About food in Japan

Kamaboko (fish cake) restaurant & museum in Odawara

Did you know "Kamaboko"(かまぼこ)? It's Japanese traditional steamed fish cake. Even though you haven't know the name Kamaboko, you may have it as an ingredient or as a part of side dish.

Kamaboko usually has semicircle shape and in many cases it is served after sliced into thin pieces. Ordinary Kamaboko is in white color and some has pink color outer. Japanese people express celebration feeling with stripe pattern of white and pink made with sliced Kamaboko pieces. Some local versions exist with different shapes (such as ones looked like a leaf, fish) and colors.

Kamaboko is made from white meat of fish. After the fish meat is mushed, it is steamed in a mold. No record exists to know where and when Kamaboko was invented but in Japan at least it has 900 years history.

Suzuhiro (鈴廣) is one of major Kamaboko producers based in Odawara (小田原, next to Hakone). In 2015, it celebrates 150th anniversary of foundation. Today we are going to introduce interesting facilities to know more about Kamaboko in Suzuhiro's home-ground.

Kamaboko no Sato (かまぼこの里, the town of Kamaboko) is just a just a few minutes walk from Kazamatsuri(風祭) station on Hakone Tozan Train. It is in-between 2 major stations on Hakone Tozan Train, Odawara(小田原) which is accessible by Shinkansen from Tokyo and Hakone Umoto(箱根湯本) which is the gateway of Hakone sightseeing. So if you are interested in the fish processed food, it will be good to drop by the town of Kamaboko on the way to/from day trip of Hakone which is known for the viewspot of Mt. Fuji.

Kamaboko no Sato has some facilities to enjoy Kamaboko and Suzuhiro's other products in different ways from the flagship store, fish cake making experience, a restaurant and food market. Unfortunately basically all facility is provided with information in Japanese only but we introduce some facilities where international tourists can enjoy.

*Suzuhiro flagship store

First, at the flagship store in a Japanese traditional style building, make sure what looks like Kamaboko and how it is sold. 

The brand name on the signboard is written from right to left.

The old writing style reminds us the long history of the Kamaboko producer.

 

We can find many variation of Kamaboko

that are not available at supermarkets in town.

 

*Kamaboko Museum

Although the explanation is in Japanese only, you will know how it is made from visual information such as pictures and actual producing activities.

At the center of the facility, the museum offers Kamaboko making experience program to tourists. It is visible for those who don't participate in the program.

This is "Chikuwa"(ちくわ) another type of fish cake.

Chikuwa has long straw like shape with a hole in center.

It is cooked by the museum staff after each participant made the shape of own Chikuwa.

 

*Buffet Restaurant

Making the most use of buffet restaurant, simply taste Kamaboko and other fish-made processed foods in different ways. You may discover new ways to enjoy those products. The Kamaboko producer knows the most ways to enjoy them.

Main product Kamaboko with

plum sauce, extra virgin olive oil or sesame & mustard sauce, as the simplest ways.

Otherwise served as "pinchos" with vegetable or mushroom.

 

Not only fish cake, local and seasonal fish menu offered.

 

Vegetable is not fish?! Yes!

but those fresh vegetable is grown with fertilizer "made from" fish born and skin left after Kamaboko making process.

 

Finally plates are filled mostly with fish-related food.

Don't miss also deep-fried fish cake, served just after cooked.

 

Now you will know variety of ways to enjoy Kamaboko, traditional fish cake in Japan!

Restaurant' name is "Erenna Gosso"(えれんなごっそ). Find this building and log on the site.

Lunch buffet starts from 11a.m. and is offered until 14:00(Last order time)

Price: Yen 1850 per person

 

Facility name: Suzuhiro Kamaboko no Sato

                       (鈴廣　かまぼこの里)

Restaurant name: Erenna Gosso

Address: 245 Kazamatsuri, Odawara-city, Kanagawa

Nearest station: Kazamatsuri (風祭) on Hakone Tozan Train

                          The site is directly connected from the station.

