Sunday, February 2, 2025

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Kansai, Japan (关西,日本) 2025

Japan has always been one of the top travel destinations for Malaysians, with more China Chinese Airlines being introduced to Malaysia- Malaysians have more options and routes to travel to. This time, we flew Juneyao Airlines (吉祥航空) from Penang directly to Shanghai (transfer) then Osaka. Juneyao Airlines does not support online check in so we had to physically check in at the counter in Penang International Airport 3 hours prior to departure. It runs on A320-Neo so the seats can be quite narrow and they do not serve main on this flight- just beverages and some light snacks. Since its visa-free in China for Malaysian Passports, we took the opportunity to explore Shanghai before boarding the next flight to Osaka. The flight from Shanghai to Osaka offers a more spacious seat. We arrived Osaka in the evening and rented a car before starting our journey to explore the Kansai Prefecture. 

[Wakayama 和歌山市]

1) Totto Park Koshima Road Side Station
Entrance Fee: 1,500 Yen per adult/ 750 Yen per child
Business Hours: (Mar to Nov) 6 am to 8 pm; (Dec to Feb) 7 am to 6 pm. Closed on Fridays.
Contact Number: 072-447-5126


Those who enjoy fishing can make your way to Totto Park Koshima Road Side Station. Built on the landfill sediment shipment pier (when they built Kansai International Airport), visitors get to enjoy fishing on the reef (with a fee). Otherwise, be amazed by the sea view from the free open observation deck. A super cool place to drop by but do be careful on the breeze though, it can be freezing cold- free parking is available. 


2) Kuroshio Market 黒潮市場
Business Hours: 10 am to 5 pm. Opens Daily.


5-Types Seafood Don (2,150 Yen)


Three-Color Seafood Don (1,900 Yen)


White Bait Fish Don (1,500 Yen)


Freshly Cut Tuna Sushi- Chutoro and Otoro (1,000 Yen/ set)


Tuna Sashimi (1,000 Yen/ side cuts)


Tuna-Cutting Show (starts at 12:30 Noon daily)


Wakayama's Kuroshio Market is one of the must-visit places in Wakayama, the place is constantly thronged with tourists to check on the freshest Tuna (one of the leading Tuna ports in Japan lies within Wakayama Prefecture) as well as fresh seafood options. Visit the right time and you will get to witness the Tuna-Cutting show, it takes about 15 minutes and the fresh Tuna meat will be up for grabs. Visitors can purchase a piece of Chutoro and a piece of Otoro Sushi for 1,000Yen. We also took the opportunity to try some Seafood Don. The White Bait Fish Don is a local delicacy unique to Wakayama, it is typically enjoyed with Umeboshi. We tried that and it was not as delicious as compared to the usual Seafood so my recommendation- go for the usual ones, Tuna appears to be a wise option. If you are traveling on budget, go for the side cuts of Tuna Sashimi, they offer the same quality and satisfactions. 

Right opposite to Kuroshio Market, there is a farmer's market where you get to find some local fresh produce. One particular item that you should try would be the Wakayama Black Sesame Persimmon (seasonal) which is peculiar in physical appearance (dark, sandy texture in the middle) but unbelievably sweet and tasty. We bought ours- a sizable and good quality at 500Yen each. 


Wakayama Black Sesame Persimmon


3) Yuasa Soy Sauce Factory 
Entrance Fee: Free
Business Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm. Opens Daily.


Soy Sauce Soft Serve (450Yen)


Free Soy Sauce Tasting


Soy Sauce Candies


Premium Soy Sauce


Japanese Soy Sauce was born in Yuasa (Wakayama) and this line itself is worth a visit to Yuasa's Soy Sauce Factory (half an hour drive from Kuroshio Market). No entrance fee but more to a self-tour setup where you get to tour the soy sauce factory yourself and read the explanation to learn on the history. At the end of the tour, you will get to visit the souvenir shop where you will find plenty of Soy Sauce products as well as Soy Sauce-infused products. There is also a corner dedicated for sample-tasting where visitors get to taste their Soy Sauce for free (there will be sampling spoons provided). Before your departure, make sure you grab a serving of the Soy Sauce Soft Serve where Soy Sauce is infused in the Soft Serve. Additional top up of Soy Sauce is also available at one corner so you will get a sweet-savory combo with a bold Soy after taste. The Soft Serve also carries a bold milky, creamy texture.

