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Day 1: March 20, 2024
How do you do? I am a tour director, Mika Mitsuko Akashi. I was born in Tokyo and brought up in Tokyo. I love Tokyo very much because it is really convenient. We can enjoy many countries' cuisine here in Tokyo with Japanese taste. I would like to introduce something about Japanese cuisine. It must have five colors, five tastes, and five ways to prepare. Regarding five colors, 1. white 2. black 3. green, 4. red, 5. yellow. Then Japanese cuisine is arranged very beautiful and looks like a well-balanced art works. And the tastes, 1. sour, 2. sweet, 3. bitter, 4. salty, 5. spicy. Do you know Umami? It is soup stock made from bonito flakes and kelp. Also five ways to prepare; 1. simmering, 2. roasting frying, boiling, 3. serving raw, 4. deep-frying, 5. steaming. I hope many students try to taste Japanese cuisine without any hesitation.
Tokyo has a population of 14 million, more than 10 percent of all of Japan. Tokyo creates 20 percent of Japan's GDP. At Sinjuku Station, more than 3.5 million people use that station per day. Can you imagine? I would like to introduce much more about Tokyo when you are here.
Looking forward to seeing you. Please take care and with best regards, Mika