ISRAEL: "Mini Japan" brightens Israel's desert dunes and brings an Asian experience closer to home.

Record ID: 396077

  • Title: ISRAEL: "Mini Japan" brightens Israel's desert dunes and brings an Asian experience closer to home.
  • Date: 4th November 2006
  • Summary: WIDE OF ISRAEL'S NEVEV DESERT AT SUNSET
  • Embargoed: 19th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Travel / Tourism
  • Reuters ID: LVA5G455WY9XZ4A3T7SOTDTMBFSO
  • Story Text: A taste of Asia is brightening up this corner of Israel's Negev desert.
    Waterfalls, red Koi fish and bamboo decorate the garden leading to the Rakoya guest house in the communal village in Israel's sun kissed desert region.
    Nehama Talmi said she tried to create a true Japanese experience in response to a growing fascination among Israelis with the culture, lifestyle and pastoral landscape of Japan.
    Talmi took notice to the smallest details and ornaments in the interior decor of the two guest houses, including paper and cherry wood lampshades, banners with Japanese calligraphy, original Japanese bowls and chopsticks and more.
    The spacious room even included an elevated part which resembled a traditional worship corner but instead was used as a Television and DVD stand.
    Interior designer Ron Peled, who designed the bed and breakfast guest houses in Ein Habsor, said he tried to create a landscape resembling that of Japan in Israel's flat and dry Negev region.
    "When you think about Japan you usually think about the places view of the landscape, the mountains, the lakes and you do not see that in Israel. So we try to create a mini world of Japan," said Peled.
    Inspired during her trip to China and Japan, Talmi said she tried to create a harmonious and relaxing atmosphere isolated from daily life in Israel.
    Despite its close proximity to the Gaza Strip where Palestinian militants frequently launch rockets from, Talmi created a surreal Asian environment where the only sound one can hear is of water tapping on Zen stones and Japanese instruments playing in the background.
    The bed and breakfast concept attracts tourists not only because of the decor and the unique facilities but can also include package deals which may include, Tai Chi workshops and traditional treatments.
    But one could not experience Japan without its traditional cuisine - the sushi - prepared upon demand.
    Hadar Alfasi, who caters to the guest house, makes her own unique modern fusion of sushi by taking Japanese minimalism and garnishing it with Israeli gestures, such as the colourful arrangement of edible ingredients, exotic Israeli fruits and the mixing of foreign flavours.
    Most notably, however, is Hadar's creative fusion of a traditional Jewish Sephardic dish, "burekas" filled with traditional sushi ingredients - fish and soy sauce.
    "This is the merge between Israel kitchen and the Japanese Kitchen," said Alfasi as she presented the small pastry with chop sticks.
    Talmi's concept has become a mandatory stop for many tourists even if its just to grasp a glimpse of the unusual scenery.
    And Mr. and Mrs. Nisman, like many other Israeli tourists, think bringing Japan closer to home and at an affordable price is a great attraction.
    "Most people can't get to Japan so bring it here, it's pretty interesting. It's so different from the Israeli way of life I think," said Mrs. Nisman.
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