Journeys in photographs and words.

Cook the local flavors once more

Numazu, Shizuoka

Rice-ball bento in bamboo sheath

From: Making sushi with a view of Mt. Fuji

Three rice balls, rolled omelet and pickled cucumber in the sheath
Three rice balls, rolled omelet and pickled cucumber in the sheath

I wrapped freshly made rice balls in bamboo sheath with rolled omelet and pickled cucumber and carried them down to the water. Breakfast on the shore at Uchiura-Nagahama, looking out at Mt. Fuji and Awashima.

Ingredients

  • Cooked rice
  • Eggs (for rolled omelet)
  • Pickled cucumber

How I made it

  1. Press freshly cooked rice into balls while it is hot
  2. Lay rolled omelet, the rice balls and pickles on a sheet of bamboo sheath
  3. Fold the sheath over and tie it with string

This moment in the journey

Breakfast with a view of Mt. Fuji

Carrying the bento, I walked along the road by the harbor. Past a stop sign, the island of Awashima floated on the water, with snow-capped Mt. Fuji rising behind it.

I sat down at the water's edge and untied the bamboo bundle on my lap: rice balls, rolled omelet, pickled cucumber. I ate them one by one, watching Mt. Fuji lift its head above the clouds, then lingered over a cup of coffee, looking out at the sea.

Close by was a bus stop called Nagahama. Beyond the seawall, Awashima sat squarely on the water.

Watch this scene on YouTube0:44

Read this scene in the full journey

Walking along the harbor road, with Mt. Fuji and Awashima beyond the stop sign
Walking along the harbor road, with Mt. Fuji and Awashima beyond the stop sign
Untying the bundle on my lap
Untying the bundle on my lap
Sitting by the sea, looking at Mt. Fuji and Awashima
Sitting by the sea, looking at Mt. Fuji and Awashima
Mt. Fuji rising above the clouds
Mt. Fuji rising above the clouds
Cup in hand, looking out at Mt. Fuji and Awashima
Cup in hand, looking out at Mt. Fuji and Awashima
The Nagahama bus stop, with Awashima beyond the seawall
The Nagahama bus stop, with Awashima beyond the seawall