About food in Japan

Local food market, Nishiki Ichiba(錦市場) in Kyoto

A must-visit spot in Kyoto for food lovers is "Nishiki Ichiba(market)"(錦市場).
It's in the heart of Kyoto, between Kawaramachi and Shijo stations.

It is the 400th anniversary of the local food market in 2015!!
The original version was born in 1615 Edo Period, as a fish market.

As same with Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場) in Osaka, some shops offer ready-to-eat snacks for take away.

One of the most popular foods among locals is "Chocolate croquette" sold at a store called "井上佃煮店"(Inoue Tsukudani-ten) in the middle of the market street.

You might wonder if the taste of chocolate croquette is good or not.

Yes, it was nice and I would like to take it again when I have a chance.

 

For many products, we can find Japanese letters only, but food themselves are displayed in most cases with price tags.

Grilled "hamo" local fish is the icon of summer.

 

Make sure to keep some extra space in your stomach before you visit Nishiki Market.

Open/Close time & day depends on each store.

Spot name: Nishiki Ichiba
Address: Nishiki Koji, Nakakyo-ku, Kyoto
Official website (Japanese only): http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp

 

Why not to travel for enjoying “eel” to Mishima? Shizuoka

Today it is the day called “Doyo no ushi nohi”(土用の丑の日). We wrote about what it is on our past blog post.

Anyway, on the day of “Doyo no ushi nohi”, the largest amount of eel must be taken across Japan. Well, following our past post on the same day in 2008 and 2012, we introduce a traditional restaurant, where it might be one of the best Unagi(eel) restaurants in Japan.

Eel (Unagi, 鰻 in Japanese) is a local specialty of the city at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Mishima-city. We can find many traditional restaurants specialized in the long shaped fish there.

 As per the website introducing the local specialty, eel, by Mishima-city Chamber of Commerce (all only in Japanese though), since hundreds years ago, Unagi has lived in rivers and ponds in the city and eel had been recognized as an emissary of Mishima Taisha (Grand Shrine) by local people long time ago.

Now a day, it is still an icon of Mishima city. It is also said that the water come from Mt. Fuji makes Mishima’s eel better taste, when the water is used to wash eel before grilled.

It means Mishima’s eel is made with Mt. Fuji!!

I tried the local specialty at one of the most popular restaurant, Sakura-ya in Mishima.

The building looks authentic Japanese traditional style from both outside and inside. During lunch and dinner time, people are likely to make a long queue in front of the restaurant. But when we visited a bit earlier than the normal dinner time, luckily a table was available for us.

One more thing to be kept in mind is that the closing time depends on their ingredient availability. If it is run out earlier than dinner time, it might be closed before evening.

The restaurant opened in 1850's, Edo period, as written on the chopstick case.

Its main menus are Una-don (Grilled eel with rice in a bowl) or Una-ju (Grilled eel with rice in a square box). Served by a bowl or a box, it's up to you, as you like.

The restaurant also offers 3 price range for the eel menu by the number of pieces from 2 to 4.

The taste is very good even I think that I could travel from Tokyo just for enjoying this eel dish(or a box).

It's exciting moment to open this red box.

What a good fragrant flavor comes from it!

It's quite simple, just ell on top of rice.

With this great taste, I do not need any other food as a side dish!

Just a cup of soup and some pickles are served with it.
 

 

If you are interested in trying the local fish, it’s worth dropping by the eel’s city just for lunch or more. It’s accessible by Shinkansen on the way between Tokyo and Kyoto!!

 

Check out also our old posts related “eel”, by clicking each title to open the blog post.

Unagi (eel) as a summer feature in Japan

Unagi(うなぎ、鰻） eel - Matsukawa

Hitsumabutshi, Wasabiya (櫃まぶし, わさび家) - Shinjuku (新宿)

 

Restaurant name: Sakura-ya

Address: 13-2 Hirokoji, Mishima-city, Shizuoka prefecture

*From JR Mishima station (on Tokaido Shinkansen), take a taxi or

take Izu-Hakone Tetsudo Line to Shuzenji direction.

Then get off at Mishima Hirokoji station.

Sakura-ya is just a couple of minutes from the train station.

Official HP(Japanese): http://www.sakura-ya.net/

Top 20+1 Popular restaurant Japan by international travelers

The world largest travel information site, Tripadvisor recently announced the list of TOP30 popular restaurants in Japan. The rank on the list is according to year-round average evaluation score, number of user reviews BY non-Japanese language users.

