関西のお土産

Thank you to Kimie for these delicious sweets from Osaka. Half contain chestnut and half contain anko. 

マッサン 朝ドラ

NHK's new morning drama is about the founder of Nikka Whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, and his international marriage to a Scottish lady, Jessie Roberta "Rita" Cowan. It's the first time a non-Japanese actor has starred in the leading role of an NHK drama.

You can read about the new NHK morning drama here in Japan Times:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/11/19/national/for-first-time-nhk-seeks-caucasian-actress-to-star-in-morning-drama/

You can read about it in English here on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massan

日本語で：http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9E%E3%83%83%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3

相模湖

The other day, I went to Lake Sagami. I had lunch in a lakeside restaurant. The weather was great and the view was fantastic. I had a three-course lunch for ¥1100. Nice.

山形県のお土産

Thank you to Ikuko who gave me this present from Yamagata.

アナと雪の女王

Do you know the film Frozen? The Japanese title is「アナと雪の女王」。It is such a popular film worldwide. I haven't seen it because the film doesn't interest me. I think Frozen is more popular with women and children than men.

There is a lot of Frozen merchandise and many everyday goods are adorned with imagery from the film, such as this tissue box. Funny.