[Nara City 奈良]

1) Nara Park
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: Nara Park, Nara. 


Grain Cracker for the Deers (200 Yen)


Nara Park and the deer are probably the only reason for many to visit Nara. It takes approximately 1 hour from Osaka to Nara by car and many would do it for a day trip (we stayed in Nara for a night). The Nara Park is huge and would require a bit of walking so be prepared to dress up accordingly. As soon as you arrive at the Park, you will find the wild deer roaming around (with some begging for treats). Aside from that, you will probably smell an unpleasant animal manure stench. To complete your experience in Nara Park, grab a stack of Grain Crackers to feed the deer for 200Yen, but mind you- some deer will attack you so play smart. For us- we looked for the younger and clumsy ones and we were not attacked. We did witness some tourists being attacked (not seriously). 

Walk to one end of the Nara Park and you will find Todai-Ji Temple- one of the largest wooden structure and famous temples in Japan. We did not get to explore further as the temple was due to close (we visited at around 4PM local time) but suggest to take some photos at the pond right in front of Todai-Ji.


2) Unagi no Himekawa  鰻之姫川
Business Hours: 11 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 050-5600-4723


Unajo (3,300 Yen)


Hitsumabushi Unaju (4,500 Yen)


Grilled Unagi Liver (600 Yen/ skewer)

If you yearn for Japanese Unagi- check out Unagi no Himekawa, a short 15 minute drive away. The restaurant is highly rated on Google (not so for Tabelog unfortunately) but the menu is pretty much Unagi-focused with some affordable options available. We suggest trying their Hitsumabushi Unajo (4,500Yen) where you get try the Unagi in 3 different ways. The Japanese Pepper works wonders, totally different as compared to the ones we have here in Penang. We also had the Unagi Liver, which was delicious. We were pleased with the meal but not wow-ed.


3) Higaya 飛賀屋 @ Nara Family Mall
Business Hours: 11 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 0742-93-9375


Tsukiji Tempura Don (1,188Yen)


Sawara Shioyaki Set (1,518Yen)


Tempura and Sashimi Set (1,298Yen)


Buri Teriyaki Set (1,485Yen)

If you have no idea where to go for dinner- try your luck at Nara Family, one of the most happening malls in Nara city. Higaya on 6th floor offers a good variety of Japanese meals with some affordable options (around the 1,000Yen mark). Nothing overly fancy but a convenient spot to have a decent meal especially when you are traveling with young kids or senior citizen. Nara Family also houses Uniqlo, Muji... making it a good spot for after-meal shopping. If you are driving- there is a multi-storey car park right in front of Nara Family. 


[Kashihara 橿原市]

1) Furui Machiyachaya  町屋茶屋 古伊 @ Imaicho Town 今井町
Business Hours: 10:30 am to 5 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 744-222-135


Furui Soba (650Yen)


Tempura Soba (900Yen)


Nishin Soba (880Yen)


Hayashi Zenzai (550Yen)


Kashihara is a quiet town approximately half an hour drive away from Nara and one of the must visit places in Kashihara is Imaicho Town, a well-preserved heritage town surrounded by houses built during the Edo-era. The historic site itself is too pretty to hold and be prepared to take countless of photos with the heritage houses as background. When you are there- look out for Furui Machiyachaya, a restaurant in a traditional Japanese setting that offers a small Soba menu. Items are affordably priced here and we recommend going for the basic, the broth is delicious with a bold umami-aftertaste. It is especially heart-warming to enjoy a bowl of piping hot soup noodle under the chilly autumn weather. 


