merchandise on sale including items based on popular Shiba Inu characters like Chuken Mochi Shiba and Shibata-san. The most popular item is the key ring of Chuken Mochi Shiba laid sprawled.

P→★ was very happy with his trip: “My grandma had a Shiba Inu called Aka-chan when I was small. Since then I always come into contact with Shiba Inu! I prefer Mame-Shiba who have a bit of individuality compared to the cute ones that look like Chihuahuas. The café has Japanese taste, is spacious and relaxed. I had the best time!”

Harajuku Mame-Shiba Café brings in countless customers everyday from those who do not own pets to foreigners visiting Japan. Reservations cannot be made online or over the phone, so pop in to book when you’re in Harajuku.

P→★ from TEMPURA KIDZ loves animals. This is his featured series in which he visits animal cafés in the city.

 

In this second entry, he made a trip to Owl’s Garden in Harajuku which houses not only owls, but hawks too!

The café can be found behind Tokyu Plaza, a very favourable location since you can stop by after shopping in Harajuku. It’s a 6-minute walk from Harajuku Station or a 2-minute walk from Meiji-Jingumae Station. Today, P→★ is wearing an outfit inspired by Harry Potter!

The café interior is styled on an English garden. There are 12 owls and hawks that live there. It’s full of natural light and greenery, making it a nice and comfortable place to relax.

There are several price plans. The Standard Plan is ¥1,500 which gets you 60 minutes inside. During that time, you’re free to touch the birds, take photos of them and sit them on your arm as much as you like.

P→★ met with the owls first. You can gently touch the top of their head down to their back as well as their chest. This owl is a Chaco Owl.

If you want to hold the birds just ask the staff. You’ll be given a glove to wear for the bird to sit on.

P→★ is now holding an American kestrel. This is the only falcon in the café. If you’re careful not to move your hand it will stay relaxed on your hand.

This is a barn owl. Apparently lots of customers are captivated by its striking face.

“This one’s so fluffy!” commented P→★.

P→★ was particularly interested in this Little Owl (that’s the actual name of the species!) Its tiny size is enough to tug your heartstrings♡

Owls save energy and don’t move around much, so they’re perfect for snapping photos of. That goes for selfies too.

Next is to try out being a falconer. There’s a number of cafés where you can come into contact with hawks but not that many where you can actually have one fly over to you, so some customers can spend several hours here.

You begin with your back against the wall and bring your hand up to the same height as your shoulders at the count of 3.

The hawk responded to the signal several meters way and flew right onto P→★’s hand.

 

It costs ¥500 for one turn which consists of two flights.

“It’s like I’ve become a wizard!” The bird that flew to P→★ is the Harris’s hawk. They are known for their intelligence. Hawks are often perceived as scary but they’re actually very friendly to humans.

You can enjoy a drink at this café while playing with the owls and hawks. If you make a reservation you get a drink on the house, otherwise it’s ¥100. It’s better to make a reservation if you’re planning to go there.

The earrings they sell there are popular. They’re made from feathers that have fallen from the owls at the café. Be sure to find the feather of the bird you like there the most. They also sell a range of other merchandise including a photo collection of the owls.

P→★ was very satisfied with his experience. It was his first time coming into contact with them, and his first time having a hawk fly to him.

 

“After watching Harry Potter, I wanted to own my own owl. It was a lot of fun interacting with them today. My image of hawks has changed too! If I’m rich in the future I want to have my own pet owl. Until then, I’ll be sure to come back here!”

P→★ sure enjoyed Owl’s Garden. The café is arranged in a way that makes it easy to take photos. The natural lighting and greenery make it a great choice for Instagram. Be sure to make a reservation if you’re interested.

 

Check out the time P→★ went to Harajuku Terrace Café in his first Animal Diary Café entry here.

 

Koriyama is located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture which is the most southernly prefecture of the Tohoku area. The city of Koriyama is known as an economically developed city since the Tohoku Shinkansen stops here. It takes about 80 minutes (7,680 yen – non-reserved seat) from Tokyo on the bullet train.

