{ Nakamura Tokichi — 中村藤吉 }

2013, Sep 30

Nakamura Tokichi is a restaurant/cafe located in Uji, Kyoto. Uji has become quite famous for their Matcha/green tea and Nakamura Tokichi is one of the most popular places to dine in the area. They serve meals such as matcha soba as well as matcha sweets in a very traditional setting/ambiance. Since the main branch and the nearby Byodoin branch are walking distance from each other, you can choose to dine at one or the other depending on which has a longer wait. We actually ended up going to the Main branch first but it was way too crowded so we walked over to the Byodoin branch and got a seat right away.

We ordered the matcha soba noodle lunch set for 1100yen and the seasonal cha soba special lunch set for 1200yen. The set comes with rice, pickles, and a small dessert as well. Everything was tasty and enjoyed our meal. Both locations are beautifully designed so I think you would enjoy either one. Don’t miss this place if you are near Uji, Kyoto.

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Related Posts on Kyoto:
1) Hirobun
2) Nakamura Tokichi
3) Kyoto Trip
4) Kyoto Cafes
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Address for Main Branch // 10, Ichiban Uji, Uji-shi, Kyoto, Japan (map)
Phone Number for Main Branch // 0774-22-7800
Address for Byodoin Branch // 5-1 Renge Uji, Uji-shi Kyoto, Japan (map)
Phone Number for Byodoin Branch // 0774-22-9500
Website // http://www.tokichi.jp/english/

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{ Mochinohana }

2013, Jul 5

Mochinohana is a Japanese cafe located in the neighborhood of Yutenji along the Toyoko-line (next to Nakameguro). They are famous for their shaved ice created with natural spring water.

Their lunch menu is small. You have a choice between Ramen, Fish, or Nikujyaga for your main dish (including 4 different types of fish which is nice). All the meals come with rice (white, brown, or mochi), miso soup, and Japanese pickles. You can add a small salad for 100yen, and a drink for 100yen. Ours came out to be 850yen each since we ordered a drink for an extra 100yen – Totally worth it. The food was well prepared and good. However, there’s only one chef so it takes a while to get your meal.

We naturally had to try their shaved ice so we decided to get the Matcha green tea shaved ice for 600yen. It was huge, we should have gotten the small! It comes with their homemade condensed milk sweetener so you can decide how sweet you want to make it. If you are looking for a Japanese cafe experience, this may be a good one.

Address // 2-50-13, Nakacho, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6452-2387
Website // http://mochinohana.jp/

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{ Imokin – 芋きん }

2013, Jan 24

Are you a sweet potato fan? If so, you’ll love this. This Japanese dessert is filled with condensed sweet potato and it only lasts 24hrs from when you purchase it at the store! It’s best eaten freshly-made when it’s crispy on the outside and warm in the inside. If you save it for later, they suggest you toast it first. Give it a try if you’re ever near an “Imo-kin” shop. There’s multiple locations with the main shop in Asakusa as well as one inside of Haneda Airport. I happened to go to the one in Ueno inside of the Matsuzakaya building so that’s the one pictured here.

Address // Matsuzakaya B1F, 3-29-5, Ueno, Taitou-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3832-1111
Website // http://www.mangando.jp/product/imokin.html

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{ Tenguyaki in Takaosan }

2012, Jun 19

Did you know that there’s a 3-star michelin rated Mountain in Tokyo? It’s called Mount Takao (Takaosan) and it’s hard to believe that such a beautiful mountain is just an hour or two away by public transportation from central Tokyo. It’s a nice getaway from the busy city life and the best part is they have many trails to choose from so all different age groups and levels (from beginner through advanced) hikers can enjoy this mt. Even the ‘Inariyama trail,’ which is supposed to be the most strenuous, is hiked by everyone from elementary school kids on field trips to grandmas & grandpas, so it’s a great way to get some exercise surrounded by nature without going on an all-day hike. If you are not that into hiking but still want to go to Takaosan, you can still take the tram and reach the observatory for a nice scenic view! On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji from the top and it’s a great way to experience nature in the massive metropolis of Tokyo.

I love hiking — I’ve climbed Mt. Fuji and Half Dome in Yosemite, but Takaosan is one of my favorite hikes in Tokyo. Just a tip, I would try avoid climbing Takaosan during major holidays like Golden week as it gets really packed and difficult to navigate. Also, bring a large ziploc bag/trash bag with you as you will have to take your trash home with you. For advanced hikers, you can continue from the top of Takaosan to the Mt. Jimba Trail to extend your hike.

Anyhow, at the top of the tram station is where you can find the delicious treat pictured above called “Tengu Yaki” for 130yen. ‘Tengu’ means a long‐nosed goblin and that’s what the shape is based off of. It has a sweetened black soybean paste inside the crispy waffle and it’s tasty. Surprisingly not too sweet and it’s a perfect snack to pick up on the way. Go on this hike with your family and friends on a nice weekend :)

Takaozan’s English website:
http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/takaotozan_eng1/index2.htm

Address // 2205, Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 042-665-1808
Website // n/a

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{ Quolofune }

2012, May 8

If you have a chance to lay your hands on these maccha dorayaki from Quolofune (pronounced kuh-roh-fu-neh), don’t pass it up. These are a slice of heaven and they are my #1 favorite dorayaki right now. They are so soft, not too sweet, and have mochi inside!! I love dorayaki in general but I’ve never had such good ones to the point where I actually had to go back to buy a ton more. Unfortunately, the maccha one is supposedly seasonal, so I’m not sure how much longer they’ll carry it in their stores. Definitely give it a try if you have a chance.

On the other hand, their RASQ (which looks like a cookie stick) was just ok. I’ll be going back to try their regular dorayaki and kasutera (castella) and of course to buy more maccha dorayaki :)

Address // 1-24-11, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3725-0038
Website // http://www.quolofune.com/jiyugaoka/

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{ Nakamura Tokichi — 中村藤吉 }

{ Mochinohana }

{ Imokin – 芋きん }

{ Tenguyaki in Takaosan }

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