Thoughts on buying snacks in Japan

Part of the fun in travelling in Japan is buying the Japanese sweets and snacks. And based on my experiences this time in Japan, I realised that:

1. If getting snacks from souvenir shops, better to get the ones that are also sold in other countries or on online platforms.

Examples: Hiyoko, Tsukigesho, Shiroi Koibito, Tokyo Banana

2. If getting snacks that are unheard of outside of Japan, better to get from specialty stores or counters. And get more of them.

There is a good reason why certain brands have specialty stores or counters. High chance is that their products are delicious enough for the possibility of generating enough sales to justify a specialty store or counter.

3. Specialty vending Machine Snacks may be better than expected

In fact, the best yatsuhashi I have tasted thus far is from a vending machine. Of course, this brand, おたべ otabe, is also available in box form in souvenir stores. But I chose to buy another brand for the sake of trying something new. Well, the good part about this decision is that I realise that otabe is actually better and will be my choice of yatsuhashi the next time I go to Japan.

My guess for its availability in specialty vending machine is due to its popularity (most probably due to its good taste) to justify setting up a machine just to sell this brand of snack.

4. If getting something from souvenir stores, steamed cakes and cookies are safer choices. But they may be just quite nice only, not mind-blowingly good.

5. Mochi and yatsuhashi are risky choices. Buy with a sense of adventure, or buy the ones confirmed to be good.

Travelling is so Fun!

I totally enjoy my Japan trip this time, and it is possible with careful planning by my kawaii imouto who is cool with doing it, taking into account of both our preferences.

To me, it’s not about showing where I have been to. It’s about experiencing it. I like to take photos to seal it as memories and feel the pride in capturing the beauty of the places, not as proof that I have been here. So majority of my photos don’t have me inside.

I love to feel the vibe, to appreciate the different architecture, to study the beauty of the places, to observe the locals, to experience different things native to the places.

Buying the snacks based on my feelings is a different level of enjoyment from savouring the awesome snacks brought by my loved ones.

And I sort of gather why this trip works for both of us:

1. The travelling companions who are thoughtful and considerate matter a lot. For obvious reasons. And oneself must be thoughtful and considerate too since it is a two-way thing.

2. Have similar goals for travelling. Then all can have fun together without feeling that one has compromised too much, thus feeling frustrated about it.

3. Stay in different rooms for personal space unless you are family living together. Different living habits will not blend seamlessly within those few days travelling aboard. We are used to our habits, and not requiring to change them during holiday makes the trip far more comfortable and results in less frictions. Being able to hog the toilet is great.

4. Being punctual. Missing planned itinerary is not fun.

5. Being positive. The essential element to enjoy lots of things and have fun. 

6. Use logic. To avoid being a nuisance.

7. Be at least quite willing to spend. It makes things a lot easier.

8. Wear your usual shoes for travel. New shoes will be hard in texture and have not conformed to shape of one's feet yet. And it is untried, untested, so who knows what problem they can cause to your feet. Shoes not worn often should be avoided too. They may just disintegrate due to lack of use.

9. Eat multivitamins and probiotics everyday. To stay healthy to truly enjoy the trip.

Pretty Jewellery and Knick Knacks

Some jewellery and knick knacks in Japan look too pretty or cute to resist buying them.

Super cute keychain from my kawaii imouto chan 💝

From an Arashiyama shop selling artisan handmade bamboo products

Both sparkling shot glass and necklace are from a souvenir shop at Mt-Fuji 5th Station

Brought from Port Tower

Sukiya at Kansai Airport- Surprisingly Good!

Before boarding out plane ay Ksnsai Airport, we want to est something at the airport first, and Sukiya is our choice. I had eaten the beef bowl at Sukiya in Singapore, I’m thinking that it is good, but not super good, based on my experiences in Singapore. I’m in for a huge surprise when I try the beef bowl with cheese at Kansai Airport.

It is so good! The rice is fluffy, smooth and starchy, and the thinly sliced beef has a balanced meaty sweetness. It tastes even more exciting when paired with tabasco sauce. I'm looking forward to eat the beef bowl at Sukiya in Japan again.

Thoughts: Good Quality!

Solaniwa Onsen

The private onsen available at Solaniwa is really what I need to enjoy onsen. My preference for private onsen is for a very different reasons: I just want some alone time while relaxing in the onsen, and I'm not comfortable soaking in the same body of water as others. When I see many people putting their feet in a foot spa, I straightaway reject the suggestion to join them, even when it’s free. I simply can’t when I think about soaking in water used by others. So it has to be private type for me.

