Holiday en Japan

Plan for 3 weeks in Japan:

Japan is a country fascinated country, a mix of modernity and tradition. For this landscapes , the architecture, the culture, and the gastronomy, Japan is the best destination to live an exotic travel. The following plan is a program of things to do for three weeks travelling  in Japan.

1-     Days 1 - 5: Tokyo.

Arrival by plane in Tokyo, the capital and the most dynamic city of the country and one of the world. In four days in Tokyo it°s possible to visit many places, and the different areas of the city.
There are historic temples in the city centre next to electronic places.
This city is a mix of different styles of lives and travel in the time.

2-     Day 6-7: Mount Fuji:

      Climbing of the Mount Fuji during the evening to see the sunrise on the top of the mount and going back during the morning.

3-     Days 8 - 9 : Shirakawa-go

 

Visit of the historic villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama, who are situated in the Mountains of the territory of Takayama and it's a traditional rice-field production. There it's possible to pass the night in a ryokan a traditional Japanese guest-house and enjoy the hot baths, called "honsen"
(natural hot water from the volcano).

                   

  

 4-     Days 9 to 10: Nara

       The city of Nara in the Kansai in Japan, includes 8 sites classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
         It's therefore the second city of Japan, Kyoto, for its rich heritage. Nara was the first imperial capital of     Japan, and the History left many temples, shrines and Buddhist collections of works.

5-     Days 11 to 16: Kyoto

 With his hundreds temples, the imperial place, the famous historic areas of Ashikaga ans Gion, the Golden pavillon...Kyoto offers a lot of touristic attractions and represents the most important stay for holidays in Japan.

7-     Day 17 : Himeji

Himeji castel

Himeji is known for its castle. Considered as the most beautiful of Japan, it is one of the rarest having escaped the fires, earthquakes and ravages of war. It is classified as World Heritage site by UNESCO. 

8-     Days 18- 19: Hiroshima
     

Hiroshima Peace memorial

     

     To finish the travel, Hiroshima constitute an historical stop.
   Hiroshima is a modern city and the main thing to do is to visit the museums, specially the museum of remember and peace located  in the park for Peace which count the suffering of the city during the bomb explosion.

9-     Day 20: return to Tokyo airport.


End of the travel

The cooking process of the traditional Raclette

The “Raclette” is certainly the most traditional dish in France, it’s served in each region of the country with different particularities. It's called raclette because that is the name of the cheese used for the dish. The raclette is a very famous cheese you can find everywhere, and with different savours. There are many flavors including classic, pepper, and smoked, everyone can find a taste they like.

Usually you eat it in the winter since it is a warm and heavy dish.

The cheese: La Raclette

Let's examine the process of making a Raclette

the machine 

First, it is absolutely necessary to have an "appareil a raclette" which is  the machine used to melt the cheese. It is the most important thing because without that you can't do the traditional Raclette. It’s a machine usually installed in the middle of the table which heats the cheese and everyone can have his or her own dish and can cook as many cheeses and meats as he or she wishes.

Secondly, let’s go back to the ingredients for the Raclette. The cheese which is the central part of the plate, normally you count around 250g per person, less or more. You need potatoes, “charcuterie” which is a mix of cold and smoked meat like bacon, salami, ham.. There are many different kind of charcuterie so the choice of it depends of person's preferences.  A salad as well would be welcome to accompany the plate. And for sure a good wine!

Finally you can enjoy your meal , there is no special preparation once you’ve got everything. It is very simple and very good. Everybody helps himself in meat, cheese and patatoes, make warm the cheese in the machine , (it doesn't take more than 3 minutes to be ready ) , and can enjoy the meal with others people around the table making their own meal. This is a very convivial and special french dish.

In Auvergne the particularity is the taste of the cheese which is stronger that in others parts of the country. The charcuterie is very particular there as well, especially the saussisson. But anyway, if it can be different it’s always the more popular meal in France. 

the typical french table 

A demonstration of the raclette process: