Nishimuraya Honkan Kinosaki Onsen (城崎溫泉 西村屋本館): the food

So, here's the post on our dinner and breakfast at Nishimuraya Honkan.  When I can still describe how the food taste after all this time, you know it is a very memorable meal!


The most memorable of all~
Grilled kani-miso!

Nishimuraya Honkan Kinosaki Onsen (城崎溫泉 西村屋本館): the ryokan and surroundings

Another year, another crab season.  Did you know the Matsuba Crab is only available from November to March every year?  I had an unforgettable experience at Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki.  It was a splurge but it is worth every penny!  We were definitely spoiled by the food and the hospitality.



Garden view from main entrance at Nishimuraya Honkan



Kagiya (鍵屋) @ Ine-Cho ( 伊根町)

When I really love something, my friends would hear me talking about it non-stop.  Kagiya (鍵屋) in Ine-cho is one of those places.  It is not the easiest to get to  but it was so worth it.  I have been keeping it hush-hush on the blog but I always think about my experience there every year around this time.  If there is a next time, I will need to at least spend 2 nights there, with one day fully dedicated to fishing. :)

 

Ine is sometimes referred to "Venice of Japan" but a lot less known and much quieter. 

Pablo vs Rikuro's

If you are a foodie and have been to Osaka before, the names of Rikuro's and Pablo are probably no news to you.  If you haven't heard of them, they are two of the more popular desserts shops in the city!

Chasing Sakura - Japan (22) - Akame Shijuhachi Taki (赤目四十八淹)

Finally, this is the last post of this series and this was only a 9-day trip!  I have about 8 hours before I have to leave for the Kansai airport and decided to maximize the value of my Kintetsu pass and went to Akame Shijuhachi Taki (赤目四十八淹, "Akame Waterfalls").  The train tickets cost JPY1,960 if bought separate and the Kintetsu Pass is only JPY3,800!  Not to mention the train ride from Nagoya to Osaka alone was already JPY4,150!  This waterfalls is not as popular as some other other tourist attractions in the area but for some reason I just want to go there.

Shizuka (志津香)

Shizuka (志津香) is just off the main street between the Nara station and Todai-ji.  It's very easy to find.  As mentioned in my previous posts, a lot of Taiwanese bloggers recommended this place so I have to come and try it myself so I know what the rave is all about.

Don't be fooled, it gets crowded as soon as it opens.
(This is taken before 11:00 am, when I was on my way to Kasuga Shrine)

Chasing Sakura - Japan (21) - Nara: Todai-ji Temple (東大寺)

"Todai-ji (東大寺, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs."  --- Japan Guide

Chasing Sakura - Japan (20) - Nara: Kasuga Taisha Shrine (春日大社)

"Kasuga Taisha is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian Periods." --- Japan Guide

Chasing Sakura - Japan (19) - Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka

Busy is such a lame excuse so I am just going to say I have been slacking lately... (honestly I have been quite busy lately... and it looks like it's only gonna get busier from here on...)

Kururu (樞)

One of the reason why I wanted to visit Nagoya is to meet up with my friend I haven't seen in many years!  I was so glad she was able to make it!  In fact, I got to meet her husband and son as well.  We had a wonderful time while tasting one of Nagoya's best - the Nagoya Kōchin (Nagoya Chicken).

Chasing Sakura - Japan (18) - Nagoya Castle (名古屋城)

If you like Japanese history, Nagoya Castle is a place you should not miss!  I didn't expect much but ended up quite liking it.  (If it weren't for Tokugawa Ieyasu, I probably would have skipped it just like I skipped the Osaka Castle... Sorry Toyotomi Hideyoshi... -.-|||)  The castle itself has been remodeled into a museum.  Each level has a different theme and all are interesting to me.

Chasing Sakura - Japan (17) - Yamasaki River (山崎川)

After lunch, I went to the beautiful Yamasaki River for a walk.  I read about this place from another blogger's page and thought I would come if time allows.  I am glad I did as you can see how beautiful it is from the pictures!

