August 2024 – Food Sake Tokyo

Nagano Shichimi

One of the cities that I love spending time in is Nagano. It is easy to access from Tokyo. So much to love here. Zenkoji temple. The Buddhist temple dates back to 642. https://www.zenkoji.jp/en/ I also love the many shops on the Omotesando street leading up to Zenkoji. In particular, one of Japan’s most famous…

Yawataya Isogoro

Niigata Ittouya

Ittouya ramen at Niigata Station in the new CoCoLo mall. Extra thick menma. Gyoza potstickers 🥟. The mall is packed like a depachika with local specialties including sake, fermented foods, and much more. Allow at least an hour to explore CoCoLo. On the first floor is also a Meidiya supermarket. https://ramen-ittouya.com

Kiraku Ryokan, Sado

On #Sado Island we stayed at a charming and rustic #onsen hot springs #ryokan inn called Kiraku きらく. The outdoor #rotenburo hot springs overlooked a lake. The setting sun a reminder that an eventful day was coming to an end. Breakfast was as I love. Rice, miso soup, natto, and small dishes. Kiraku is an…

Sado, Niigata

Japan’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Sado Kinzan, gold mines. Some basic English available. Interesting to go down into the mountain to see where gold and silver was mined dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1867). The first and second photos show where the mountain was mined. Stopped by to see the Kitazawa…

Nihonbashi Dormy Inn

If you’re on a budget in Japan 🇯🇵 on holidays check out the Dormy Inn chain. This simple room was less than $100. The basic room is small, but you’re in Tokyo, so most likely are only in the room to sleep and recharge. This Kodenmacho property in Nihonbashi Ningyocho has a hot springs on…

Tokyo Shortlist

Where to eat in Tokyo? So many amazing meals. Hard to get a bad one. Here are some of my favorites: For Eater: https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-tokyo-japan For Food & Wine: https://www.foodandwine.com/yukari-sakamoto-8603981 For AFAR: https://www.afar.com/authors/yukari-sakamoto My Tokyo Guide for the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/japan/tokyo-local-guide/ For Tokyo Weekender: https://www.tokyoweekender.com/author/yukari-sakamoto/ Kanazawa for Food & Wine: https://www.foodandwine.com/worlds-next-great-food-cities-7484717 Cathay Pacific on Kyoto: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_KR/inspiration/dining/best-restaurants-in-kyoto.html…

Ginza Torigin

Ginza, in the heart of Tokyo, is filled with fabulous restaurants. There are also narrow paths squeezed in between buildings that pedestrians can use as shortcuts to other streets. There are also restaurants hidden away in these pockets. Torigin specializes in kama meshi, rice cooked with ingredients, and yakitori. I have tried going to Torigin…

Ebisu Marumo Pizza

My favorite pizzeria in Tokyo is Pizza Marumo in Ebisu. A delight to go with fellow foodies so we could enjoy so many pizzas. The umami pizza is with shaved #kombu #kelp, #anchovies, and mushrooms. Marinara, Margherita, and Bismarck with ham and an egg. Chef Motokura’s crust has lots of water so it’s light and…

Toyosu Market

It was my pleasure to get an interpreting job at Toyosu Market with a journalist writing an article on the world’s biggest seafood market. Although I did tours at Tsukiji Market the new Toyosu Market is off limits to non-trade people. One morning it was amazing to meet Yamazaki san of Yamaharu. A colorful variety…

Toyosu Nakaei Curry

One of the meals I miss from the old Tsukiji Market is Indo Curry Nakaei. Was lucky to do some work at Toyosu Market this week. There is an area with several restaurants, many serving sushi and seafood dishes. I was excited to have the double curry – Indian and beef curry along with a…

Pizzeria il Tamburello

Fabulous truffle and Gorgonzola #pizza at Puzzeria il Tamburello in the Nihonbashi area. Served with toasted hazelnuts, pine nuts, and honey. Three croquettes to start the meal. Aonori, potato, and pasta croquettes. All fabulous. Italian music in the background.☺️ Il Tamburello is celebrating its 14th anniversary! Delighted to finally make it. Popular shop with only…

