Linda Liao's Reviews Page 27/75

Founded by the renowned confectionery brand FRANÇAIS, ichigo shop is Japan's only specialty store dedicated to strawberry desserts. Its signature creations perfectly combine sweet and tart strawberries with a rich milky flavor, offering exquisite treats such as strawberry milk sandwich cookies, mille-feuille pastries, and chilled cakes. They are also highly popular souvenirs from Tokyo Station.

This shopping center is connected to the long-established Matsuzakaya Ueno store and is designed as a stylish space that caters to sophisticated adult tastes. Both the mall and the connected Matsuzakaya offer a wide variety of panda-themed limited-edition goods and souvenirs. Because panda culture has long been deeply rooted in Ueno, many brands and cafes in the mall often offer charming panda-themed items and specialty dishes, making it a great place to look for comforting souvenirs.

The Ito-Yokado Ario Kameari store is huge, and there’s so much to browse that your feet will hurt from walking! The complex brings together Ario Mall and a large Ito-Yokado supermarket, with a full range of clothing and household goods brands, as well as an extensive food court and specialty souvenir shops. After shopping, I especially recommend heading straight to the supermarket for fresh seasonal strawberries. Each one is large, plump, sweet, and juicy, and taking them back to the hotel to enjoy is incredibly satisfying.

When you’re tired from shopping at LaLaport Toyosu, enjoying healthy, delicious, additive-free soups and signature oven-baked bread at Soup Stock Tokyo is a great way to recharge! There’s a wide variety of soup and curry combinations, and the dining area is comfortable. Even if you’re alone, you can easily mix and match a set meal based on how hungry you are and enjoy a warm, comforting meal at your own pace.

While traveling, I passed through JR Kyoto Station and stopped by Isetan to stock up on Ogurasansou rice crackers. Their rice crackers aren’t too hard, and the seasoning is mild, making them irresistible to both adults and children. Whether it’s the classic “Yama Shunju” or senbei in flavors like seaweed and curry, they’re all delicious and make great gifts.

When I came to shop at NEWoMan Yokohama, I made a special trip to find MAISON CACAO, which my Japanese coworker highly recommended! Their signature item is the incredibly moist and aromatic nama chocolate. It melts in your mouth and bursts with a delightful fruity aroma. There are three flavors, and they were gone as soon as I opened the package〜

Shiba Park is an excellent spot for photographing Tokyo Tower. The open views and lack of obstructions let you perfectly capture the majestic tower against the lush greenery. Whether you look up at it during the day or enjoy the illumination at night, you can easily take iconic photos of Tokyo!

Kaku Highball is an easy-drinking alcoholic beverage that's suitable for everyday enjoyment. Adding sparkling water to the whiskey makes it refreshing, with subtle woody notes and a sweet aroma, and it doesn't taste as strong as straight whiskey. Many people enjoy it with izakaya dishes, fried foods, or grilled meat, and it's very common in Japan.

Mishima Yukari shiso rice seasoning is the perfect companion for white rice! Just sprinkle on a little, and it instantly adds plenty of aroma. The shiso has a uniquely fresh, herbal fragrance, with a light saltiness and refreshing flavor. Its aroma is natural and not too heavy, giving even plain white rice more depth. It's easy to find at regular supermarkets, and anyone who likes the aroma of shiso should definitely try it!

When you visit the Hanshin Department Store in Umeda, Osaka, don't miss the hugely popular local favorite “Hanshin Meibutsu Ikayaki,” which has even been featured on Japanese TV! It isn't a whole squid grilled as is. Instead, pieces of squid are mixed with batter, pressed, and cooked on a griddle. It looks like okonomiyaki, but has a chewier texture, and you can still taste the freshness of the squid. Topped with the special sauce, it's savory with a hint of sweetness and hard to stop eating. It's affordable and easy to take to go, and has long been a classic B-class food familiar to people in Osaka.