Haniwa Manju (200Yen for 2 pieces)


Fresh Soy Milk (350Yen) at Kobayashi Tofu Shop

Do not miss grabbing yourself a couple of Haniwa Manju, a local delicacy unique to Kashihara. It has a cakey texture outside with sweet red bean filling inside. A traditional Japanese sweet treat that goes well with tea. Further down the road- you will find Kobayashi Tofu Shop. The fresh Soya Milk is worth a look- satisfyingly rich and creamy, affordably sold at 350Yen per bottle of 500ml. Recommend to spend half a day exploring Imaicho town, there is also a Imanishi Residence further down the road.


2) Kashihara Shrine
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 934 Kumecho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8550, Japan
Business Hours: 6:30 am to 5 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 744-223-271


Founded in 1890, the Kashihara Jingu holds a rich historical background particularly on the first emperor of Japan. The whole site is super huge and would require some walking. But the shrine is well maintained and worth a look. On your way in- look for the Fukuda Pond right next to the entrance to the shrine, you might find good corners for photography. Parking is available onsite for 500Yen. 


[Kyoto  京都]

1) Japanese Tea Ceremony Classroom Experience at Manjujicho
Business Hours: By Reservation


To immerse yourself in the rich Japanese culture, sign up for the Japanese Tea Ceremony Classroom Experience at Manjujicho (in Kyoto). We booked our seats via KLOOK (refer to the above link). The experience lasted about half an hour where the tea expert explained the background of Matcha and guided us on the proper way to make a good Matcha as well as the basic etiquette of drinking the tea. More information on the classes can be found through the above KLOOK link. 


2) Le Labo Cafe Kyoto Machiya
Business Hours: 10 am to 7 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 757-085-182


Americano (650Yen) and Matcha Latte (700Yen)

Popular New York Fragrance- Le Labo's first flagship laboratory is in Kyoto; together with the Le Labo Kyoto Cafe (first Le Labo Cafe in Japan and 3rd in the whole world). If luck is not on your side, you will find the long queue to enter the premise but the staff will check if you are to visit the lab or the cafe. For the cafe, the queue should be shorter. We waited for approximately 10 minutes before we got our hands on the coffee. It is housed in a Machiya (traditional Japanese wooden townhouse) and features a small Japanese garden. The place is cramped and does not offer any tables. There are a couple of benches for you to enjoy your coffee but more for take-outs. We suggest taking the coffee out to the Kamo River (right outside of Le Labo Cafe) and enjoy. 


3) Gion Yorozuya 萬屋
Business Hours: 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 755-513-409


Ebina Udon (1,650Yen)


Tsunoda Soba (2,000Yen)


Negi Udon (1,500Yen)


Momeji Soba (1,950Yen)

A Michelin Bib Gourmand- Gion Yorozuya is famous for its Negi Udon (Japanese Long Green Onions). It draws a huge crowd every day, with its limited seating, visitors often need to queue for long before they can enter the restaurant. The dining area is cramped and could only seat a max of 14 pax at one time. The menu is limited- specializing in Negi-related Soba or Udon. It opens 3.5 hours a day. On our visit- the opening hour was delayed to 12:30PM (instead of 12 Noon) and we had to queue for an extra 30 minutes (we arrived at 11:50AM). We were lucky to be able to go in- we were the last batch allowed as there were people in front of us. The restaurant is manned by an old lady who speaks little English. The menu is only available in Japanese so make sure your translation app is ready if you don't read/speak Japanese. We waited for almost an hour before our noodles were served. 

The broth is clear and easy on the palate- topped up with the pungent Negi-flavor and a generous spoonful of grated Ginger. The Ginger played an important role here- the fiery taste at the back that gives the necessary push on top of the Green Onion pungent. Nothing out of the ordinary for the noodles but the Negi-Ginger flavor combo is definitely something you don't get to experience with any other Japanese restaurants. If you have some time to spare, try checking it out- the Japanese home-cooking style noodles will definitely hit a spot in your whole trip.


