Kototasu Table

Traditional Japanese Kotatsu Table Japanese kototasu tables are a traditional table used both in japanese homes and restaurants. The kotatsu table is probably the most extensively used piece of furniture and considered the emotional center of the home for family and friends gather around its welcoming warmth. The table features a heater in the center and the removable reversible top is placed over a blanket to contain the heat.






We bought our first piece of Japanese furniture. A Kototasu Table. Since we are in Japan we thought we should try and experience it as much as we can. It is really warm and we love it. The thing in the middle of the table is a burner that you can buy that takes a can of gas. Then you can buy all sorts of different pans to cook different things. We bought this skillet to cook thin slices of steak or pork with vegetables. You buy this special sauce and then start cooking. It is so delicious. You can buy little chairs or pillows to sit on the floor but for now we are just sitting on the floor. Once it gets warm we will remove the blanket and just enjoy the table or we can get a lighter blanket.


Ethan even loves eating sitting on the floor:)








This was our first experience with the Kototasu table. One of Randy's coworkers invited us over for a traditional Japanese dinner that they have at the beginning of each New Year. We had sushi, fish and vegetables that they cook in a large bowl in the middle of the table also. In this picture dinner was over and we were having hot tea and dessert. They usually always have hot tea after dinner.

Tokyo Trip

Tokyo Trip: January 3rd - 5th. We decided to take a little trip since Randy had a week off from work. We decided to go to Tokyo. It was nice to get away but good to be back home too. We took the bullet train to Tokyo which travels at 180 mph and from their got on a couple more trains to get to where we needed to go. It was surprisingly easier to get around using the trains than we thought it would be. Our hotel was connected to the last train we had to take which was very nice and convenient. We were on the 16th floor of the hotel that over looked the bay. First day we took a tour of the science museum. We ate at this really popular place were there is a grill in the middle of your table and you cook your on food. We had 3 types of beef and it was the best beef I think we have ever had. Second day we took a bus tour that took us to the Tokyo tower, Emperior Palace, a temple, and then to Ginza which is a large shopping area that looks like New York. We decided not to shop in Ginza because it was cold and dark and we had to figure out what train station we needed to get to get us back to our hotel. On our way back home on Thursday we took the train to another part of Tokyo where we went to an aquarium. Ethan loves fish and he had a good time laughing and banging his hands on the glass at the fish. Overall it was a great trip out in Japan. It was a cold trip but we plan on going back once it gets warmer.