As it is only in Japanese, here we introduce the top 20+1 list with our past blog posts related when available.

To check its website, CLICK each restaurant name.

No.1 Ostuka (Arashiyama, Kyoto)
Japanese beef steak served in small cozy space with 30seats including some counter seats as well as Japanese folk craft decoration.

No.2 Tapas Molecular Bar (Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
With 8 seats, it is located on the 38th floor in Mandarin Oriental Hotel, one of the most luxury hotels in Tokyo.
The innovative dining experience is offered in 2 time slots on evening (+1 lunch time on weekend) with advance reservation.

No.3 Hafuu Main branch (central Kyoto)
Near Kyoto Gosho, serving high quality beef dishes.

No.4 Heianraku (Takayama, Gifu)
Chinese restaurant accommodated in a building with Japanese traditional decoration in city center of Takayama.

No.5 Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji-Yokocho (Dotonbori, Osaka)
Matsusakagyu, the beef brand "Matsusaka" from Mie is one of the highest quality beef along with Kobe beef.
The restaurant offers various parts of Matsusaka beef for Japanese style BBQ in the local dining area of Osaka.

No.6  SUSHI BAR YASUDA (Aoyama, Tokyo)
Chef Yoshida has had long excellent career at sushi restaurants in New York.
Since December 2011, he has his own Sushi restaurant in Tokyo, coming back to his home country.
Of course, feel free to speak in English with the chef!

No.7  Kyubei Ginza (Tokyo)
Luxury sushi restaurant in Ginza with high reputation for years among locals.

No.8 Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 (Akasaka, Tokyo)
Report from our blog,

"Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511, Akasaka (赤坂)"

Kobe beef is available in Tokyo at reasonable price especially on lunch time.
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2013/03/kobe-beef-kaiseki-511-akasaka.html

No.9 Kiji SKY Building (Umeda, Osaka)
Okonomiyaki (local style pancake) restaurant on the underground floor of iconic "SKY building" in central Osaka.
As a typical serving style, your Okonomiyaki will be cooked on an iron plate in front of you. Be ready to make a queue!
Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g298566-d1700891-Reviews-Kiji_Sky-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html#REVIEWS

No.10 Ichiran Shibuya (Tokyo)
One of the most famous Ramen restaurant chains in Tokyo as well as other major cities in/out of Japan.
Check it on our blog.
"Ichiran (一蘭) - unusual but best environment to enjoy tonkotsu ramen"
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2012/11/ichiran-tonkotsu-ramen-unusual-but-best-environment.html
　
No.11 Center4 Hamburgers (Takayama, Gifu)
As our past blog post mentioning some OTHER burgers restaurants in Tokyo, even if it is the menu you can find in your own country, it is worth trying a good quality hamburger in Japan.

"Why not try gourmet burgers in Tokyo? - Brozers', Ningyocho (人形町)"
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2012/08/why-not-try-gourmet-burgers-in-tokyo.html

"Why not try gourmet burgers in Tokyo? Part2 - J.S. Burgers Cafe"
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2012/08/why-not-try-gourmet-burgers-in-tokyo-part2-js-burgers-cafe.html

No.12 Sushi Dai(Tsukiji, Tokyo)
Food lovers cannot miss to visit Tsukiji market and also to try sushi menu there.
Find what and how it is served here on our blog.

"Sushi Dai in Tsukiji Market (寿司大　築地市場)"
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2011/05/sushi-dai-in-tsukiji-market.html

No.13 Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai (Tokyo)
Just at the feet of Tokyo Tower, the luxury Japanese restaurant provides serveral course menu with its specialty TOFU.

No.14 Nagata-ya (central Hiroshima)
Local, Hiroshima style okonomiyaki (with noodle) is served.

No.15 Sushi Midori Shibuya store (Shibuya, Tokyo)
Situated just above Shibuya station on Keio line, accommodated in a shopping complex Tokyo Mark City We find a long long queue in front of the sushi restaurant ALWAYS!

No.16 NARISAWA (Aoyama, Tokyo)
The modern and unique cuisine is fantastic with imagination.
Check our report.
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2009/08/french---les-cr.html

No.17 Kaikaya (Shibuya, Tokyo)
I like this restaurant but to be honest, we did not imagine that this restaurant is so popular among foreign tourists.
Because it is hidden location much far from major stations! Apart from the location, it is highly recommendable! We will write more on our blog some days.
 