 

Official website (Japanese only): http://www.kamaboko.com/sato/shisetsu/

 

 

 

Try and enjoy Sake in different ways and in casual atmosphere in Nihonbashi

 

Happy new year 2015 !!

 

At the beginning of a new year, we introduce an interesting casual bar associated with an established sake brand Hakkaisan.

“Hakkaisan Sennen kouji-ya” (八海山　千年こうじや) is accommodated in a newer shopping complex called “Coredo Muromachi.” Coredo Muromachi, consisted from 3 buildings standing next each other, is just in front of Mitsukoshi Department in Nihinbashi area. So it will be easier to find the complex.

“Hakkaisan Sennen kouji-ya” is on the ground floor of Coredo Muromachi “2.” The shop consists of 2 parts. One side of wall is a boutique providing all line-up of Hakkaisan sake brand. On the other side, you will find a bar counter with several seats.

The casual bar in the shop offers some choices to enjoy the brand's sake in different ways.

On lunch time, the bar provides lunch menu whose main dishes are “cooked with sake or related ingredient.”

My dish one day, “today’s special” menu was

salmon and ikura(salmon roe) on top of rice.

Where is sake?

The pieces of salmon has been dipped in “Sake-kasu” (lees from sake) which making food softer and sweeter taste. The pieces of salmon had sophisticated flavor and incredibly soft texture by the work of sake-kasu.

 

 

What a good work of Sake!

 

 

 

 

During bar time from 17h00, of course the bar offers sake menu, including a few sets to taste different types of Hakkaisan brand with several choices of snacks or local specialties of Niigata, the region of Hakkaisan origin.

 

It will be a good option to try and enjoy sake by an established brand, Hakkaisan in casual manner. Then if you like one of them, you can get a bottle at the boutique behind the bar.

 

Shop name: Hakkaisan Sennen Koujiya (八海山　千年こうじや)

Address: 1st floor Coredo Muromachi 2-3-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Website - Coreco Muromachi: https://mi-mo.jp/lng/eng/muromachi.html

Website- Hakkaisan Sennen Koujiya(Japanese only): http://www.sennen-koujiya.jp/shop/hakkaisan-sennenkoujiya

Why not try "Japanese craft beer"? - Craftman Gotanda

Sake(日本酒, nihon-shu) is the most known Japanese alcohol drink in the world obviously. Well, what kind of alcohol drink is taken the most by locals in Japan?

We believe...it's BEER. In Japan we have various choices in alcohol drinks from sake, shochu (distilled sake), beer, wine, cocktail, whiskey etc. But if you check people enjoying at izakaya, you will understand that. Beer is the most popular alcohol in Japan.

Some of you may know a few Japanese beer brands such as Kirin, Asahi, Ebisu, which can be found at Japanese restaurants around the world. Not only such major beer brands, craft beer (beer by microbrewery) has become popular more and more in Japan. Now we can find several bars and restaurants specialized in craft beer in Tokyo.

Today we introduce the newest craft beer bar among them, Craftman in Gotanda.

Although you may not be familiar with the town name, Gotanda (五反田) station is on Yamanote line between Shinagawa and Shibuya. Craftman is five minutes walk from the station.

The bar is modern and bright with wooden tables and chairs. Tens of beer taps on the wall must make beer-lover exciting.

 

On the beer menu, we can find around 30 kinds of Japanse craft beer across Japan. They are categorized by types such as pilsner, ale etc and referred with brewery location. For those who would like to try some different beers by small portion, the bar offers tasting set which includes own-selected 3 kinds of beer by small glass.

The reason we recommend Craftman is its food menu. In addition to the wide selections of Japanese craft beer, the bar offers unique, interesting and nice food. Actually the bar calls itself as "craft beer bistro." So it can't leave the quality and selection of food. Of course those food plates are well matched with beer and they have some Japanese taste rather than perfect Western style dishes which we often find at beer bars and restaurants.

 

For example, what we had there are...

Motsu-nikomi (cooked variety meat)

One of the popular izakaya menu is

arranged and cooked with craft beer here.

