About food in Japan

Part4 Osaka, For Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 matches, recommendable options in host cities

Osaka Airport Winery

 

Yes, it is in an airport!!: The number of wineries across Japan is increasing, but we have never imagined a winery IN a major airport! Osaka Airport Winery sources grapes harvested in different parts of Japan. Their fermentation tanks are visible from both the winery’s restaurant seats and the airport luggage handling area. Just wonder if vibration caused by aircraft arriving/departing the airport every day makes a difference in the taste? We can seek for the answer at the winery restaurant by tasting a variety of wines from other wineries in Japan as well as in other countries, in addition to their original ones.

The unique winery is situated in Osaka International Airport (known as Itami Airport) that mainly serves for Japan domestic flights. Don’t be confused with Kansai International Airport (known as KIX).

 

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Rugby World Cup 2019 official site
Match schedule: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match-schedule
Official Ticket purchase guide and tour information : https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/buy-official

*** This post was reproduced from our official Facebook account post made on 08 January 2019. ***

Part3 Osaka, For Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 matches, recommendable options in host cities

Takoyaki(octopus ball) spot in Universal Studio Japan area

One of the most popular tourist spots in Osaka must be the movie theme park, Universal Studio Japan. If you visit and stay in the theme park area, try also takoyaki(octopus balls), the most known local snack of Osaka, at TAKO-PARK. The food-court like facility accommodates six most popular takoyaki shops in the prefecture. We can try different styles of the best takoyaki dishes in the city in one place! even without leaving from the film world.

 

Rugby World Cup 2019 official site
Match schedule: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match-schedule
Official Ticket purchase guide and tour information : https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/buy-official

*** This post was reproduced from our official Facebook account post made on 04 January 2019.
***

Part2 Osaka, For Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 matches, recommendable options in host cities

No. 2: Osaka, holding Hanazono Rugby Stadium in the east side of the prefecture.

 

Sekai Hotel Fuse and its surrounding local shopping street - is not far from the rugby match venue, a few stops by local train, in Higashi-Osaka city(East Osaka). Unlike the very central part of Osaka, Higashi-Osaka area has more laid-back atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

 

Sekai Hotel Fuse is a hostel made in a local shopping street area. The good-old-day shopping street atmosphere surprised even me, Tokyoite, as we cannot find a similar one in Tokyo any longer. The casual café in the hotel’s open-entrance area facing the shopping street will be the best place to enjoy human-watching and the town’s atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

In Higashi-Osaka, we can also enjoy fantastic night illumination from the top floor of City Hall free of charge.

 

 

Rugby World Cup 2019 official site
Match schedule: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match-schedule
Official Ticket purchase guide and tour information : https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/buy-official

*** This post was reproduced from our official Facebook account post made on 04 January 2019. ***

Omen(おめん), an elegant Udon noodle restaurant, Kyoto

Omen(おめん), a udon noodle restaurant, has 3 units in central Kyoto.

I visited one of these in Shijo Pontocho（四条先斗町）. The restaurant is located in Pontocho area, where many restaurants attract local guests. It is also just at a stone's throw from Kamogawa river side.
As it is along the busy Shijo street,the location won't be so difficult to be found even for those visit Kyoto for the first time.

 

The restaurant's interior is like a typical traditional Udon restaurant in Japan but how Omen is different from such typical ones is that it has more ladies diners rather than gentlemen. We believe that makes the restaurant more elegant atmosphere than typical udon or soba noodle restaurants.

 

 
Why Omen is popular among local ladies? Another uniqueness of Omen is the ingredient of noodle. It is made from Japanese wheat only, no imported one used.
Japan hugely relies on imported flour because of the lower price.
The noodle is also no additive, no MSG used.
You might find its tender and natural taste of Omen's noodle.

On a day of mid-summer, I took their seasonal lunch set with a  few pieces of tempura Hamo (鱧)(a kind of pike conger). The white fish is summer icon local specialty of Kyoto.

 

By the way, where the restaurant's name comes from?
For us, it sounds like a "mask" in Japanese. But we found that it is a dialect word in a region of East Japan and the word represents "men(麺 noodle)" with respect.


All 3 units of Omen are located in areas where many tourists are likely to visit; Ginkakuji, Kiyomizu in addition to Shijo we visited.

Check also our other posts if you would like to know more about Udon noodle. (Click each title to access to these posts.)

If you do not know "udon" noodle, we recommend you check this post first.

