July 2010

Solar Cafe & Farm’s Mt Fuji White Eggplant! mmm…..

Traditional and Hi-tech Japanese Farm Tools

Hirata-san, our rice farming teacher, shows us here the traditional Japanese hand tool for weeding rice fields.  The wooden machine with the skis is old style.  The long pipe with the chains is Hirata-san’s original tool!  He is using ancient know-how, a simple hand pulled device, with modern ideas.  His new tool can do 10 rows at once, instead of one at a time like in the past.     This is the type of  re-innovation that organic farmers are developing to reduce the need for chemicals and still be able farm efficiently.

Japanese Cedar Soaking Bath at the Shojiko House

This soaking tub was retro-fit into the bathroom at the Shojiko reformed Minka home. We also added a large step for easy access and a spot to sit and swing your legs over the edge into the tub for elderly bathers. The double pane windows were added for extra warmth, and the original maple leaf glass on the north side was retained for charm, and so we actually have triple paned glass there. The house is available druing our summer campaign for Y29,800,000. Please contact Jacob Reiner @ 090-9346-3774 or info@earthembassy.org if you would like to arrange a viewing.

UA came to visit the cafe again!

One of Japan’s biggest divas and recording stars, Ua, came to visit the cafe again this year. She and her husband have a farm in Nagano and she stops by for lunch with her kids once in awhile on her way through our area. She is one of the brave ones, a pioneer in J-pop as well as the new farm cuisine trend, as so many Japanese love to stare and point at our cafe as they drive by, but are afraid to come in. Having traveled abroad and with an appreciation for home grown food, she apparently likes our relaxed vibe, good grub, and the free space for her kids to play. Hoping to invite her by next year to sing at one of our events!!!