Gina C's Reviews Page 1/4

Kyoto Porta

Opened about 40 years ago as Kyoto's first underground shopping center, "Kyoto Ekimae Underground Shopping Center Porta" and "Kyoto Station Building Specialty Store Street The Cube" merged in 2023. It has been reborn as a large-scale shopping mall suitable for the gateway to the international tourist city of Kyoto.

• Kyoto
• Commercial Buildings

Kyoto Station’s Porta underground mall is such a fun place to explore! It has popular clothing stores, lifestyle goods, souvenir shops, and plenty of restaurants, so you can shop and dine all in one place.

We shopped for clothes first, then enjoyed some pasta before continuing to browse. It’s perfect for escaping the heat or rain. The layout is easy to navigate, and there’s a great selection of brands, from affordable options to trendy fashion. It’s easy to lose track of time here.

If you’re visiting Kyoto and want a relaxed, convenient shopping and dining experience, Kyoto Porta is definitely worth a stop.

Taiho Ramen Head Store

This famous pork bone ramen restaurant was established in Kurume in 1953 (Showa 28). For over half a century since its founding, the restaurant takes pride in its "call back soup," constantly replenished and never left empty, thanks to its unique technique called "call back." The mellow soup, with its rich umami and deep richness, is so beloved that it is said among ramen enthusiasts, "Do not talk about pork bone ramen without eating Taiho Ramen."

• Fukuoka
• Ramen

Taiho Ramen Head Store is one of Kurume’s most iconic tonkotsu ramen shops and the birthplace of the yobimodoshi soup method, so there are often long lines on both weekdays and weekends.

I stopped by on a road trip through Kyushu and finally got to try this classic tonkotsu ramen, perfected over generations. The broth was rich without being overly salty and packed with pork-bone flavor. It paired perfectly with the springy thin noodles.

The biggest surprise was the sencha served in the restaurant. It was light and refreshing with a subtly sweet finish, perfectly balancing the richness of the broth and refreshing my palate. It was definitely worth the wait. If you’re visiting Fukuoka or Kurume, I highly recommend trying it at least once!

Hakata Ikkousha Main Store

Of all the different Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen stores, “Hakata Ikkousha” is perhaps the most popular. Operating 5 different diverse brands, Ikkousha’s main store front is located in front of JR Hakata Station.

• Fukuoka
• Ramen

On a previous trip to Kyoto, I tried Hakata Ikkousha at Kyoto Ramen Koji. I couldn’t stop thinking about that rich, frothy tonkotsu ramen afterward.

This time, I finally made it to the main store in Fukuoka, and I was so excited! The broth was even richer and more aromatic than I remembered. The velvety foam carried an intense tonkotsu flavor, yet it was surprisingly light and not greasy. Paired with thin noodles and tender chashu, every bite was incredibly satisfying.

After visiting both the Kyoto location and the Fukuoka main store, I not only got to enjoy that familiar flavor again but also experienced the main store’s more refined, authentic appeal. It was definitely worth making a special trip for.

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

Menya Inoichi is one of Kyoto’s most popular ramen shops and a must-visit for many ramen lovers!

Its specialty is shoyu ramen made with a natural broth. The soup is light yet layered, with a fresh, subtly sweet, and mellow flavor in every sip, without feeling heavy. The noodles are springy and pleasantly chewy, while the tender chashu and fresh toppings create a beautifully balanced bowl.

The restaurant also provides a variety of natural seasonings, so you can adjust the flavor to your liking. There’s often a line, but once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s worth the wait. This is one of Kyoto’s most popular ramen spots and shouldn’t be missed.

HAKATA DEITOS

Conveniently located next to JR Hakata Station, this commercial facility is in the largest building in Kyushu “JR Hakata City.” On its floors B1, F1 and F2, nearly 60 shops provide tasty food, general goods, fashion, souvenirs, etc.

• Fukuoka
• Commercial Buildings

The souvenir shopping area at HAKATA DEITOS, right next to Hakata Station, is a souvenir lover’s paradise!

There’s no need to visit multiple places since you can find nearly all of Fukuoka’s most popular specialties here, including Kayanoya products, mentaiko, Hakata Torimon, Chikushi mochi, Western-style sweets, shrimp crackers, and limited-edition snacks. The layout is easy to navigate, and many stores offer samples, so you can try things before deciding. It’s easy to end up with a whole bag full of goodies! This is the most convenient place to shop before catching a train or flight.

If you want to check off your entire souvenir list in one stop, I highly recommend DEITOS!