Then served with a few pieces of "baguette."

 

Wrapped pizza with yuzu (Japanese local citrus) and cheese

We could never imagine the good combination of yuzu and cheese!

 

The spicy fried chicken (karaage から揚げ)　is also one of their specialty.

 

It will be nice to explore various Japanese beer while staying in Japan, if you love beer.

 

Restaurant name: Craftman

Address: 1st floor, 2-18-3 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Website (Japanese version): http://craftsman-craftbeerbistro.jp

Donburiko (どんぶり子), near Tokyo station

Donburiko is a casual restaurant operated by one of the most popular Yakitori restaurants in Tokyo, called Torishige (鳥繁).

 

"Donburi" in the name represents a bow of rice with some toppings.

So the menus of Donburiko are mainly donburi style food(with rice in a bowl), such as 

Oyakodon (親子丼), chicken with egg

Teriyaki chicken-don

Soborodon (そぼろ丼), minched chicken 

 

Yes, as the parent company is Torishige, Yakitori restaurant, Donburiko is also specialized in chicken menu.

Actually this soborodon (minched chicken) menu is so popular menu at thier Yakitori restaurant units that we sometimes fail to take it because of sold-out. So we are very happy to find THE Soborodon out of the yakitori restaurants, as we can take it even for lunch not only after yakitori dishes.

 

Donburiko is accommodated in a shopping mall, Kitchen Street, which is really stone's throw distance from JR Tokyo station. The casual restaurant has several seats around a counter and serves many busy sole diners.

It is also suitable for quick lunch in the very very heart of Tokyo.

 

 

But the taste is too good just for quick lunch! 

 

 

Official website (Japanese only): http://www.torishige.com/donburiko/index.html

Address: Tokyo Station 1st floor, Kitchen Street, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever tried? Robot restaurant, Shinjuku, Tokyo

What we are going to introduce today is unlike an ordinary restaurant.

The name includes surely a word “restaurant” and it provides (boxed) meal in its main hall. But probably it will be better to consider it as a “show place” rather than a place where you enjoy meal and drink.

Anyway as we found that it’s a fun place and provides amazing entertainment for adults, we would like to introduce the venue as an option to enjoy a moment in Tokyo.

 

Robot restaurant is situated in the middle of Kabukicho (歌舞伎町). The area is five minutes walk from Shinjuku station. It is known as “red-light” district among locals. Usually females and kids are unlikely to drop in the area. However Robot Restaurant is the 16th most popular tourist spot among international travelers visiting Japan, according to Tripadvisor.

So why not to go there?!

It’s an exception, where female can be welcomed, in Kabukicho.

The show provided 4 times a day and the number of seats are limited for each show. So we strongly recommend that you make a booking in advance through its website.

http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/
It has English version and reservation screen!! No worry to book.

 

 At the entrance, some female robot can be found. From the entrance, it is filled with colorful and shiny decoration.

 

 

 

 

On the wall at the entrance, we can also find a lot of pictures capturing celebrities, artists or journalists visiting Robot Restaurant. 

 

 

We arrived much earlier than the main show start, because we head that we can enjoy very much even at the waiting lounge before the main show.

 That is true!!

 

The waiting lounge itself is so gorgeous and is worth to visiting it. As we arrived earlier, we could take the most comfortable armchairs. 

At the waiting lounge, some light snacks and alcohol drink are offered. But you can stay even without ordering any item.

 

 

 

I ordered tequila to enjoy the wonderful moment.

Live music is also provided for a while. They look like also robot but maybe human who play nice peaceful music.

There we were also welcomed by a cute and small ROBOT called pleo.

 

 

 

After we fully enjoyed the waiting lounge. We were invited to downstairs where we can find the main show.

  

 

Even before its starting, I felt exciting at the dark floor with some colourful decoration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we could put a few images of the show but they are not all.

 

 

 

For the rest, we won’t disclose as we want you to enjoy them by your own eyes.