No.18 Harajuku Gyoza-rou (Harajuku, Shibuya)
For Japanese, "Gyoza" is categorized as "Chinese dish". The resaonable but good gyoza is popular among young people in the area.

No.19 Sushizanmai Higashi-Shinjuku (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Once we wrote about the amazing but casual sushi restaurant chain Sushizanmai as below. "Affordable dining choice No.1 Sushi - Sushizanmai"
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2013/10/affordable-dining-choice-no1-sushi-sushizanmai.html
Higashi-Shinjuku branch is not far from Tokyo's largest night entertainment district Kabukicho.
Open everyday and 24hours.

No.20 CHOJIRO Shijo Kiyamachi (central Kyoto)

No.21 NINJA AKASAKA (Tokyo)
What you imagine from the restaurant name will be available here.
Truly enjoyable dining experience. That is the reason we wanted to keep this restaurant on this list.

"Ninja Akasaka, Tokyo"
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2015/03/ninja-akasaka-tokyo.html

Which one and how many of them have you ever tried?

Which one would you like to try next?! For me, well we will introduce some of them on our blog!

Information source: Tripadvisor Japanese news page
http://tg.tripadvisor.jp/news/ranking/inboundrestaurant_2015/

Event announcement: 47 Noodle market, Shibuya, Tokyo

Do you know what implies the number "47" in Japan?

It means the total number of prefectures exist in Japan.

Hokkaido in the northernmost to Okinawa in the most southernmost,

including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in Japan there are total 47 prefectures.

How many of these do you know?! and have ever been to?

 

Here  we introduce an event called "47 Noodle market."

Yes, as the number implies, it is the collection of "local noodle" brought from all across Japan. Sounds interesting? Yes for food lovers, we guess.

 

The event to be taken place in Hikarie, Shibuya, features variation of noodle available in Japan. Some are soba (buckwheat) noodle and other can be udon (wheat flour) or ramen. In addition, it also shows us items with which to enjoy these noodle from noodle soup cups to Japanese traditional hot pepper spice.

Of course, at the event, you can not only watch sample packages of noodles from each 47 prefectures but also purchase some of them if you like.

 

Event name: 47 Men (麺, noodle) Market

Date: 6^th August to 25^th October 2015

Place: d47 MUSEUM, 8^th floor, Shibuya Hikarie

 

Official website of the museum (in Japanese): 

 

http://www.hikarie8.com/d47museum/

 

Address: 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

(a few minutes walk from Shibuya station)

Lunch spot in Kawagoe, Kasho Umon tea room

As a part of our blog series for Kawagoe (川越), today we picked up a recommendable lunch spot in the old town of Kawagoe.

On the main street of “Kurazukuri” town, you will find some restaurant choices from soba noodle to Western cuisine. Local specialty to try in Kawagoe is “sweet potato” and it will be served not only as sweets but also as an ingredient in meal.

Today’s feature, Kasho Umon Sabo (tea room)/菓匠　右門 provides a typical local cuisine dish, "cooked rice with sweet potato"(芋おこわ, imo okowa).

Kasho Umon tea room is situated south of Kurazukuri town(old town of Kawagoe) along the main street. It is facing to a large car parking and on the ground floor, Kasho Umon’s main products, traditional Japanese sweets, are offered at the front part. The tea room exist behind the sweet shop and it stretches to the upper floor.

 

The sweet shop’s upper floor is totally in Japanese traditional style where we need to take our shoes off and to sit on tatami mats.

 

From the window side table, view of the vital main street is available.

 

Cooked rice with sweet potato is served in a black basket with side dishes in a square box.

 

Here the cooked rice is called “Okowa”(おこわ). In general, okowa is also known as “Sekihan”(赤飯, cooked rice with red beans), which we take on celebratory occasions. For Okowa or Sekihan, instead of ordinary one, rice specialized for mochi (rice cake) is used as ingredient. So the cooked rice served as Okowa is stickier than normal cooked rice. In most cases, like sweet potato here, vegetable, bean or any other ingredient is cooked with rice for Okowa.

 

 

It offers 3 lunch set menus with the cooked rice depending on side dishes.

 

As dessert, if you would, you can order some of sweets available at the sweets shop on the ground floor. Of course, even without lunch, you can enjoy them for a tea time break.

 

Spend a calm lunch break during sightseeing in Kawagoe old town.

