About food in Japan

Kamiyacho Open Terrace by Komyoji Temple(光明寺) Tokyo

The months of May and June are good time to enjoy outside terrace in Tokyo, when the weather is fine. Today's recommendable spot is a bit unique open air terrace where you can enjoy food & drink you bring.

Kamiyacho Open Terrace is 30 seconds walk from subway Kamiyacho (神谷町) station on Hibiya-line in central business district of Tokyo. It is actually a part of a temple, Komyoji (光明寺), building. 

The temple's master (surely open-minded) started sharing the terrace space with public in 2005, aiming at making it as a public space like a park and at inviting people living and working in the area freely to the temple. The temple offers the terrace space in front of the main hall with several tables and chairs and it welcomes you bringing your lunch pack, working with a note PC or reading a book.  As long as you do not mind viewing the temple's cemetery below your eyes, feel the silence and breeze going through greenery scene. Sometimes during weekdays, a monk serves tea and sweets to visitors. He is also happy to answer to vistors' question when his time is allowed.

 

The temple's main hall is also on a side of the terrace.

Don't forget to pray and to say hello & thank to the buddha

 

Kamiyacho is about 15 minutes walk to Tokyo Tower

From the temple terrace the upper part of the tower is visble. 

 

 

Several tables and chairs are set to enjoy the space. 

Business lunch hour 12:00 - 13:00,

these chairs and tables might be filled by local business people enjoying their lunch.

 

 

If you would like to get local style lunch on the way to Kamiyacho Open Terrace by Komyoji Temple, we recommend you drop by "Yatai Deli" (屋台Deli, "food stall" Deli). The take-away lunch box seller is located on the underground floor (B1) of Toranomon MT40 building, directly connected to Exit 3, Kamiyacho subway station. Varieties of Japanese style box meal are placed on small stalls and all are covered by clear plastic top with a price tag. Lunch boxes are sold at reasonable price starting from Yen390 and none exceeds Yen 1000. (as long as we know...) So even for non-Japanese speaker, it will be easy and comfortable to try and to choose one for you. 

 

Don't worry even if Japanese lunch box is not your feeling. Two convenience stores are available at the crossing corners of Kamiyacho subway station. 

And wherever you get food, your cooperation is much appreciated to bring back waste and not to leave it in the temple. 

Komyoji Temple provides information about Kamiyacho Open Terrace in English. For more and the latest infromation, please visit its official blog.

Komyoji Temple  Kamiyacho Open Terrace

Official site: http://www.komyo.net/kot/english/

View 神谷町光明寺 in a larger map

 

Map for Yatai Deli at Toranomon 40MT building

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Alternative spot in similar location:  Belgian bakery cafe - Le Pain Quotidien

 http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2011/06/belgian-bakery-cafe-le-pain-quotidien.html

Pasta as you like! - Gaston & Gasper Roppongi (六本木)

Today's restaurant might not be what you expect to visit on your trip in Japan but we believe that at least you are interested in what Japanese people, especially ladies, like to have for lunch. 

Here is one of the answers. Gaston & Gasper in Roppongi is mostly filled with ladies for lunch time and they could make a waiting queue line in front of the restaurant some times.

The reason why ladies love Gaston & Gasper is its unique "Pasta Creation System." Guests are allowed to select and organize their pasta dish based on chocices for ...

 1. home-made fresh pasta: from standard "spaghetti" to a short pasta called "campanella." Don't worry even if you are not familiar with names of pasta. The restaurant will show you samples of pasta available on a big plate.

2. sauce: again several from Italian classic tomato, basil to Japanese style and "mentaiko" (hot cod roe)

3.  main ingredient: meat chicken, minched meat or fish, seafood 

4. two vegetable ingredients: tens of vegetable offered!! not only typical choices such as onion, spinach, eggplant, zuccini, paprika, mushroom also a few Japanese ones, okra, yam, daikon Japanese darish...

Your potential pasta menu varies over 100 different choices. It's too hard to decide or absolutely is a joy  That is the first exciting moment at Gaston & Gasper.

Depending on your feeling, select your own special favorite pasta menu for the day. 

When you finally make a decision for your pasta dish, give the order to staff. In case your selection is not enough good to try, the staff will suggest alternative ingredient to make your plate better. 

Here we show you two examples we ordered one day for lunch.

Tagliatelle + Genova sauce + oyster + broad beans + avocado

 

 

Super garlic + Linguine + sausage + paprika + avocado

 

The second exciting moment at Gaston & Gasper is to know how much I made a good choice for my plate by myself.  Even if we are satisfied with the own choice as well as focaccia offered as many as you like for lunch set, we are eager to come back here and to try another best choice of pasta plate

Gaston & Gasper Roppongi is just 30 seconds from Tokyo Midtown shopping complex and is on the way to the National Art Center Tokyo.

 

Restaurant name: Gaston & Gasper Roppongi

Address: Artshell 1F 7-4-4 Roppongi Minato-ku Tokyo

Website: http://gastonandgaspar.com 

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