A Story of Yonosuke 「横道世之介」

  

A Story of Yonosuke was one of my favourite films of 2013. The film screened here in Melbourne late last year as part of the 17th annual Japanese Film Festival.

Set in the late 1980s, Kengo Kora (Norwegian Wood, Box!) stars as Yonosuke, a University student who has just moved to Tokyo from the port city of Nagasaki. As he settles into his new life in a big city, the quirky yet very agreeable Yonosuke proceeds to charm everyone he meets. The film periodically jumps forward 20 years and we are then given a glimpse of what has become of Yonosuke's friends. Based on the novel 'Yokomichi Yonosuke' by Shuichi Yoshida, it is a nostalgic film about old school friends taking a trip down memory lane.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

 

More images and potential spoilers after the jump!

Ayumi Burger Kidz

If you are fond of Japan and/or burgers I am sure you will enjoy watching Ayumi Seto's burger reviewing segment 'Ayumi Burger Kidz' on popular YouTube channel HARAJUKU KAWAii !! TV. 

Check out the episodes below:

The Great Burger

6-12-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo // (03) 3406 1215 // 11:30AM - 10:30PM
Check out Fashimi's burger review here!

San Francisco Peaks

3-28-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo // (03) 5775 5707 // Open daily 11:30 AM -11:00 PM

Burger Goods
Burger related collectables // Ayumi Kidz book // Village Vanguard Diner Cherry Bomb Burger collaboration


Fellows
3-8-11 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo // (03) 6419 7988


Whoopi Gold Burger
1F Shibuya 1-9-4 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo // (03) 3407 0232 
For more information check out another of Fashimi's burger reviews here!
And 8Tokyo's burger review here!

 For more on the adorable Ayumi Seto you can visit Ayumi's blog here and Ayumi's twitter here. 

Have a break, have a Kitto Katto! 「キットカット」

Nestle Japan have released an Adult Sweetness 「オトナの甘さ」line of KitKats which includes a Matcha Green Tea flavour. I happened upon these very KitKats while browsing the shelves of my local Asian Grocer here in Melbourne and being the Matcha enthusiast that I am, I couldn't resist sampling them.

This particular KitKat owes its flavour to Matcha from the Uji region of Kyoto, famous for their green tea. 「〜こだわりの 宇治抹茶〜」As the name suggests, the level of sweetness has been moderated to suit an adult palette and is marketed to us grown ups. 

The Kitkats I bought came in a pack containing 12 individually wrapped KitKats. They are perfect as omiyage (souvenirs) or just for sharing with friends. 

I really liked the level of sweetness but I found the Matcha green tea flavour a little too subtle. The green tea flavour is more of an aftertaste and the outer chocolate is really creamy.

お試しください !!

[Adult Sweetness Kit Kat TVCM staring Manami Higa who you may recognise from Tokyo Zenryoku Shoujo]

Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in TOKYO「イタズラなKiss～Love in TOKYO」Episode 8 Recap

Another Spring13 Japanese drama I have really been enjoying (along with Last Cinderella which I mentioned here)  is Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo. Based on the highly successful Japanese manga written and illustrated by Kaoru Tada, the popular  series has been previously adapted into various live action dramas. The remake stars Miki Honoka as our charming lead, Aihara Kotoko and Furukawa Yuki as her brainy boo, Irie Naoki. Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo is currently airing on Fuji TV.

Not having seen the previous Itazura na Kiss or its various adaptations (South Korea’s It Started With a Kiss or Taiwain's It Started With a Kiss and They Kissed Again) I am completely in the dark about what unfolds in the series. Aside from the obvious (Kotoko and Naoki get together) happy ending.

Lets recap on Episode 8. Screen shot spam and possible spoilers after the jump. 

Last Cinderella「ラスト シンデレラ」Episode 5 Recap

Japanese Drama makes a comeback with Last Cinderella

I have always enjoyed the work of Hauma Miura so I was particularly curious when I stumbled across the new Japanese drama Last Cinderella. Last Cinderella is currently airing Thursday evenings on Fuji TV. 

Before I begin, I must mention I have been a little disappointed with Japanese dramas of late. Just how many crime dramas can one nation produce? Countless... apparently.

Now, I'm afraid of my own shadow so the horror, crime and thriller genres are definitely out from me and I really don't really care for tear jerkers either (With the odd exception) so I had turned to the talents of South Korea to fill my drama void.

However, I am pleased to see Japan is finally making a comeback and one drama I am currently enjoying is Last Cinderella.

The series centers around Sakura Toyama (Ryoko Shinohara) and her clumsy attempt to find true love.  Sakura works as a hair stylist and thus far there are two possible love interests - Hiroto Saeki (Haruma Miura) the younger BMX bandit come playboy and Rintaro Tachibana (Naohito Fujiki) a co-worker she shares an amusing love/hate banter with.

So lets recap on episode 5. Images and potential spoilers after the jump! 

Miranda Kerr in Lipton Limone CM

Australia's Miranda Kerr features in a Japanese CM for Lipton Limone lemon tea. Pretty funny huh... and so catchy! 

Japan x Melbourne

Entry way decorated with persimmons, Naka Meguro

Wowow! Eight films in five days! 

This time last year I was in Japan and while it's not quite the same, there are some really exciting Japan related festivities happening here in Melbourne over the next week or so. The Japan Culture Festival starts from 11AM today at the Collingwood Townhall and the 15th Japanese Film Festival opens this Tuesday 29th of November 2011. Check it out!

Nissin Hybrid Ramen CM

I LOVE this! Two of my favourite things combined >> Beyonce and ramen! So hilarious! 

Source: The Nomad's Land

Help Japan

(Image source: Japan will blossom again)

As you may have noticed I am rather smitten with Japan, so it really does break my heart to see what has happened and I send my thoughts, prayers and condolences to the people affected by this disaster.

For those who wish to help:

You can make a donation to the Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal with Australia Red Cross. 'The funds raised through this appeal will be used to support communities affected by the earthquake in Japan and the resultant tsunami that reached numerous countries around the Pacific Rim and within the Pacific Ocean.'

Readers from the USA may like to visit the American Red Cross

Or you could purchase one of Hilda Grahnat's beautiful prints or postcards sets here. All proceeds go direclty to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief through the Japan Red Cross Society.

You could also visit  here and purchase a beautiful set of postcards designed by Catkin and Teasel. 100% of the proceeds go to the Australian Red Cross, who are directly aiding the Japan Red Cross Society.

And the lovely Hello Sandwich is selling her Hello Sandwich Gift Wrapping Zine (highly recommended!) for $5.00 as an instant download PDF file. All of the money raised will be donated to the Red Cross.

And lately, the adorable online shop Genki is donating all profits for this week to the relief effort in Japan.

Sending of lots of love and positive thoughts from Australia to my beloved Japan! xxx

Happy Tabako

Even the cigarette butts are happy in Tokyo.

Please note, I am by no means encouraging anyone to smoke!

Turning Japanese

So this year I've started learning Japanese again! :)

I'm taking a night class, two nights at week at the Japanese Melbourne Language School. They also have a blog! Here is a video they posted of a Ramen Vending Machine.