Autumn in Japan

Autumn is a very special time to be in Japan. We enjoy autumn leaves (called koyo) as much as we enjoy cherry blossom season. Red, Yellow, Orange leaves cover the mountains all over Japan.

We take trips to the countryside to see the trees from special viewing spots or sightseeing busses and trains especially catering to this season. There are trekking paths that you can follow to get the full experience as well. You will often find that you share the path with grandma’s and grandpa’s as these colors bring out a very sentimental beauty and connection to nature.

There are many trees that help bring all the colors to autumn but two of the main ones are:

The deep red from the momiji (maple trees) leaves are particularly beautiful this time of the year. Many temples have both sakura (cherry blossoms trees) and momiji for this purpose of celebrating the beauty of nature.

The bright yellow Ginkgo biloba trees are also deeply adored and much more convenient to view in Tokyo. There are a few streets in Tokyo that are lined with these trees just for this month where the world is yellow. The leaves on the sidewalk and street are yellow. We go out of our way to make sure to visit them. This leaf is also the symbol of Tokyo.

If you can’t make it to Tokyo for cherry blossom season, we highly recommend autumn.

Numata Nori

Our favorite premium Nori (dried seaweed) and we are so pleased to have at our store. A wonderful family who have been harvesting and making premium Nori! They harvest the first cut and process it by themselves. You can only buy this in limited quantities at their store. No salt or additives are used. From Yanagawa located in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Yamato-Kita Maru-Yu-Ichi”, the seaweed picked at Ariake Sea in Fukuoka. This seaweed has a complex mixture of umami and saltiness that is suitable for Yu grade, the best grade that seaweed can be achieved.

Well balanced first taste and after taste makes this seaweed edible just by itself. You can grill it for about 30 seconds to make it crispy. There are no additives or salt so it is easily adapted for various dishes. We eat it with rice, add it to salad, but there are no limits to pairings. A favorite amongst chefs and people who love good food.

Please enjoy the mouthful of umami changing as you take each bite.

Parings: You could top this on rice or make an onigiri rice ball. Inside we can put salmon eggs, picked plum (umeboshi), tuna fish, There are no rules, just make a rice ball with filling that you like. Perfect light lunch or snack!

Enjoy it with beurre d'echire for a rich snack

The original flavor of the seaweed is kept elegantly, and it has a pleasant taste that lasts until the end. With its delicate meltiness, the taste spreads gently with memorable after taste. Please experience the finest aroma of the top grade seaweed.

Good pairing：Prosciutto and white wine:
Pair the seaweed with prosciutto and have a mellow-flavored prosciutto with a fresh blue aroma of seaweed makes it an excellently balanced snack.

Morodomimachi Ichi-Maru-Ichi”grew with minerals that were carried by Chikugo and Hayatsue River. We are introducing you to the finest light texture delivered from the fishing grounds that won the Grand Prize at the Omori Nori Fair in 2019. The essence of umami is condensed in this rich seaweed.

Good Pairings：Flavored Rice, Whole Grain Rice, Multigrain Rice
If it is flavored rice, it will make a meal even for gorgeous. Gouda Cheese and Mimolette Cheese.

The rich taste of semi-hard cheese and mild seaweed matches wonderfully.

Ozu Washi Japanese Paper

For Washi paper lovers, our favorite address in Nihonbashi. They carry everything from high-grade handmade paper and other types of handmade paper products for daily use, and fine products used by discerning artists from all over the entire country.

"Ozu Washi" was established as a paper wholesale store called "Ozuya" in Nihombashi in 1653. Since then, during more than 360 years since then their company has continued in thier original location.

Dealing in a variety of paper for Shodo (Calligraphy), Nihon-ga (Japanese style painting), Suiboku-ga(Sumi art), Buddhist painting, block print, paper art, pressed flowers, etc.

3 floors with a store on the first floor. On the second floor you can make your own paper with masters. On the 3rd floor there is a gallery / museum with about the history of washi paper.

OzuHonkan Bldg., 3-6-2 Nihombashihoncho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Drawers and drawers of beautiful paper in every shade of color!

A wonderful place to visit and explore the history and world of this beautiful paper.