Linda Liao's Reviews Page 82/90

Located in the Ginza shopping district, Blue Bottle Coffee's Ginza location is known for its simple, stylish space and high-quality coffee. If you get tired while shopping, stop by for a rich cup of coffee with a dessert and take a break. In addition to drinks, there are also plenty of items to choose from in the display case nearby. Their simple, stylish designs are very popular with younger customers.

Besides the matcha flavor, I also highly recommend the dark chocolate flavor. The chocolate taste is richer than regular milk chocolate, with a slightly bittersweet flavor and more mellow sweetness. The crispy wafers pair well with the rich cocoa aroma, creating layers of flavor without being overly sweet or heavy. It's perfect for people who like rich chocolate or slightly bitter flavors, and the individually wrapped pieces are great for sharing with coworkers.

During this stay at Hoshino Resorts in Karuizawa, the on-site facility that impressed me most was definitely Picchio in the Wild Bird Forest. It's not only a place to enjoy the natural scenery; you can also sign up for a guided forest tour and follow professional staff into the woods to look for birds unique to Karuizawa while learning a lot about the ecosystem. It's a very interesting nature experience.

I visited right as fall was turning into winter. The staff explained that once the pond freezes in winter, the park offers a seasonal ice-skating experience. You can rent skates and buy gloves and other supplies there, which is very convenient. Luckily, we arrived just in time for opening and were among the first visitors to try the rink. Since only hotel guests could use it, it wasn't crowded and was especially comfortable to skate. Even beginners can borrow skating aids, so there's no need to worry at all.

I couldn't skate at all, and when I first put on the skates, I was so nervous that I kept holding onto a staff member's hand and wouldn't let go. But after practicing for an hour, I could already skate slowly with an aid, which gave me a real sense of accomplishment! Before I knew it, I'd been there for two hours and reluctantly left. On the way out, I happened to meet three ladies from Taiwan, and I couldn't help recommending that they give it a try. I wonder if they also managed to challenge themselves and make some wonderful memories of Karuizawa?

Maruyama Coffee is a well-known specialty coffee shop in Karuizawa. Besides freshly brewed coffee, it offers coffee beans and drip bags in many different flavors, making them great souvenirs for anyone looking to take home a favorite blend.

The Harunire Terrace location is surrounded by greenery and elm trees, with a book area and outdoor seating where you can enjoy coffee along with Karuizawa's relaxing natural scenery. The store-exclusive “Harunire Terrace Blend” is also worth trying. It has a mild, smooth taste with a subtle sweetness.

This was my first time here, and it completely changed how I imagined an outlet mall could be. I never knew a shopping center could be so beautiful! The expansive lawns, ponds, and lush greenery make it feel less like a typical shopping mall and more like a relaxing park. It also attracts many local residents who come to walk their pets.

The grounds are quite spacious and blend beautifully with Karuizawa's natural scenery, making it very pleasant to stroll around. The complex is divided into different areas with many well-known international and Japanese brands, offering a wide selection of clothing, shoes, bags, household goods, and outdoor gear.

Besides shopping, there are also plenty of restaurants, cafes, and food courts where you can sit down, rest, and enjoy some food when you're tired from browsing. There are also souvenir shops where you can buy some local Karuizawa specialties to take home.

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory features milk and cheese in many of its distinctive sweets. Its most famous product is the Salt & Camembert Cookie. The cookies are crisp, with rich cheese and a hint of saltiness, creating a distinctive sweet-and-savory flavor. They're usually sold at airports and can be purchased directly at duty-free shops, making them a great Japanese sweet to bring home as a souvenir.

Yawataya Isogoro Shichimi Togarashi is a famous seasoning from Nagano, Japan, with a rich aroma and moderate heat. In addition to chili peppers, it blends spices such as sansho pepper, shiso, and dried citrus peel, giving it a complex flavor. Sprinkling it on ramen, udon, or grilled meat adds aroma and depth to the food, leaving you wanting more.

This time, I happened to find a limited-edition package at the Suica Penguin specialty store in JR Ueno Station. It was especially cute〜

Kirin Afternoon Tea has a rich tea aroma and a smooth taste without being too sweet. It's especially refreshing when served cold. The subtle black tea aroma is very relaxing, making it just right for an afternoon break. The overall flavor is natural, and you can add a few fresh lemon slices to make lemon tea with more depth of flavor.

The fried tofu in these soup noodles has a sweet flavor and tastes delicious after soaking up the broth. The udon noodles are springy and chewy, and the broth is rich and smooth. The sweet and savory combination is quite distinctive. A warm, satisfying bowl when you're feeling a little hungry〜

When visiting Karuizawa in the fall or winter, the temperature is noticeably colder at night. After soaking in the hot springs, we had dinner at Sonmin-Shokudo in Hoshino Resorts Karuizawa and warmed up. The restaurant mainly serves Japanese home-style food, with a wide selection of rice bowls, set meals, noodles, and side dishes, leaning toward traditional Japanese regional cuisine.

Many local ingredients are used, paired with simple Japanese seasonings that let their natural flavors come through. Hot rice and hot pot dishes are especially welcome on cold fall and winter nights, and the restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere.