Kugelhof cake -- local style

Local handmade sugar, sudachi (a very local citrus) -- yes, this is definitely a local version.

Fall color -- in this case, yellow and blooming

Christmas in Japan

One of the typical symbols of the season.

Ready for winter

Thanksgiving Dinner 2

Thanksgiving Dinner #1

It's that time again!

Beaujolais Nouveau, now coming to you in PET bottles, with Hello Kitty promoting it!

http://blog.japantimes.co.jp/japan-pulse/can-pet-bottles-and-hello-kitty-rescue-beaujolais-nouveau/

It's a reminder that here in Japan Kitty Chan, as she is known here, isn't just for 7 year old girls.

Another American restaurant chain coming to Japan

This one should be a HUGE hit:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/girls-girls-girls

Christmas in Japan mean KFC

http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/haruka-ayase-launches-kfc-christmas-campaign

Too much wine

And the prices they've paid seem excessive as well.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101020a4.html

Special rice for special Tigers

Hanshin Tigers

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101019a5.html

Amazake

Sweet sake. Actually, briefly fermented sake, very low in alcohol. It's sometimes served hot as osettai (a free gift for visitors) at temples which, actually, is where I first had it. It's particularly nice with a little fresh grated ginger.