お寿司

Today is Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day), a day to celebrate the entry into adulthood of those turning twenty this year. Twenty is the age of majority in Japan, when voting, drinking and smoking are finally allowed (although many people start smoking and drinking long before their twentieth birthdays, since convenience stores, restaurants and bars-- not to mention the ubiquitous vending machines-- rarely ask for ID).

All those involved celebrate their coming of age at ceremonies called Seijin Shiki, usually dressing up in kimonos and suits. The rest of us get a day off (or half a day off, in my husband's case).

We had a relaxed day together, a luxury we've been missing for a month. We went for a walk in the park, where we saw the sunset above (and like all sunsets, an amateur photographer has no hope of capturing how spectacular it was in person). And when we got back, we called a local sushi shop delivery shop and ordered dinner:

Top two rows: tekka-maki and kappa-maki (tuna and cucumber rolls); gari (pickled ginger). Third row: maguro-nigiri (tuna sushi); kohada-nigiri (shad sushi). Fourth row: shake-nigiri (salmon sushi); hamachi-nigiri (yellowtail sushi); ebi-nigiri (cooked shrimp sushi); anago-nigiri (conger eel sushi). Fifth row: kohada-nigiri; tako-nigiri (octopus sushi); anago-nigiri; dashimaki-tamago (thick omelet); wasabi (Japanese horseradish). Sixth row: ikura-gunkan (salmon roe sushi); negi-toro-gunkan (chopped tuna belly and green onion sushi).

This is supposed to be a three-person serving, but we finished it off no problem, along with suimono (clear soup, from instant packages that came with the sushi) and some hiyayakko (cold tofu). Wasabi doesn't normally come with the sushi like that, but we had ordered ours sabi-nuki (without wasabi), as my husband can't stand the stuff. There is also a lot more kohada and anago than usual because we substituted those for shellfish, which we're not crazy about (at least not raw). It was good-- not as good as at a nice sushi bar, but butter than take-out or kaitenzushi (revolving sushi bars).

Delivered sushi is not something we eat often, because it's expensive. But when I paid the delivery boy (always a boy, this one appearing to be no older than 13) I realized that the price was no more than I'd pay for any other delivery food. Pizza, Chinese food, ramen, soba and Kentucky Fried Chicken are other common delivery foods, and they all cost way more than they would in a restaurant. Delivered food is expensive here, period. So I've decided that the next time we feel like eating sushi at home, I'll go ahead and order it.

Comments

[Kat]

Beautiful photo of the sunset and beautiful sushi! Glad you had such a nice day off.

[Mone]

wow, I just stumbled over your side. You have some georgous pictures here. Sure a lot of fish what you are eating over there :)

[carlyn]

Amy;
What beautiful photos...It's always nice to indulge in delivery once in a while. That is the joy of Japan. Glad you and your hubby had a quiet afternoon....

[KT]

Amy,you've made me extremely jealous...The sushi looks so immculate and fresh.I wish I could just pick up the phone and order sushi like that!

[PA]

Lovely looking sushi. Here in England, Sushi is popular but often it only contains cooked fish - so a picture of some nice raw pieces of fish is the best I can get!

[Amy]

Thanks for the comments! Now I really feel lucky to have such easy access to good sushi!

[an9ie]

"What a beautiful sunset!" I thought, when I saw the photo. But if it was even more beautiful in real life, then WOW.

We can order sushi platters here, but I don't think they deliver :( My boyfriend would never leave the house if they did!

[Amy]

Thank you An9ie!