Nagoya Bucyo Coffee

Nagoya is rich with retro kissaten coffee shops. It is the highlight of each visit. Bucyo Coffee is a popular shop that is a few blocks from the Courtyard Marriott. The ogura a toast is a sweet azuki bean paste with toast. Bucyo serves it over toast but also over a kayser bun. The kinako…

Nagoya Miso Nikomi Udon

The One of Nagoya’s local dishes is miso nikomi udon. This is the Nagoya kochin oyako version by Yamamotoya Sōhonke. Oyako means mother and child, so chicken and egg are together. The piping hot dish is served in a donabe earthenware pot. Thick udon noodles are al dente with leeks, enoki mushrooms, kamaboko fish cake,…

Nagoya Tsutaya

In #Nagoya is one of Japan’s most photographed #Tsutaya #bookstores. There is a grand display from the first to second floors. Naturally, a very popular spot of taking photos, but on the first floor there were signs that said to please not take photos. But lots of people were taking photos from the second floor,…

Nagoya Ōsu Shōtengai

In Nagoya the Ōsu Shōtengai is worth perusing for the street food. Loads of good food including many shops for onigiri or omusubi, Taiwanese fried chicken, warabi mochi, and so much more. The Shōtengai reminds me of Osaka Dotonbori but not nearly as crowded.🤣

Nagoya Courtyard by Marriott

If you’re staying in Nagoya the Courtyard by Marriott is a nice property. Friendly staff. Comfortable bed. Spacious for a Japanese hotel. Modern facilities. A gym, but we spent enough time exploring the city, to use the gym. If the weather is cooler it’s probably about a 20-minute walk from the station. It was a…

Nagoya Tori Gotetsu

Miso katsu is a local dish to Nagoya. Fried cutlets topped with a sweet miso dressing. The local style of miso in Nagoya is called Hatchō and is a dark and intense miso. The katsu here is made with Nagoya Kochin chicken. But there are many restaurants also serving miso katsu with pork. The other…

Mie Toba Hot Springs Inn

When traveling to the countryside we love staying at onsen ryokan. These are inns with hot springs. Many will include dinner and breakfast with the stay. In Mie south of Ise Shrine we stayed at Ijika Daiichi Hotel Kagura. It was a lovely property on the top of a hill so we had gorgeous 360…

Ise Shrine

First time to Mie prefecture and the main reason for this visit is to make a pilgrimage to Ise Jingu, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the solar goddess Amaterasu. She is the ancestral deity to the Imperial family. Amaterasu has been enshrined at Ise Shrine for 2,000 years. There is a vibrant and colorful yokochō…

Wako

Wako is our neighborhood #tonkatsu shop. Lunch for three for only ¥4,000 ($28). Check out the lunch specials on the board. Many at only ¥1,000 ($7). Wako also provides complimentary refills of cabbage, rice, and miso soup. Many tonkatsu shops offer this so don’t be shy. Ask. Just be sure to try and not leave…

Sake Cocktail

Interesting saké cocktail concept. Mini carafe with sugar, dried #kabosu citrus peel, and cinnamon stick. Add saké and put in the refrigerator for at least four hours. It is sweet and a bit medicinal with the spice and hints of citrus. I enjoyed it on the rocks. Will be fun to do this at home…

Une Labo

Three curry plate at @une_labo. Une is the name of the small mound of dirt at farms where seeds are grown. The turmeric rice on the dish symbolizes the une at farms. The vegetables on top are all local vegetables fried, pickled, sauteed, and simmered. Charming cafe near Kokubunji Station for curry using #Kokuvege, local Kokubunji…

Ebisu Yokochō

Grateful to Ligaya Mishan for introducing Sally Kohn and her lovely family. Sharing izakaya culture with them at Ebisu Yokochō. I went early to grab a table. It’s popular and fills up quickly. There are several restaurants in the Yokochō. I picked this one as the menu had the most appealing dishes. Edamame, avocado, fried…