Linda Liao's Reviews Page 10/79

At the Marukin Soy Sauce Factory, you can get a glimpse into the traditional Japanese process of making soy sauce. Soybeans, wheat, and other ingredients are steamed, cooked, and made into koji, then mixed with salt water to ferment and mature. Only after pressing, blending, and other steps does the soy sauce develop its deep color and rich aroma. You can also appreciate the artisans’ many years of accumulated brewing expertise. Everything from the ratio of ingredients to the fermentation time affects the final flavor. After the tour, be sure to try the special soy sauce soft serve! It starts with a smooth, rich, milky flavor, followed by a subtle hint of soy sauce. The sweet and salty flavors are surprisingly harmonious, making this limited treat well worth trying while you’re here.

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is one of Hakodate's most iconic tourist attractions, with rows of historic red brick buildings lining the bay. Once used as warehouses, the buildings have now been revitalized into a mix of shopping, dining, and recreation, blending vintage charm with modern touches. The warehouse complex has many different kinds of stores, including shops selling Hakodate souvenirs, Japanese-style general stores, and places offering desserts and coffee, making it quite fun to explore. Besides shopping, you can enjoy views of the harbor and the red brick buildings while taking in Hakodate's unique historical atmosphere. If you want to browse each store carefully and take your time choosing souvenirs, I recommend allowing about 1–2 hours so you won't feel rushed.

When visiting Hakodate, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse BAY HAKODATE is well worth adding to your itinerary. As you stroll along the bay, you can see historic red brick buildings whose vintage exteriors complement the scenery of Hakodate Port, creating the unique character of a port city. The Kanemori warehouses have many distinctive shops, desserts, and souvenirs, so you'll need some time to look around.

If you visit during the Christmas season in winter, there are also evening illuminations, making the entire neighborhood seem wrapped in a soft glow. The cold air, historic buildings, and sparkling lights come together to create a romantic, dreamlike atmosphere unique to winter.

At the tea culture museum created by Ito En, you can learn more about Japanese tea culture and feel that tea is not just a beverage, but also a delicate and warm part of everyday life.

I had also visited an Ito En tea house elsewhere before, and the ochazuke left a particularly strong impression on me. A lightly salty, savory tea broth was poured over steaming white rice. The tea aroma was delicate and not too heavy, and the dish was simple but never got tiring. A bowl in winter is especially soothing, with the warm tea broth warming you from the inside. You can also get a refill of the tea broth, which is a very thoughtful service〜

The Former Osaka Shosen Building is another beautiful Western-style building in the Mojiko area. Its exterior features brick walls with white decorative trim, and the vivid orange-red facade and octagonal tower are especially eye-catching. It has a strong European style and also reflects Mojiko's former prosperity as an international trading port. There is an exhibition space inside. Besides taking photos, I also recommend going in if you have time, as you can learn more about Mojiko's maritime history.

After visiting the Kobe Kitano Ijinkan, consider stopping by the lively Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street. This historic shopping street is lined with all kinds of shops, restaurants, and dessert shops, where you can find everything from everyday goods and clothing to souvenirs. Along the way, you can also pick up some Kobe specialties to enjoy while strolling and get a feel for the daily life of locals. If you’re interested, you can also look for the beautiful manhole covers along the way!

Ishigaki Island Chili Oil is the soul of dumplings and noodles! What makes it so special is the perfect combination of heat and rich aromas. It is slowly simmered by hand using carefully selected Ishigaki Island specialties, including awamori, island pepper, and a variety of spices, giving it remarkable depth.

The series comes in several heat levels, including the classic original and an extra-spicy special version, to suit different preferences. Whether you use it as a dipping sauce for dumplings or mix it into noodles, just one small spoonful instantly enhances the flavor. It is wonderfully aromatic with a strong lingering kick that will keep you coming back for more!

Hareza Ikebukuro is a distinctive cultural and entertainment hub in Ikebukuro. As soon as you enter the area, you can easily feel its strong youthful and subculture vibe. It's more than just a commercial complex—it combines theaters, a movie theater, arts and cultural spaces, and a plaza, and you can often come across various performances or limited-time events. Naka-Ikebukuro Park is also nearby, along with many anime- and manga-related stores, making it a great place for anyone who enjoys Japanese anime culture.

After trying the familiar Yabaton pork cutlets, consider changing things up and visiting Mukashi no Yabaton for a different style of Nagoya cuisine. The menu here is a little different from the usual signature pork cutlets, focusing on dishes such as deep-fried skewers and oden. The skewers are fried until crisp and fragrant, with different ingredients and special sauces that make them crunchy and hard to stop eating. The oden is slowly simmered in broth, allowing the ingredients to absorb the soup for a mellow flavor. The seasoning isn't too heavy, so you can still taste the ingredients themselves. If you've already visited Yabaton, I highly recommend checking out this location too for a different taste of Nagoya's casual local cuisine!

Yabaton is one of Nagoya's classic foods not to miss. It's very popular, and there is often a line during peak hours. This time, I specifically ordered their signature pork cutlet, and when it arrived, I realized it was very different from the tonkatsu I was used to! The coating was crispy without being too dry or hard. Covered with plenty of their special miso sauce, it was savory and rich with a hint of sweetness. The sauce soaked into the crispy breading, and together with the tender, juicy pork, it went perfectly with rice. Yabaton's most iconic dish is Nagoya-style miso katsu. The sauce incorporates Hatcho miso, a specialty of Aichi Prefecture, creating a uniquely rich flavor. It's a local Nagoya dish that's worth trying for yourself〜