4) Kiyomizu-Dera 清水寺
Entrance Fee: 500Yen (if entering the temple)
Address: 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Business Hours: 6 am to 6 pm. Opens Daily.


Matcha and Chestnut Soft Rice Cracker (400Yen)

The Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto but the place is known as one of the best viewing places as the wooden stage offers great views on a sea of Cherry Blossom and Maple Trees. Before arriving the temple, you will have to walk pass the commercial business street filled with food vendors and souvenir shops. There are also some shops renting Kimono and traditional Japanese wear in case you are interested (3,000Yen for few hours). There are many corners suitable for photography and we spotted a Japanese garden at a side, perfect for some portraitures. Car Park is available but limited space; you will also need some navigation skills to reach there as the streets are narrow and can be dangerous with buses passing by. 


5) Sushiro- Gojo Shichihommatsu
Business Hours: 10:30 am to 11 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 075-326-3861
Website: www.akindo-sushiro.co.jp


Salmon Sushi- large (440Yen)


Amber Jack Sushi (180Yen)


Tempura (410Yen)


Unagi Sushi (180Yen)


Salmon Roe Sushi (180Yen)


Grilled Pork Sushi (120Yen)


Tamago Sushi (120Yen)


Udon Soup (180Yen)

Sushiro is a popular Sushi chain restaurant in Japan, it is known to serve some of the most affordable and freshest Sushi you can find. Instead of letting the Sushi touring the Kaiser Belt, it uses made-to-order system now where diners need to place their orders via the iPad on the table and the Sushi will be delivered to your table shortly. We recommend going for the Salmon Roe, any Fish Sushi as they offer unbeatable value as compared to the Japanese restaurants in Malaysia (duh). The 4 of us left the place full with a bill of less than 5,000Yen only. The branch we visited in Gojo Shichihommatsu offers free parking up to 2 hours for dine-in customers. 


6) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Entrance Fee: 1,500Yen (only if entering the temple)
Address: Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan


The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is another popular tourist spots in Kyoto- the place is surrounded by tall Bamboo... offering a serene space with lush green. Getting there is a little tricky, while public transportation is available; I am sharing from our experience of driving there. It took us almost 20 minutes to find the car park and approximately 20 min-walk was required. The same for public transportation so avoid this place if you are unable to walk or you are traveling with senior citizens. There's a temple- Tenryu Ji near the Bamboo Forest (with entrance fee) with a nice garden view surrounded by Maple Trees if you are keen. We did not explore Tenryu-Ji and only spent 1.5 hours here taking photos. 


7) Fushimi Inari-Taisha 伏見稲荷大社
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
Business Hours: Opens 24 Hours


No trip to Kyoto is complete without paying a visit to the Fushimi Inari-Taisha, also known as the Temple of Thousand Gates. Rumor has it that there are close to thousand of torii gates lining the path to Mount Inari, creating a breath-taking scene. It's so cool to walk through the gates and if you are lucky enough (or visit super early in the morning), you will find the place quiet and able to take a lot of beautiful photos. The walk can be quite far (approximately 45 minutes) if you attempt to visit the peak but many stop at the middle of the path and return back. You can get some charms on the way back and pray for better luck. Down the mountain foot (or car park), there are food stalls selling Japanese street food. We took the opportunity to try the Strawberry Daifuku (which was horrible) and Matcha Soft Serve (okay-decent). Free Parking is available here. 


Strawberry Daifuku (500Yen)


Matcha Soft Serve (300Yen)

8) Jiki Miyazawa
Business Hours: 12 pm to 1:45 pm; 6 pm to 8 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 752-131-326


Braised Mountain Yam served with Yuzu Sauce, Miso and Japanese Parsley


Fugu Soup with Seasonal Mushrooms


Torched Amber Jack Sashimi


Sesame Tofu


Soba with Katsuoboshi


Snapper Fish (Tai) with grated Mountain Yam and Wood Fungus


Donabe Japanese Rice served with seasoned White Bait Fish and various seasonal Pickles


