Linda Liao's Reviews Page 1/11

TOKYO TULIP ROSE "Tulip Rose"

A tulip-shaped sweet created by pastry chef Masahito Kanai, who honed his skills at Hyatt Regency Tokyo and later worked as a chef pâtissier in Paris.

• Tokyo
• Snacks

Opening the box felt like opening a box of exquisite jewelry. They looked so delicate and beautiful that I almost couldn't bear to eat them. The cookies had a delicate texture and a subtle milky flavor, paired with a light, smooth cream filling in the center. Sweet but not too rich, with a nicely layered flavor overall. A feast for both the eyes and the taste buds!

Gateau Rusk, Gateau Festa Harada

Gateau Festa Harada is a well-known manufacturer with its head office located in Takasaki City in Gunma Prefecture. Their popular, signature rusk snack, Gouter de Roi, which means “snack for a king”, is made of French baguettes using their original blended wheat recipe.

• Gunma
• Snacks

GOUTER de ROI French baguette rusks are crispy with a light buttery aroma. The slices are sprinkled with a little sugar, giving them a crisp bite, followed by a slowly unfolding buttery fragrance. They're sweet without being too rich and so addictive. I happened to get the limited-edition Christmas packaging before, which included many classic treats. It was very satisfying to sample several flavors at once.

Besides the classic packaging, there are also cute square tins available. They've previously released Sanrio and Mickey Mouse collaborations, with beautifully designed tins that are worth collecting. After finishing the cookies, you can use the tin to store small items〜

Fukusaya Nagasaki main store

Castella, a sponge cake brought to Nagasaki in the mid-16th century along with Nanban trade, quickly became a favorite across Japan thanks to its fluffy deliciousness and high nutritional value. It was particularly embraced by students who came to Nagasaki from all over Japan to study medicine and Dutch studies.

• Nagasaki
• Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

The first time I tried Fukusaya castella, I was drawn to its moist, soft texture. The cake itself is delicate, fragrant, and sweet, with a few sugar crystals on the bottom that add a slight crunch and give it more texture. Besides the classic long loaf, the version with two square boxes is also very convenient. The portion is just right for when you occasionally want something sweet but don't want to eat too much at once. It also makes a generous gift for friends and family.

Pâtisserie Ginza Sembikiya

Ginza Sembikiya is a long-standing fruits specialty store founded in 1894. Pâtisserie Ginza Sembikiya is a sweets specialty store that continues its predecessor’s traditions, making the most of each fruit’s characteristics so customers can easily enjoy the potentials of new fruits.

• Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
• Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

I received a Ginza Sembikiya gift from a coworker, and from the first bite, I could sense the brand's signature refined, elegant style. The cake was moist and soft, paired with sweet dried fruit. It was sweet but not overly so, with an overall light and delicate flavor that brought together fruit and cake perfectly. The small, delicate portion left me wanting another bite〜

Sugar Butter Sand Tree "Amaou Strawberry Butter"

A Hakata-exclusive flavor created by Sugar Butter Tree, a Tokyo-born confectionery brand popular across Japan. Made with a special strawberry butter using 100% juice from Fukuoka’s famed Amaou strawberries, the dough is baked to juicy perfection. It starts with a crisp, toasty bite, then gently unfolds with the elegant sweet-tart flavor of strawberry for a truly special treat.

• Fukuoka
• Snacks

Limited-time only, and I was lucky enough to come across it while shopping. It was even a Gaspard and Lisa collaboration, so I had to get it. Just looking at the packaging made it too cute to eat.

PISTA & TOKYO TOKYO GIFT PALETTE

Located inside TOKYO GIFT PALETTE at First Avenue Tokyo Station, just outside the Yaesu-side ticket gates of PISTA & TOKYO TOKYO GIFT PALETTE, this pistachio sweets specialty shop is produced by KCC Co., Ltd. With the concept of “sharing the allure of pistachios from Tokyo,” it offers a wide variety of pistachio-based treats.

• Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
• Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

Pistachio-flavored sweets have become increasingly popular in recent years. PISTA & TOKYO's popular products feature a rich pistachio aroma paired with chocolate or a crispy texture, combining sweet and savory flavors with lots of depth. After trying them, I found the pistachio flavor rich without being overly sweet. The more I ate, the more I could appreciate the full, nutty flavor. The gift box packaging also feels very high-quality, making it perfect for gifts.

Nogata Tulip Fair

A major spring event held at Onga River Riverside Park (Nakanoshima), located in front of the Nogata City Hall. Around 150,000 tulip bulbs, planted with the help of local volunteers, bloom in vibrant colors, heralding the arrival of spring.

• Fukuoka
• Spring festivals & Events

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. Their elegant shape and vibrant colors always give them a refined, graceful feel. I originally thought tulips were only widely grown in the Netherlands, so I was surprised to find such a beautiful sea of flowers in Japan as well. Strolling among the blooming tulips and taking in the feeling of spring was very pleasant. This visit not only allowed me to enjoy the beautiful flowers, but also gave me a better understanding of Japan's flower culture. It was an unforgettable experience.

Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

Saka no Ue no Kumo, or “Clouds Over the Slope”, is a best-selling historical novel by the prominent novelist Ryotaro Shiba. The novel is focused on three main characters from Matsuyama City; Yoshifuru Akiyama, his brother Saneyuki Akiyama, and their poet friend, Shiki Masaoka. The museum was built around the theme of this novel.

• Ehime
• Museums

Compared with popular attractions like Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle, the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum is much more understated, but once inside, I was surprised by how much it had to offer. The museum is themed around Ryotaro Shiba's novel Clouds Over the Slope and introduces three figures from Matsuyama—Shiki Masaoka, Yoshifuru Akiyama, and Saneyuki Akiyama—as well as the Meiji era in which they lived. Through valuable historical materials, photographs, videos, and timelines, the museum shows how Japan transitioned from tradition to modernity during the Meiji era. It's worth taking some time to explore!

Towel Museum

A unique museum in Imabari, Japan’s leading towel-producing city, that shares towel lifestyles and towel culture. Visitors can see the towel-making process up close and enjoy exhibits that blend towels with art. In addition to permanent exhibitions such as Moomin and Hawaiian quilts, the museum hosts a variety of special exhibitions showcasing towel art.

• Ehime
• Museums

Imabari is a well-known towel-producing region in Japan, and the quality is excellent. Besides learning about towel production and culture, there are shops selling all kinds of Imabari towels, as well as restaurants and cafés, making it a good place to spend half a day. There’s a huge variety of products to choose from, ranging from practical towels and household items to cute character collaboration merchandise〜

GAUFRES AU GOUTER

"Gaufres" are sweets that sandwich cream between thin layers of baked dough, made using Western confectionery ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, and butter, utilizing the technique of baking Japanese senbei (rice crackers).

• Snacks

A snack the whole family loves. It's thin and crispy, with a light texture that doesn't feel heavy, making it easy to eat one after another and hard to stop. Besides the usual packaging, there are also cute small tin versions. The designs on the tins are all adorable, and seasonal limited editions are released too, making me want to collect them every time I see one. After finishing the cookies, the small tins can also be used to store little items, making them both practical and memorable〜