After spending 5 days in Fukuoka, I took the shinkansen from JR Hakata to Kyoto where I met up with my husband, who had flown into Kansai from Singapore that morning. It was a Friday and the JR stations in
Fukuoka: Ika Sashimi At Kawataro
I ate one whole ika sashimi, with eyes, tentacles and all, for the first time at Kawataro, a well-known restaurant located in a traditional shophouse between Canal City and the yatai street. One order comes with two big ikas.
Nagasaki: The Atomic Bomb Museum
I visited the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum many years ago and came out of it a snivelling mess. The exhibits and audio-visual materials were so well put together, I walked out of the museum shuddering from the horror that took place
Nagasaki: Yosso Chawanmushi
Nagasaki is well-known for champon and Castella cake. Unfortunately, I did not get to try either when I was there ‘cos I ran out of time and tummy space. What I did try was the chawanmushi at Yosso, a restaurant that has
Nagasaki: Chirin Chirin Ice Cream
Known as ‘chirin chirin ice cream’, this delicious sorbet-like ice cream in a cone is sold at ice-cream carts located at tourist attractions around the city. The ice-cream seller would usually shape the ice-cream into a pretty rose design. I bought my
Nagasaki: The Spectacles Bridge
I went to Nagasaki on a day trip for two reasons – to visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and to eat chawanmushi at Yossou, a famous restaurant that was established in the city over a 100 years ago.
Fukuoka: Motsunabe At Uma Uma
When I was researching what to eat in Fukuoka, one of the things that kept popping up was ‘motsunabe‘, or cow’s intestines hotpot, a Fukuoka delicacy. I love eating offal (tripe being at the top of my beef offal list)
My Ekiben Adventure
Ever since I read Ekiben Hitoritabi, the food manga about a train enthusiast who went travelling around Japan to eat the various bentos sold at Japanese train stations, I have been wanting to do an ekiben trip myself someday.
Fukuoka: Tenmangu Shrine In Dazaifu
Dazaifu is accessible from Fukuoka by train. Since I had the JR Pass, I took the JR train instead of the more convenient route via the Nishitetsu line. Using the JR route required me to take a train to the
Fukuoka: Oshiruko At Nakashu Zenzai
I love red bean soup. When I was a kid, red bean soup made a regular appearance at home during the weekends. My mom liked to serve this dessert because it is easy to prepare, tasty and the ingredients are
Fukuoka: A Gorgeous Starbucks At Dazaifu
This Starbucks in Dazaifu has the most visually arresting architecture in a Starbucks store that I have ever come across. Nestled between shops selling traditional sweets and handicrafts, you cannot miss it on your way from the train station
Fukuoka: Canal Punting In Yanagawa
Visiting Yanagawa, a former castle town approximately 45 minutes away from Fukuoka city by the limited express train, was not originally on my itinerary. As the lady-owner of the o-zenzai shop recommended that I visit Yanagawa to experience the canal boat tours, I
Fukuoka: Karo no Udon / The Frog Udon
Although Fukuoka is famous for its tonkotsu ramen, the most memorable noodles that I ate during my stay in Fukuoka was this delicious udon from a shop called Karo no Udon, located on Kokutai Road. A chef-friend recommended this udon