American In Poland Dreaming Of Japan

[Yuki_Taro]

Hi all!

I'm Josh and I'm super thrilled to be a part of JREF.

My family and I lived in Niigata prefecture years ago and were super lucky to experience the "Snow Country" culture there. It left such an indelible mark on me that I have to write, podcast and daydream about it constantly. Now we live in Warsaw (the capital of Poland), with the chance to hop, skip and jump around Europe, but I try to make it back to Niigata (specifically Joetsu) every year or so. I'm completely ruined!

When I'm not doing any of the above, I try my hand at cooking, attempting to make gyudon. It's nothing like Suki-ya (and maybe for the best, since they've had a recent problem with rats and bugs??), but it's a taste of Japan that I miss dearly.

Anyone ever been to Niigata, or have any tips for Japanese cooking?

Thanks!
Josh

 

[thomas]

Hi Josh, welcome to JREF, and thanks for jumping-starting our article section as a full-blown contributor!

As a dedicated sake aficionado, I hold Niigata in the highest esteem. As an avid cyclist, I have been to Niigata several times, passing through Joetsu twice. These are unforgettable memories.

Thank you for sharing your passion for the region. I look forward to reading more of your invaluable insights!

 

[mdchachi]

Welcome to JREF! My most fond memory of Niigata is a weekend motorcycle trip to Sado Island with my motorcycle buddies. That was over 25 years ago.

 

[Yuki_Taro]

Hi Josh, welcome to JREF, and thanks for jumping-starting our article section as a full-blown contributor!

As a dedicated sake aficionado, I hold Niigata in the highest esteem. As an avid cyclist, I have been to Niigata several times, passing through Joetsu twice. These are unforgettable memories.

Thank you for sharing your passion for the region. I look forward to reading more of your invaluable insights!

Definitely, Tom! Have you tried Yukiotoko yet? I had the pleasure of (over) sampling some this past February.

 

[Yuki_Taro]

Welcome to JREF! My most fond memory of Niigata is a weekend motorcycle trip to Sado Island with my motorcycle buddies. That was over 25 years ago.

Awesome! Sado is great. Did you tour the entire island? I've only been to the Ogi side by e-bike. Hope to see the gold mine one of these days!

 

[mdchachi]

Awesome! Sado is great. Did you tour the entire island? I've only been to the Ogi side by e-bike. Hope to see the gold mine one of these days!

It's all pretty hazy in my memory but we saw the main sights (the shellfish harvesting boats and gold mine). I don't remember if we drove to the other side or not. I do remember driving through scenic areas with rice paddies everywhere on the way to the ferry.