Linda Liao's Reviews Page 70/75

Hokkaido's hugely popular sushi restaurant, Nemuro Hanamaru, is now in Tokyo too!

This time, I visited the branch in Tokyu Plaza Ginza. If you want to experience Japan's standing sushi culture, I highly recommend coming here. There's often a long line during meal times, so I specifically went in the afternoon and managed to avoid the crowds.

Watching the chef place each piece of fresh sushi on a bamboo leaf really whets your appetite! The ingredients are fresh, and there are plenty of options. Just order whatever you like—almost everything is delicious, so you really can't go wrong. I also highly recommend their seafood miso soup. It's packed with umami, warms you up, and goes perfectly with the sushi〜

As expected of an upscale Ginza department store, it brings together many of the trendiest high-end sweets. There was so much to see that every floor felt like a refined dessert exhibition. I saw many well-dressed Japanese women lining up to buy GIN NO MORI's dreamy French-style cookies in a tin, and in the end, I couldn't resist pulling out my wallet.

Opening the tin was such a delightful surprise. It was filled with all kinds of delicate, adorable handmade cookies, each with a different shape and flavor. Savoring them slowly revealed their unique layers of flavor.

As I kept browsing, I even discovered that Taiwan's SunnyHills had opened a location here!

Unexpectedly coming across a familiar Taiwanese brand in an upscale department store abroad made me feel strangely moved and proud. I hope SunnyHills can thrive in Japan for many years to come and introduce more people to the wonderful flavors of Taiwan.

On this trip to Hakodate, I made a special visit to the Goryokaku location and enjoyed some delicious treats in the store. I finally got to try the butter ice cream sandwich cookie I’d been craving! The crisp cookies were filled with rich, smooth butter ice cream and moist, sweet rum raisins. Enjoyed with coffee, every bite was pure happiness.

We happened to visit during the Christmas season, and the café chairs were decorated with cute Santa hat covers, which felt very festive. We spent that morning slowly enjoying desserts and coffee, savoring a little happiness during winter in Hakodate.

Sugar Butter Sand Tree is a very popular Japanese souvenir cookie. The outer cookie is made with seven kinds of grains and oats, with a rich white chocolate filling in the middle. It's crisp on the outside and smooth inside, blending the aroma of grains with the sweetness of butter. My friends and family all really like it.

Besides the original, it's also popular to buy a cheaper alternative at 7-Eleven. After comparing the two, I found them quite similar in texture and flavor. The alternative is just as tasty and more affordable too.

Sugar Butter Sand Tree also occasionally releases seasonal packaging or limited-edition flavors. If you're flying in or out of Haneda Airport, keep an eye out for airport-exclusive products and pick up a box to enjoy at home〜

Black Thunder chocolate, which took Taiwan by storm when I was a kid, remains a timeless souvenir choice. The individually wrapped pieces are easy to share. On a busy afternoon, make a cup of hot tea and enjoy it with some crunchy, sweet Black Thunder chocolate. That simple sweetness can bring a little moment of comfort〜

If you're looking for a restaurant to take a break and have a meal in the shopping street, Calm Cafe might be a good choice. Tucked away in an alley with an inconspicuous entrance, I found this cute little place while following the “Naval Curry Restaurant Guide” I picked up at the station.

The atmosphere inside is cozy, and there's also a small bar area. That evening, we enjoyed rich naval curry and watched a game with the regulars. It felt like we were part of the locals' everyday life, making it an unforgettable experience.

Picking strawberries in Japan was a novel experience. Within the allotted time, you can enjoy as many fresh strawberries as you like, including quite a few special varieties that are hard to find in regular supermarkets. Every strawberry was plump and juicy, very sweet, and not too tart, making them incredibly satisfying to eat. Since strawberries aren't exactly cheap, you get your money's worth after eating just a few〜 It's great for both families with children and couples on a date. I was so full by the end and felt very satisfied.

The Iron Whale Museum is a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force history museum that mainly introduces the history of the JMSDF and Kure City. A decommissioned submarine is displayed outside, and you can actually go inside to see the cramped spaces where the crew lived and worked. Photography is not allowed inside.

The Irifuneyama Memorial Museum is located in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, and is an important site preserving Kure's naval history. Its most notable building is the former official residence of the commander-in-chief of the Kure Naval District. Built during the Meiji era, it blends Japanese and Western architectural styles and has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The ornate kinkarakami wallpaper in the Western-style building is especially intricate and quite rare. Walking through the museum, I could really feel the atmosphere of the Meiji era, and it also gave me a better understanding of Kure's history.

Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street retains a strong sense of Showa-era nostalgia, while also hiding many innovative and cute little shops. Walking through it, you can almost feel the determination of local young people working in their own way to preserve this old city.

The shopping street is lined with over a hundred stores, including artsy little shops, unique restaurants, and local snacks. You could easily spend an entire afternoon slowly exploring this area alone.

Life moves slowly in Onomichi, without the noise and rush of a big city. This relaxed and peaceful atmosphere is exactly what makes Onomichi so charming, and it's something other big cities simply can't replace.