 Udon (うどん), Japanese traditional wheat noodle

Recommendable restaurants in Tokyo to try udon noodle
Udon (うどん) - Tsurutontan, Roppongi (つるとんたん, 六本木)

Where to enjoy Udon in a casual way

Inaniwa Udon (稲庭うどん), Ginza Sato Yosuke(銀座　佐藤養助)

Ideal but reasonable Udon restaurant, Sangokuichi(三国一) - Shinjuku Tokyo

Shop name: Omen
Official website(Japanese only) : http://www.omen.co.jp/ 

<Shijo Pontocho>
Address: Shijo Dori, Ponotocho Nishi Iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

<Ginkakuji Honten (main restaurant)>
Address: Ginkakuji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

<Kodaiji> near Kiyomizu Temple
Address: 358 XXXX, Kodaiji Dori Shimokawara Higashi Iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Where to get a bento box, Bento&co Kyoto

Some of you may be already familiar with the Japanese word "bento".
Bento represents "box meal" in Japanese, such as those we can find at a convenience store, what a mother makes as lunch for kids or what we prepare for a party outside.

For some people, bento box might be an item on the list to get in Japan. Or you can put it just now!
Today we feature a shop which is the best suitable for such people.
Japanese style lunch box are sold at department stores, variety goods stores etc across Japan.
But there was no shop specialized in just bento box before Bento&co came.

Bento&co is originally an online shop offering various bento box and related items for shipping abroad.
The company, run by a French man, now has an offline unit in central Kyoto.

It is located in the area between Kawaramachi and Kyoto Shiyakushomae(Kyoto City Hall) on Rokkaku dori(street), not far from Nishiki Ichiba where we introduced on the previous post.

It looks like this. Bento&co store is on the ground floor and the upper floor is their office.

In addition to wide choices of bento box and related goods, it offers some original-designed items as well.

 

 

For those who are not planning to visit Kyoto soon, don't worry! Even anywhere you are based, Bento&co has "online" shop as well.
The online shop is available in 3 languages, English, French and Japanese.
http://en.bentoandco.com/

 

 

post card I got at Bento&co

Nice alrenative of a shop card

Check also our other posts mentioned about "bento" found in Japan as well as Paris!!

Makunouchi Bento (幕の内弁当) - at the National Theatre (国立劇場)

Ekiben(駅弁　station lunch box)

Bento(弁当）- launched for G8 Summit celebration
 
Bento arranged in Paris style, Nanashi - Paris


Shop name: Bento&co
Address: 117 Yaoya-cho, Rokkaku Dori FuyachoHigashi Iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Official website link for the store in Kyoto: http://en.bentoandco.com/pages/bento-co-shop-in-kyoto

 

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

 

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/

Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場), Osaka

Today's our recommendation for food lovers is from Osaka.

Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場) is a local food market in Osaka city center. The nearest station for the spot is "Nipponbashi"  on subway lines, which is just one stop from Namba. If you do not mind taking a 10-minute walk or you prefer to take an option to save money for a subway ticket, the market is accessible even by walk from Namba, one of the major central area in Osaka.

From Nipponbashi subway station, take Exit No.10, the market street is less than a minute walk from the station.

Even though you are not so hungry, just go through the narrow local street, looking at what are sold there. You will find so many many stuff, mainly local food including fresh seafood, along both sides of the street. Small retail stores stand in a row.

 

 

At a look, that's a typical local shopping arcade in Japan.What is different for Kuromon Ichiba from other local markets is.... for last several years, the market becomes quite popular among Chinese speaking tourists. Then unlike other local shopping arcades in Japan, many local retailers place products appealing to the non-Japanese customers not only to local ones. That is the reason why, in Spring, we can find a box of luxury strawberry, including ones in white in front of a super market!! They are usually placed on shelf at the end of row, because such  luxury products are not what many customers are looking for.

 

Also you will find signs and information in English not only in Chinese and Japanese at many shops. The market has more welcoming atmosphere for international tourists and it is easy to go around and to enjoy some food with lower language barrier.

 

Sometimes tasting is offered.

 

Fugu, pufferfish is one of specialties in Osaka.

Fresh and boiled fugu are also provided.

 

 

Another point to mention is that the market offers eat-in space in the middle of the shopping street. The space is designed for international tourists who wish to enjoy take-away food from shops in Kuromon Ichiba. It's free to use and provides also restroom and vending machines and even wifi service as well as tables and chairs. Although some local restaurants are also available in the market, this will be a good option for those who visit the market out of lunch/dinner time and who would like to try variety of local food at reasonable cost.

 

I also got my lunch! at quite reasonable price.

