Ryan Ginstrom wrote:
> 
> buttermilk is usually "bataa miruku" but you will likely have a hard time
> finding it. It's not that hard to make though, just get some extra rich
> cream and shake away. As a bonus you get some fresh butter.
>

Yes, in principle I guess that would work. However I need 1/2 liter of
butter milk per bread, so unless anyone would like to buy a kilogram of
butter every time I bake, I don't think it is the way to go.

However I found some recipes using malt beer instead. Usually a special
very sweet Danish kind, but I think I can find something to use here.

> rye is "rai mugi," and rye seeds are ライ麦の種, "rai mugi no tane." I have
> no idea where you could find these, either.
> 

The rye is still a problem, but I think I'll try to go to a Anew shop as
CC suggested.

> However, it is not all that hard to find rye bread in Japan. Just find a
> German bakery, they will surely have it. You can also ask the owner where
> they get their rye, maybe they will tell you.

Yes, I have also found something that they call rye bread. There is a
German restaurant here in Tsukuba (in Seibu) where they serve some rye
bread. It to dry and without any texture. I also found some in a Finish
bakery in Tokyo, but this was very sweet.

I think what I'm looking for similar to what is called Vollkornbrot im
Germany. At h2g2 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A500482) I found a
recipe using sunflower seeds instead of rye seeds, maybe I'll try that
as a last resort. They also describe some of the differences between
German, Swedish and Danish rye bread. I don't think they are entirely
fair to German bread though. The best kind of bread in Denmark is called
"Swarzbrot" (using the German word) so I assume it originates from Germany.
> 
> For instance, here is a German-style bakery in Tsukuba that will deliver:
> http://homepage1.nifty.com/essen/
> 

It seems to be in Mito though. I'll try to go there some day,
unfortunately my Japanese is not good enough to expect to get the right
thing if I order some.

Thanks anyway
Torben