Japanese Anko with Cracker and Japanese Matcha

If you enjoy good, quality Japanese food, take the opportunity visit any of the Michelin-starred restaurants. The lunch Omakase or course menu would usually cost lesser than dinner. As for us, we took advantage of the cheaper lunch price- 8,000+Yen per pax at Jiki Miyazawa (1 Michelin Star) Kaiseki Restaurant in Kyoto (walking distance from Nishiki Market). The 8-course Omakase lunch features highlights from the Japanese locally sourced produce and the Chefs speak basic English so there would not be any communication issue. Super friendly and attentive service, as expected from a Michelin-starred establishment. 

We started with a braised root-vegetable served with Japanese Miso (probably some fancy ones that we did not understand), Parsley and Yuzu Sauce. It was a refreshing start and we liked the citrus-acidic Yuzu touch here to freshen up the whole thing. The next course was a heart-warming soup with Fugu and Shitake Mushroom. The clean-tasting soup came with a sleek Umami aftertaste, love the meaty-firm Fugu texture. Next was Amber Jack Sashimi but expertly torched for the smoky-burnt aroma. The Sesame Tofu was a little monotonous for us- the whole thing was about Sesame. The Tofu was made of Sesame, the sauce was Sesame sauce and sprinkled with Sesame-sprinkles; the nuttiness was bold though. 

The noodle dish was Soba with Katsuoboshi, while the Soba possessed a good al-dente texture, the Katsuoboshi was slightly odd (not in a bad way). It was an acquired taste- somehow reminded me of cheese... salty and fishy. The dish before the main was Snapper (Tai) served with grated Mountain Yam and Wood Fungus... the combo seemed bland but the Japanese sauce worked its wonders. Love the firm, flaky texture of the Tai. Tummy-filler was Japanese Rice (cooked using Donabe) served with seasoned White Bait and various pickles; a dish that truly showcased the Japanese culture. We ended the meal with Japanese Anko with Cracker and Japanese Matcha (which was really bitter). A very good experience- not to say the ingredients were top notch but for around RM250/pax, the Omakase experience truly made part of the memories for this journey. 


9) Nishiki Market 錦市場
Address: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan


Few steps away from Jiki Miyazawa is the Nishiki Market, probably the equivalent of Kuromon Market in Osaka City but slightly smaller in scale. The walkway is narrower and the crowd is huge, making it super difficult to make your way out... let alone checking on the street food. The prices here are reasonable. Unfortunately we did not manage to try a lot as we just had the 8-course lunch at Jiki Miyazawa but we managed to buy some Fish Cakes. They were very good and affordably priced at 250Yen per piece. 


[Kobe- Arima Onsen 神戸 有馬温泉]

1) Arima Onsen Town
Address: Kita-Ku, Kobe, Japan.


Croquette (170Yen)


Sake-infused Steamed Red Bean Bun (100Yen)


Matcha and Chestnut Soya Milk Doughnut (300Yen)


Roasted Chestnuts (600Yen for Small- 5 to 6 pieces)


Soda Cracker (100Yen for 2 pieces)

One of the Japan's top three Onsen spots- Arima Onsen is believed to have more than 1,000 years of history. It is also a popular domestic travel destination where the locals travel there to enjoy Onsen (Hot Spring). The place is surrounded by Onsen Resorts with a small town offering tourist essentials and souvenirs. The town is small and walkable by foot. While we traveled there by car, some choose to travel by bus (you can check with the hotel/resort if they offer pick up service from the bus terminal). We explored the town in the evening and next day morning. One of the must-eats would be the Soda Cracker, a local delicacy originated from Arima Onsen. We were told to consume within 5 seconds while it was scorching hot. Imagine something like Kuih Kapit but less flaky (and equally sweet).

Check out the freshly fried Croquette for 170Yen, satisfyingly crispy and unbelievably creamy. The Soy Milk Doughnut seemed promising at first but it turned out to be quite dense and cakey. The Sake-infused Bun was interesting, we could really taste the hint of alcohol. No harm trying at 100Yen each. If you haven't tasted Autumn Chestnuts in Japan, try the roasted one at the far end of the Arima Onsen business street. 5-6 huge pieces for 600Yen. 