 

Shop name: Kasho Umon Sabo (菓匠　右門 茶房)

Official website (Japanese version only)

Sweet shop and company information:http://www.imokoi.com/index.html

Sabo (tea room): http://www.imokoi.com/sabo.html

Address: 1-6 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-city, Saitama

 

Kashiya Yokocho (菓子屋横丁) must-visit spot for food lovers in Kawagoe

Following our last post, here we put the second post on the series of Kawagoe (川越). For general tourist information about Kawagoe, an old town near Tokyo. Please check our first post from link HERE.

Today we introduce a small area in the old town. It is called “Kashiya Yokocho”(菓子屋横丁). Some of you could recognize the name can be very attractive for food lovers.

Kashiya(菓子屋) represents a sweets shop in Japanese and Yokocho(横丁) indicates narrow streets in dense area. So it is exactly an area where not a few sweet shops stand along a narrow street!! It means the place we should never miss it, when we visit the old town.

Well, Kashiya Yokocho is situated north side of the old town called “Kurazukuri” zone. If you have a tourist map of Kawagoe, the area will be on upper-left side. From the town’s main street, it is a few minutes walk. The narrow street stretches in “L” shape like a line connecting two main streets on the old town.

Many small boutiques exist along the street and most of them are selling sweets, specifically traditional Japanese products such as colorful candy, rice crackers and snacks made from sweet potato. They have each different sweets products shop by shop. It will be fun to walk along the street, while checking their products each by each.

 

 

The street can be filled with tourists.

 Many shops are quite open to tourists and you will find price tags for each. Even not, most of sweets products are offered at quite reasonable prices unlike ones at department stores.

 

What to get at Kashiya Yokocho is “fried sweet potato” made from the most famous local specialty in Kawagoe. It looks like ordinary “fried potato” but sweets and harder. You can find a mountain of fried sweets potato at each sweet shop there. The rustic sweets made from sweet potato must be healthy refreshment on afternoon etc.

 

**********   UPDATE 27 June 2015   *************

A fire broke out from one of these sweets shops around noon on 21st June 2015.

Unfortunately the life of a shop master(age 90) was lost and 5 houses were burned down.

However from 26th June, almost of all shops in the area re-opened and the operation has got back to normal, apart from the five buildings burned.

No other facility is affected on this incident.

**************************************************************************

 

Related post: Kawagoe(川越), an old town easily accessible from Tokyo

 

Kawagoe(川越), an old town easily accessible from Tokyo

As a series of posts, from today, we will introduce you Kawagoe (川越) an old town accessible by just 40minute-train-ride from Tokyo.

As more detail access information, from Ikebukuro (池袋), one of the major terminal stations in central Tokyo, take “Tobu Tojo Line(東武東上線)” and get off at Kawagoe(川越) or Kawagoe-shi(川越市) stations. The line is also accessible from Shiuya and even from Yokohama via Tokyu Toyoko line. Other options are also available from Shinjuku but it will take longer time and it will be easier to take Tobu Tojo line from Ikebukuro.

The old town area is 10-15minutes walk from all stations of Kawagoe central area. Tourist information stand is available at “Kawagoe” station and you will find some information in English and other languages.

Before going to some food related spots on following posts, on this page, we talk a bit about the town in general.

Kawagoe is an old town existing since 15th century. Due to the prosperity, the town has been called “Ko-Edo” (smaller Edo, Tokyo). Kawagoe Castel has not been any more but only a part of it remains as “Kawagoe Castel Honmaru Goten” (川越城本丸御殿).

The main spot of Kawagoe sightseeing is the old town area called “Kurazukuri zone” where it used to be a large commercial town in Edo Era. While looking at Kura(storehouse) style buildings and the symbolic wooden bell-tower, stroll on the main street is the main attraction of Kawagoe sightseeing. We will introduce some interesting sports in the area on following posts.

If you have extra time, it will be also good to visit a few temple or shrine scattered in the town. Each of them is located within 15minute-walk each other.

 

Here we put some recommendable “non-food-related” tourist spots in Kawagoe.

Kawagoe Festival Museum: where you will be able to feel a bit of the town’s vital Autumn Festival taken place on October through the parade floats and a short movie on a big screen.