The main show includes many different simple stories with amazing entertainment not only by robot but also by Japanese female dancers. For some people, the show could be felt like watching cheap comedy show on TV. But still it was fun and we had good time. And that exceeds our expectation much!!

If you want to enjoy with laughing and excitement for a couple of hours, while leaving your daily life and something annoying you, we recommend that you spend Yen 6000 and 2 hours at Robot Restaurant. But that is as long as you are a matured adult, because of the show by too sexy female dancers and taken place at the largest red-district in Japan.

After that, simply enjoy the show!!

 

Restaurant name: Robot Restaurant

Address: 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Official website: http://www.shinjuku-robot.com 

Ramen Dojo (ラーメン道場), Chitose Sapporo Airport

 

Ramen Dojo(ラーメン道場) in New Chitose Airport(Sapporo) is an amazing street devoting to “Ramen”.

Ramen, which is one of the icons in Japanese food as many of you know, is also known as one of the local specialty of Hokkaido. So that the popular local specialty can be enjoyed by as many tourists as possible and until the end of their travel in Japan, Ramen Dojo is created in the largest airport in the region.

Ramen Dojo is on the 3rd floor of Domestic Terminal of New Chitose Airport. Several Ramen restaurants, including some with high reputation, stand along the street. The location is close to a connecting bridge to International Terminal. So even if your flight is for international destination, it won’t be difficult to go as long as you have enough time.

 

 By the way, “Dojo” represents “training hall”. So Ramen Dojo can be a place to learn about Ramen even for those who are not yet familiar with Ramen.

 

They have English menu with some photos as well.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

We visited  the one called “Yuki Akari” (the name meaning “Snow Light” in Japanese) in Ramen Dojo. It provides “orthodox” style Sapporo Ramen with chicken bouillon and stock soup taken from local Hidaka Kobu.

 

 

 

What I chose is No.1 popular menu, Butter Corn Miso Ramen. Those 3 ingredients are perfect match with Ramen noodle. Typical topping, pork char-siu, memma (bamboo shoot pickles) and leek are for the regular version.

 

 

The standard and good quality Ramen will surely provide a good opportunity to understand what is good for Ramen for the beginners.

If you have not tried Ramen in Japan, even if it is just before your departure from Japan, Ramen Dojo must be a good “Training Hall” to learn the popular local specialty. For those loving Ramen, it can be the last bowl in Japan!!

 

By the way, this is also the end of our Hokkaido series blog post!!

Thank you for your reading!!

 

Restaurant: Yuki Akari, Ramen Dojo (雪あかり、ラーメン道場)

Address: 3rd floor, Domestic Termina, New Chitose Airport, 987 Bibi Chitose-city, Hokkaido 

Okinawa, the biggest local food spot, Makishi Kosetsu-Ichiba (food market)

We found our first post of Okinawa series got big attention of many food lovers on our facebook and twitter page. Thank you for those who share and do Like! on it. On this second post of Okinawa series, we introduce the most important spot to find local food of the region.

The most popular local food market is officially called “第一牧志公設市場” (the first Makishi public market). Simply it can be referred as “Makishi Kosetsu Ichiba” or “Kosetsu Ichiba”. The local food market is just off from the city’s main street, Kokusai-dori and is accessible by anyone including tourists. It won’t be difficult to find it through a indoor shopping arcade.

 

 

The food market has been loved by local people for over 60 years in central town of Naha, the capital of Okinawa.

With over 400 shops, it provides any kind of local food, from seafood, vegetables, fruits, meat to processed food, seasoning. In other parts of Japan, especially in Tokyo and surrounding area, such vital food market is rarely found nowaday, apart from Tsukiji market, and that sort of commercial facilities have been replaced by supermarkets. Because of the vital atmosphere and variety of local food demonstrated in Makishi Kosetsu Ichiba, it becomes popular among Japanese tourists as well.

 

On the second floor, large food court is available, where some of restaurants accept to cook food brought from the market shop with fee Yen 500 per piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So exciting to be close with such gorgeous seafood...

even though we can't take it to eat.

