PING…YOUR CITY

• Where are you from? My prefecture is Mie. Mie prefecture position is almost in the middle of Japan. There is sea in the west of Mie. That's why Mie is famous for many kinds of seafood like oyster, lobster, abalone... There are mountains in the east of Mie, so there is a lot of nature. There are many amusement parks. One of them is Suzuka Circuit, wich is famous because of formula 1. Other amusement is the Ninja museum.  There are 3 Aquarius in Mie, one of big aquarium has dugong which is rare sea animal. There is a hot spring. There is a castle. I lived in Watarai town in Japan (my town is really countryside and small) and has a lot of nature. There are one of the beautiful rivers in Japan, and mountains! 

 

• A typical food in your city? My town is famous for green tea. My family used to make green tea, too (our homepage). I made other of ours sweet product few years ago (web site). One of typical food is noodle. It's called Ise-udon. Ise means around my town area. Udon is noodle name. That meal is used soy sauce. It doesn´t look very nice, however it is really tasty! Common Japanese food is rice with miso soup and fish or meat with vegetables.

 

• If someone travels to your city which is the one thing they must do? Come to my house and drink green tea! I want you to visit The Ise Grand Shrine where is next to my city. That is a very old historical place. And, I want to go to Parque Espana-Shima Spain Village, is a theme park near my town. You can see Flamenco and eat Spanish food there. You will be able to feel Spanish culture while being in Japan.

 

• A bar, restaurant or coffee shop in your city? There are a few restaurant in my small town. There is a restaurant which can eat local meals.That restaurant treats local food, vegetable, river fish and meat, such a wild boar meat, deer meat. You can eat seasonal food there.

 

PING…YOU

• A book? In Japan if you have money to publish a book, you can publish anyone. That's why there are many trash books. So it's hard to find a book which is written truth.  Actually, although I don't read any books such as novels, I read many Manga. Manga (=cartoon) is very popular in Japan. Many Japanese animations are made from Manga. Japanese animations are broadcasted in many countries nowadays. That's why some foreigners that watch Manga get to know more about Japanese culture, food and feelings. There are some Manga in bookshops and library in London. I am happy, but I feel sometimes weird them. In my opinion, some Manga is good, but some manga really bad. I learn many things from Manga. For example, I like this manga, which is called SLAMDUNK. This story is written about basketball team.  When I was a student, I read this story so many times, I learn about teamwork and to never give up. I like to read Manga and watch animations. I think some of Manga are artistic and imagination. One of animations (ghibli series), one of manga (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure).

 

• A song? Traditional song is Enka. That is popular with old people. Is a slow sound. Singing is different between Enka and Japanese pop. It has expressive words and melodies. We feel old good life from melody. On the other hand, young people like pop music and rock music. Before I came to England, idol was popular with young people. It's like this group, is called AKB48.  I liked this group who called Momoiro CroverZ Rock band also popular with young people. I like this band who is called ONE OK ROCK. This vocalist's pronunciation in English is good! so I listen to their music a lot. And I recommend to this performance (click here) and I like other band is called Acid Black Cherry.

 

• A city that you recommend visit?  I recommend to visit Venice! There aren't any car, bikes and bicycle. Even there aren't asphalt. I've never seen a city, that had no asphalt before I visited Venice. Because In Japan there are asphalt streets anywhere. The reason is that making roads made Japan economic growth possible. There are many asphalt street even if you go to countryside of Japan.  Therefore, I was really surprised and impressed. That island seemed as if not real world. It was just like a movie. What a wonderful place it was! I found it very romantic, the architecture and landscapes were so pretty.                                                                                                                                                                               Other place is Hawaii, I had a really great time there with my family! We were able to relax and refresh there. I can't forget that beautiful scenery. The sun was bright, the sky was clear, beautifully sea and awesome mountain. People are so friendly! There are fresh fruits and foods everywhere. I can't expression by using word what I saw viewing and what I felt there. When we went there, we swimmed in the beautiful sea, climbed a mountain which is called Diamond Head, we rode a submarine and drove in the sea. It was like paradise! 

 

PING…LondON

• How long have you lived in London? 1 year and 2 months (I lived Brighton for 2 months before come to London).

 

• Which neighborhood? Would you recommend it?  I live in near Golders Green. Post code is NW11 8LT. I don't recommend here...is quiet area, many Asian people live this area. I can buy Asian food very easy. There are a few Japanese restaurant, shops. My country is very far, but I can get my countries food easily and it´s not so expensive. Here is zone 3 , so rent is much cheaper than in central London. But there aren't any supermarket near my house...Although here is obviously cheap, It´s not convenient at all!! However, when I go to abroad, I can get the bus, national express coach is super useful to go to Stansted Airport from in the front of the nearest station. It's a good advantage.                       

• The 3 most important things to do if you visit London?  First, to get the oyster card. Next, to try to eat traditional English food such as Fish and chips in a pub. Last, to go to museum or market or famous place wherever you want go.

• Any web site or app that you use frequently in UK?  

I use Google Maps App , BBC iPlayer (to watch TV), BBC radio app (listening English), Gumtree and Spare Room app, Mixb is Japanese website in London (for searching room), Gumtree and Indeed (for searching job) , transport for London (for searching fee), Oyster app (to know how much have in oyster card ), Lloydes bank site (to conform money), Cambridge dictionary (for searching word), Skyscanner app (to buy flight the cheapest ticket), Bus times app(to know when the bus come). 

 

PING...DAILY

• Google Maps o City Mapper or just asking?  I always use Google Maps.

• Walking, cycling, bus or tube?  I almost take a bus, the bus is cheaper than tube. Many times I walk but i did never cyce in London.

• Lidl / Sainsbury’s / Waitrose- Tesco or other (Wich?)?  I usually go to Sainsbury´s, or I like to buy fruit and vegetables at a greengrocer.