Information on Kawagoe Tourist Information HP:

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/museum/index.html#festival

Museum of Kurazukuri (Traditional Architecture): Lean more about the town’s history and its architecture

Information on Kawagoe Tourist Information HP:

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/museum/index.html#kurazukuri

 

Kawagoe Castel Honmaru Goten: As explained above, it is a part of former Kawagoe Castel remained.

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/highlight/index.html#honmaru

 

 

Kita-In Temple: One of the biggest temple in this area. Don’t forget seeing “500 statute of Ryokan” especially.

Official HP: http://www.kawagoe.com/kitain/english/

 

As a series of posts for Kawagoe, from next time, we will introduce you some food-related spots in the old town!

 

Cupnoodles Museum, Yokohama

You may know that instant noodle was invented in Japan. Mr. Momofuku Ando, may be one of the most creative innovators from Japan, invented first “Nissin Chicken Ramen” as the world first instant noodle. Then he also came to the idea of “Cupnoodles” (instant noodle in a cup) when he was exploring a way to expand his instant ramen to the world from Japanese domestic market.

The four-floor modern building is dedicated as “Cupnoodles Museum” with the theme “Creative Thinking”. Thanks to the work by an excellent art director Mr. Kashiwa Sato, the museum has become a space where the great history of innovation by the founder of Nissin Foods is well presented and also where both adults and children can learn from and enjoy the exhibition.

 

On the 2^nd floor, we can find the history of innovation and what Mr. Ando was thinking and doing through his life. It is filled with insights for creative ideas. In another part, we can find covers of instant noodles by Nissin Foods. Some of them might be familiar with you.

 

The 3^rd floor is occupied by two “Factory” space. One is for Cupnoodles and another for Chicken Ramen. The space provides on visitors opportunities to involve in instant ramen making experiences. Chicken Ramen factory is exclusive for kids and junior high school students and advance reservation required. Because the experience is available in Japanese, it must be a bit hard for international visitors to join in it.

On the other hand, Cupnoodles factory is easier to participate for international visitors as explanation in English is provided. With the price Yen300, we can create a pack of own original Cupnoodles.

First we painted a cup as we like.

 

 

 

 

Then we proceeded to the factory area where noodle was put in a cup (or noodle was covered by the cup).

We can select 1 soup flavor and 4 different condiments for our own Cupnoodle.

I got the mascot of Chicken Ramen, Hiyoko’s fish cake, which can never be found at an ordinary version Cupnoodles, as well as cheese, bacon and leek.

 

My cup was wrapped as a product in the factory. The original cupnoodle’s shelf life is a month.

 

It is put in a cushion bag to bring it back to home. (But please keep in mind that it can’t be brought to an aircraft.)

 

The fourth floor is separated into two areas. One, called Cupnoodles Park is for kid’s playing park. As we are adults, we could not enter to the area. As per the official information, the playing park is designed based on the idea of “noodle factory” and kids can go through the factory-like field, like usually noodle does.(They can feel like noodle!)

The rest is a food court style dining. Several different noodle bowls from “Noodle Road”(like Silk Road) are offered as a memory of Mr. Ando’s journey. In addition, Chicken Ramen is also available, which I chose with cheese and leek toppings.

 

The price is quite reasonable at Yen300 for a half portion bowl. So we can try more than one noodle bowls for a meal or just one as snack.

 

Cupnoodles Museum is located in Minatomirai area in Yokohama. By train, it takes a few stops from Yokohama station or China Town subway station. To access to Yokohama from Tokyo, it is 20 minutes train ride from Shinagawa station in Tokyo.

If you are interested in instant ramen as a food culture, we recommend that you visit Cupnoodles Museum.

For Cupnoodles Factory experience and Cupnoodles Park(kids playing area), during busy period, it is available for only limited numbers of people and numbered ticket will be issued for first-come-first-sereved base. Otherwise, Cupnoodles Factory experience can be booked through a ticket system at Lawson convenience stores across Japan. (Operation available in Japanese though)

 

Spot name: Cupnoodles Museum

Address: 2-3-4 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa

Official website: http://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp

Itarian Ramen?! Due Italian, Tokyo

Can we imagine Ramen “in Italian style”?

No… we can’t but “Due Italian” has made it!!

The chef has 25-year career as an Italian chef and he bravely developed Italian version ramen. Now Due Italian became the first Ramen restaurant featured on Michelin Guide Tokyo 2015―RESTAURANTS & HOTELS with Bib Gourmand mark.

 

Let’s see what it is like first.

We can find around 5 types of Ramen on the menu.

