Wednesday, June 1, 2016

# Gourmet in Tokyo ♪ Izakaya of Akita Cuisine, where you will meet Namahage - AKITA DINING NAMAHAGE Ginza Store -





#  Gourmet in Tokyo ♪ Izakaya of Akita Cuisine, where you will meet Namahage
 - AKITA DINING NAMAHAGE Ginza Store -


Can you imagine how awesome to experience soaking in hot springs while snowing. 
Enjoying the traditional Kaiseki cuisine in Japanese Ryokan. 
Cool!

Not only winter, 
Akita and the Tohoku area is beautiful in all four seasons. 
Good chances to feel the four seasons of Japan!

You know what?
70% of the land of Akita is covered with forest!
Therefore, 
Akita is popular for beautiful landscape and hot springs since long long time!
Many people from the city, come to relax during weekend!

Also,
do you watched Korea drama?
Popular Korean drama "IRIS" was shooting here in Akita!
If you are interested,
you might want to take a visit!


★Tips
Don't forget to rent a car!
Save time and save money!

By the way!!!!
If you don't have plan to visit Akita yet,
you might want to come to this special featuring restaurants of Akita in Ginza, Tokyo!
Of course, 
Akita cuisine, 
Akita atmosphere,
and Akita history and culture.



IRIS Ep. 3 <Trip to Akita>
Iris (Hangul: 아이리스) is a 2009 South Korean espionage television drama series, starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-hee.
It has become quite popular in Japan. 
Until now, many people visit Akita, looking for the shooting place of the drama!

There are many events held in Akita, 
such as Snow festival, Cherry blossom festival fireworks
 and the special one KAMAKURA festival, 
which is two-meter tall snow huts built by snow. 

Beside, nature, sightseeing spots, and shopping,
let's check out the local Akita food in the Izakaya in Tokyo!





Where is Akita?

Akita is located in the Tohoku region of Japan, south of Aomori.
On the map, it is shown as ta long rectangular shape, 
181km from north to south, 
111km from east to west!
It is a quite cold area!




Akita sightseeing spot BEST 3

①  Lake Tazawa
・Japan's deepest lake, with water depth of 423.
Ranked 17th in the world.
・A famous shooting spot of the Korean drama "IRIS."
・Like a landscape painting
・Don't get frozen in the winter! Interesting!

② Nyutou Onsen, Tsuru-no-yu Onsen 

・One of eight hot-spring baths that belong to Nyutou Onsenkyo which is located near the foot of Mt. Nyutou(1478m).
・One of the oldest hot spring resorts of Nyutou Onsenkyo.
・A famous shooting spot of the Korean drama "IRIS."

③ Dakigaeri Valley

Forest, waterfall, a beautiful scene is highly recommended in Spring and Autumn!


★Tips
Using JR PASS!
from 22,000 yen
Flexible five-day pass (any five days within 14 days of issuance, including the day of issuance)


※The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) will go on sale on Friday, April 1, 2016.

※Overseas sales of the current JR EAST PASS will end as of Thursday, March 31, 2016, and domestic sales will end as of Thursday, June 30, 2016. (Exchanges for passes purchased overseas will end Thursday, June 30, 2016.)



Namahage
A demonlike being in folk traditional.
It is originally a New Year's ritual of the Oga Peninsula area of Akita Prefecture in the Northern Japan.

There are two kinds of Namahage. 
Red face with long hair as Male.
Blue face as female.

On the New Year's eve, 
Namahage armed with knives made by wood
going around people's home door-to-door, admonish children who are lazy while yelling 
"Are there any crybabies around?" 
 "Are naughty kids around?"

So Namahage has become the symbol of Akita!
Although Namahage has a horrible face while holding a sword around, 
their presence is to get rid of misfortunes and dispel evil.

This time, we are glad to know more about the local customs of Akita!
It was very nice to meet the president of AKITA DINING NAMAHAGE Ginza Store. 
He was born in Akita and of course loves Akita, 
is passionate to convey the charm of Akita through his restaurant!
Of course, 
it is also a nostalgic place for people of Akita who are working in Tokyo now. 




Are you ready to meet Namahage? lol


MUST-CHECK of  AKITA DINING NAMAHAGE Ginza Store

POINT 1 : Feel the AKITA
Namahage Show everyday! 

POINT 2 : Taste the AKITA
Kiritanpo and all the local food!

POINT 3 : Drink all over AKITA
More then 39 kinds of Japanese Sake originally from Akita


 - AKITA DINING NAMAHAGE Ginza Store -
9F Nakajima shouji Building,
 8-5-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku 
Tokyo

5-min walk from Shinbashi Station (Ginza Exit)
TEL: 03-3571-3799
FAX: 03-3571-3169

Open Hour
Mon~ Thur 17:30- 23:30
Fri 17:00- 4:00   
(From April~November, 2016, Fri  17:00-23:30)
Sat~Sun 17:00-23:30
(Closed during New Year and Year-end)
Namahage Show: 1st 19:30~  2nd 22:00~
For reservation:  Phone or email (ginza@akita-namahage.jp)
※Don't forget to have your name, date to visit, contact info, meal written!

HOMEPAGE




An enigmatic space
9F of Nakajima shouji Building located in Ginza

It is a normal building though!
When you go up and step out the elevator,
you will be surprised by the interior!

