王小鈞's Reviews Page 11/25

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin Tenjin

This popular Hakata Ramen restaurant has six locations in Fukuoka Prefecture. The restaurant boasts a unique pork bone broth that is distinctly different from both Nagahama and Hakata ramen, based on the concept of "pure soup that everyone, young and old, men and women, will drink up.

• Fukuoka
• Ramen

The broth looks rich, but it tastes surprisingly light. No wonder they say it’s a tonkotsu soup that “even seniors and kids can finish.”

It’s simmered slowly with pork bones, chicken bones, and Kyushu vegetables, with none of that heavy gamey smell—just lots of clean, savory sweetness. Paired with the extra-thin noodles, every bite soaks up the broth and goes down so easily.

The biggest surprise was the chashu. It had a slight sweetness and practically melted in my mouth without much chewing. The simple toppings—chashu, wood ear mushrooms, and green onions—actually made the ramen itself stand out even more.

Fujiko·F·Fujio Museum

This museum is located in Kawasaki, the city where Fujiko·F·Fujio, the manga artist who created series such as “Doraemon” and “Perman,” lived for many years.

• Kawasaki
• Museums

The moment you step inside, it feels like walking into a manga world. You can enjoy precious original artwork, watch exclusive animated shorts, and every corner is filled with childhood memories.

The café was what really made me lose it. The cute character-themed dishes are both photogenic and tasty. Then, of course, you end up at the shop bringing home limited-edition merch, and your wallet just gives up.

If you grew up watching Doraemon too, this place will have you smiling the whole time. Your inner child comes right back!

Canal City Hakata

On the vast 43,500m² premises, a shopping mall, movie complex, theater, amusement park and two hotels cluster. Its symbol, a 180m-long canal, crosses along the center of the space lined with colorful buildings.

• Fukuoka
• Commercial Buildings

Canal City Hakata is seriously fun to explore. It’s the kind of place where you plan to stay for an hour, then somehow end up spending half the day there.
Shopping, food, cafés, and hotels are all in one place, so when you get tired, you can just sit down and take a break somewhere. What surprised me most was the fountain show on the first floor. With the music, the atmosphere was awesome. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s relaxing just to sit nearby and zone out while watching the fountains.
If you’re in Fukuoka and don’t know where to go, you really can’t go wrong here. Eat, shop, and take tons of photos all in one stop!

YAMAMOTOYA SOHONKE　Honke（Main store）

A long-established store of Nagoya's famous "Miso Nikomi Udon" made by simmering noodles in Mame Miso （soybean red miso） based broth. It is combined with white miso which is blended with "Kakukyu Hatcho Miso" from Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture.

• Nagoya
• Japanese Cuisine

Nagoya has so many must-try foods, but if I had to pick just one, I’d definitely vote for the miso nikomi udon at Yamamotoya Sohonke!

It arrives still bubbling hot in a clay pot, and the rich miso aroma hits you right away. The broth, made with Hatcho miso blended with white miso, is deeply savory without being overly salty. The more you sip, the better it gets. The udon was the biggest surprise: super chewy and springy, totally different from the usual udon. Every bite has real presence, and it’s seriously addictive.

Locals even use the clay pot lid as a small plate to cool the noodles while eating, which feels like such an authentic Japanese way to enjoy it! And this miso broth with white rice is a perfect match. I highly recommend adding a bowl of rice. You’ll leave completely satisfied.

Yabaton Yaba-cho Main store

It is a famous store of Nagoya's well known "Miso-katsu" founded in 1947. The Tonkatsu is covered with sauce made from naturally brewed bean miso from Aichi prefecture that has been aged for a year and a half.

• Nagoya
• Japanese Cuisine

When you come to Nagoya, you definitely can’t miss the super popular miso katsu spot, Yabaton Yaba-cho Main Store.

Their signature pork cutlet is topped with a special miso sauce that’s rich but not too heavy. It has the aroma of naturally brewed miso and pairs perfectly with the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside cutlet.

I thought the miso sauce would be really salty, but it was actually sweet, smooth, and so easy to keep eating. With white rice, it’s almost dangerously good! If you want to try local Nagoya food, this place absolutely belongs on your must-visit list.

Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome

Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome is a hitsumabushi specialty restaurant located a five-minute walk from Nagoya Station. It is known for its hitsumabushi made with eel grilled over Bincho charcoal until fragrant, paired with 100% Japanese-grown rice. A sweet tare based on traditionally made tamari soy sauce brings out the eel’s natural umami, earning strong support from locals and tourists alike.

• Nagoya
• Japanese Cuisine

How could you come to Nagoya and miss hitsumabushi?

This time I visited Maruya Honten, about a 5-minute walk from Nagoya Station, and the aroma of charcoal-grilled eel hit me as soon as I walked in.

Their signature hitsumabushi was seriously amazing. For the first serving, you enjoy the simple, original flavor of the eel and rice. The eel skin was lightly charred and fragrant, while the meat was tender and delicate. I didn’t notice any bones at all, and the texture was super pleasant.

For the second serving, you add seasonings for a more layered flavor. Finally, you pour in the broth to make it like ochazuke. It was warm, smooth, and comforting, with a different surprise in every bite.

What impressed me most was how carefully the eel was prepared. There was none of that bony feeling I had imagined, so even people who are usually nervous about fish bones can dig in with confidence. Paired with the sweet-savory sauce and chewy rice, it was impossible to stop eating!

If you’re making a must-eat list for Nagoya, hitsumabushi absolutely needs to be on it. This meal was totally worth it!

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

This is a huge aquarium with dolphins, beluga whales, orcas, and other sea creatures in the North wing, and various tanks with live coral and other sea creatures in the South wing.

• Nagoya
• Zoos & Aquariums

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is definitely worth setting aside half a day to explore at a relaxed pace!
As soon as I walked in, I was hooked by the dolphins, beluga whales, and orcas. The highlight was the show at one of Japan’s largest main pools—the dolphins leaping high and the public orca training were so impressive that I couldn’t stop taking photos. After the North Wing, I headed to the South Wing, where watching all kinds of marine life swim around was so soothing. If I could pick only one family-friendly spot in Nagoya, I’d definitely choose this place!

Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho Store

Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho Store is the discount shop drawing shoppers from near and wide for its whopping selection and unbeatable prices. Sat at the entrance of Kabukicho, Japan’s largest entertainment district, the store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so you can easily pop in for shopping whether on your way during the day or night.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Commercial Buildings

How can you come to Japan and not stop by Don Quijote? Every time I say, “I’ll just buy a few things,” I end up walking out with several bags in my hands.

You can find everything here: snacks, drugstore items, cosmetics, electronics, and souvenirs. The prices are often cheaper than expected, and there are lots of limited-edition items to hunt for.

Whether you’re stocking up or just buying random stuff, it’s way too easy to go overboard here. I recommend making a list first. Also, download the app so you can use coupons! Otherwise, your wallet might cry!

Yokohama Cosmo World

This multi-level urban amusement park has a bit of everything, from thrilling rides like a giant Ferris wheel and roller coasters to games, haunted houses, virtual reality attractions using VR and 3D technologies, and children’s rides like merry-go-rounds and character cars.

• Yokohama
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

The giant Ferris wheel is what drew me to Yokohama Cosmo World the most. The ocean views during the day and the night views after dark are both gorgeous! Best of all, there’s no admission fee. You just buy tickets for the rides you want, so it won’t wreck your budget.

They have everything from thrilling roller coasters and VR attractions to cute merry-go-rounds. It’s great for dates, family trips, or hanging out with friends. When the Ferris wheel lights up at night, it feels so romantic. If you’re visiting Yokohama, definitely add this stop to your itinerary!

bills Osaka

Opened in 2017 at LUCUA 1100, a commercial facility directly connected to JR Osaka Station, bills Osaka is the eighth all-day dining "bills" restaurant in Japan by Bill Granger, a restaurateur from Sydney.

• Osaka
• Western Restaurants

I just had to try the super popular bills! I came specifically for their signature pancakes this time. They’re made to order, so you do have to wait a bit, but the first bite made it totally worth it 🥞.

They were fluffy and soft, with a light eggy aroma, and not too sweet. The butter and syrup were just right. The relaxed dining atmosphere plus a hot plate of pancakes made for one of the most comforting moments of the trip. I’d definitely come back next time.