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AETF's Posts

Simple Summer Pleasures – Music and Fireworks in Osaka: August 24th, 2009By AETF; In the hottest days of summer, many flock indoors for air-conditioning, cold drinks, and a few minutes respite. Not so for the people of Osaka. August is the month for outdoor enjoyment: barbeques, beaches, fireworks and music festivals. » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

Party Time 3: Secret Dining Spots of Senshuu, Osaka: August 13th, 2009By AETF; It’s time for a couple little places; the kind without websites, flyers, or expensive course menus. Porco, “the mama’s kitchen”, and Takada, a family-owned izakaya, are two tiny gems of the Senshuu region. Both offer cozy atmospheres free of loud music and full of good conversation. » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

Party Time 2: Kantekiya and Akachilitei: July 27th, 2009By AETF; Back from the nomikai for another installment of izakaya assessment. I’ll showcase two more franchise izakaya: sibling restaurants Kantekiya and Akachiritei. At eight restaurants strong, Kantekiya and Akachiritei represent restaurants ready for all tastes. Kantekiya focuses on reasonably-priced seafood and general izakaya fare for the every-salary-man gathering. In blazing contrast, Akachiritei burns down taste buds » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

The Osaka BBQ Guide!: July 24th, 2009By AETF; Summer is about one thing – heat. You can choose to fight it, or embrace it like a lover. I’m a lover of everything summer, so when the sun is out, so am I, at the BBQ. Japanese love the grill as much as anybody, so I invite as many friends as I can and » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

Summer Time and the Surfing’s Easy: June 28th, 2009By AETF; photo credit: Mr.mt It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That is, if you love sunshine, surf, and most definitely hate snow. If you’re like me (Southern California born and raised, University of Hawaii graduate), then you live for the beach, and moreover, the ocean. Swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, body » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

Party Time: June 19th, 2009By AETF; Anyone working in Japan is quite familiar with the izakaya, Japan’s traditional bar and restaurant. Companies, social and school clubs, weddings and so on, all make popular use of them. Perhaps it’s a matter of size; most izakaya are large enough to hold a sizeable group and welcome their reservations warmly. » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

High Class Danger: June 8th, 2009By AETF; I’m a strong believer in Kansai dining, especially that of Osaka. Many of my favorite foods like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushi katsu are found everywhere for egalitarian prices. But what about fine cuisine? Something a bit less fried and a tad pricier? Good sir, perhaps you were thinking of “Genpin » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

Mihara Yassa Festival: May 27th, 2009By AETF; The setting sun pushed long shadows across the wide promenade in front of the ukishiro, Mihara’s “floating castle”. As I stood in sandals and a jimbei fanning the summer heat from my sweat-moistened brow, I gazed past the cluster of shops huddled around the tiny bullet train stop towards Mt. » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

And Now For Something Completely Different: April 13th, 2009By AETF; In every famous city, and even in those not so famous, is a smattering of essential tourist destinations. For Osaka, these would be Osaka Castle, the Kaiyukan Aquarium, and so on. But once the pictures have been uploaded and ticket stubs stowed away, an average traveler begins to thirst for » Continue Reading; CommentsComments

Tastes of Japan: April 6th, 2009By AETF; photo credit: securecat As I introduced in my last article, Izumisano is a town gone unvisited by many a traveler on their way out of Kansai International. If tastes of distant shores are not what you came to Japan for, then may I humbly introduce some places offering more local faire? » Continue Reading; CommentsComments