Every time I go to Hokkaido, I make sure to leave space in my suitcase for these.
They look understated, but they’re seriously impressive! The cookies are crisp, the butter cream is rich but not heavy, and each bite has that lovely aroma of rum raisins. They’re so easy to keep eating that a whole box can quietly disappear.
No wonder they’ve been popular for over 50 years and are still a Hokkaido favorite. If you haven’t tried them, can you even say you’ve been to Hokkaido? This is one of those treats you can buy without a second thought. Great as a gift, and even better to enjoy yourself!
Rokkatei Marusei Butter Sandwich | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Tokyo Disneyland
Known and loved as the “kingdom of dreams and magic”, this full-scale themepark is just a 15 min. train ride from Tokyo Station.
For this trip to Tokyo, we specifically set aside two days to visit Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea separately, so we could finally fully experience the magic of Disney!
In comparison, I think the attractions at Tokyo Disneyland are more suitable for young children. The entire park feels like stepping into a fairy-tale world, with each attraction telling its own story. It’s very immersive and really great for family trips.
We lined up at the entrance at 8:00 a.m. and entered the park at around 9:10. Even though it was a weekday, the lines for popular attractions were still very long. I recommend downloading the Tokyo Disney app in advance and researching the attractions you want to experience. If necessary, you can purchase DPA for faster access, which can really save you a lot of time!
My top recommendation from this visit is Beauty and the Beast! The castle and scenes are recreated with incredible accuracy, and together with the music and story, it feels like you’ve stepped right into the movie. The moment when the Beast turns back into the prince especially made me exclaim, “How can this be so magical?” Even if you’re not a devoted fan, it’s easy to be moved, and it’s definitely worth experiencing! I suggest watching the original animated movie before you go, as it will make the experience even more meaningful.
Another thing that left the strongest impression on me was the nighttime parade! Familiar cartoon characters appeared one after another, accompanied by gorgeous floats, synchronized dancing, and cheerful music. Before I knew it, I was swaying to the beat. The atmosphere was truly wonderful!
There was also the Reach for the Stars castle light show, which combines projections, lasers, fire effects, fireworks, and music to present exciting stories featuring Disney characters. The visual effects rival those of a blockbuster movie, so you really shouldn’t miss it! There was also an earthquake that day, and the fireworks show was paused midway through. It became a very unique memory from the trip.
Although the food in the park isn’t cheap, some of it is shaped so adorably that it almost feels too cute to eat! With family-friendly facilities and stroller parking areas, it’s also very convenient to visit with young children.
Tokyo Disneyland isn’t just an amusement park; it feels more like a beautiful fairy-tale dream. The most precious part of this trip was being able to accompany my daughter into the princess world of her dreams and create wonderful memories of our own.
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Ozeki Supermarket Asakusa Kaminarimon Store
Nothing but local roots at this supermarket popping up across Tokyo.The Asakusa Kaminarimon branch is located just about 100 meters from the iconic Asakusa Temple Kaminarimon Gate. Check the storefront and just inside for wall-to-wall daily necessities like seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh groceries and snacks, to seasonings, alcohol, daily necessities, and more! You can always expect an easy energy and bustling vibe from here during open hours.
When visiting Asakusa, besides exploring Kaminarimon and Nakamise Shopping Street, don’t miss OZEKI (オオゼキ). It sells a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, and fresh foods, along with plenty of everyday Japanese ingredients to browse through at your own pace and discover interesting finds.
Whenever I travel to Japan, I really enjoy visiting local supermarkets to see what Japanese people usually eat and compare prices. You might even find something unexpectedly good!
If you’re staying nearby or want to pick up a few things after exploring Asakusa, stop in and experience everyday life at a Japanese supermarket.
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Asakusa Shin Nakamise Shopping Street
Boasting a history of about 90 years since its inception in the early Showa era, the Asakusa Shin Nakamise Shopping Street crosses Asakusa from east to west, in contrast to the Nakamise Shopping Street that connects the Kaminarimon Gate to Asakusa Temple. It is the largest shopping street in Asakusa, with a total length of 380m, and is composed of five areas.
When visiting the area around Senso-ji Temple, besides Nakamise Shopping Street, don’t miss the nearby Shin Nakamise Shopping Street. It’s a covered arcade, so you don’t have to worry about rain or hot weather, making it very comfortable to explore! There are plenty of stores along the way, so you can take a leisurely stroll and see what there is to browse and buy.
We originally thought it would be packed, but surprisingly, there weren’t many people when we visited that day. It felt relaxed and easy to walk around, which was a little different from the lively Asakusa scene we had imagined!
If you’re planning to visit Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street, you can stop by here as well. It doesn’t require a special detour, and you can experience a different side of Asakusa〜
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