In Japan, there are certain fruits that hold special value as presents as part of the country’s strong gift-giving culture. Unlike fruits commonly used as ingredients in everyday cooking, those chosen as presents are top-quality in taste, appearance, and everything else. “Sembikiya-Sohonten,” founded in 1834, offers a menu that changes one’s image of fruits and shows why they can be…
In 1991, the popular series Sailor Moon began its manga run and has since been adapted into anime and stage plays, gaining fans worldwide. Azabu Hikawa Shrine in Tokyo is a special place for Sailor Moon fans. It is known as the model for “Hikawa Shrine” in the series, the home of one of the main characters, Rei Hino. Torii…
Meiji Jingu, a shrine located near Harajuku and Shibuya in Tokyo, is known for having the highest number of New Year’s visitors in Japan. The first visit of the year to a shrine or temple in Japan is a custom known as hatsumōde, where many pray and make wishes for the upcoming year. The shrine’s vast grounds are so green…
Imado Shrine (Imado Jinja in Japanese) enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the deities of marriage. The shrine is said to provide blessings for finding a good relationship match and marital harmony. Imado Shrine is also famous for its maneki-neko (beckoning cat) motifs. These feline figures and statues are thought to summon good fortune. So, from the shrine’s sacred items (lucky charms,…
Kanda Myōjin, also known as Kanda Shrine, is a historic landmark located within walking distance from Ochanomizu and Akihabara Stations in Tokyo. Revered as a guardian presence in Tokyo, it has a deep history and offers numerous blessings to its visitors. The deities enshrined there serve as the tutelary ujigami (regional guardian deities) for many areas, including Kanda, Nihonbashi, and…
Tempura specialty restaurant “Tempura Hisago” has a history surpassing 100 years since its establishment in Japan’s Taisho era. At the Akihabara UDX branch of Tempura Hisago, you can enjoy the taste of this long-standing establishment at a reasonable price! Tempura Hisago’s special sauce that has been passed down for many years Akihabara is an area always bustling with many people,…
Sensō-ji Temple, formally known as Kinryūzan Sensō-ji, is not only a major tourist attraction in Tokyo but is considered one of the most iconic sights representing Japan. Throughout its long history, Senso-ji has repeatedly suffered damage from fire and earthquakes. However, each time the local people have joined forces to rebuild and revive it, allowing the temple to stand guard…
In a bustling corner of Roppongi, crowded with people day and night, one restaurant, “Uohama Roppongi,” stands out prominently. The restaurant prides itself on serving dishes made with ingredients shipped directly from the source. One of Uohama Roppongi’s selling points is the rich variety of its menu. “Whatever you want, whenever you visit,” is their motto. In this article, we’ll…
Tempura stands alongside sushi and ramen as a globally recognized jewel of Japanese cuisine. Some tempura estabishments, while embracing conventional choices like white fish—kisu (Japanese whiting) and the like—and standard vegetables such as eggplant and pumpkin, also venture into unique and unexpected ingredients. Among these innovators is “Tempura Hisago Ōsaki” (referred hereunder as “Tempura Hisago”), located just a ten-minute stroll…
Just past the buzz of Bunkamura Street in the Shibuya district of Tokyo lies Oku-Shibuya, a serene enclave far from the bustling main avenues. This area is home to a unique restaurant, “Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo,” a culinary haven where enthusiasts gather to indulge in the rich flavors of garlic-infused cuisine. Aomori’s local flavors, reinterpreted “Nyonnyogo style”! First, a few points…
It’s safe to say that delicious sushi sits at the top of the culinary itineraries of many who visit Japan. Moreover, many who travel to Japan are excited to try out an authentic revolving sushi restaurant. These restaurants, called kaitenzushi in Japanese, offer sushi plates delivered to your table via a rotating conveyor belt. “あなご,” Conger Eel 150 JPY (tax…
At the exceptional Tokyo restaurant “Roppongi Yakiniku Kintan,” the management is guided by a bold vision. “We aim to be the most loved yakiniku restaurant in the city,” they proudly state, referring to the Japanese word for grilled meat cuisine. At dinnertime, the restaurant pairs their excellent yakiniku with wine, while lunchtime offerings include hearty set menus. A dream menu…
Harajuku, known as a birthplace of new culture, is also at the forefront of culinary innovation. Right in the heart of this vibrant district, just a short walk from the bustling Takeshita Street and the tranquil Meiji Shrine, lies “Vegan Bistro Jangara,” a restaurant dedicated to vegan cuisine. “グリルバーガー,” Grilled Burger 1,350 JPY (tax included) Originating from the Kyushu Jangara…
“Kyushu Jangara,” a ramen restaurant with multiple locations centered in Tokyo, has its flagship store in Akihabara. The Kyushu Jangara main branch has been boasting strong popularity as a representative ramen shop of Akihabara for many years, even appearing in Japanese anime and manga. KYUSHU JANGARA AKIHABARA-HONTEN’s exterior One of the main attractions of Kyushu Jangara is their refined and…
“ABURICIOUS” is a play on words combining aburi (blow-torched) and delicious. It also happens to be the name of a signature menu item at “KINKA sushi bar izakaya Roppongi” in Tokyo. “サーモンとアイオリソースの炙り押し寿司,” SALMON OSHIZUSHI As many satisfied diners have already discovered, ABURICIOUS is blow-torched pressed sushi which originated in Canada. Not only delicious, it’s a hit on social media, captivating…