Blog
Blog 2026年6月 3ページ目
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Nakatsubo
Takayama ramen is characterised by its light soy sauce broth, made from chicken bones, bonito flakes and vegetables, served with curly noodles. It is what is known as ‘old-fashioned Chinese-style noodles’ for Japanese, and locals refer to it as ‘Chūka soba’ or simply ‘soba’. This is why, if you order ‘soba’, you will be served Chinese-style noodles rather than Japanese buckwheat noodles. It was introduced from Tokyo in the early Showa period, and over the years, adjustments have been made—such as simmering the soup and soy sauce together—to ensure it remains warm and comforting even during Takayama’s cold winters. My…
- restaurant
- Spot introduction
- Takayama
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Fruit Tea Room ver kLar
When I visited Takayama as a child, it was a tourist destination, but apart from the Takayama Festival, there weren’t that many visitors. Now, however, it is constantly teeming with foreign tourists. There are more stylish cafés than ever, but they are often so crowded that you can’t get a seat. Located right next to the Miyagawa Morning Market, ‘Fruit Tea Room ver kLar’ is a hidden gem. The ground floor is a fruit shop, whilst the café is on the first floor, accessed via a staircase inside. Here, you can relax and enjoy some sweet treats whilst gazing out…
- Japanese dessert
- Spot introduction
- Takayama
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Yuzu Shio Ramen
I always crave ramen when I’m on a business trip to the regions. Few dishes divide opinion quite like ramen, yet it is also a dish that reflects the flavours deeply rooted in each local area. Located close to Kanazawa Station, Yuzuki is a real lifesaver when time is short. Inside the shop, cardboard boxes of yuzu from Tokushima and Ehime are stacked high, giving a real sense of their dedication to yuzu. The Yuzu Shio Ramen, made with a chicken and seafood-based broth enhanced with natural salt and yuzu, is refreshingly light—a bowl of ramen that doesn’t leave you…
- Food
- Hokuriku
- Spot introduction
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Tawaraya’s Jiro Butter
Founded in 1830, Tawaraya is Kanazawa’s oldest candy shop. It’s a shop I always make a point of visiting when I take a tour of Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya District. Made using only rice and barley, their Jiro-ame (mizuame, a Japanese sweetener) has a comforting sweetness that isn’t cloying, and it’s easy to see why it has long been a favourite for feeding babies. My personal favourite, however, is Jiro Butter. This is a combination of Jiro-ame and butter, and spreading it on toast and toasting it doubles the deliciousness. It’s lovely that you can sample Jiro-ame and Awa-ame (millet candy) at…
- Hokuriku
- Japanese dessert
- Spot introduction
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Jibuni
When it comes to Kanazawa’s signature local dish, Jibuni is the answer. It consists of duck or chicken, seasonal vegetables and sudare-fu (a type of wheat gluten noodle) simmered in a dashi broth and served with wasabi. As the meat is generously coated in wheat flour or potato starch, the dish develops a thick, creamy consistency, allowing it to be enjoyed whilst still piping hot. Whilst duck is the standard choice today, it seems that in the past, people would catch thrushes—a winter bird in Japan—grind them up with the bones still in, and shape the mixture into balls, much…
- Food
- Hokuriku
- Spot introduction
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Stone Steps Leading to Ryōan-ji
The Hojo Garden at Ryōan-ji gained worldwide fame after Queen Elizabeth II praised it highly. Although the constant stream of foreign tourists has made it difficult to take one’s time and fully appreciate the rock garden, it remains one of Japan’s most iconic gardens. My favourite spot is this stone staircase leading to the Kuri, the kitchen of a Zen monaster. The lush green foliage creates an air of dignified serenity.
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction