Shinsaibashi | Review by Linda Liao

ROYCE' Nama Chocolate

Founded in 1983 in Higashi-ku, Sapporo, ROYCE' set out with the ambition of creating chocolate that rivals the best of Europe. Now, as an immovably popular chocolate maker from Hokkaido, their signature menu item is "Nama Chocolate."

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

ROYCE' Nama Chocolate is one of the must-buy souvenirs at Japanese airports. It has a smooth, delicate texture that melts in your mouth, with rich milky and cocoa aromas blending together. It’s sweet without being too rich, so it’s no wonder it has remained so popular. Whenever I bring some home to share with friends and family, it almost always receives unanimous praise, making it a great gift.

When I was at the airport at the beginning of this year, I unexpectedly spotted the pistachio flavor. Since I’ve always loved pistachios, of course I bought it right away! The rich, nutty aroma paired with the nama chocolate added another layer of flavor that made it hard to stop eating one after another.

551HORAI Main store

Founded in 1945, this Chinese restaurant is so famous in Osaka that there is no one who does not know about it. It is located in the Ebisubashi-suji shopping street of Namba in the middle of Minami, Osaka.

• Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
• Chinese Food

551 Horai's pork buns are a very well-known local snack. No matter which location you pass by, you'll often see a line, so they're clearly very popular. I bought one to try because I thought, “Since I'm here, I have to try it.” The filling tasted pretty good, with fragrant meat and a distinctive overall flavor.
However, for my personal taste, the dough was a little too soft and lacked some of the springiness and chewiness commonly found in Taiwanese pork buns. It tasted noticeably different from the pork buns I'm used to in Taiwan. Although I didn't particularly want to buy one again after trying it this time, it's still one of Osaka's most iconic foods, so I recommend that anyone who hasn't had one try it for themselves and experience the appeal of this famous shop with long lines.

Shibuya Scramble Intersection

This is a scramble intersection in front of Shibuya Station. Said to be the world’s busiest crosswalk, it has become a famous sight to see in Tokyo. From the pedestrian bridge connecting the JR Yamanote Line and the Keio Inokashira Line, you can view the flurry of people crossing the intersection from above.

• Shibuya
• Tourist Attractions

Standing at Shibuya Scramble Crossing for the first time, what struck me most was the sheer density of the crowds. As soon as the light turns green, people from all directions instantly pour into the intersection, creating a spectacular, endless flow. Viewed from above, they look like a huge colony of ants moving neatly through the city. Seeing this in person, I could feel Tokyo's busy yet vibrant urban rhythm.