Tabemono Journey

The first time we visited Japan, we took the usual route of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka.  We easily fell in love with this area.  However, Japan has so much more to offer.  Since that time, we started to travel to other parts of Japan. Here are a couple of detailed itineraries of our travel to other parts of Japan:

• June/July 2016 – Hokkaido and Tohoku
• June/July 2017 – Japan Alps and Shirakawago
• Kinosaki – a small coastal onsen town in Hyogo
  – A wonderful day trip possibility from Kyoto/Osaka
  – Nishimuraya Honkan
• Karuizawa – a resort town near Nagano, cooler in the summer
  – A mall, Terrace shopping center, and the Stone Church
  – Hoshinoya Karuizawa
• Kanazawa – the capital of Ishikawa and some call it little Kyoto
  – Part 1 – Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-En garden, Kanazawa Station
  – Part 2 – Itaru Honten Izakaya
  – Part 3 – Omicho Market
  – Part 4 – Almost 90 yr old Sushi Grandmaster at Komatsu Yasuke
  – Part 5 – Higashi Chaya, Kazuemachi Chaya, Oden Yamasan

My favorite city for food, from the humble to the sophisticated, Tokyo offers it all and then some.  You can almost find any type of food and  any ingredients.  Here are some of the places we have been to:

Sushi
Sukiyabashi Jiro
Sushi Dai in Tsukiji
Sushi Keita in Tsukiji

Ramen
Japanese Soba Noodle Tsuta – Michelin 1 Star  
Ginza Kagari – Amazing Tori Paitan Ramen  

Other
Jimbocho Den
Usuki Fugu Yamadaya – Live to talk about Fugu
Narisawa 
Takazawa 

Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea MiraCosta Hotel and Unagi Miyagawa
Tokyo DisneySea and its Amazing Food Offerings 
Fine Dining at Oceano at MiraCosta
SS Columba in DisneySea
Magellan’s in DisneySea

Hokkaido is the northern island of Japan.  We visited in the summer of 2015 and is probably our favorite destination in Japan.  You can find the itinerary overview here. The area is blessed with abundant nature, rich agriculture, and the best seafood anywhere.  Here are some of the cities and things to do:

• Asahikawa – second largest city in Hokkaido
  – Ramen Village – Aoba Ramen and Driving in Hokkaido
  – Asahikawa Zoo and Ramen Ishida
  
  
• Higashikawa – Small town near the Mt. Asahi mountain range
  – Yumoto Yukomansou Ryokan
  
  
• Furano and Biei – two small towns close to each other known for its lavender fields, rolling hills, and beautiful landscapes
  – Chalet Fuyuri
  – Kumagera – a local Furano cuisine
  – Yuiga Dixon – delicious curry
  – Farm Tomita, Tomita Melon House, and Trick Art Museum
  – Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfall, and Fukuzushi
  – Cheese Factory, Furano Marche, Soup Curry
  – Furano Wine, Jam Factory, Anpanman
  
  
• Sapporo – the capital of Hokkaido
  – Miso Ramen and Kinotoya
  – Kani Honke – a crab feast like no tomorrow
  
  
• Otaru – A popular canal town right next to Sapporo
  – Canal, LeTao, and Squid Ink and Uni Ice Cream
  – Delicious Fried Chicken at Naruto Honten
  
  
• Yoichi -A small town close to Sapporo and home of Nikka whisky distillery
  – Yoichi Distillery for Free Whisky Tasting
  
  
• Shatokan – A coastal town with beautiful scenery
  – Misaki for the Best Uni Don
  – Cape Kamui
  
  
• Niseko – Popular in the winter for skiing, home of one of our favorite ryokan.
  – Zaborin Ryokan – Part 1
  – Zaborin Ryokan and things to do for kids in Niseko Part 2
  
  
• Hakodate – Hokkaido’s third biggest city and a nice port town.
  – Shio Ramen, Night View, and Morning Market