 

 

Fish in the sub-tropical ocean has beatiful colors!!

Rare to find even in Tsukiji market.

 

 

In Okinawa, every part of Pork become food.

This image shows that.

 

Around the main market hall, we can find some interesting food store.

    For example, Matsubara-ya Seika(松原屋製菓) provides tradtional local sweets.

I found some of them are similar to ones available in Europe or other parts of the world.

 

 

Place: Daiichi Makishi Kosetsu Ichiba (Makishi public food market)

Address: 2-10-1 Matsuo, Naha-city, Okinawa

Close: 4th Sunday, new year, Chinese new year etc

Businss hour: 8:00 - 20:00

Official website (in Japanese) : http://kousetsu-ichiba.com/ichibaannai.html 

大きな地図で見る

Ise Udon(伊勢うどん) in Shibuya, Tokyo

On the last post, we introduced a restaurant in Ginza which specializes in Inaniwa udon from Akita prefecture, North of Japan. Here we will show you another local style of udon from West, Mie prefecture.

“Ise”(伊勢) is very well known for Ise Grand Shrine, the top of top of Shinto. Ise udon is the local style of Udon developed in the center of Shinto. In Tokyo, Ise udon is rare to be found. So today’s our recommendation Saryo Ise Tojiro (茶寮　伊勢藤次郎) in Shibuya is an unique place where we can try the local specialty easily and in casual manner in Tokyo.

Saryo Ise Tojiro (茶寮　伊勢藤次郎) is located in one of the newest but the most popular shopping complex, Hikarie, in Shibuya. The casual Udon restaurant is located on Shibuya station side of Hikarie shopping complex.

From large windows, busy and vital Shibuya station and surrounding area,

where it will be changing time by time, is visible.

 The building of Shibuya station for Toyoko line was closed last year

and when you visit, you will see different view surely.

 

Main characteristic of ISe udon is thickness of noodle, Because of the noodle characteristic, usually Ise udon has less condiment and toppings compared with other types of Udon. Another difference with others is thick soup or should be called “sauce”.

What we had is a bit exceptional from that point. The special limited season offer at that time had tempura on top of Udon noodle. It might be adjusted to the style in Tokyo, out of origine.

 

 

The noodle of Ise udon is incredibly soft. The texture we had is definitely different from what we have usually as udon. It was the first amazing experience even for us, Japanese in Tokyo.

 

Let’s enjoy the local Ise udon with unique texture in Shibuya, Tokyo!

 

Restaurant name: Saryo Ise Tojiro (茶寮　伊勢藤次郎)

Address: 7^th floor Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Official site (Hikarie): http://www.hikarie.jp/en/index.html

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Ideal but reasonable Udon restaurant, Sangokuichi(三国一) - Shinjuku Tokyo

Following last two posts for our Udon series in Winter holiday season, here we would like to introduce a nice and reasonable Udon restaurant in Shinjuku.

Sangokuichi (三国一) Udon restaurant has 3 units in central Shinjuku where some of international tourists stay as their base in Tokyo. The restaurant provides various menu for typical Udon across Japan at around Yen 1,000 for each.

Even though all these three units are in Shinjuku, which is a very modern town with sky-scrapers, they offer space with cozy traditional decoration and wood beams inside. The atmosphere is surely appropriate for a restaurant specialized in Japanese traditional noodle.

 

A unique point of Sangokuichi is the variety of menu by region and toppings.

From very typical menu such as Udon with tempura, Tanuki (with pieces of tempura batter), specialty of Sanuki region and Inzaniwa to Edo style Nabeyaki (cooked in a pot), Miso Cutlet from Nagoya, Chinese style with Mapo tofu, Salada style etc. Whatever is in your mind at that time, you may be able to find the best choice for you. For those who would like to try some interesting toppings, it may be hard to choose just one from many attractive choices on the list.

 

One day, I selected “Buta Kimchi” (pork with kimchi)

which is rare to be found at an ordinary Udon restaurant.

