Even in the rain, there were still quite a few tourists gathered outside the shop to watch Nakatanido’s high-speed mochi pounding. I was drawn in by the lively shouts too and went over to take a look.
The whole process was really fun and felt almost like being at a festival. In the end, I bought one to try. It was still warm and freshly made, and the soybean flour aroma spread the moment I took a bite. The soft, pillowy texture was absolutely memorable.
Nakatanido | Review by 金己田
Other Reviews by 金己田
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Kimono Forest
The plaza is located in the corner of "Arashiyama Station Hannari Hokkori Square." Six hundred brightly colored poles decorated with Kyoto-Yuzen designs line the square.
When visiting Arashiyama, besides the classic sights like the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, don’t forget to stop by the Kimono Forest at the Randen station on your way back.
Dozens of pillars decorated with kimono fabric are lined up together. When they’re lit up, the light shines through the fabric and creates beautiful shifts in color. You can visit without buying a train ticket. It doesn’t take long to see, but strolling through the glowing forest is the perfect ending to a day trip in Arashiyama. -
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Gono Line
The JR Gono Line is a 147-km-long local train line running from Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita Prefecture to Kawabe Station in Aomori Prefecture. The line runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and passengers can enjoy the spectacular scenery that the Tohoku region is known for.
The Gono Line, which runs along the Sea of Japan, is on the bucket list for many train enthusiasts. I rode it from Akita all the way to Hirosaki. The trip isn’t short, but for much of the ride you can see the Sea of Japan. At times, the train moves slowly right along the coast, with striking rock formations offshore that feel almost within reach. Other times, it passes through small fishing villages and forested mountains.
The scenery keeps changing the whole way, so even after several hours on the train, it never feels long. -
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Koshu Hoto Kosaku Kofu Ekimae Branch
When visiting Yamanashi, one dish you absolutely must try is Hoto -a local specialty featuring thick, flat noodles simmered with plenty of vegetables in a rich miso-based broth. This beloved dish is said to have been favored by the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen during the Sengoku period.
It was my first time trying hoto. Overall, it tasted a bit like pork miso soup, with a broth that had a sweetness from the simmered vegetables.
The noodles were thicker than regular udon, with a firmer, chewy texture, and the portion was bigger than I expected. If you had a pot of hoto on a winter night, it would definitely warm you up fast! -