 

It is a suitable spot to feel the four seasons of Japan and during spring (early April to late April), cherry blossoms bloom in many places. There are places where you can veiw 400-year old “Shidarezakura (weeping cherry tree)” and along Kaiseizan Park’s cherry tree-lined road you can view about 1,300 cherry trees in bloom including the oldest “Someiyoshino” (Yoshino cheery tree) in Japan.

 

Koriyama is a historical city and it was designated as a “national heritage” in 2016.

In this article, I will introduce to you 4 of the best places where cherry blossoms can be viewed.

 

 

♦︎Kaiseizan Park’s cherry trees (center of Koriyam) – early April to mid-April

In this park, you can enjoy the viewing about 1,300 cherry trees including the oldest “Someiyoshino” in Japan. The cherry blossom lined road was used as a filming location for the movie “Toki wo Kakeru Shojo” and many food stalls are opened during the cherry-blossom viewing season.

 

♦︎Benishidare Jizozakura (Koriyamashi Nakatacho) mid-April

Benishidare Jizozakura in Nakata-cho, Koriyama, is a national treasure and it is considered to be one of the three biggest cherry trees in Japan. A “jizo” (image of Khitigarbha-bodhisattva) is set up right beside the tree and people used to pray for this jizo to avoid their infants dying at a young age.

 

♦︎Shikinosato Ryokusuien (Koriyamashi Kikutacho) mid-April

The flower garden and Shiki no Ryokusuien of Chisen Kaiyushiki can be enjoyed. At this location, you can also enjoy walking in the woods, watching birds and barbequing. Various cherry trees such as Kawazuzakura, Someiyoshino, and Shidarezakuro and seasonal flowers such as 300 thousand iris flowers, azaleas, roses and hydrangeas can be enjoyed at this area.

 

♦︎Funatsugawa no Sakuranamiki (Koriyamashi Konancho) late April to early May

Funatsugawa is a river in Konan-cho, Koriyamashi which is connected to Inowashiro Lake. You can enjoy the 120 cherry trees including Someiyoshino and field mustard planted on the embankment of the river.

 

Let’s go to Fukushima Prefecture to see cherry blossoms this spring!

I love animals!

 

This is P→★ from TEMPURA KIDZ and welcome to the first entry of my brand new series. I’ll be updating occasionally. What’s a better way to start a series than to make friends with some otters and hedgehogs in Harajuku? Today, I went to HARRY Harajuku Terrace café to do just that!

 

It’s not just what’s inside the café, but its location is also worthy of note – it’s just an 8-minute walk from JR Harajuku station and a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-Jingu station, so it’s easy to drop by after a busy day of being a tourist. The wow-factor of this café is the three very sociable otters. This highly successful café draws in customers that come day after day, seeking the ultimate soothing feeling of bonding with their new friends.

 

All their faces look the same, but you can tell them apart by looking at their tails. The otter called Miku has a thin tail, whereas San has a thick one and Kirara has a flat one. Particularly Kirara is brimming with curiosity and is the one with whom you are mostly likely to interact, if you should pop by!

 

Full of excitement, the otters reached through the small hole in the tank to ask for food and toys. It was overwhelmingly cute. When they want a treat, they call out with their peculiar squeal. You can purchase snacks for them within the café. If you give them food, your friendship will grow increasingly stronger.

 

Otter snack prices:

First-time customers: ￥330 (price including tax)

Standard price: ￥540 (price including tax)

 

As the café name “HARRY” implies, the café has hedgehogs (harinezumi). The hedgehogs heal the tired hearts of all the café visitors. All the hedgehogs are friendly and rarely ever raise their quills at anyone, so you can touch them safely.

 

Even I can handle a hedgehog!

Even though hedgehogs are rather timid, they can still open their hearts to you! I can’t believe that we even touched noses to communicate! It’s amazing!

 

The café was once a pet shop that sold rabbits and other small animals. This is it’s first time running business as a café, and that’s why you can not only interact with the animals here, but also buy one to keep. The staff also provide important information on how to properly care for the animals and diseases to which they are prone. If you are interested, then please feel free to ask them any kind of question.

 

There are many other animals in the shop. This is a large French Lop rabbit. 3 months after birth, their bodyweight can even reach up to 7kg. Their droopy ears were so cute and their fur was so fluffy! I was filled with happiness.

 

…and there were even chinchillas.  They have fluffy tails and look so cute!