Served with some leaf vegetable.

  　

 

A few selections of seasoning: roast garlic, mixed hot pepper

 

If you would like to try Udon noodle for the first time, Sangokuichi must be a good choice because of the abandant and very nice falvour choices offered.

 

Restaurant official homepage (in Japanese): 

http://www.sangokuichi.co.jp

 

Sangokuichi Higashi-guchi (East Exit)

Address: 3-24-8 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 

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Sangokuichi Nishi-guchi (West Exit)

Address: Nishi-Shinjuku Showa bld. 1-13-10 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

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Sangokuichi Island ITS

Address: B1 floor Island Tower, 6-5-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

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Where to enjoy Udon in a casual way

Following the fist post of  Udon (Japanese traditional wheat flour noodle) series, today we introduce  one of the most casual way to enjoy the noodle in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.

Since several years ago, we see more and more self-service style Udon restaurants in Tokyo and surrounding area. The traditional noodle has good taste but it does not look so cool at least for us, Japanese locals to be honest. Especially Japanese ladies and girls were likely to choose Italian pasta for their lunch rather than Udon.

However the situation might be changed a bit by the emerging self-service Udon restaurants. Two major chains for the restaurant category are called “Marugame Seimen (丸亀製麺)” and “Hanamaru Udon (はなまる　うどん)”. Ordinary Udon and also Soba restaurants are small family-owned, table service restaurants, while the new type of Udon restaurants are in self-service style, offer more seats and at reasonable prices. For any kind of people from young to old, non-Japanese speakers, these casual restaurants will be a comfortable dining choice at very reasonable expenses. You could find units by not only those two major chains, Marugame Seimen and Hanamaru, but also other brands’ in town.

The operation system at such self-service Udon restaurants are unique. No table service as we told and it may be more similar to food-court style.

First, check the menu and decide what you want to order. In many cases, you will find a poster or menu board with photos and prices for each. Then go to the counter and tell a chef cooking Udon noodle. Normally he/she is ready to listen to you.

You will get your ordered bowl of Udon in a few minutes. After that, proceed the way following the counter. If you would, you can add some pieces of tempura as a side dish.

 

 

 

 

 

At the end, you will encounter a staff with a cash register, it is where you pay the bill. Usually it is around Yen 500 per person including one or two pieces of tempura, depending on what you take.

It is the moment when we recognize the value of this kind of casual Udon  restaurants. Nice and healthy Udon lunch or dinner set is available at Yen 500!! That’s why these Udon restaurants become so popular among locals. Now we have more opportunities to enjoy Udon noodle than before.

Once you make a payment, take a pair of chopsticks, a cup of tea and add some condiment (shredded leek, sesame powder, hot chili powder for example) there then take a seat for enjoying your meal, all as you like.

Marugame Seimen also explains the system in English on its website. To access the page, please click here.

 

The self-service style comes from Sanuki(讃岐) area, Kagawa prefecture, the most famous Udon producing area. So majority of Udon menu are also following the region’s style, Udon noodle with thick sauce instead of full-bowl of soup.

 

Here we have some different versions examples, depending on the restaurants and season.

 

Mentaiko(hot cod roe) and butter at Seto Udon (before and after mixed)

It’s rate to find Udon noodle with a piece of butter.

  

 

Niku (some pieces of beef) Udon at Marugame Seimen

 

 

Self-service Udon restaurants at major locations, for example:

Marugame Seimen in Hibiya (near Imperial Palace)

Address: B1 floor Teigeki Building, 3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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Marugame Seimen in Shinjuku

Address: B1 floor Shinjuku Mitsui Building, 2-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

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Hanamaru Udon in Ueno (brand new! Will be open from 10^th January 2014.)

Address: 2^nd floor Ueno Center Mall 4-7-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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Hanamaru Udon in Shibuya

Address: B1 floor Shibuya Homes Build., 2-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

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Seto Udon in Shinagawa

Address: 1^st floor Keikyu Dai2 Build., 3-25-23 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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