Oh!!!
Hi, Namahage lol




Let's enter the world of Akita!
(Mysterious space of Namahage)

Warm light, luxurious decor,
calligraphy signs!
Welcome to the extraordinary world!



Special Interior ①

- Reproduction of a traditional home of Akita of 120-year history -

Spacious space, well-enough-height ceiling, 
Tatami seat. 
reproduce a Japan-like home 120 years ago.





Special Interior ②

- variation of seats from capacity of 2 to 88 people  -

Couples, friends, families or big groups are all welcomed!




Special Interior ③

- KAMAKURA designed VIP room -

From the concept of snow Kamakura festival of Akita, 
individual white little houses are quite cute!





Inside the KAMAKURA seat,

Not quite big,
good for small group from 2-5 people!
Enjoy the little privacy!

Of course, 
Namahage will visit the KAMAKURA seats too!



Foreign visitor-friendly menu!

Why?
All pictures are pretty understandable!
No worry of don't speaking any Japanese!






Recommended ① Akita produced Japanese Sake

You might meet many Japanese businessmen here!

Sake of Akita made under 3 great conditions:
Excellent quality of rice, clean water and enthusiasm!

Let's me introduce you 3 out of 39 kinds of sake here! (Shown on the above pictures)
(LEFT) Noshiro sanponsen 能代 三本線
Sweet-smelling, smooth and banana-like flavor, 
good taste to be heated before drink

(CENTER)   Junmai Ginjo "Akita Gino" 天寿 純米吟醸 「秋田吟王」  Namahage Limited
Only 170 bottles a year from Tenju Sake making company.
Pure rice and refreshing elegant taste!

(RIGHT) YAMATOSHIZUKU 山廢純米 (やまとしずく 山廃純米)
A little bit sour and sweet!
Easy to drink after heated!


★ Price: 
* Cup (100ml) - 444 yen + TAX    (all kinds)
          *  Bottle ... (200ml) -  888 yen + TAX / (400ml) 1, 777 yen + TAX





Recommended ② Appetizer

Welcome to the world of Akita!
Simple local food!




Recommended ③ Smoked Pickles (Iburigakko)

460yen + tax

Sake's partner!
white radish pickles
A little different from general pickle. 



Recommended ④ Luxury grilled salted chicken (Hinai-dori)

2500yen+ tax

Together with Nagoya Chicken and Satsuma Chicken, 
it is known the three delicious chickens in Japan!

Hinai-dori (Akita's chicken) are raised freely in the farm of Akita.
Of course, in balanced diet!

All chickens used in Namahage are directedly sent from Akita.
Quality Assurance!!



Enjoy with best ratio of salt

Good ingredients and special seasoning of salt from the sea of Akita!
How refreshing!




Recommended ⑤ Miso Dengaku (Rickcake)
Five Flavors: Sesame, edamame, miso chicken, seaweed 

480yen + tax each / 2300 yen+ tax (5 pieces a set)

Kiritanpo is a Japanese dish particularly in Akita Prefecture. Freshly cooked rice is pounded until somewhat mashed, then formed into cylinders around Japanese cedar skewers, and toasted over an open hearth.




We pretty love the edamae one!



Recommended ⑥  Kiritanpo Pot 
1,680 yen+ tax (per person)    order available from 2 persons

Kiritanpo is usually cooked in chicken soup or broiled with miso. 
A delicious hot pot with the best ingredients!




Recommended ⑦  Akita Komachi rice

980 yen + tax (for 2 persons)   cooked 20~30 mins

Together with Koshihikari of Nigata and Hitomebore of Miyagi,
Komachi of Akita are the representative of Japanese rice brand!

Komachi of Akita
is raised under the good natural conditions of clean water, and fertile natural soil.
Therefore, not only Japan,  
it is being recognized by the United States, Singapore and South Korea. 




Taste the Akita in Ginza!

Hot pot and Japanese sake! 



Recommended ⑧   Babahera Ice cream 

540yen + tax 

Babahera Ice Cream is well known in Akita where you will find old ladies dressed in bright yellow and red aprons, a yellow headscarf with big warm smile peddling ice creams on most street corners. Babahera Ice Cream name came from the Japanese words baba / ババ , nickname for old women or grandmothers and hera / ヘラ, the ice cream scoop.
(credited to Tohoku Tourism FB)



Like a rose, which everyone likes!



Guess what flavor?

Oh! Strawberry and banana! How refreshing fruit taste!





Don't you forget the Namahage Show?

No tips, no fee~

1st: 19:30; 2nd: 22:00 everyday




Cheers!!





 - AKITA DINING NAMAHAGE Ginza Store -
9F Nakajima shouji Building,
 8-5-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku 
Tokyo

5-min walk from Shinbashi Station (Ginza Exit)
TEL: 03-3571-3799
FAX: 03-3571-3169

Open Hour
Mon~ Thur 17:30- 23:30
Fri 17:00- 4:00   
(From April~November, 2016, Fri  17:00-23:30)
Sat~Sun 17:00-23:30
(Closed during New Year and Year-end)
Namahage Show: 1st 19:30~  2nd 22:00~
For reservation:  Phone or email (ginza@akita-namahage.jp)
※Don't forget to have your name, date to visit, contact info, meal written!

HOMEPAGE




★Do you know?


You know what?
you need to pass the test to be certified 
performing as Namahage!


Of course, all namahage here are certified!


More details about the test (Japanese)




No comments:

Post a Comment