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〜
Black Thunder | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Nemuro Hanamaru JR Tower Stellar Place
This popular conveyor belt sushi chain originated in Nemuro, the easternmost part of Hokkaido, and its JR Tower Stellar Place location is conveniently connected to JR Sapporo Station.
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〜 -
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GINZA SIX
GINZA SIX is a luxurious building with a commanding presence, even amidst the high-end brands lining Ginza's central street. It opened in 2017 as the largest commercial facility in the Ginza district, redeveloping the area including the former site of the Matsuzakaya Ginza store in Ginza 6-chome.
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. -
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Rokkatei Flagship Store
Rokkatei is loved as a staple brand for Hokkaido souvenirs. They offer a wide variety of sweets, such as Marusei Butter Sandwiches, Strawberry Chocolates.
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. -
