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Amane-Kichijoji-Tokyo-Japan

Amane: The Must-Try Taiyaki Maker in Kichijōji

Taiyaki is a street food commonly found in Japan. When you visit Kichijōji, it is the must-eat food. While there are several taiyaki makers in the area, our favorite is Amane (有職たい菓子本舗 天音). Located in Harmonica Yokochō, Amane is one of the reasons that people visit the small alley during the day. Obviously, we didn’t feature

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Ozasa Kichijoji Tokyo Japan

Ozasa: A Yōkan Specialist That the Locals Would Queue for

Ozasa (小ざさ) in the Daiyagai District is one of Kichijōji‘s most famous traditional confectionery shops. It is a shop that the locals are willing to queue for! The small shop at the corner, established in 1951, is a yōkan specialist. Using simple and raw ingredients, the confectionery maker, using traditional methods, offers simple but amazing

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The Ultimate 14-Day Central Japan Alps Autumn Itinerary

While many travelers flock to the “Golden Route” of Tokyo and Kyoto, the true soul of Japanese autumn lies in the Chūbu region, the rugged, cultural heart of Central Japan. Spanning from the towering peaks of the Japanese Alps to the spiritual hubs of the Nagano highlands, Chūbu offers a dramatic landscape of fiery maples

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Mlesna Tea Tokyo: Kichijōji’s Best Spot for Tea Sampling

A spot to have a relaxing afternoon tea and live like a celebrity on the side of Inokashira Park is Mlesna Tea Tokyo (ムレスナティー東京). The cafe that overlooks the park looks like a villa. The space beyond the gate is like a VIP lounge. Being in the luxurious space already feels like you are part

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Nagano Donabe Ramen Takesan’s Most Delicious Vegan Ramen

While finding a vegan-friendly restaurant in the big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto isn’t hard, it is challenging once you step into Japan’s rural region. But don’t worry when you visit Nagano. Nagano Donabe Ramen Takesan (長野土鍋ラーメンたけさん) in Obuse serves delicious vegan ramen and dumplings! You can also make risotto from your ramen at the

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Toraya Kōbō: Where You Source the Best Japanese Sweets

Are you a sweet tooth? If yes, then you can’t miss out on the famous sweets maker in Japan, Toraya! Toraya’s history goes way back to the early 16th century Kyoto. It was chosen as a purveyor to the imperial court from the late 1500s. When Japan’s capital transferred to Tokyo, it also successfully established

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What to Do at Senmaya Sake no Kura Community Facility

If you are interested in visiting Japanese architecture constructed from the end of the 19th century to the early 20th century, visit the Senmaya Sake no Kura Community Facility (千厩酒のくら交流施設) in Ichinoseki City. Many buildings completed around that time incorporated Western elements into the existing Japanese design. The community facility renovated from a former sake

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Sukawa Kōgen: Ichinoseki’s Best Spot for Onsen and Hiking

Sukawa Kōgen (須川高原) in Ichinoseki is the plateau halfway up Mt. Kurikoma (栗駒山). You can find the unique volcanic landscape at Sukawa Kōgen, including lakes, marshes, wetlands, and alpine plants. The hot spring gushing out here has a strong acidity but is said to be effective for gastrointestinal issues and skin diseases. In autumn, the

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