Before leaving Aso by train, I used the time before departure to browse the roadside station next door. It feels like a farmers' market, with a wide variety of local agricultural specialties on display. Unlike the usual tourist shopping streets with a strong commercial feel, the displays here are very simple, and they sell many authentic ingredients and handmade snacks that are hard to find elsewhere, making it a good place to hunt for unique finds. Even the precious and extremely popular "Aso Milk," which is usually hard to find elsewhere, is well stocked here, neatly filling the refrigerated cases. A must-buy!
Michi-no-Eki Aso | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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KITTE Hakata
Conveniently located with direct access to Hakata Station, KITTE Hakata is a large-scale commercial complex developed by Japan Post as part of its “KITTE” brand. Spanning B1 to 11 floors above ground, this larger-than life complex boasts approximately 30,800 square meters of retail space and a heaping catalog of impeccable dining and shopping.
博多KITTE的位置非常方便，從博多車站出來往左手邊走，很快就能抵達，無論是搭車轉乘、逛街或吃飯都很適合順路。館內有不少餐廳、生活雜貨與伴手禮店，可以一次滿足購物與用餐需求。一樓還有超市，以前每次出差準備回國前，我都會特地來這裡補貨，尤其是納豆，方便又能買到不同品牌。印象很深刻的是有一次聖誕節造訪，車站周邊掛滿燈飾，夜晚亮起燈光後氣氛特別熱鬧，往來旅客加上節慶裝飾，整個博多站都洋溢著歡樂氣氛。
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Jiyuken Namba Honten
Founded in 1910 as Osaka’s first Western-style restaurant, Jiyuken Namba Honten operates in the bustling Namba Center Street in the heart of the Minami area.
I saw it recommended in a travel guide, so I made a special trip to Jiyuken while visiting Namba, Osaka, to try this classic curry specialty for myself. The curry and white rice are mixed together beforehand, giving it a soy sauce-like color, with a raw egg placed in the middle. It’s completely different from regular curry rice. First, I tried a bite as is, then mixed in the egg yolk. The rich curry gained an eggy flavor and a smoother texture. Finally, I added a little Worcestershire sauce to taste, which gave it even more depth.
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Enbun Charge Tablets
A chewable tablet that aids in boosting electrolytes lost while you sweat. It tastes great and melts in your mouth to quickly deliver sodium, potassium, and citric acid to the body.
A Japanese coworker brought back some Kabaya electrolyte candies to share after a business trip. Each one is small and easy to carry, so you can have one while out in the summer or after exercising to replenish the salt lost through sweating. The mildly salty-sweet flavor isn’t too heavy, and they’re handy to keep in your bag during hot weather.
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