 

I approached them with some grass for them to snack on, and as soon as they saw me, they ran at me full of energy – we even got a photo together! As all the animals at this café are used to people, it’s easy to take pictures with them to upload on SNS websites!

 

The café has such a large variety of food for small animals that was quickly noticed by customers who were interested in buying a pet. You can ask the staff what type of food is appropriate for which animal.

 

I spent a lot of time surrounded by my favourite animals. I was particularly captured by the otters’ cute behaviour! HARRY Harajuku Terrace gives you the opportunity to freely interact with small animals – something that you can’t really do at a zoo or anywhere else. If you’re in Harajuku, how about stopping by? You may have to wait 30 minutes to enter the café if the store is closed. The café is very popular so I recommend that you reserve in advance!

 

Hi, everyone! I’m AO from TEMPURA KIDZ!

We recently visited Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to perform at M-touch FES!

 

Japan is very cold right now, but it was over 30°c in Ho Chi Minh City!

The sun burned bright during the day. It was really hot, so it was like going back to summer.

 

This was our 3rd time going to Ho Chi Minh City, but one thing that’s always interesting to see is the number of motorbikes as pictured below.

There was a huge congestion of bikes on the roads, it was like rush hour in Japan!

 

I was surprised the first time I saw it because it’s not something you see in Japan.

We were caught in the congestion while traveling in the car, it was really amusing to see.

 

There were lots of bikes at M-touch FES too which meant lots of excited people!

A dance contest and outfit contest were also held at the event. There were people wearing anime costumes, and lots of Japanese songs were used for the dance contest. I saw once more just how Japan’s anime culture had spread to Vietnam.

 

There was even Japanese food at the booths!

From yakisoba to takoyaki.

People there looked like they really enjoyed the food.

 

All the Vietnamese people were so warm and in high spirits during the performance – they all sang together and put their hands in the air!

We went out with a bang at the end of a performance by collaborating with everyone in the Vietnamese music group P336band who we get along with for our song “LOLLi POP.”

I thought the crowd would be filled with people seeing us for the first time, but everybody came together as one and got really pumped up. It was so much fun!

We were invited to go to a tasty Japanese restaurant in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is divided into “wards” kind of like Japan. We went to a restaurant called “EN” in ward 3.

Yay! It’s a sushi bar!!

 

Just as the name implies, the restaurant is themed around Japanese money (en/yen). The lunch mats looked like Japanese banknotes.

The yen mark (￥) was dotted around different places!

This is what menu looked like.

It was also written in Japanese, making it nice and easy to understand.

They had sushi that you don’t see often in Japan, like wakame.

My interest peaked now and then when looking over the menu.

 

 

It’s interesting to see how much Japanese food is priced overseas.

I took a look at the salmon which is my favourite kind of sushi, and…

It was 48,000 dongs which is ￥238 in Japanese yen.

The price is a little high if we’re talking about a Japanese conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

 

The standard price of sushi is difficult to measure, but this might actually be cheap when considering non-conveyor belt sushi!

 

 

Our combination plate sushi has arrived.

 

Ta-da!

 

I personally found the sushi in the middle to be delicious, the one with the most quantity.

If you’re wondering what was inside it, let’s take a look, starting at the top and working down.

 

Salmon roe

Salmon

Rice

Avacado

Rice

Tenkasu (crunchy deep-fried flour batter)

Rice

 

That’s how it was layered.

 

The salmon and avocado of course complemented each other well, and the crunchy tenkasu made the texture nice. It was the best.

 

 

As well as sushi they had mackerel…

…udon…

…sashimi combination plate…

…sea grapes…

…and so on. The Japanese food on the menu was lavish and everything was delicious!

If you visit Vietnam and want to eat sushi, then please try going to EN!

There were many signboards written in Japanese when walking around, and we were spoken to in Japanese at the market.

 

I felt how much the Vietnamese people had become familiar with Japan.

 

 

Although this was our third time in Vietnam, I’m happy I was able to get to know even more about the country again!

 

Until next time～

 

Hi, everyone. I’m Yuna Yabe, and this is the first article I’ve ever written on the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON website!

 

Let’s get to it. So, what’s today’s article about I hear you ask?

Well, I recently went to Thailand!

