February 14, 2010

Local Specialties

Aside from the pretty pink Kawazu cherry blossoms, the best thing about the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in Izu (from February 6 to March 10) is the many food stands set up in the pedestrian area. And more specifically, the surprising generosity with which sellers offer food sampling.

On the left, wasabi roots.



Dried persimmons.


Stacks of cherry-blossom related mochi sweets.


Blue laver and dried baby shrimp. They give you more food samples than you can stuff in your mouth.

A spiral of fried potato, which the guy at the stand enthusiastically explained "has been featured on TV!"

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