Good Japanese restaurant in TOTENKO Ueno

TOTENKO (東天紅) also has a Japanese restaurant inside. The restaurant is "Kaientei (海燕亭)." On a weekend before the renewal, I had a chance to visit it for dinner and also found it a nice restaurant. Formal Japanese meal is available here!

Corridor of "Kaientei"

Private room

Boxes containing various dishes

Sashimi and tempura

Roast beef and grilled fish

Side dishes

Steamed rice and miso soup

dessert

The above set meal was JPY4,000 per person at dinner. It would be reasonable considering the dishes and the location. As most customers prefer Chinese dishes at TOTENKO, they had few customers even at the dinner of weekend. A great spot! My rating is 4.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Kaientei (海燕亭) http://www.totenko.co.jp/restaurant/uenokai  

Japanese sweets cafe at University of Tokyo

One of the superb Japanese restaurants which we can't easily make reservations is now "Kurogi (くろぎ)" in Yushima (湯島). The chef was selected as an iron chef for the famous TV program. The Kurogi has opened its sweets shop and cafe in last May on the property of the University of Tokyo (東京大学). The name is "Kuriyakashi Kurogi (厨菓子くろぎ)". 　

Kuriyakashi Kurogi

Inside

Bean cake and coffee

Chestnut cake and coffee

The building of the cafe is very modern and stylish. Contrary, sweets they serve is very traditional and orthodox. A new feature is having Japanese sweets with coffee (usually, we eat those with green tea/green powdered tea). The coffee itself is also a special blend of "Sarutahiko Coffee", a famous coffee shop. 

Both of bean cake and chestnut cake were delicate. Coffee was also good (a bit wasy). The disadvantage point might be price. Coffee per person costs JPY860. Bean cake is JPY370. A bit high. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadsehita!

Kuriyakashi Kurogi (厨菓子くろぎ) http://www.wagashi-kurogi.co.jp/  

Nice taiyaki chain near Akihabara

Near the main street (Chuo-dori Street (中央通り)) of Akihabara (秋葉原), a taiyaki chain shop called "Naruto-Taiyaki-Honpo (鳴門鯛焼本舗)" has been opened recently. Taiyaki is a popular local waffle containing bean jam. The shape is "tai", porgy which Japanese loves and believes it brings lack. Generally, taiyaki shops look to street and people eat while walking or bring to home as small souvenir. 

Naruto-Taiyaki-Honpo

Taiyaki!

Taiyaki of "Naruto-Taiyaki-Honpo" is made by hand one by one despite it is a big chain. Burnt aroma was favorable and crispy waffle was good for the chain (as the taste of dough of famous shops is much better). Sweetness of bean jam was well balanced (if it is too sweet, not good). They also offer taiyaki containing sweet potato paste. It was mild and also tasty, but I prefer usual one. One piece is JPY140. My rating is 2.8 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Naruto-Taiyaki-Honpo (鳴門鯛焼本舗) http://www.taiyaki.co.jp/    

Special shaved ice of Kagoshima

Though the heat of summer has been moderated in recent few days to some extent, we have been suffering from this extreme hot summer... In such situation, something cold is indispensable! The other day, my family tripped to Kagoshima (鹿児島), my mother's home, which is located in Kyusyu (九州), southern part of Japan. As I couldn't accompany, my parents kindly sent me special shaved ice of Kagoshima called "Shirokuma (しろくま)" by delivery service. 

"Shirokuma" shaved ice

Shirokuma means "white bear", coming from shaved ice with much sweetened condensed milk and various fruits. The most famous shirokuma is of "Mujyaki (むじゃき)" at Tenmonkan (天文館). If you go there, there is always long queue. According to the Nikkei news paper, their shaved ice is ranked second in west Japan. In fact, different from ordinary sweetened condensed milk, their milk is unwearied. The balance of sweetness and with fruits might be good. If  you trip to Kagoshima, you can try it! Gochiso-samadeshita! 

Mujyaki (むじゃき)  http://www.mujyaki.co.jp/

Traditional Japanese shaved ice at Toraya

Everybody would agree that "Toraya (とらや)" is one of the long-established and representative Japanese confectionery makers. Surprisingly, Toraya has continued its business for about 480 years since the Muromachi era in the 14th century. Their main product is "yokan", bean jelly. As the price is not inexpensive,  Toraya also means "posh" Japanese sweets. You can find Toraya in department store and hotel.   

