Gina C's Reviews Page 20/23

Kobe's Kitano Ijinkan district—I made a special trip to visit this very distinctive Starbucks. The store was converted from the two-story wooden Western-style building “Kitano Monogatari.” The exterior retains the distinct charm of the ijinkan district and is truly different from a typical Starbucks.

Inside, you can also feel the atmosphere of a vintage Western-style house. The wooden architecture and warm interior design give it a real sense of history. Sitting inside with a cup of coffee feels less like simply buying a drink and more like stepping into an old Western-style house filled with stories.

Of course, you have to eat okonomiyaki in Osaka. This time I went to Tsuruhashi Fugetsu and ordered a piping-hot okonomiyaki. As soon as it arrived, I could tell it was packed with ingredients. It was filled with cabbage, giving it a rich texture along with the cabbage's natural sweetness.

At NEZAMEYA, I ordered inari sushi and unagi rice, enjoying two different Japanese flavors at once! The tofu skin around the inari sushi had a subtle sweetness, and it went down easily with the rice inside. Simple, but something you don't get tired of eating.

The unagi was grilled until fragrant, and the fish was tender. Together with the sauce and white rice, the sweet and savory flavor went really well with the rice. Ordering both was just right because I could switch between flavors without getting tired of either one.

One of the things I was most looking forward to in Uji was eating matcha desserts. This time, I went to the Nakamura Tokichi Honten and ordered a matcha cake. The cake itself had a rich matcha aroma and was delicate and soft. The matcha flavor was distinct but not overly bitter, and the sweetness of the cake balanced it perfectly.

With each bite, a subtle tea aroma spread through my mouth. The overall texture was very delicate, and I liked it more and more as I ate. Slowly enjoying dessert in the shop, surrounded by matcha everywhere, really made me feel like I was in Uji!

When in Nara, you have to check out the famous Nakatanido. The most fascinating part is watching the mochi pounding in person! The craftsmen rapidly pound the mochi with wooden mallets, moving with a fast and powerful rhythm. People nearby can’t help but stop and watch, and the whole process is very entertaining.

Watching the mochi being pounded so quickly in the wooden mortar really makes you feel like you’re right there in the action. The craftsmen are especially well coordinated, and their speed is seriously impressive! Watching it being made in person is more interesting than simply buying mochi.

In Nara, you have to try the famous “Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding”! The first thing that caught my eye was the pudding jar lid, which features a cute Daibutsu design. It’s small and so adorable that you won’t want to throw it away even after finishing the pudding.

The pudding is delicious, and even the jar has a distinct Nara feel, making it perfect as a souvenir. It’s cute and tasty, so it’s no wonder it has become such a popular Nara dessert!

I ate at Kamameshi Shizuka in Nara and ordered the eel and shrimp kamameshi this time. As soon as the piping-hot kamameshi arrived at the table, its aroma filled the air, and it looked incredibly appetizing.

The eel had a light savory sauce flavor and was tender. Paired with the fresh, sweet shrimp, the two different flavors blended into the rice, giving every bite layers of flavor. The rice absorbed the aromas of the ingredients and became more fragrant with every bite.

Butter Butler TOKYO GIFT PALETTE is a great dessert shop for buying souvenirs. It specializes in a variety of butter-based sweets, and the packaging also has a premium feel.

The rich buttery aroma and flavor make everything taste very indulgent. If you like buttery sweets, this place is definitely worth trying!

Around Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, you’re almost certain to see Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) while strolling along the bustling streets. The tall five-story pagoda really stands out among the streets and is one of Kyoto’s classic city views.

Walking near Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, you can see Yasaka Pagoda in the distance, rising above the traditional machiya townhouses. Together with the historic streets, it really feels like Kyoto. While exploring the area around Kiyomizu-dera, I couldn’t help stopping to take a few photos.

I didn’t specifically plan to go inside this time, but just seeing Yasaka Pagoda from the street felt very characteristic of Kyoto.

I experienced the Hozugawa River Boat Ride in Kyoto, traveling downstream through the valley with forests and mountains on both sides. The whole trip felt adventurous. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any photos of the boat this time, so I can only rely on my memories of the scenery and experience.

Along the way, the river was calm at times and fast-flowing at others. It was even a little thrilling when we reached the faster currents, and the whole ride was full of variety. Sitting on the boat and enjoying the natural scenery along the river was also a very unique way to travel.