I’ve been keeping myself fairly busy, although to say I’ve not had the time to write would be a lie. I had some time this evening, though, but this time coupled with the essential urge to write and basic idea to work with, so enjoy. On a side note, I just turned 22 30 minutes ago.
Locally Famous
Although many things are standardized across the board in Japanese culture, from what I’ve noticed, Japanese culture places a lot of emphasis on the slight variations on the theme that distinguish various regions, prefectures, and even small towns. Small towns all usually have some big to do at least once per year, various “Matsuri” or festivals celebrating local traditions. These, too, seem to be an exercise in “variations on a theme,” but they’re usually quite fun.
Satsuma, my local region, is famous for it’s “Mikan,” which are delicious mandarin oranges or tangerines that tend slightly towards the sour side rather than the sweet. I’ve eaten more than my fair share while they’ve been in season here, and I must say they deserve the regional distinction they claim. Then again, as I’m beginning to think of my little town as my home, I could be bias. My town also has a number of onsen (hot springs, see footnote,) and the Kagoshima prefecture is also famous for black pork.
Before coming to Japan, I was informed of this regional focus, and I now follow nearly every introduction that goes far enough for me to mention that I’m from Tennessee with a quick blurb about the Tennessee Waltz, Nashville and country music, Jack Daniels whiskey, the Smoky Mountains, or Dogwood blooms, depending on the audience. The upside of the regional focus is that it’s really easy to find most attractions, since locals are proud to point you in the direction of their particular claim to fame. However, eventually highway signs for “famous” local attractions make you wonder how famous things really are, and you start to question the word. Thus, another ALT and I agreed that the translation of whatever word keeps turning into famous should be translated with the necessary modifier “locally” in order to be more accurate. It is always nice to check out locally famous foods, as well as natural and cultural attraction.
This weekend,, I made it up to Fukuoka, the largest city on the southern island of Kyushu, where I live, and I tried the local ramen. I of course saw as many local attractions as I could, including a zen monastery founded in the 12th century, the largest wooden Buddha in Japan, and the much more modern “Canal City” shopping complex (it was decked out for Christmas with beautiful lights and had a Wendy’s, what more can one ask for!) As for Fukuoka’s food, because of it’s close proximity to South Korea, it is meant to be famous for authentic ramen, which was brought to the Fukuoka region during some international exchange a while back and kept alive by the large number of foreigners living in Fukuoka (large, that is, by Japanese standards, but at 97% ethnic Japanese people living in Japan that statement ought to be taken with a grain of salt.) Personally, I didn’t care much for the fatty broth and angel hair sized noodles. So, the first thing I did when I got home was eat some delicious, Kagoshima style, Kuroramen (black ramen). I guess I’m already developing regionally biased tastes in Japanese food.
On the whole though, I find it wonderful that people are willing to take so much stock in the small nuances of their individual hometowns, and I find I learn a lot about Japanese history by learning about the different regions. As always, thanks for taking the time to check in!
Footnote: Onsen are usually located on natural springs, although there are plenty of artificial ones as well. It’s quite common for tourist (such as myself) to check out the various onsen a town has to offer, as they all tend are unique in their setup and the natural minerals in the water. Many onsen advertise the unique way their natural water is meant to benefit health. So far, my favorite onsen were one on Yakushima island that was outdoors and connected to the ocean, so you have to time your visit for low tide (oddly enough, my older brother found the same one during his semester in Japan) and the Ibuski sand baths, where one is buried in sand that’s heated by hot water vapors from an underground hot-spring before relaxing in a normal, water onsen. Thanks to the recommendation of a great friend, I also want to find a ski-jo where I can snowboard all day before relaxing in an onsen at the ski-jo after a long day on the slopes, which sounds about like heaven to me. Onsen tourism is definitely not a chore!