2) Mount Rokko Tenran Observatory
Entrance Fee: Free


A short 20 minute drive away from Arima Onsen will land you at Mount Rokko Tenran Observatory. It is best to drive as the cable car runs on an hourly basis but the road to the observatory can be steep and winding so it is the best to drive during day time. No entrance fee is required to enter the observatory but don't expect fancy setup there. It does give a good view of Kobe and Osaka city. Recommend to stop by here 30-60 minutes for photos. Nothing much to explore here. 



[Osaka City 大阪]

1) Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda
Entrance Fee: 500Yen
Business Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
Contact Number: 727-523-484
Website: https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/ 


Before hitting Osaka city, we made a stop at the Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda. Car Park is available with a fee. Upon entering the museum, you will be given a small ticket and follow the direction to move to the hall (you will walk pass walls adorned with Japanese Cup Noodles). At one point, pay 500Yen per pax to get your cup and proceed to the decor station. Inked Pens are given and feel free to draw and design your own cup. You will then need to decide on the toppings and flavor. Proceed to the order counter and start the process- choose the flavor (Original, Seafood, Chili Tomato and Curry) before choosing the 4 toppings (out of 12 options). You will get to witness the whole process- from including the flavor, toppings and have it sealed. Lastly, you will be given a plastic bag and go to the final station to seal it like a bag. You can then tour the premise (with Cup Noodle history) with the bag. A fun experience especially if you are traveling with young kids. I've never had cup noodle with so much of toppings. 



2) Pokemon Cafe Shinsaibashi
Business Hours: 10 am to 7 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +81-6-4256-1160


Pikachu and Charmander's Best Friends Forever Curry Plate (2,420Yen)


Pokemon Cafe's Pikachu Souffle Pancake (2,090Yen)


Hot Americano with Pikachu Tail Cookie (935Yen + 1,760Yen for the Pikachu Mug)

A place must be visited by Pokemon Fans at least once in a life time- the Pokemon Cafe! The Pokemon Cafe is right next to the Pokemon Centre which is located on 9F, Daimaru Shinsaibashi in Osaka. It is one of the two Pokemon Cafes in Japan (and the world!). To visit the cafe, you will need to make a reservation (or try your luck with walk-in but not recommended). The reservation opens 30 days in advance prior to the visit date on its official website (here). New slot/day opens at 18:00PM Japan time and try to be on time. I did that but still unable to secure a seat. They are often taken up as scalper tickets and to be sold at certain prices to tourists. Another trick will be to look out for unwanted seats the day BEFORE the actual visit but do it between 18:00PM to 20:00PM. Grab whichever seat available and keep monitoring. The best seats will be Category A as these are the closest ones to Pikachu (special appearance). Reservation is free and no booking fee is required. 

Each session lasts for 1.5 hours and the Pikachu special appearance will be at the last 30 minutes of each session. My advice- be there 10 minutes prior to your session and be the first few to enter the cafe. You will get better opportunity to take more photos with the Pokemon characters and the setting. 

The menu is small and available on their official website. Prices are higher than usual restaurants so be prepared to spend at least 3,000Yen/ pax. There is a min order policy of 1 order per pax (can be a main, dessert or drink). We had the Curry Rice and Souffle Pancake; the Curry Rice was surprisingly good though small portion. The meal ends with a special Pikachu appearance where the server will guide the diners on some simple moves. No one is allowed to stand up and diners are to remain seated. At this point of time, those seated at Category C might not be able to see clearly. 

Nonetheless, indeed a good experience and happy to visit the Pokemon Cafe. A place to relive childhood memories.  