Houraiken (蓬莱軒神宮店)

This was a meal I have been anticipating during this trip.  I am glad to report it did not disappoint!  Since I went there well passed the normal lunch hours, plus it was a weekday and I was alone, I didn't have to wait at all - lucky!!!

Chasing Sakura - Japan (16) - Nagoya: Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮)

Finally back from my Inner Mongolia trip!  If you are following me on Instagram, you will be able to see a preview of my trip.  Work is getting busier so I can only do my best to get these updates up as fast as I can... but then, summer time is also the best time to enjoy the outdoors right? So please bear with me!

If you have ever played King of Fighters, I am sure you know Kyo Kusanagi.  Well, it has nothing to do with Atsuta Shine.  It just makes me think of the Kusanagi no Tsurugi everytime.  According to the Kojiki (the oldest extant chronicle in Japan), the Atsuta Shrine was originally founded to house the Kusanagi no Tsurugi!  Sadly, peasants like me are not allowed to appreciate the beauty of the sword... yet, the Atsuta Shrine is beautiful and worth a visit in my opinion.

the south entrance

Chasing Sakura - Japan (15) - Nagoya

After bidding farewell to Takayama, we took the bus to Nagoya.  The ride took approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.  We got off at the JR Nagoya station and my friends left for Osaka right away while I explored the city and meet my friend and her family for dinner!  I found the station quite confusing and there wasn't enough signs.  Nevertheless, I was able to navigate around it in the end and accomplished everything I wanted to do / see in Nagoya!  Yay!

Nagoya from Nagoya Castle

Chasing Sakura - Japan (14) - Shin-Hotaka & Hirayu

If you ask me, April is not a good month to go to Shin-Hotaka, unless you want to see snow.  Since I used to live in Chicago I have seen enough snow for the rest of my life...  Not only was it snowing, it was only -6 degrees Celsius!!!  Thank goodness I brought my fleece sweater with me.

It was such a cloudy day... can't see much of anything
this was my "best" picture of the day

Chasing Sakura - Japan (13) - Takayama: Hida-gyu (飛驒牛)

If you go to Takayama, you must try Hida-gyu (飛驒牛).

“Hida-gyu” (Hida Beef) is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, that has been raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Hida-gyu is required to have been confirmed and certified as Yield Score of Grade A or B by the Hida Beef Brand Promotion Conference, and have a Firmness and Texture Grade of 5, 4 or 3 as graded by the Japan Meat Grading Association. 

Since Hida beef is cheaper compared to the three major Japanese beef (Matsusaka, Kobe, and Omi), I was able to gobble on this delicious beef 2 dinners in a row plus more.  Honestly, I found it just as if not more delicious than Kobe beef.  (Probably because I only had a small Kobe beef filet versus plates after plates of premium Hida beef!)  I already told myself - my next Japan trip must include Matsusaka!

This plague is displayed at all designated shops / restaurants serving Hida beef.

Chasing Sakura - Japan (12) - Takayama: Sanmachi Suji (高山古町)

For those of you who don't really care for history / culture but love snacking, shopping and a relaxing afternoon, I recommend you Sanmachi Suji!  

Sanmachi Suji (高山古町)

Chasing Sakura - Japan (11) - Takayama: Takayama Jinya (高山陣屋)

Takayama Jinya (高山陣屋) is a former government outpost that was established in order to bring the Hida Province under the direct control of the Edo Bakufu (Shogunate).  It was in official use from 1692 to 1969.  (That's 277 years!!!)  There used to be a number of these buildings across Japan but this is also the only one left today.   (More reasons to visit!)

Takayama Jinya (高山陣屋)

Jingoro Ramen (甚五郎らーめん)

Jingoro Ramen (甚五郎らーめん) is one of the more popular ramen restaurants in the area.  In fact, it was recommended to us by one of the hostel's staff.  It's about 10 minutes away from the JR Takayama station (by walking).