 

 

 

Name of spot: Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場)

Address: 2-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-city

Official website in English: http://www.kuromon.com/en.php

Tripadvisor link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298566-d1896861-Reviews-Kuromon_Ichiba-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

 

Japanese traditional sweets from Kyoto

Following our post on last month about Japanese tea salon, Toraya Akasaka, we will feature other cafe or spots where you can enjoy Japanese traditional style sweets. 

Today we start the series from two cafes by established tea house brands from Kyoto.

Saryo Tsujiri (茶寮都路里) was launched in 1978 by Gion Tsujiri (祇園辻利) an established green tea producer with 150years history which aimed to introduce traditional ways to brew and enjoy Japanese tea to young generations. Even at the unit in Shiodome, newly developped area of central Tokyo close to Shimbashi and Ginza, Tsujiri offers elegant atmosphere like a Japanese tea room in Kyoto with selected green tea from the ancient town.

Sometimes, tens of local ladies are queuing up in front of the Kyoto style cafe in order to be pleased by parfait of matcha flavor etc. Tsujiri provides so many different versions of parfait and other sweets dishes that make us be in trouble to choose just one. 

Matcha mousse topped with, looks relatively "humble",

both ice cream and jelly in Matcha flavor, anko (beans paste) and a piece of mallon 

  

It gives us a chance to enjoy Matcha in different forms.

 

Cafe name: Tsujiri (都路里) at Caretta Shiodome

Address: B2 floor, Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Official site (in Japanese): http://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/saryo/store/tokyo_shiodome/ 

*********** UPDATE on 9th September 2013 ***********

We found Tsujiri in Caretta Shiodome featured above was closed.

As alternative, Tsujiri has another unit at Daimaru Tokyo Department in Tokyo.

Cafe name: Tsujiri Daimaru Tokyo

Address: 10th floor, Daimaru Tokyo, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

View Larger Map

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After the Tsujiri's cosy space in Kyoto flavor, we show an alternative Japanese sweets cafe that maybe more suitable for those who do not have so much time to be relaxed for long time. 

Hayashiya is also an established green tea producer which is proud of over two-century long history. The company has cultivated green tea leaves in Uji (宇治), Kyoto from late 19th century and opened cafe units in Tokyo area from the beginning of 21st century. Hayashiya is one of the most popular Kyoto style cafe among locals. 

Well, Hayashiya Chaen(tea garden, 林屋茶園)'s unit in Shinjuku is accommodated on B2 (2nd basement) floor of a major shopping complex LUMINE 1 attached to JR Shinjuku station. It is about 5minutes walk from JR ticket gate South Exit through the busiest station inside. Just keep in mind that LUMINE has several units around JR Shinjuku station. Please try to find the right building LUMINE "1" next to Keio department store.

Hayashiya Chaen LUMINE Shinjuku1 is a tiny counter bar-style shop where we can find only several seats. First you need to order at the cash counter and take a seat. Your plates and drink will be ready soon. The menu with some photos will make you feel easier to find what you want and to order it. 

Not only the sweets plates with various version of green tea, also try the unique tea drink.

Matcha jelly, soft cream and mousse

 and Hojicha (grilled Japanese tea) with milk behind

 

It will take only 10 minutes to enjoy the sweets in Japanese traditional flavor in central Shinjuku.

Take a short break during shopping or before/after excursion to Hakone etc.

 

Cafe name: Hayashiya Chaen (林屋茶園)　at LUMINE Shinjuku 1

Address: B2 floor, LUMINE Shinjuku 1, 1-1-5 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Official site (in Japanese) : http://www.kyo-hayashiya.com/lumine.html 

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Nihonshu bonbon (日本酒ボンボン) - Sake candy from Kyoto (京都)

I got an interesting souvenir from Kyoto. It is described as "Nishonshu bonbon"(日本酒ボンボン, sake candy) on the red label pasted on a white paper box. Many of us know "whiskey bonbon" or chocolate with whiskey inside. I am also curious more for the words "Jizake" (地酒, locally-brewed alcohol) and the branded sake production area "Fushimi" (伏見) in Kyoto. 

 

 

 

Opening the box, I found white frosted-glass like candies filled.

 

It is much more delicate than glass and is broken soon after being put in mouth.

 

Then "sake" liquid spreded from the sugar taste shell...

 

What an inetersting way is to taste locally brewed sake from Fushimi, Kyoto.

 

The Nihonshu bobon is made by a local pastry company called Furansuya (in Japanese, meaning "French house") based in Kyoto for decades and the sweets is sold at gift shop(s) in JR Kyoto station.  

 

Official website of Furansuya (Japanese only) http://www.furansuya.jp