I PREFACE

1.       About Fukushima Prefecture

(1)   Topography

Fukushima Prefecture is divided into 3 areas: the central, or “Nakadori” region,the  Aizu region and the coastal or “Hamadori” region.  These 3 differ not only geographically, but also in terms of economy and culture.

In Japan, people see the coming of spring in cherry blossoms.  The blossoms begin on the coast, then bloom in the central area, and reach Aizu.  The coastal region is comparatively comfortable, because a cool breeze blows from the sea in summer.  But the Aizu region is muggy, and Fukushima City in northern Nakadori is known for being very hot and humid in the summer.

The average air temperature is 12.9 degrees centigrade, and the average annual  precipitation is 1,066 mm, with an average humidity of 68%.

 

(2)   Population

Fukushima prefecture:

Total population: 2,121,682 
                      male: 1,034,680
                    female: 1,087,002
                     area: 13,781 km2

Japan : population: 126,648,000
                     area: 378,000 km
2

 
Tokyo : population: 12,059,000
                     area: 2187 km2

 

(3)    Introduction to Fukushima culture

Fully armoured “Samurai” pursue wild horses in Soma from 23rd to 25th of July at the “Soma noma-oi” festival.  The origin of this festival begins with Masakado Taira, who was the founder of the domain of Soma. He set wild horses free, and trained men in military arts to compete with the armies of other clans from A.D. 923 to 930.  This festival is recognized as an important intangible cultural asset of the nation.

2.  About Fukushima University

(1)   Location: Our university is in the suburbs of Fukushima.  There is a lot of greenery.
  Transportation: There are 2 typical routes:
 1.Take the Tohoku train-Line from the
Fukushima station to the Kanayagawa station. This takes about 10 minutes.
   Then it’s about 10 minutes on foot.
 2.Take the bus for “Matsukawa Nihonmatsu” from the east side of the main  
Fukushima station, and get off at “Fukushima Daigaku.”
   It takes 30 minutes
then 10 minutes on foot.

(2) The ratio of students who live with their families to those who live alone.
 
         At this University, about 60% of students live with their families, and about 40% of students live by themselves.  Very few people have roommates. (This is based on data from the local student Co-op)


3.Research

(1)The purpose of this research

        We are going to examine the diets of students living at home in
     
Fukushima, because everyone in our group lives alone. Afterwards, another
    section will mention the diets of students living alone, so please compare      
   this with that section.

(2)   Breakfast, lunch and supper

 Typical weekly menu of a family that usually eats cooked rice for breakfast

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday




Breakfast

Natto(1)
Cooked rice,
Miso(2)-soup,
Scrambled egg

Natto,
Cooked rice,
Miso-soup,
Broiled fish

Natto,
Cooked rice,
Miso-soup,
Tempura

Natto,
Cooked rice,
Miso-soup,
Boiled spinach topped with sesame,
Canned saury

Natto,Cooked rice, Miso-soup,
Stir-fried meat,
Broiled fish(Horse mackerel)

Natto,Cooked rice,
Miso-soup,
Broiled fish(Salmon)

Curry with rice,
Miso-soup,
Tempura



Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Cooked rice,
Hamburger,
Salad

Lunch

Lunch

Cooked rice,
spinach,
Fish boiled in broth,
Cup noodles

Chinese noodles




Supper

Cooked rice,Miso-soup,
Sashimi(3),

Broiled fish (saury)

Chinese Noodles

Chinese noodles,
Pumpkin boiled in broth

Cooked rice, miso-soup,
Broiled fish (Yellow tail)
Stir-fried meat
Pumpkin boiled in broth

Cooked rice, Miso-soap,
Stir-fried spinach and egg,

Fish boiled in broth

Curry with rice,
Miso-soup
Konjak(4)(miso flavouring)

Cooked rice,
Miso-soup,
Sashimi,

Poteto salad,
Tempura

Notes:
(1)  fermented soybeans
(2)  soybean paste
(3)  sliced raw fish
(4)  jelly-like food made from the starch of devil’s tongue

 

Typical weekly menu of a family who eat bread or cereal for breakfast

 


MON


TUE


WED


THR


FRI


SAT


SUN

Breakfast

A sweet roll

Orange juice

A bread
Orange juice
A custard-pudding

A bun  stuffed with cheese
A bun stuffed with raisins
A cup of milk

A bread and butter
Lemon tea

A slice of toast
Slices of ham
Orange juice

Doughnuts
Orange juice

A sweet roll
Orange juice

Lunch

A packed lunch

Egg soup

Mochi of potato

A packed- lunch

Oolong-tea

Wantan noodles of Mr.Doughnut

Chinese noodle soup

French fries

A packed lunch

Tea

A stew

A pumpkin croquette

Cooked rice

Spaghetti

Supper

Rice
Oden
Spinach with sesame sauce
Miso-soup

Cooked Rice

Miso-soup

Boiledvegetables

Fish

Vegetables pickled with salt

An omelet stuffed with rice

Miso-soup

Tasted rice

Miso-soup

Croquettes

Rice and stew of beef

Orange juice

Udon
SaladKimuchi

Kaisendon

(a lot of fishes)

mixed with rice)

Soi  soup

 

 4. Further Considerations

Breakfast: On the whole, many people eat cooked rice.
              The proportion of people who eat cooked rice to other food is
              five to two. When people eat cooked rice, they almost always   
             also have miso-soup.
              And, breakfast is usually lighter than lunch or supper.   
             There is one person who has only milk for breakfast.
              In
Japan, other food cultures can be found at lunch and supper time,
              but breakfast still seems to be mainly Japanese.

    Lunch: The ratio of people who bring lunch from their house to those who buy lunch is 4:3. Some people buy only side dishes at the lunchroom, and bring main dishes. Some people who bring lunch often eat with friends in the lunchroom. When school finishes early, some students have a lunch at home. And, overall, cooked rice is still eaten more often than bread.

    Supper: This meal is the largest for most.  They are almost all Japanese-style, like miso-soup and vegetables, or fishes cooked in stock with soy sauce and other seasonings, and stir-fried vegetables, and so on. But there are families who cook Western-style meals like hamburgers, spaghetti, fried chicken, and so on.