TASTY TAKAMATSU FOODS LOCAL FOODS FAIR
2011年10月24日
Walking around with my eyes open can be a change. These last few weekends, I’ve noticed stalls in the Takamatsu Sunport area selling a wide variety of locally grown foods and promoted by the local government.
The famers’ life can be a difficult one as the seasons fluctuate between good and bad everywhere including Kagawa with its historical problems with water. What is interesting to see is the level of government support agricultural societies here have to package, distribute and sell to we consumers.
Eggplant, soybeans, every kind of condiment and lots of samples! I love samples, so made short-work of the free food handouts. The deep fried potato croquettes didn’t stand a chance.
To see a good working cooperation between local government, agriculturalists and marketers bodes well for the prefecture generally we think. Synergy is something the Japanese have always had a natural ability for. And with a recent initiative to change the name of Kagawa Prefecture to Udon Prefecture (I’m being perfectly serious, there is talk of this) I wonder how it will be? Thinking of Kagawa as Udon?
I’m not really sure that’s a good idea although there’s been one name change already, from ‘Sanuki ‘to Kagawa. Welcome to Udon just doesn’t have any ring to it I think? I graduated from Udon University doesn’t sound quite right …
Anyway, when in Udon …. I mean Kagawa, please take time on a Saturday to look at the local foods market in this area. Contact the Tourist Information Bureau for details.
http://www.takamatsu.or.jp/eng/tourist/index.html
I’ll be back soon with more on our great city of Takamatsu (unless there’s been a name change?) so see you soon!
"Pat has lived in Takamatsu continuously since arriving here on a one year study and leave 1981. Originally from Tasmania, Australia, he was involved in education at a variety of levels including as a specialist teacher for children with learning difficulties, and at senior high schools throughout the state. Pat is employed full-time by the i-pal Kagawa International Exchange as a co-oridintaor for international relations amongst other duties including traveling to schools and giving talks in Japanese to kids about Australia. He has been involved with youth education exchanges between Japan and Australia for many years.
Pat has been many things in his colorful life including a seaman, helmsman, welder, carpenter, traffic warden, scholarship/studentship winner at the university of Tasmania, staff at the Australian Embassy in London to name but a few. Pat has far too many hobbies which include tennis, playing jazz flutes and saxes, riding bicycles with the Takamatsu Cycling Club all of which his long-suffering family tolerate. Recently he's become interested in painting again. His wife wishes he would put more time in to helping around the house and the garden which he artfully avoids ..."
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Posted by pat at 21:54
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Hi Pat,
It is my understanding that the "Udon Prefecture" thing is a "offiicial joke/publicity stunt" to boost tourism.
By the way, I wanted to tell you that I'm moving (long term) to Takamatsu next week, so we may finally run into each other one of these days. :-)
It is my understanding that the "Udon Prefecture" thing is a "offiicial joke/publicity stunt" to boost tourism.
By the way, I wanted to tell you that I'm moving (long term) to Takamatsu next week, so we may finally run into each other one of these days. :-)
Posted by David at 2011年10月28日 17:40
hello david,
you may well be right about that, too! I hope so as it seems a daft name for kagawa. I hope to see you one day.
pat
you may well be right about that, too! I hope so as it seems a daft name for kagawa. I hope to see you one day.
pat
Posted by pat at 2011年10月29日 04:43
Well, they need something to get people here. In fact, they do have a long history of udon making, and even when I travel to the far reaches of Japan, people invariably know the word, "Sanuki Udon." Also, I met someone the other day who said that she works in a shop in the minami-shinmachi arcade, and says she works in a shop that sells "good from Kagawa." She asked me, "Do you like goods from Kagawa?" Which...is kind of a funny thing to ask. But, she was really nice. Still, I had never heard of the shop. In fact, I rarely get down that far into the arcade these days.
Posted by R.T. at 2011年11月01日 14:22
Do you have restaurant recommendations for around the Sunport areaand the Mitsukoshi area/arcades? I am coming to town today on business for 3 days. Thanks!
Posted by Roman at 2012年07月10日 05:45
Hello, Pat, what are your favorite restaurants near the downtown area around Mitsukoshi and Sunport?
Posted by Roman at 2012年07月10日 05:46
hello roman,
I'm so sorry to have missed this! I do hope it's not too late. my personal favorite for 'authentic' sanuki udon taste is the one in hyogo machi near the shoes and sandals shop ( I can never remember its name ...) udonbo? it's pretty good and on the west side of hyogo mach, halfway down on the left if you're walking to the west.
I'm so sorry to have missed this! I do hope it's not too late. my personal favorite for 'authentic' sanuki udon taste is the one in hyogo machi near the shoes and sandals shop ( I can never remember its name ...) udonbo? it's pretty good and on the west side of hyogo mach, halfway down on the left if you're walking to the west.
Posted by pat at 2012年07月10日 17:13
p.s. if you need a map in english, the I-pal, my old office, will give you one. they're open everyday except monday and across from the city office and on the edge of central park. regarding the udon shop in hyogo machi, please avoid the one selling curry rice etc. in the same arcade. the one you want has displays in the windows & a 2nd floor. the taste is chewy, as it should be I think.
Posted by pat at 2012年07月10日 17:19
Maybe another good place is 'Chikusei' across from the Chuo Hospital after 1:30 when the crowds have left. It's famous and there are always many people waiting outside. 'Sakaeda' behind the Ken cho is good. But not the one across from the Kencho.
The one in Hyogo Machi I like is called Hanamaru?
The one in Hyogo Machi I like is called Hanamaru?
Posted by pat at 2012年07月10日 18:01
