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We often get asked by friends and readers on Japan travel tips and itineraries so we try our best to share our Japan experiences on the blog. However, one city we didn’t have much travel content on was Tokyo. Why? Since Nami’s family only lives 7 miles (15 km) from Tokyo and 15 miles (23 km) to Shibuya, it never seemed like a “Japan travel destination” for us. As we get repeated request for Tokyo travel guide, we spent 6 days this past summer in Tokyo exploring different wards, activities to do, places to visit and eat....

Ingredients 6 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch-thick slices (3 cups) 4 medium potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups) 1 large onion, cut into thin wedges 1 corned beef brisket (2 to 2 1/2 lb) 5 to 6 cups water 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 6 whole cloves 1 dried bay leaf Preparation In 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, mix carrots, potatoes and onion. If necessary, cut corned beef brisket to fit into slow cooker; place over vegetables....

Ingredients 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar 3 to 3 1/2 lb pork loin back ribs (about 2 racks) 1 can (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce 1 jar (12 oz) beef gravy 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped Preparation Set oven control to broil; heat 15 minutes....

Ingredients 1 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 2 medium onions, chopped (1 cup) 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 can (28 oz) diced or whole (coarsely chopped) tomatoes, undrained 1 jar (16 oz) Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa 2 cans (15 to 16 oz each) pinto beans, undrained 2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa 1 tablespoon chili powder 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons ground cumin...

Ingredients 2 boneless skinless turkey thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 medium onion, chopped ( 1/2 cup) 1 medium stalk celery, chopped ( 1/2 cup) 1 medium carrot, chopped ( 1/2 cup) 1 package (14 ounces) sage-and-onion stuffing mix 2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-ounce carton) 16 hamburger buns, buttered if desired Preparation Toss all ingredients except buns in 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours....

Ingredients 1 spaghetti squash 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves Salt and pepper Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Set aside. Using sharp knife, cut squash in half lengthwise. Use spoon to remove seeds. Place squash halves cut sides down on cookie sheet. Bake until knife can be inserted with just a little bit of resistance, about 30 minutes....

Ingredients 9 graham cracker rectangles 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1 1/2 cups chopped apples 1 teaspoon lemon juice 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter...

Preparation Time spent in the bridal suite on the morning of the wedding is one of the most memorable parts of the day for the bride and her attendants. If she’s invited her mom and future mother-in-law to join in on the fun, it’s even more special. More and more mothers of the bride and groom are choosing to have their makeup done with the rest of the bridal party, but there are certain things the moms need to consider before sitting down in front of the artist....

Preparation Taking good care of our skin can be pretty intuitive. You know when your skin is sensitive, and it’ll tell you when it likes something you’re using. You’ll even be able to determine combination of products that work best on specific areas. Although our skin is as drastically different as the genes that make it up, there’s one thing that all skin has in common: a need for moisture. Hydration is what helps skin thrive....

Preparation Whether you’re a crafter or a home cook, it often feels like there are so many tools you can purchase to help you get a job done. Which ones are really worth investing in? Our editors are here to help. From everyday essentials to more obscure must-haves that will take your practice to the next level, we’re breaking it all down. Each week Tool of the Trade will highlight one must-have crafting or cooking item you need to know about....

Preparation Trust me: You’re going to love this customized denim jacket. Denim makes a fabulous neutral backdrop for almost any sort of embellishment. As a result, the possibilities are endless. Using embroidery, iron-on patches, and appliqué touches, you can make this jacket exquisitely tailored to you, and it will become the perfect statement piece for your wardrobe. I wish I could show you my brainstorming notebook of all the fun things I wanted to add to this jacket....

January 1, 2020, was Just One Cookbook’s 9th year blog anniversary. One more year to a decade! Mr. JOC and I took some time to reflect the past 9 years, and we both agree that we couldn’t get this far without your support. This amazing community exists because you’ve made it happened. Thank you. We also want to mention that JOC is heavily supported by a wonderful team of five....

Preparation While you may believe that color is the key to embroidery, stitching in a monochromatic singularity is just as stunning. That is the simplicity, freshness, and elegance of whitework embroidery. Fine white linen was the fabric of choice for embroidery until about 1902, when tinted brown or ecru linen became popular as it complemented the dark, polished wooden furniture of the time. Whitework was found in bedsheets, tablecloths, and other household linens of a bygone era....

Ingredients 2 lb asparagus 2 tablespoons real maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil Preparation Snap off tough ends of asparagus spears. In 12-inch skillet or 4-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 inch water to boiling. Add asparagus. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender; drain. In small bowl, mix maple syrup, mustard and oil....

Ingredients 2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (from 15-oz box) 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 cup dairy eggnog 2 eggs 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Preparation Heat oven to 300°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with 18x18-inch square of heavy-duty foil so foil extends over long sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray....

Ingredients 3/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 8 medium green onions, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, diced 1 pouch (6 oz) ready-to-eat crabmeat, flaked 3 packages (2.1 oz each) frozen baked mini phyllo dough shells (15 shells each), thawed Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with foil or cooking parchment paper. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except phyllo shells with spoon about 2 minutes or until well blended....

Preparation Actress/comedian/writer Angela Kinsey and actor/baker Joshua Snyder, tied the knot yesterday in Topanga, California, in a heartfelt ceremony that was a total family affair. “Our wedding was more than just two people coming together, it was a family coming together,” Angela says. “Josh and his sons and my daughter and I. We were so proud of our children. They each wrote something to say during the ceremony. They wanted us to know how much it means to them that we were becoming a family....

If you like macarons you need to try our pistachio macarons and our delicious raspberry macarons! COFFEE MACARONS- The number of macaron flavors are endless, but these coffee macarons are by far my favorite (maybe because I have a love relationship with coffee)! The rich coffee flavors combined with a basic macaron shell along with the sweet and creamy buttercream makes for mini desserts you don’t want to pass up!...

Ingredients 2 2/3 cups old-fashioned oats 1/2 cup raisins 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 cups fat-free (skim) milk 2 medium apples or pears, chopped (2 cups) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Additional fat-free (skim) milk, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Mix oats, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and 4 cups milk and the apples in 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until most liquid is absorbed....

Preparation A delicious and underutilized vegetable, rhubarb is at its peak from April until June—just in time for Easter and Mother’s Day. Also known as pieplant, it has a tart flavor and bright color. While its leaves are poisonous, the stalks are safe to eat and are quite tasty when cooked with a sweetener, making them a great addition to a number of desserts. You can enjoy the vegetable for months to come despite the short harvest period by freezing and storing them properly....