Before going into the private onsen, I get to roam around the onsen. This place is like a mini village, where there are patrons, all dressed in yutaka, roaming around the massive space with gardens, restaurants, cafes, shops and instagram-worthy spots. It really feels immersive, and the garden is so beautiful. I love it.

The private onsen is gorgeous, with a mini zen garden right beside the onsen. Looking at the beautifully crafted lush greenery while soaking in the hot mineral rich water is one good enjoyment in life. And I can add cold water to adjust the temperature so that it is manageable for me.

The private room for the onsen is so well-equipped. Television, coffee table, woven chairs are available to rest and relax. There’s also shower room with cleanser, shampoo and conditioner provided. The sink area has facial care products for my use. This is so thoughtful.

The private onsen is definitely a must-try.

Dreamy, Beautiful Lavender Sparkles

1 Chome-2-3 Benten, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0007, Japan

Kani Doraku かに道楽本店 - Wonderful Crab Feast

Kani Doraku immediately caught my eye when I was given a list of restaurants to visit in Japan. So yes, I’m super hyped about coming here to enjoy my favourite protein: crab!

Located in the crowded Dotonburi, the interior of Kani Doraku is a nice break from the hectic world outside. The place is calm and quiet, with tatami floor mat setting, overseeing an open area of Dontoburi, where many people passes by.

And the menus all feature different combinations of crab prepared with different cooking methods. It is crab lover’s dream come true!

The crab here is so fresh, so juicy, so sweet. I have such an awesome time savouring the crab dishes here. And with the great service, this restaurant is a must-visit.

By the way, it is also a must to go to the washroom here. Because they play a special Kani song there, which is so cute and funny.

A good start with Boiled Crab and Seasonal Dish

Boiled Crab is cooked crab in its purest form, no seasoning or anything because it can still taste absolutely amazing on its own. The clear briny sweetness of crab takes the center stage. And the meat is do succulent and juicy. I love this even in its plain form.

Refreshing, crunchy, sweet vegetables rolled up for a good bite. Goma sauce added for an extra earthy, savoury, tangy taste.

Three kinds of crab sashimi, a super rarity in Singapore, is so good that I can say that my favourite sashimi is crab.

Grilled Crab Sashimi features the pure briny sweetness of the springy, juicy crab meat tempered with a hint of char to make the taste more exciting. It is brilliant idea to burn the top of the crab sashimi for that complexity in taste.

Crab Yuba Sashimi has the thin silky smooth yuba adding a layer of lux and smoothness to the texture of the crab. A unique way for pairing with crab, and I love it.

Crab Leg Sashimi is pure crab goodness due to the plump, juicy texture of the leg meat. It is pure enjoyment to eat this.

Crab Chawamushi is full of light clear umami. And the starchy broth on top adds a nice unique texture to the chawamushi.

Carrot in Cut in a Cute shape of Crab

I enjoy Small Crab Sukiyaki Pot a lot too. Because the broth yielded from cooking the crab and vegetables in dashi is so tasty and full of umami. The crab cooked in broth is, of course, delicious. I like it that the vegetable variety is of thin strip shape for easier biting as compared to those big leafy type with thick stalk. I especially love the cute small green veggies that surprisingly have a light taste of char that makes it even better. It feels so comforting to enjoy sipping on the broth and eating the food freshly cooked in it.

Grilled Crab is incredibly briny sweet. The sweetness is unbelievable. This is oh-so-good. The char from the grilling actually makes the crab taste even sweeter. Tastes even more exciting with lemon added. This is my favourite of the whole set meal.

Crab Tempura is coated with thin crispy deep fried batter that juxtaposes so well with the bouncy texture of the crab meat. Another delight to savour.

Crab Rice Kamameshi is packed with umami due to the crab meat added and the rice imbued with the savoury goodness of the broth. Though I do get pretty full by now. So adding dashi to the rice to yield Chazuke totally works for me since it is now a bit like porridge in consistency, thus much easier to finish. Adding wasabi and parsley opens up the taste. I totally enjoy this in chazuke form that I can get another helping despite being full.

Nice refreshing Yuzu sorbet. But I wish I had chosen the Matcha Ice-cream instead since the staff will whip up the matcha and pour it over the vanilla ice-cream.

Thoughts: Simply Wonderful!

1 Chome-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan