When I traveled on a tight budget as a student, I would always stay at a guesthouse near Ikebukuro's west exit. Every day when I went out, I often passed through the lively Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park, and I still miss those familiar street scenes. Before heading back to the guesthouse, I would also make a point of stopping by a nearby standing noodle shop for a steaming bowl of soba. It was inexpensive, tasted pretty good, and offered great value for the money.
Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Non-Sugar Sakan Series
“Non-Sugar Sakan” is a candy series that has no sugar or artificial sweeteners. It comes in four flavors, Coffee, Kocha (Tea), Matcha and Milk.
KANRO Non-Sugar Sakan candies infuse the aroma of tea into candy, giving them a refreshing taste without being overly sweet. The different tea-inspired flavors are all distinctive, but coffee is my favorite. It has a rich aroma and a slightly bitter complexity. If you enjoy more sophisticated flavors, give it a try! You're actually more likely to find these at regular supermarkets, so keep an eye out while you're shopping.
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Umezono Kiyomizu Branch
Founded in 1927, Umezono is a long-established Kyoto sweets shop with six locations across the city. Known as a beloved amatō chaya (traditional dessert café), it is popular with both locals and visitors, and its signature mitarashi dango is also a favorite Kyoto souvenir. The Kiyomizu Branch is located along Sannenzaka, just a short walk from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera Temple, making it an easy stop while exploring the Kiyomizu and Kodaiji areas.
I visited Kyoto’s Sannenzaka for some shopping in winter. The old-fashioned streets were charming, but the cold wind really made me shiver! After getting tired from walking around, I quickly found somewhere to sit and rest. I stopped at the Umezono Kiyomizu Branch and ordered a piping-hot bowl of sweet red bean soup with mochi, which warmed both my stomach and my heart. The sweet red bean soup paired with chewy mochi was nice and hot, instantly giving me a boost of energy〜
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Starbucks Coffee Kobe Kitano Ijinkan Store
Situated in Kobe Kitano Ijinkan district, where many former residences of Westerners are located, this Starbucks store is a prime example of Starbucks Regional Landmark Stores initiative. These stores are architecturally designed to symbolize various regions in Japan, aiming to broadcast local cultures to the world.
When visiting Kobe Kitano Ijinkan, don’t miss this distinctive Starbucks! The building retains the strong character of an old Western-style residence, giving it a more vintage and elegant atmosphere than a typical location. If you’re tired from walking, stop in for a cup of coffee. I also saw quite a few international visitors inside, all taking photos and experiencing the building’s unique charm. Combined with the international atmosphere of the Kitano neighborhood, it’s one of the area’s classic photo spots.
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