Koikeya Potato Chips Potato and Salt
A simple snack seasoned with a salt-based seasoning on thinly sliced and fried Japanese potatoes. It can be purchased at supermarkets and drug stores across Japan.
Compared to the spicy flavors that are popular in Taiwan lately, the light salt flavor is just right—not too salty, and it feels light. It's tasty all the way to the last chip, and you won't get tired of the flavor halfway through!
Kayanoya
A former soy-sauce storehouse turned specialty ingredients shop. Kayanoya has spent 120 years helping more people enjoy “Washoku”, the world-recognized intangible cultural heritage of Japanese cuisine, with easy to use ingredients.
I loved visiting this shop! You can buy soup stock packs as souvenirs for friends and family, and also take some home to cook for your loved ones. The prices are much better than Japanese product specialty stores in Taiwan!
Gyokusentei main store
A Chinese restaurant located just off the main street of Isezakicho Shopping Mall, once the bustling center of Yokohama. Established in Taisho 7 (1918), it's famous nationwide for its "Sanma-men," a Yokohama specialty. The interior evokes a nostalgic, Showa-era ambiance, attracting both locals and visitors from afar. The walls are adorned with autographs from celebrities.
Sanma-men—this is a famous ramen style from Kanagawa in the Kanto region, and it's considered the most authentic Chinese-style ramen by Japanese people!
IPPUKU&MATCHA
Hold the ceremony and pass the tea at this Uji matcha specialty shop. Made with pure, unblended tea leaves, each luxurious cup of matcha is made to order.
I'm obsessed with their matcha pudding topped with a scoop of matcha ice cream. The flavor is super rich—so good! If you're a matcha fan, you'll love it!
Yumura Tokiwa Hotel
Yumura Onsen, the “shingen no motoyu” located in Kofu City, Yamanashi is one of Japan’s leading hot springs towns for over 1,200 years.
The Japanese garden here is centered around pine trees, and it looks different and beautiful in every season. Taking a walk here in the evening or morning is just enchanting!
Oronamin C Drink
Since its introduction in 1965, this national carbonated nutritional drink has sold over 35 billion bottles in Japan. It contains the vitamin C equivalent to 11 lemons, as well as B2, B6, essential amino acids for building the body, and honey.
You need energy when traveling, so I always get this drink. It tastes smooth and is really good!
Yojiya Blotting Sheets
These blotting sheets are a staple item of YOJIYA, the Kyoto veteran cosmetics brand founded in 1904. It’s recommended for blotting excess oil and creating an even surface before makeup touchups.
A coworker gave me these as a souvenir before, and they were honestly so useful. So this time, I made sure to buy some to take home!
WAGASHI KUNPU
A small Japanese confectionary shop situated within a residential area. Here, a marriage between seasonal traditional Japanese sweets using ingredients obtained directly from the farmers and unique sake is proposed.
The white yokan mixed with spices and tangy dried fruits, paired with sake, is just an amazing combination! Plus, the prices aren't expensive at all!
Sekizenkan
It was established in 1691, known as the oldest hot spring inn in Japan. The structures have been designated as important cultural properties of Gunma Prefecture, and are the model for the bathhouse in the Ghibli film “Spirited Away”.
This is the filming location for Spirited Away and the oldest hidden hot spring inn in Japan. The facilities are a bit old, but the prices are reasonable. You can really feel the historical atmosphere here!
Cup Noodles Curry Flavor
Nissin Foods, the inventor of the world’s cup ramen “Cup Noodles”, launched its curry-flavored noodles just two years after its start of sales. The noodles have a good body and the curry flavored soup is mild and creamy with the sweetness of vegetables.
The flavor is rich and smooth. If you're craving curry, this is a great choice—super convenient and quick!