 

Although we went to Thailand, the place we went to was about an hour and thirty minutes from Bangkok in a town called Si Racha!

 

Si Racha is Thailand’s town of Japanese people as there are many Japanese living there!

 

So when you’re walking around there, you’ll see the Japanese language scattered around!

 

 

The feeling of Japan is so prevalent there that it doesn’t seem like you’re in Thailand at all!

 

 

It was there that we headed to a Japanese style festival✨

 

 

The festival took place at a large park alongside the sea.

The air there was very warm, the kind of climate characteristic of a festival!!

 

No waiting around…

 

…I got myself some cotton candy✨🙋🙋🙋⛅

 

I’ve traveled to Thailand before, so even someone like me kept calm and composed when it came to shopping.

 

 

Whoa! Sushi!

 

 

Whoa! Washoku Sato!

 

When you see a place that you know, you get this welling affinity and just have to buy something, right?

 

So…

 

 

Got some kakigori! ( ᐛ)

It felt like I had come to a festival in actual Japan, so I had a lot of fun! ♡

 

 

Oh! Let me show you my outfit!

 

Since I was in Thailand I wanted to wear some Thai pants, but I didn’t have any with me, so I wore some wide tie-dye pants along with one of the t-shirts being handed out at the festival👚!

 

It was so flashy, I really stood out ( ´･‿･｀)

The temperature was 30°c so of course I wore short sleeves.

 

And then, and then, oh, how I waited!

TEMPURA KIDZ live!

 

 

I get along with TEMPURA KIDZ on a regular basis, and this was their live performance! They’ve performed at the Sriracha Japan Festival in the past, so they have a lot of fans there! 😜

 

They have fans not just in Japan but overseas too, so in order for them to connect with the fans there, they had practiced lots and lots of the Thai language among other things. Seeing them up there, they looked so cool and were shining✨

 

I had so much fun at the Japan festival in Si Racha. It was just like a festival back home, so much so that it makes you forget you’re even in Thailand! I had a really Japanese time.

 

I think this kind of event was initiated to introduce both the local Japanese people and local Thai people to the great things about Japan, so I hope the Sriracha Japan Festival events can make there way overseas to other places too✨

 

I’m super happy I was able to go.

How does visiting Si Racha for yourself sound if you go to Thailand?

（Writer：Yuna Yabe）

 

Sriracha Japan Festival report by KARIN of TEMPURA KIDZ:

KARIN of TEMPURA KIDZ reports on the “Sriracha Japan Festival” in Si Racha, Thailand

 

Hi, everyone!　I’m KARIN from TEMPURA KIDZ.

 

We recently went to Si Racha in Thailand to perform at the Sriracha Japan Festival!

I have had the change to go to Bangkok many times, but this is only the second time I have been to Si Racha. I came to this event 2 years ago too!

 

Si Racha is different from Bangkok. It’s rich in natural beauty and its tranquil atmosphere makes it a very pleasant place indeed!

 

This time around it had a fully-fledged Japanese festival vibe to it because of the Japan Festival!

 

When you think of festivals, you think of all the different stalls there – and there were plenty of them at this festival!

Of course, they were selling Japanese food, like okonomiyaki and yakisoba. They also had candy floss and more, it felt like summer again!

At the center of the festival was a yagura (tower). There was also a torii (shrine archway) and thunder gate too. It was just like being in Japan!

We also wore our Japanese style clothes for the occasion and performed live!

 

TEMPURA KIDZ have a festival song, it’s called “Happy Natsu Matsuri.”

 

It felt like the perfect song for the event. Everybody had their hands in the air and sang along.

Performing “Happy Natsu Matsuri” here sure made it feel like an especially happy summer festival😂

 

 

We were also taken to a Japanese restaurant in Si Racha!

 

They had the standard sushi and California rolls!

The flavour was different from that in Japan – it was super tasty!

 

And yes – they they tempura too!! ☺️

We were able to feel lots of Japan during this trip to Si Racha.

I’m very happy that I was able to experience Japanese culture, festival and food somewhere else in the world!

 

The seafood in Si Racha is very fresh and extra delicious, and it’s richly endowed with nature. I’m happy I was able to discover so many wonderful places!

 

Writer：KARIN