Shopping Local Foods - New Year's Japan Travel Day 8

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Shopping Local Foods - New Year's Japan Travel Day 8

My husband and I traveled Japan during New Year's holidays. As I mentioned in my previous entry, we finally arrived at his parents' home in Fukuoka on January 2. After we enjoyed talking with his parents, we organized our old belonging which were in his parents' closets. We left too many stuffs in closets in their home when we moved to the U.S. from Japan many years ago.

Next morning, we walked to the nearest local shopping and onsen facility. It's similar to Japanese roadside station, which is called michinoeki (道の駅). They are selling locally grown vegetables, Yame green tea, local pickles, bento boxes and so on. They also have onsen (hot springs) and a restaurant which serves local foods and beer. It only took us 7 minutes or so from his parents' home by walk. My mother-in-law often goes there to enjoy the onsen. When I lived in Japan, I also enjoyed the onsen there a few times. (I remembered that they had Yame green tea onsen at that time. I soaked in real natural green tea, but I'm not sure if they still have Yame green tea bath because Yame green tea leaves are too expensive.)

Yuzu Kosho

I found that they were selling local yuzu kosho there. Yuzu kosho (ゆずこしょう, 柚子胡椒) is a spicy Japanese condiment made from yuzu zest, pepper and salt. My younger brother introduced yuzu kosho to me years ago, and I really loved it. That's why I decided to purchase one.

They say that the yellow yuzu kosho is the spiciest one. Red one is perfect for Japanese nabe and gyoza, and green one is perfect for sashimi. I purchased this green yuzu kosho which was made by local people. It was 410 yen.

Green Yuzu Kosho

My husband purchased some ohagi, which is traditional Japanese dessert (Japanese sweet rice coated with sweetened red bean paste.). We purchased cups of fresh brewed coffee from a vending machine and enjoyed them at a rest area.