Andy Huang's Reviews Page 3/6

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine

Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, enshrining Konohanasakuyahime-no-Mikoto, the goddess of Mount Fuji, is the head shrine of over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan. Its origins date back to 27 BC, with the current shrine built in 806 AD (the first year of Daido era).

• Shizuoka
• Shrines & Temples

Tsudaro

Tsudaro, originally an ochaya (tea house) since the late Edo period, was relocated to its current location in the early Taisho period. While retaining the luxurious decor typical of a high-end tea house, it now operates as a restaurant and bar, serving seasonal kaiseki cuisine and drinks.

• Kyoto
• Japanese Cuisine

Demachi Rororo

A small Japanese restaurant in an old machiya (townhouse) in the Shimogamo Shrine area. The restaurant has a good reputation for its Obanzai (traditional Japanese dishes) using plenty of pesticide-free vegetables grown in Ohara, Kyoto.

• Kyoto
• Japanese Cuisine

Menya Inoichi

A popular ramen shop that has earned the Bib Gourmand title in the Michelin Guide multiple times, recognized for offering quality food at good value. The restaurant takes pride in its 100% seafood broth, meticulously prepared by blending several types of fish flakes, including carefully selected bonito flakes from Kyoto's established "Kyoto Katsuobushi," and extracting the flavors at a low temperature.

• Kyoto
• Ramen

Jose Luis

Jose Luis, a staple of Spanish cuisine founded in Madrid in 1957, has landed its first branch in Japan, located on the 13th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square, directly connected to Shibuya Station. Here, you can savor a new style of traditional Spanish cuisine infused with Japanese ingredients.

• Shibuya
• Western Restaurants

Shikotsu Lake Lakeside Kitchen Tonton

Located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, just about a 30-minute drive from New Chitose Airport, this eatery is a must-visit spot right opposite the Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center.

• Chitose and Tomakomai
• Japanese Cuisine

Starbucks Coffee Ueno Onshi Park Store

Located within Ueno Onshi Park in Taito, Tokyo, this Starbucks is situated near the central fountain area of the park, making it an ideal spot for a rest during a park stroll. Ueno Onshi Park is known for its concentration of cultural facilities like zoos, museums, and art galleries, and the café is always bustling with visitors stopping by before or after visiting these attractions.

• Ueno, Nippori
• Cafés

Tairikitei

Located within the precincts of Kyoto's famous Nanzen-ji Temple, Tairikitei is a stately mansion with the "Soryu Garden," landscaped by the eleventh generation Ogawa Jihei. The mansion comprises four distinct dining spaces: "Higashiyama," "Nanzen," "Ohiroma," and "Hanare," each offering a unique view of the garden.

• Kyoto
• Meat Dishes

Soba-dokoro Tanakaya (Main Branch)

An Izumo soba specialty shop right in front of the main gate of Izumo Taisha. Alongside Iwate’s wanko soba and Nagano’s Togakushi soba, Izumo soba is counted as one of Japan’s three great soba styles. Made with “hikigurumi” (whole-grain milling), it’s known for its darker color and rich, aromatic flavor.

• Shimane
• Japanese Cuisine

Sakaneya Taisha Shop: Izumo Zenzai Mochi

A teahouse in Goen Yokocho, a gourmet alley right in front of the main gate of Izumo Taisha Shrine. Run by the long-established Japanese sweets maker Sukune Mochi Honpo Sakaneya, founded in 1872, it’s famous for Izumo zenzai. Zenzai, one of Japan’s signature sweet red bean soups topped with mochi, is said to have originated in Izumo.

• Shimane
• Cafés