Category: Japanese Food

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Sayonara Osaka

Posted on by sonokotchi

Even though, ramen noodle is originated from China, Japan has improved it and became famous for cooking delicious Ramen.

Today, we can enjoy various local ramens in Tokyo because Tokyo is a populatied city, a population of 34-37 million in the Greater Tokyo, surely attractive for a business.

Kinryu Ramen (Golden Dragon) is famous Osaka Ramen and there aren’t any branch in Tokyo.


We can add free toppings such as garlic, green onions and spicy leek.


At the airport, we had the last Osaka dish for this trip: Takoyaki and Dashi Takoyaki (Soup Octopus Balls).


After this blog, my blog will be boring because obviously my meal will be simple…

Sayonara Osaka!

I enjoyed eating B-kyu Gurume (B Class Gourmet) and this trip is truly Kuidaore (Eating till I drop)!

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Food Hunting in Osaka

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up by a nice cup of morning coffee which was brewed by a KEURIG coffee maker.

Coffee cartridges are made by a Japanese company, UCC Coffee.

This must be something different from overseas.


We took a subway to Nanba.


Nanba is famous for food!!


We spotted a Japanese style western food restaurant which opened in 1910.

I ordered a set of steak and their famous dried curry.

It’s definitely an unique dish.


We walked the area for exercise.

A small side street, Hozenji Yokocho, very nostalgic. 

Then there is an one coin (JPY 500) 30 mins comedian theater.

They are yet to be famous nationally.


We continued walking and arrived at the centre of Dotonbori.


This is Osaka’s symbol, Glico (logo of Japanese confectionery company).


There was a special jazz session at the river walk.


After the Jazz session, we had few more bites.

Osaka’s local snack, Tako yaki (octopus balls).

Then, Oreno (my) French and Italian.

There are many Oreno series such as Yakitori (chicken skewers), yakiniku (Korean BBQ), etc. to cater casually with inexpensive price.
Yes, I also enjoyed French and Italian casually.

After this, we had a free foot massage by trying out Phiten’s foot massage machines.

Each session is for 7 mins and we tried two machines.

First machine will make an arch for your foot and second machine will open your fingers.


For dinner (I know I kept on eating, but this is what we should do in Osaka!), we went back to the Shinsekai and same sushi restaurant, but different branch and stopped by at the same open air bar, but this time we ate oden!




Yes, I had enough eating for today…

Oyasuminasai (good night).

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Short Trip to Osaka

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s a long weekend for me and I have enough mileages to cover my trip to Osaka.

I had a craving for casual food (we call it B-kyu gurume, B class gourmet).

First, checked in at Tennoji Mayako Hotel.

A room is spacious and the hotel is conveniently connected to Tennoji Station.

It’s equipped with a coffee maker!

I cannot wait to enjoy a cup of morning coffee tomorrow!

We started to walk to Shinsekai (New World).

Abeno Harukas, a tallest building in Osaka.


Tsutenkaku, Osaka Tower is celebrating its 60th anniversary.


Shinsekai is about 10 mins walk from Tennoji Station.


We entered Kushikatsu Daruma restaurant; this is famous Kushikatsu (fried skewers).

We cannot dip a skewer into the sauce twice because we share the sauce.
The store will just add new sauce to it because the sauce will have a nice flavor from dipping of many kinds of skewers.


Look how much we ate!

I was full; but the area looked so happening so we continued walking…


Then stopped by for sushi…


At this sushi restaurant, we brush soy sauce on sushi!

Yes, this is my first time to brush soy sauce!


After sushi, started to walk again….

I could hear music…jazz….?

Yes, we can enjoy jazz music at a casual open bar. 


It’s nice to walk around the area with no plan.

We can find new a street, restaurant and entertainment!

 

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Sayonara Hokkaido

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I started my day by visiting Toyako (Toya Lake) observatory.


At the bottom of the mountain, the weather is so nice and warm for September in Hokkaido.

Toyako is also a caldera lake like Shikotsuko (Shikotsu Lake).

Toyako area is famous for a hot spring area because Usuzan (Mt. Usu) is active as a volcano.

Showa Shinzan (Showa New Mountain) has proven that Usuzan is still active.

This 290 m high mountain is new; it was created 70 years ago in Japanese era, Showa 20 (1945).

Usuzan’s volcanic activity rose a flat wheat field into a mountain: Showa Shinzan!
I took a rooeway to take a good look at the atrio and summit of Usuzan, Showa Shinzan and Toyako.

   



On the way down, I managed to take a last look of Yoteizan and Toyako.


I don’t want to end this trip, but it’s time to return for Tokyo.

First, I took Hokuto 8 from Toya-eki (Toya Station). 



On the train, I ate  kanimeshi (crab rice) and Hokkaido apple ice cream, enjoying Hokkaido local food on a local train.


And scenery; these are photos of Konuma (Small Pond).



At Shin Hakodate Hokuto-eki (Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station), changed to Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hokkaido Bullet Train), Hayabusa 24.

On 26 March 2016, the Shinkansen (bullet train) line was extended from Aomori, main island to Hokkaido.

It runs Seikan Tunnel (tunnel between Aomori and Hakodate, Hokkaido), under ocean for 54 km in 30 mins. 


It takes only 4.5 hrs to reach Tokyo…

Usually I prefer a shorter traveling time; but for today, it means end of my Hokkaido trip and I want to enjoy longer.

Boo hoo.

I will plan to visit different areas of Hokkaido to enjoy great nature and delicious local food! 

