Blog
Blog
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White-naped crane
The white-crowned crane, designated as an endangered species, is one of the birds sought after by foreign birdwatchers visiting Japan. There are two main groups of white-naped cranes: the western group breeds in northeastern Mongolia and China's Hanyang Lake, wintering in the lower Yangtze River region; the eastern group breeds in the Amur River basin of China and Russia, wintering in central Korea, Japan, and particularly the Izumi Plain. The number migrating varies significantly from year to year in Japan, exceeding 3,000 birds in some years and dropping to around 200 in others. Reports indicate their numbers in central Korea…
- Birds
- Kagoshima
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Common crane
Among the flocks of cranes in the Izumi Plain, the common crane is the hardest to spot. Though several migrate here each year, finding them among over ten thousand cranes proves quite a challenge. Their global population is estimated at 500,000 birds. In France, it is said that royalty and nobility once savoured them as a delicacy. In Japan, the more common hooded crane was particularly favoured by the upper classes when salted, suggesting cranes were a globally cherished delicacy symbolising longevity.
- Birds
- Kagoshima
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Sandhill crane
The sandhill crane, known in Japan as the “Canadian Crane”. Several birds migrate to the Izumi Plain almost every year. This year, three are said to be overwintering here, two of which are always inseparable. From morning till night, they spent their time together, never straying far apart. Though a rare bird in Japan, it is the world's most abundant crane, with an estimated population exceeding 1.5 million. In some US states, hunting of the sandhill crane is permitted for pest control of crops and for sport hunting. Reports indicate that, for now, capture is being carried out at sustainable…
- Birds
- Kagoshima
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Siberian crane
Another rare crane species has arrived at this year's Izumi Plain. It is the endangered Siberian Crane, of which only 3,200 to 4,000 are thought to exist worldwide. According to locals, it appeared to have an injured leg when it first arrived, but now half of one leg is missing, possibly due to necrosis. It occasionally displayed behaviour suggesting it was pecking at the leg with its beak, perhaps in pain. The Siberian Crane breeds in northern Russia. However, environmental changes in its wintering grounds, heavy pesticide use, and poaching are believed to be the primary causes of its significant…
- Birds
- Kagoshima
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Demoiselle crane
Among foreign birdwatchers visiting Japan, the eagles riding the drift ice in eastern Hokkaido and the vast flocks of cranes in Kagoshima's Izumi Plain are particularly popular. Having heard that the demoiselle crane had arrived for the first time in five years, I went to scout the location. This year, over 13,000 cranes have arrived, but only one of the demoiselle crane. Locals mentioned young one had arrived and that the rice fields it frequented was constantly changing. Just as I thought it might be hopeless, I spotted one quite easily. The dark grey hooded crane dominate the flock, so…
- Birds
- Kagoshima
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Nabura: Ramen that Muslims should try
Kyoto is a fiercely competitive ramen hotspot. There are numerous delicious ramen shops near our guesthouse. That said, few dishes divide opinion quite like ramen. In my youth, I adored rich, heavy flavours such as pork-based ramen, but as I've grown older, I've come to prefer lighter, soy sauce-based varieties, called Chuka-soba in Japanese. Nabura serves a rich yet refreshingly light-tasting broth. Made from kelp and mackerel stock, it contains no pork. Instead of chashu pork, it features mackerel tempura. While there are Muslim-friendly ramen shops in Kyoto, this one is the best. Though a little off the tourist site,…
- restaurant
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Kyoto Cuisine: Kinobu
The most frequent enquiry we receive from guests is where they can find cuisine that truly embodies Kyoto. When speaking of cuisine representative of Kyoto, nothing comes to mind more than Kyoto cuisine called `Kyo-ryori’ in Japanese. It was designated a Japanese Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022. However, when asked to explain precisely what Kyoto cuisine entails, it proves difficult to articulate. Recently, at a meeting of the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I had the opportunity to hear from Mr Takahashi, the third-generation proprietor of Kibune, a restaurant representing Kyoto cuisine. They conducted a survey among Kyoto…
- restaurant
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Tamburino: Italian Restaurant Near the Guesthouse
North of the guesthouse, along Imadegawa Street, numerous eateries line the road. While there are many izakaya pubs, Tambrino is also recommended for lunch. Their Japanese-style pasta, called wafu-pasta in Japanese, using seasonal ingredients is my favourite. Japanese-style pasta refers to pasta dishes featuring Japanese ingredients like cod roe, shiso leaves, nori seaweed, and spring onions, combined with seasonings such as soy sauce and dashi stock, creating a rich umami flavour tailored to Japanese tastes. It might draw criticism from Italians, but this flavour is quintessentially Japanese. For the lunch menu, your choice of pasta comes with a salad, focaccia…
- restaurant
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China’s call for travel restraint
Concerns exist regarding the negative economic impact stemming from the Chinese government's call for travel restrait in Japan. However, concerning the Japanese tourism industry, it appears there has been little effect thus far. As for our guesthouse, since the onset of the pandemic, we have had virtually no guests from China, meaning we have been entirely unaffected. Regrettably, the Japanese media focuses on Chinese-run private lodgings, bus companies, or hotels and kimono rental shops overly reliant on Chinese tourists, portraying the tourism industry as suffering. Yet, I have heard of no one being adversely affected. Rather, I am concerned that…
- Column
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White-breasted waterhen
The White-breasted waterhen is frequently seen along the national road and farm roads of rainy Ishigaki Island. Perhaps because they often cross the roads, one frequently encounters their roadkill carcasses. In Japan, they are primarily resident birds inhabiting Okinawa Prefecture, but they often fly to relatively nearby locations and settle there permanently, with breeding records even on Honshu. Their range appears to be gradually expanding northwards. On Ishigaki Island, they are mainly found in rice paddies, but in the Indian city of Nainital, they breed at elevations as high as 1300 metres. They are birds that can potentially appear in…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island
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Whiskered Tern
The Whiskered Tern is commonly seen in the Nansei Islands during the spring and autumn migration periods. Its scientific name, Chlidonias, derives from the ancient Greek khelidonios, meaning “swallow-like”, and indeed its flight over rice fields resembles that of a swallow. In summer plumage, as suggested by its Japanese name “Kurohara Ajisashi” (Black-bellied Tern), its underparts turn black. However, in winter plumage, the belly becomes whitish and the head takes on a salt-and-pepper appearance. On Ishigaki Island, they are often seen in small flocks, particularly over flooded rice fields.
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island
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Black-winged kite
The Black-winged Kite, whose numbers have increased on Ishigaki Island in recent years. They tend to appear when it's overcast or near evening, but there's no particular spot known for good viewing; they can apparently be seen anywhere. As they are also known in Japan as the “Black-shouldered Kite”, the shoulder part of their wings is black, making them quite conspicuous when flying. This kite is also found in Senegal, where I lived, and like the individuals on Ishigaki Island, it is highly wary, making it one of the birds most difficult to photograph. For this shoot, I used the…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island