Shiroi Koibito

Everyone in Japan knows Hokkaido’s sweets, “Shiroi Koibito.” Ishiya Co., Ltd.was an ordinary candy maker to begin with, but utilizing quality ingredients in Hokkaido changed them into the producer of the classic dessert. More than 40 years passed since its beginning, but it is still the beloved souvenir of Hokkaido to this day.

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

Shiroi Koibito is truly a must-buy classic souvenir from Hokkaido!

The crisp langue de chat cookies are filled with rich white chocolate. They have a wonderful milky flavor and delicate texture, with just the right amount of sweetness, so they never feel too rich. They’re even better chilled—the chocolate becomes extra smooth, making them perfect for summer too.

Even though they’ve been around for years, I still want to buy several boxes every time I visit Japan. They’re perfect for enjoying yourself or giving as a classy gift. To me, they’re an irreplaceable signature sweet from Hokkaido.

Sapporo Agricultural College Hokkaido Milk Cookies

Hokkaido, is Japan’s beloved “kingdom of dairy”, an apt nickname due to its booming dairy industry. Outside of the sheer production volume of milk and butter, the quality and flavor of Hokkaido’s dairy products are heralded by many as some of the best in Japan.

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

Sapporo Agricultural College cookies were one of the most impressive souvenirs I tried on this trip!

Made with Hokkaido milk, butter, and flour, these cookies are crumbly yet slightly moist. They have a rich milky flavor without being overly sweet, and the more you chew, the more you can taste the natural dairy goodness. The simple recipe makes them incredibly addictive—I ate several before I knew it.

They pair wonderfully with coffee or black tea and make a classic souvenir that truly represents Hokkaido. I definitely recommend bringing home a box to try!

Calbee Jaga Pokkuru Okhotsk Sea Salt taste

Calbee Jaga Pokkuru is a popular snack produced by Calbee, one of Japan’s leading snack manufacturers. Manufactured at their Chitose factory in Hokkaido and primarily sold locally, it's become a beloved souvenir from Hokkaido. The name "Jaga Pokkuru" combines "jagaimo" (potato) with "Korpokkur," legendary fairy-like beings from Ainu folklore.

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

On my way home, I bought scallop-flavored Jaga Pokkuru at the duty-free shop in Narita Airport, and the flavor was such a pleasant surprise! They retain the signature crunchy texture, while every bite is packed with the savory taste of Hokkaido scallops. The salty seafood flavor has a touch of sweetness, making them impossible to stop eating. Compared with the original, they have an extra layer of seafood flavor and pair perfectly with a drink.

If you love seafood or want to try a limited-edition flavor, I highly recommend bringing home a few boxes. They’re great for gifts or enjoying yourself!

Sugar Butter Sand Tree

Milky white chocolate is sandwiched between cookies made from a blend of whole wheat, rye and wild oats. With its adorable appearance, your clients or friends and family will be delighted to receive this box of cookies as a gift.

• Tokyo
• Snacks

Sugar Butter Tree is definitely a must-buy souvenir when visiting Japan! Crisp cereal cookies coated with butter and sugar sandwich a rich white chocolate filling. They’re crunchy, aromatic, and sweet without being too heavy—you can’t help but eat one after another.

I bought several boxes to bring back to Taiwan for friends and family, and everyone loved them. No wonder there’s always a long line whenever I pass the store. If you love cookies, be sure to add Sugar Butter Tree to your Japan shopping list!

Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja)

The official name of the Shrine is Kamomioya-jinja. Due to its location downstream of the Kamo River that runs through Kyoto City, it is familiarized by the name “Shimogamo-san” and “Shimogamo Shrine.” The main shrine, consisting of two buildings in the east and west, is designated as a national treasure, and is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It was also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

• Kyoto
• Shrines & Temples

Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja) is the most calming and relaxing place in all of Kyoto.

Before entering the shrine, you first pass through the vast, lush green Tadasu no Mori forest. Walking along the gravel path surrounded by towering old trees, all you hear are your footsteps and birdsong. The traffic and bustle outside suddenly feel cut off. The air feels so clean, almost as if it has been washed. Just this walk alone is incredibly healing.

After passing through the forest, the vermilion Romon Gate opens up in front of you. Besides being one of Kyoto’s oldest shrines, one of the most special spots here is Kawai Shrine, where people pray for beauty. You can use makeup to draw your own beautiful face on a wooden hand-mirror ema plaque. There is also the water fortune experience at Mitarashi Pond. Watching the words slowly appear on a blank fortune slip feels truly ceremonial.

Shimogamo Shrine doesn’t have the noise and crowds of the top tourist spots. Instead, it has a graceful, spiritual atmosphere embraced by nature.