Apart from basic “Salt” and “Soy sauce” flavor, most of them are what we can rarely find in other restaurants, such as cold tomato, fromage(cheese), milk, lemon?! and fruits vinegar(persimmon) dipping noodle.

 

All are very interesting but I tried the most popular one “Fromage”(cheese).

 

A few chunks of cheese in the soup. Two different types of cheese is used.

 

Wheat made in Hokkaido is selected for the noodle ingredient, as it seems to be the best match with the melted cheese. The chef made his best effort to make it the best Italian Ramen by considering the best fit ingredient, thickness of noodle and soup(clear chicken stock) for the main actor, cheese topping. Apart from shredded leek, no other topping is on the noodle.

Cheese demonstrates great presence actually.

As the time goes, cheese is melted and well mixed with the soup. It offers us another texture and flavor of cheese soup.

 

It’s a bit different from ordinary ramen but still it is good.

I would like to try other Italian ramen flavor next time!!

Due Italian has two units in Tokyo as below.

The 2^nd unit in Shiodome(Shimbashi), whose exterior looks like the photo, opens only for lunch time.

For both units, it opens as long as the soup stock is available. It will close when the soup is run out. So it must be better to visit it for lunch time but out of peak time(12-13h) when it is likely to have a queue.

 

 

 

Restaurant name: Due Italian

Official website(Japanese only): http://www.dueitalian.jp/

*Ichigaya unit (near Yasukuni Shrine)

Add: 4-5-11 Fuji Bld. Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

 

 

*Shiodome unit(near Shimbashi station)

Add: 2-9-6 SAN bld, Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Kirishima, Chanko (Sumo wrestler's hotpot) restaurant in Ryogoku, the holy place of Sumo

We guess many of you know Sumo (相撲), the Japanese traditional martial sports.
Obviously from their physical attribute, "FOOD" is an essential element for sumo wrestlers.
What they take everyday make their big and strong body.

The last time we wrote about Chako-nabe was, oh!, 7years ago!

Here we spoke what it is, reporting another restaurant for Chanko-nabe.
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2008/02/chanko-nabe-sum.html

 

Today's our recommendable restaurant "Kirishima" is known for its specialty Chanko-nabe, as the restaurant is run by one of Sumo stablemasters, Kirishima(霧島).

But to be honest ... , when we visited the restaurant, actually we did not take Chanko-nabe, as it was too big volume for us, ladies.
So we leave about Chanko-nabe on our last post. Still it is a recommendable menu as long as you have enough space in your stomach.

Well, anyway, we introduce "Kirishima" the restaurant run by a former famous sumo wrestler.
It is located a stone throw distance from JR Ryogoku station as well as "Kokugi-kan"(国技館, Sumo Arena).
Yes! The restaurant is in Ryogoku, the holy place of Sumo.

The restaurant has eight floors from underground to 8th floors with over 300 seats. During the time of national Sumo tournament, on evening the restaurant could be filled with some groups of Sumo fans who are likely to be excited after matches.
On the walls, we can find many objects showing the glory days of the master Kirishima as one of top wrestlers.

 

 

 

 

As for the menu, in addition to the specialty Chanko-nabe(Sumo wrestler's hotpot), we can find Japanese dishes like good quality of Izakaya menu from Sashimi (raw fish) to croquette.

 
Some are those loved by Sumo wrestlers (probably) and others are food from the master's hometown, Kyushu region.
Even a few dishes as starter could make your stomach almost full. So be careful, if you want to have also Chanko-nabe.

Here are some examples of side dishes.

Satsuma-age (fried fish cakes, local specialty from Kagoshima, Kyushu)

Fried chicken also from Kyushu

and  a fish tank behind...

 

Sumo wrestlers are likely to love oily fried meat dishes...

That's we can find here mainly. It's good some times.

"Sumo"croquette - what we can find only at this restaurant!
The look is from Sumo ground. Very large size as a croquette.

 

To be good for French speakers, the restaurant has official website in French, while English version is on construction.

 

Restaurant name: Chanko Kirishima

Address: 2-13-7 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

Official homepage(in Japanese): http://l-fujimori.perso.sfr.fr/Chanko-Ryogoku-jp.html

(in French!!) http://l-fujimori.perso.sfr.fr/Chanko-Ryogoku-fr.html

Information in English on Gurunavi: https://gurunavi.com/en/e625300/ph/all/rst/