At the entrance to the Hakata Ikkousha Main Store, even with rain falling outside, the covered walkway was still packed with loyal foodies holding umbrellas and waiting in a long line. Its popularity is seriously unbelievable. The wooden decor and signature circular logo give the place an understated look and the solid feel of a long-established local restaurant.
Once I sat down and their signature tonkotsu ramen arrived, the visual impact was immediate. The black bowl has “Hakata Ikkousha” printed around the rim, and the broth inside is a rich, smooth, milky white, with a layer of fine bubbles covering the surface. Topped with large slices of juicy-looking pink chashu, neatly arranged bright green onions, strips of wood ear mushrooms, and a perfectly boiled egg, it made my mouth water just looking at it.
Slurping up a big mouthful of noodles coated in the rich broth, the deep, intense pork bone aroma spread through my mouth. It was incredibly satisfying. The table is also thoughtfully stocked with various seasonings and minced garlic, so you can adjust the flavor to your liking at any time. From the rich broth to the generous toppings, every bite of this bowl of ramen delivers an authentic taste of Hakata. Making a pilgrimage to the main store for this bowl is absolutely worth it.
Hakata Ikkousha Main Store | Review by Jk
Other Reviews by Jk
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Himeji Castle
This castle is a World Heritage Site and a Japanese castle masterpiece. The main keep, built by Ikeda Terumasa in the early Edo period, has a five-story exterior, one basement level, and six stories above ground on the inside, making it the largest Edo period castle tower still standing.
Walk out of the main entrance of JR Himeji Station and look straight down the wide Otemae-dori Avenue. You’ll immediately be deeply awestruck by the enormous ancient castle gleaming white beneath the clear blue sky. This is Himeji Castle, a national treasure and the first site in Japan to be designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site! The castle’s most legendary feature is its exterior, completely coated in pure white, high-quality plaster. From a distance, it looks like an elegant white heron about to spread its wings and soar into the sky, earning it the romantic nickname “White Heron Castle.” Even more remarkable, it has survived centuries of warfare and miraculously emerged completely unscathed from the air raids of World War II, making it truly an “immortal castle” favored by fate. After passing through the intricate, maze-like defensive passageways and climbing the steep wooden stairs floor by floor to the top of the main keep, you can look down at the overlapping tiled eaves, intricate onigawara roof ornaments, and the expansive Himeji Plain in the distance. The magnificent feeling of traveling through time will truly leave you breathless and deeply moved!
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Nagoya Castle
One of Japan’s largest castle complexes, built in the early Edo period by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo shogunate. A pair of male and female golden shachihoko roof ornaments gleam atop the five-tiered Main Tower Keep, a symbol of Nagoya.
On the expansive grounds of Nagoya Castle, look up at the imposing, massive main keep, and the pair of solid-gold kinshachi—golden shachihoko—gleaming in the sunlight at both ends of the roof will instantly capture everyone’s attention! This famous castle, built by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, is considered one of Japan’s three great castles and is also a premier masterpiece showcasing the supreme power and authority of the Edo shogunate. The most jaw-dropping part of the entire castle is undoubtedly Honmaru Palace, which was perfectly restored in recent years after nearly a decade of work and enormous expense. Take off your shoes and step inside the palace, and the rich yet refined scent of hinoki cypress immediately fills the air. Every paper sliding door and folding screen before you was meticulously recreated stroke by stroke by today’s finest artisans in the style of Kano school masters. Covered in dazzling genuine gold leaf, they feature lifelike tigers, bamboo groves, and flowers and birds of the four seasons, all radiating elegance and grandeur. The level of luxury makes it feel as if an ancient palace made entirely of gold had been brought directly to life!
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Namba Yasaka Shrine
”Namba Yasaka Shrine”, located in the Namba area of Minami in Osaka, is a historic shrine said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313-399).
Tucked away in the quiet residential backstreets of Osaka’s Namba area, the moment you enter the grounds of Namba Yasaka Shrine and look up, the enormous Lion Hall will definitely startle you wide awake! This lion head statue, standing 12 meters tall and 11 meters wide, has a fierce, cavernous mouth and huge, glaring eyes, giving the entire hall an overwhelmingly powerful presence. Legend has it that this giant lion’s mouth possesses boundless divine power, “swallowing up” all the misfortune, bad luck, and evil around it in one bite, while drawing in endless good luck, success, and prosperity! Whether you’re praying to pass your exams, get promoted at work, or achieve business prosperity, standing before this imposing lion with your hands together in prayer gives you an incredible sense of security and strength. Take a few low-angle photos with it, and the dramatic effect is so intense that it’s incredibly satisfying to see!
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