This time, I took a local Shinano Railway train from Karuizawa Station to Naka-Karuizawa Station, then walked to my hotel. Sitting in the retro-style train car as it traveled slowly, I enjoyed the lush green scenery along the way, which was very refreshing.
Shinano Railway's Karuizawa Station | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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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.
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!
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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.
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〜 -
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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.
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.
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