3) Ganko Sushi Dotonbori
Business Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +81-50-1720-2721


Kobe Beef Sukiyaki Combo (5,390Yen)


Tempura


Cold Ramen (top up 750Yen)


Yuba Sushi (200Yen/ piece) and Salmon Sushi (300Yen/ piece)


Assorted Kushikatsu (1,000Yen)

Ganko Sushi is one of the many restaurants at Dotonbori, it offers an extensive Japanese menu with fancy choices as well as affordable options. We were looking for Kobe Beef and opted for the Kobe Beef Sukiyaki Set which comes with Tempura, Rice, Miso Soup and Udon noodles. We topped up with Cold Ramen (served with Goma/ Sesame sauce), some Sushi and Kushikatsu (fried Skewers). The Sukiyaki was delicious, the quality of the Kobe Beef was good (though paper thin). The portion was huge and could fit 2 pax easily (after the top up of Cold Ramen). The Cold Ramen was probably the best dish here- served with Sesame-sauce, it was refreshing with a savory-sweet, nutty flavor combo. We also took the opportunity to try the Kushikatsu (deep fried Skewers) which originated from Osaka. Not bad especially enjoyed with Beer but a little monotonous towards the end. It is often eaten with a sweet Japanese sauce (soy sauce based). Not that Ganko Sushi offers superior quality that you must try- but the restaurant is strategically located at Dotonbori and offers an English menu. 


4) Tsuruhashi Fugetsu Okonomiyaki
Business Hours: 11 am to 11 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +81-6-6212-5990


Okonomiyaki (1,650Yen)


Grilled Squid Tentacles (530Yen)


Vegetables Yaki Soba (1,700Yen)

Strategically located at Dotonbori and facing Shinsaibashi, Tsuruhashi Fugetsu can be found on the 2nd floor of a building. If you are lucky enough, you will find a table near to the window and overlooking the bustling Dotonbori. The place specializes in serving Okonomiyaki and Yaki Soba. Since Okonomiyaki originated from Osaka, it is a mandatory to arrange an Okonomiyaki meal here. Like most restaurants offering Okonomiyaki in Japan- diners get to choose the toppings and flavor combo. We went for the basic ones and opted to have the Mayonnaise served as a side. Pretty decent and tasted like any Osaka Okonomiyaki- mushy and slathered with sauces. We recommend topping up with Yaki Soba as a tummy filler, Okonomiyaki alone might be too monotonous. 



5) Kuromon Ichiba Market


King Crab (15,000Yen)


Assorted Sushi (2,000Yen)


Crab Meat Bun (500Yen)


Sakura Mochi (200Yen)


Fugu/ Puffer Fish Sashimi (1,700Yen)


Miyazaki Beef Skewer (2,000Yen)


Imagawayaki- Red Bean (130Yen)

Those who have visited Osaka should not be new to Kuromon Market, the market is strategically located in the heart of Osaka city and offers a great selection of local Kansai delicacies and fresh produces. The prices are slightly higher due to the place being a top tourist spot but it is also a convenient place to sample all the Kansai delights in one go. You can also source some food souvenirs there. It was my second visit and I've discovered more than my first trip here 8 years ago. We had King Crabs for 15,000Yen (shared by the 4 of us) from Yasojima and we thought the Crabs were super fresh and delicious! The quality was top notch and we were pleased with the quality of the Sushi as well. 

Not for the faint-hearted, but you should not miss Fugu (Puffer Fish) Sashimi as well. We had a small plate for 1,700Yen which includes some Fugu skin. The Sashimi slices were super chewy and resilient, with a slight umami-aftertaste. Also look out for the Steamed Bun with Crab Meat filling (500Yen), good on its own but even better with an extra touch of Wasabi-Mayonnaise for the extra creaminess and refreshing cut. We've had Kobe Beef before Kuromon so we wanted to try something else- we had the Miyazaki Beef Skewer for 2,000Yen. The quality of the meat was good but unfortunately, overcooked with a rough texture. For sweet, try the Sakura Mochi... a rather uncommon encounter (in case Warabi Mochi, Daifuku, Dango are too cliche). 


Have Fun Exploring Kansai Prefecture! 

No comments:

Post a Comment