Toraya in the Imperial Hotel

Chic interior

Shaved ice with bean jam and ｇreen tea

In a very hot day, I and sister evacuated to the Imperial Hotel (帝国ホテル) in Hibiya (日比谷) and tasted traditional Japanese shaved ice at Toraya there. It was...wonderful! I could identify clear difference between ordinary ones and Toraya's one. First, the taste of bean jam is very sophisticated. And second, green tea syrup is also elegant. Flavorful, a little bit bitter but sweet.  The balance was perfect. Third, the grain of ice is small, but ice was not easily melted which we can enjoy long.

Shaved ice is available from JPY1,500 at Toraya. If you order smaller size, it costs JPY900 (for me, small size was enough). Considering the location and the taste, it is not so expensive and worth for trying. My rating is 4 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Toraya (とらや) http://www.toraya-group.co.jp/   

Super Japanese sweets of Shiga!

The best monaka, Japanese wafer with bean-jam for me is Taneya(たねや), a Japanese confectionery established in 1872 in Shiga (滋賀). Usually monaka is already stuffed with bean-jam and the texture is moist. It is very good, but Taneya sells monaka separately from jam and we should make it by ourselves just before eating, which creates wonderful crispy texture! Epoch-making!

Taneya's monaka (right) and kuri-gekka, chestnut cake

Steamed bean-jam ban with soy sauce taste  

The taste is definitely nice, super sophisticated. In addition to the monaka, their autumn item, kuri-gekka(栗月下), chestnut cake is so delicious. Whenever I find it, I always buy.  
In Tokyo, we can buy Taneya's products at major department stores such as Mitsukoshi Ginza, Nihonbashi, etc. Even foreigners who are not used to eat Japanese sweets, they would find Taneya fantastic! My rating is 5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Taneya(たねや) http://taneya.jp/home/index.html

Lovely taiyaki near Tokyo National Museum

Just near the Tokyo National Museum(東京国立博物館) in the Ueno Park(上野公園), there is a very popular Japanese confectionery shop named "Torindou(桃林堂)." Their head shop is located in Osaka(大阪) and Ueno shop is one of their branch. Their Japanese sweets are very delicate and sophisticated. Many customers visit Torindou without a break.

Outside of Torindo

Taiyaki!

One of their popular sweets is "taiyaki", porgy-shaped pancake filled with bean jam. Porgy is pronounced as "tai" in Japanese and this sound is same as the latter part of "medetai", whose meaning is "celebration". That's why the porgy is seen as good fortune and a food for celebration. In a same manner, taiyaki is seen as happy sweets. 

Torindou's taiyaki is very small but the taste is good. The pancake is soft and moist. Bean jam is moderately sweet. Even small, much happiness is brought. Maybe thanks to the shape of porgy. My rating is 3.2 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Torindou(桃林堂) http://www.tourindou100.jp/  

Mt. Misen and eating in Miyajima town

In Miyajima, they have a small mountain called "Misen(弥山)", which is also included in the area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage cause there are endemic species found only in the primary forest. The height is 535m and we can go to that of 450m by using two ropeways. Even so...reaching the top of Misen was not so easy for me. Though we can walk on the rout of the climb, road is up and down with many rocks. Moreover, I am afraid of heights...

A small beautiful river near the ropeway station

Ropeway ...I'm afraid of heights.

Mt. Misen from the ropeway terminal station at 450m

Mt. Misen consists of rocks.

Narrow step among rocks 

Reikado (spiritual fire) temple 

Permanent fire and sacred hot water in the Reilkado temple 

The top of Mt. Misen

The view of Seto Inland Sea from the top 

Even so, I was so satisfied with the sense of accomplishment after reaching the top. The view from the top was very nice. Calm Seto Inland Sea was also beautiful. In Mt. Misen, there are also several temples and a shrine. The most popular ones among them are Misen-hondo (弥山本堂)temple and Reika-do (霊火堂) temple just near the top. 

The both of them were established at the beginning of 9th century by Kukai (空海), a great Buddhist monk, and it is believed the fire Kukai used has been continually there since 1200 years ago. If we drink sacred water boiled by the permanent fire, we will allegedly not be ill. Definitely I drunk. He can who believes he can! 

After climbing Mt. Misen, we went down to the Miyajima town where many shops and restaurants are located. Many sold grilled oysters outside the front of shops (oyster is one of the specialty in Miyajima). It was good (with beer)!

Shops and restaurants in Miyajima town

Many customers on the street 

Storefront grilled oysters bar 

Grilled oysters at JPY400

Then, we went to "Kakiya (牡蠣屋)" whose meaning is "the oyster restaurant" to taste oyster dishes. Kakiya is a modern and stylish oyster restaurant with variety of oyster menus and alcohol that suits oysters well. Particularly, fried premier oysters were super(with dry white wine, Chablis)!! Tough it costed JPY1,500 for only three pieces, value for money. I haven't taken such a big but tasty fried oyster before.