Posted in Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Surprise, Travel

Hokkaido Trip (Yoichi-Otaru-Toya)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up and went for a morning dip.

I could see Yoteizan (Ezo Fuji: Hokkaido Mt. Fuji) in front of me while dipping in an open-air bath.

Sun just sat on the summit of Yoteizan like Diamond Head.

I felt energy rising in me as if I were charging from these great nature.

First, I stopped at Nikka Whisky Factory in Yoichi.


I used to watch a morning TV drama series “Massan” which was based on the life of the founder of Nikka Whiskey, Mr. Masataka Taketsuru.

This place was used to shoot the drama so    it’s fun to walk around remembering stories.

These cute whiskey barrels are everywhere!


I wish we could stay here longer because we could try rare kind of Nikka Whiskey (I tried 20 years), and free whiskey: apple wine, Taketsuru Pure Malt and Super Nikka.

Seriously, I wanted to spend more time there to appreciate these drink.


Next, went to Otaru, famous as a canal city.


I  visited Otaru few times, therefore I decided to visit Old Aoyama Family’s Guest House.


This family made wealth with herrings.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take photos of breath taking rooms and furniture.

These are real and good craftsmen works. 

Imagine this is just an entrance…


After visiting Old Aoyama Guest House, I quickly returned to Otaru City Centre to eat a kaisendon (seafood bowl).


Before reaching hotel, quickly stopped by at Kyogoku Fukidashi Koen (Kyogoku Spring Source Park) to collect spring water.

I shall enjoy fresh spring water tonight.


I didn’t have a dessert at lunch so I enjoyed dairy farmer’s ice cream before heading to hotel.


Tonight’s hotel is the Windor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa!

I will post about this hotel later.

Posted in Feelings, Japanese Food

Sayonara Made in Japan Oreo, Ritz and Premium!

Posted on by sonokotchi


Yamazaki-Nabosco stopped producing Oreo, Ritz and Premium on 31 August 2016 due to the termination of contract.

Oreo will be imported from China, Ritz from Indonesia and Premium from Italia.

I’m pretty sure products won’t be the same, knowing Japan produces high quality confectioneries.

I realized it’s already September.

I rushed to a supermarket and particularly looked for these.

I know  I’ll miss these made in Japan Products.

I never thought I would appreciate Oreo as one of delicacies like caviar. Ahhhhh

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Travel

Sayonara Miho-no-seki

Posted on by sonokotchi

Time to say Sayonara.


It was a short stay, but I enjoyed it very much.

I’m already at Yonago Kitaro Airport.


“Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro” is famous manga series.

This airport is named after this manga because the manga artist, Mr. Shigeru Mizuki, his hometown is nearby, Sakai-city where fish market is.

This approach was taken at few airports to stimulate use of airport by welcoming tourists.

Luckily, I had time to enjoy and relax at the airport.


Daisen Pilsner and Matsue Staut!!

Okay, it’s time for boarding.

Sayonara Miho-no-seki

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Surprise, Travel

Visit to Miho-no-seki

Posted on by sonokotchi

First I stopped at Sakai Port Fish Market for lunch.

I had a special seafood rice bowl.


There are many types of fresh and delicious seafood such as crabs, prawn, sea urchin, salmon roe, abalone, squid, tuna, yellowtail, egg.

It’s worth to stop by to have a lunch there.
Then I visited Miho Shrine, my main objective for this trip – to pay a thank you visit.


Japanese Gods, Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto and Kotoshironushi-no-kami (widely known as Ebisu-sama) are enshrined in Miho Shrine.

Mihotsuhime-no-mikoto is Goddess for harvest, couple harmony and prosperity.

Ebisi-sama is God for fishery, agriculture and commerce. He loves music so Ebisu-sama is God for entertainment business as well.

Of course, Ebisu-sama is very popular, representing business success. 

And this shrine is head of about 3,000 Ebisu Shrines!

I just love to be here.

After praying at Miho Shrine, I walked around the area.

I stopped for snacks: tokoroten (Tengusa seaweed jelly with vinegar) and strawberry flavored kakigori (shave ice).


And shopped soy sauce, ponzu (ponzu citrus soy sauce based sauce) and mentsuyu (soba sauce).


Their soy sauce is sweeter and has more flavors.

I enjoyed this soy sauce so much when I bought it at my last visit and I couldn’t forget about it!

It was still bright outside so I went to Miho-no-seki light house.


It was a nice view to enjoy Japan Sea’s ocean view!


I checked-in at hotel and had a quick dinner to enjoy Maki-Noh at Miho Shrine.


Noh is Japanese traditional drama, and has been played since 14th century.

Noh is also performed for God to show appreciation for harvest. 

Tonight, a special performance was performed at Miho Shrine with torch.

I didn’t know about tonight’s Noh performance and I am so fortunate to be there.

I enjoyed watching Noh surrounded by great nature.

I felt holy, spiritual and blessed❤️

Posted in Family, Feelings, Japanese Food, Shopping

Wolf’s Peach, but this is Tomato Juice

Posted on by sonokotchi


Previously I posted that I’m hooked with tomato juice.

I’ve been drinking and comparing different brands of tomato juice; I prefer non-salt added tomato juice.
Few days ago, I was recommended this Wolf’s Peach by a staff of supermarket.
This tomato juice from Hokkaido is available only once in a year, must be special.
I wonder why this TOMATO juice is named Wolf’s PEACH!
Hummmm, it’s nice and mild.
I bought three bottles: one for mom and dad, and extra bottle for me.
Yes, I get pressure when I hear the word, “limited edition”, terrible me!