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These photos were taken before the devastating tsunami hit Japan earlier this year. Kashima was one of the cities that was badly hit and looking at these photos, everything really seems surreal.

How a wonderfully quiet little town famous  for their most successful J. League team, Kashima Antlers is not no longer the same. Kashima also had one of Japan oldest shrines built in 660BC. I have no idea what the place looks like after the tsunami. I had initially planned a trip to Japan with my family in February this year but postponed I found difficulties trying to align everyone’s schedule. Then the tsunami hit and the whole trip was cancelled. I hope to be able to visit Japan again this year though I know that some of the little towns like this one won’t be the same any more so here’s sharing my photos with you.

I will be share more photos of Japan in the Ibaraki prefecture in the next few photo journal posts.

I honestly can’t wait for my next trip to Japan. I know quite a few girl friends are keen on a trip together as well!

My little Eeyore has traveled quite a few destinations with me and have been lucky to get his own seat most of the time! He even sat suite class to Paris once though I doubt he’ll ever get that chance again.

And I know a lot of people out there hates airplane food but I have been having pretty good food on Singapore Airlines flights so far! Maybe it’s the destinations I go to but I have no complaints  on the standard of airplane food.

Other than the fact that the rooms are usually rather small, there always seem to be be a 24 hour convenience store just round the corner with a good selection of Japanese food products.

They would also provide you a simple yukata for you to change into.

In the hotel, there would usually be a couple of vending machines with an assortment of drinks and snacks. And they even have a vending machine for hot food! Fried chicken, noodles, hot dog, fries and even curry! I ordered a pack of fried rice to try and was surprise to find it very hot and yummy!

Lastly, of course is that availability of Japanese porn. A huge selection ranging from the normal to the perverse! Huge J cup girls ( I never knew boobs could be that big!) to getting raped at a bank. You name it and I’m pretty sure they’ve probably thought about it. Not my cup of tea but it is a common feature that Japanese hotels have to give their guests a better night stay.

I have to admit that the Tappanyaki selection on it’s own was pretty good already but the highlight for me was the Kobe beef. Kobe beef comes from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyu cattle and are specifically raise under strict guidelines.  Looking at the beautiful marbled texture makes me drool!

Here are some of the guidelines to label your beef as Kobe beef. The Tajima cattle has to be born in Hyōgo Prefecture and raised there. The bull is castrated to get the purest most tender meat. There are only a few recognized slaughterhouses that can be used. Marbling ration of the meat must be level 6 and above and the meat quality score must meet at least 4 or 5. The total weight of beef from one cow is only 470kg or less. The cattle are fed one beer per day, massaged with sake daily, brushed to set their fur, and fed on grain fodder.  I’ve tried the US Kobe-styled beef and I find the Japanese one much nicer with the marbling a lot more even.

My candid shots says everything! Yum Yum Yummy! No seasoning or anything added… just grilled over fire for a short time and it’s ready and Oh-So-Good!