The quality of taste and service are high. Inside was silent and we could be relaxed. Kakiya is recommendable if you like oysters. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita! Kakiya (牡蠣屋)　http://www.kaki-ya.jp/

Exterior of Kakiya 

Inside of Kakiya

Fried premier oysters 

Oyster rice with miso soup 

Oyster gratin　

After eating, we needed some dessert. Just next to Kakiya, I found a fried pastry shop named "Kouyo-do(紅葉堂)." They sold fried "Momiji-manjyu", a popular sweet making of flour, egg, honey (for outside) and bean jam or cream, etc. (inside). They fried one by one after customers ordered. So, we can eat just-made manjyu! Delicious! One piece is only JPY150. If you find it, please try it. 

Kouyo-do(紅葉堂) http://www.momijido.com/agemomi.html 

Outside of Kouyo-do

Inside

Fried momiji manjyu

Sleepy gods' messenger....lovely:)

As you can see, Miyajima is a wonderful island with many things to see, feel and eat! I need to continue coming to this sacred island from time to time. 

Chestnuts sweets of Kano-Shojyuan

Kano-shojyuan(叶 匠壽庵) is one of my favorite Japanese sweets confectionery companies whose head office is located in Shiga(滋賀) Prefecture. They offer seasonal sweets monthly as well as standard sweets and it is my small pleasure. We are now approaching to autumn and the current seasonal item is "Kurikinton(くりきんとん)", a sweet made of fresh chestnuts paste. Whenever I taste it, I can feel the fall.

Kurikinton 

Kuri-yokan (chestnuts jelly)

Kurikinton is always sold soon everyday and it is difficult for us to find it already in the afternoon. Luckily to me, I got one the other day and I tasted it for the first time since last year. It was very nice as usual! Even if you are not used to Japanese sweets, you could enjoy the taste! So delicate and better than real chestnuts! Kuri-yokan, their new item was also nice.

I can be always happy with sweets of Kano-shojyuan. My rating for Kurikinton is 5 out of 5. Goshiso-samadeshita!

Kano-shojyuan(叶 匠壽庵)  http://www.kanou.com/

Green tea soft ice cream of Kyoto tea shop

During shopping in LUMINE Yurakucho (ルミネ有楽町), a fashion shopping mall, I tasted a green tea soft ice cream of Kyo-Hayashiya (京はやしや).

Kyo-Hayashiya is a green tea producing company which was originally started in Kanazawa (金沢) in 1753 and then, their third President moved to and opened a shop in Kyoto (京都)). Recently Kyo-Hayashiya has developed business of cafes and shops selling green tea sweets in many places. The green tea soft ice cream was so nice! The balance of sweetness is very good and the flavor of green tea is fresh. The base of ice cream is milky enough which made the taste rich. So happy. My rating is 3.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!


Kyo-Hayashiya (京はやしや) http://www.kyo-hayashiya.com/index.html 

Anmitsu!

"Mihashi (みはし)" is one of the most my favorite Japanese sweets parlors in Tokyo. Their Anmitsu, Japanese traditional dessert using rice dumping, bean jam, brown sugar syrup and some fruits, is perfect. I believe their anmitsu is the best as far as I know.  

Green tea with soft-served ice cream

Mihashi's anmitsu with soft-served ice cream

Whenever I pass by Mihashi either their head parlor or branch, there are always many customers waiting. Also, we have to sit together with unknown people. Even so, it is worth for tasting anmitsu of Mihashi. We couldn't experience their perfect taste in other parlors. Mihashi's anmitsu always makes me happy and feel refreshed. The price is very reasonable. I feel lucky to live near Mihashi. My rating is 5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!


Mihashi (みはし) http://www.mihashi.co.jp/top.shtml

Eating Japanese ice cream on one of my walks

On the corner of my neighbor, there is a famous Japanese sweets shop named "Imojin(芋甚). Always tourists visit Imojin on one of their walks for getting "ice monaka", ice cream sandwiched by crispy Japanese wafer called monaka. An ice monaka costs only JPY110. You can eat inside and take away both.

For take away

As ice monaka is made-to-order, monaka is very crispy. Ice cream itself is light. The combination of ice cream and monaka is so nice. In the current oppressive weather in the rainy season, ice monaka give a sigh of relief.My rating is 1.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Hydrangea, flower in rainy season