For a few visits to Tokyo we’ve been saying we should try the Sukiya shop – it’s effectively a beef bowl restaurant. If you have been to Tokyo you will of seen the red, white and yellow signs all around the place.
We needed a fast breakfast last Sunday before catching the train to meet people.. and it fitted the bill perfectly. Ordering efficient (yeah for English menu) – and it was tasty too!
Yes, that was the price for two! Here is what Kym has…
On Sunday we had a Brompton cycling day planned by one of our Japanese Brompton friends. There was going to be no rain… once everyone got to the station around 10ish it was agreed by consensus we would have a coffee while waiting for the shower to pass. Yes even we can go to McDonald’s – here is proof.
Then we set off – first up the obligatory photo
Then we set off… it is amazing how much space there is in Japan. We stopped at a flood gate… here is where it began to rain and we then lost one of the group because he was so wet!
As luck would have it.. eventually it cleared up…
…
The route was great as there were very few cars. Only had to watch for joggers and other cyclists. We cycle between baseball pitches, golf courses, rice paddies and houses. Around 1:30 we stopped for lunch at Via cycling cafe which is certainly set up for cyclists – and they have great food options. Here was my lunch – oishii!
After an hour of sitting around eating and talking we set off again and went to a working farm which sells fabulous ice cream!
From here we went to Kawagoe.. which is famous for old Edo style street and historical shrine and bell tower. Certainly worth the visit if you have time. We eventually got to the train station and said goodbye until the Brompton in Palace ride in November!
Beer at Spring Valley Brewery
First night in Tokyo and we met up with our Brompton friends in Kichijoji. It was great to catch up have some great food (it’s Tokyo it’s all good) and alcohol.
Plates are empty- they did contain goyza, rice and beer. Yes we were cramped into the booth at the end – most enjoyable!
… then we moved to a four story bar
Then a Scottish themed bar… where we talked about gin
… and now on the second to last train home. Here is to sleeping in!
This is not a question… but when thinking of Japan- my answer is going to be – yes all food is good in Japan.
But I acknowledge we are known for visiting at least one fancy restaurant on our holidays. This time we went to Inua. Kym had been following them via social media before they opened, as head chef previously worked at Noma in Copenhagen.
As usual when booking- we followed the rules and got in quite easily – and we could walk there from our hotel – even better!
Oh the mushroom!
cutlery
oh but this was awesome
Best looking bottle label design
Afterwards we got a tour of the kitchen. In the world of small restaurants what surprised us, was the size. Interestingly, they also had a test kitchen on the floor below- and heard about what they were working on.
As experienced previously, Adelaide is always a connection. The sommelier was originally from Adelaide… and was going back for Mew Years. We enjoyed the conversation about food and places we had been and experienced. Enjoyable experience!
… and if you couldn’t see or work out what we ate and drank here is the menu
Food is really good in Japan – doesn’t matter where you get it from. Today our last lunch was in a sushi restaurant off the main Enoshima walking path. This lunch cost 1,000 yen or around $13AUS. Sushi was perfect, there was also miso soup, salad and a small seafood snack of octopus in soy and wasabi. So simple, so tasty. As always, we will miss it….
Here are a few things we saw this morning at a small local supermarket in Enoshima
…and a dog waiting outside for its owner.
What I love about Japan is the variety of food you have the opportunity to experience, as each city has their own specialty.
In Toyama they are known for small glass shrimp, which is only available from March to November. There is a small shop inside the train station which is famous for its dishes made with this seafood, called Shiroebitei. To order the have a vending machine on the inside, which makes it easier. This was pretty cheap for around 11,000 yen (approx AUS $15). The small shrimp are fried and sit on a bed of rice with some sauce drizzled over the top. Most importantly the taste was fabulous!
While in Wakura Onsen we went to the Noto Milk Factory. We first came across it on Sunday when we arrived… and there was a very long long line. The font looked good… (yes this does help!)
but more importantly the ice cream tasted great. I enjoyed matcha ice cream and Kym tried three different flavours, coffee, strawberry, soy sauce (yes you read that correctly) and salted milk.
One the last day the person serving us gave us a small taste of another flavour to try as we had been in for three days running. Definitely a great product – and cheaper than home!
Over these last few days we’ve seen a lot of food being dried. Here are a couple to tempt you –
…any ideas what they are?
The area is also popular for salt!
We received an impromptu tour in part Japanese and English – they were very kind!
