It is always a treat to visit Japan. The food is amazing and the people are extremely polite, kind, and respectful. Shopping options are out of this world! Always pack light and save plenty of space in your luggage for omiyage (gifts and souvenirs for family and friends).
Our first stop was the Biyunonado Onsen Ryokan in Yudanaka, Nagano. I highly recommend the Deluxe Western-style accommodations with a private onsen on the deck. The suite is thoughtfully designed and is a calming retreat to return to after a long day of sightseeing. This room works well for a couple (it has one bed). But there are many other room options to choose from if you need additional bedding.
Breakfast and dinner are included. The servings are plentiful and beautifully plated. The staff in the restaurant are absolutely wonderful.
Fresh shiitake mushrooms peek out from their mushroom spawn log. At dinner, you pick them off and grill them at your table.
Every meal is beautifully presented. The food is tasty and healthy. Lots of vegetables and crunchy Japanese pickles are served both at breakfast and dinner along with miso soup and rice.
Onsen tamago in a light broth was served at breakfast one morning. Perfectly cooked, soft and custardy. I scooped it out of the bowl and ate it on my rice. Delicious.
Plenty of healthy veggies are served at breakfast and dinner. They always came with a savory dipping sauce.
There was not a lot of snow when I visited in early March but just enough for the skiers and snow boarders to enjoy their day up on the slopes in Nagano.
Japanese cars are the cutest in my opinion. I drive a Honda but it looks nothing like this!
When in Nagano you must visit Snow Monkey Park. The trek uphill took us 35 minutes. It might have taken less time but the trail was quite muddy (the hotel rents boots; we needed them). Again, there was not a lot of snow so the monkeys were here and there, with a handful relaxing in their own private onsen.
Hmmm….Good to know…
We took the train to a small town called Obuse. There we visited a museum, browsed through some shops and ate a tasty Japanese fried chicken and sweet potato tempura lunch before heading back to the hotel.
One of the foods I read about and wanted to try before leaving Nagano was Sauce Katsudon. Crispy tonkatsu bathed in a savory sauce is served over rice and cabbage. It was a huge bowl and I only made it halfway through.
Nagano is known for having some of the best soba. Just before heading to Tokyo, we stopped for lunch at the Nagano train station. Perfectly al dente soba was a light yet satisfying.
We enjoyed our stay at the Biyunonado Onsen Ryokan. Yuki the General Manager and her entire staff are incredibly kind and helpful and the service is impeccable. They make you feel at home during your stay. Arigato gozaimasu!
Before heading to Japan, I did some research on steak restaurants in Tokyo. I found that Coco Nemaru in Ginza might be the place to try so I made a reservation in advance. The wagyu beef is from their family owned farm.
As you walk to the entrance of the restaurant you’ll see the different cuts of beef in the display window.
Wow! We ordered one of the most popular choices, the Mogami sirloin steak. It comes in 1, 1 1/2 and 2 pound portions. We selected the 1 pound steak (for two of us). What a beauty. The server grills the steak at your table. The smoke is drawn directly into the vent all the while.
The meat is cooked to medium-rare then sliced. The server swaps the grill top for a clean one, and you are then free to cook the steak further if you prefer.
There were four seasonings for the steak. Wasabi, flaky salt, soy sauce, and a flavorful dipping sauce with sesame seeds. The restaurant also has a nice selection of side dishes, wine, liquor and soft drinks.
The steak was absolutely delicious. Tender, juicy and flavorful. One of the best I have ever eaten and a meal that I won’t forget.
We made a quick stop for ramen and gyoza at the Shinjuku train station. Pay at the vending machine outside, grab a seat, slurp your noodles and off you go to do more shopping. This type of meal is inexpensive and quick. You’ll notice many business people eating ramen during their lunch break.
On one evening, we were exhausted from being out all day and were craving a simple sandwich. Voila! Our hotel, Century Southern Tower has a good restaurant that serves tasty food. A quick elevator ride to the lobby level for a Club and a burger with fries were just what we needed.
As you exit the elevator and enter the hotel lobby you are greeted by beautiful flower arrangements.
Tonkatsu is one of my favorite Japanese dishes. There is a dizzying number of places that serve it here. One of my favorites is Katsukura located at Takashimaya department store (they have a stunning food hall).
It’s fun to grind your own sesame seeds with the suribachi and surikogi (mortar and pestle) until aromatic before adding the tonkatsu sauce.
There is always a long line of people waiting for a table whether for lunch or dinner. Take a number, take a seat and the manager will be with you shortly. They are extremely efficient. If you are fine with sitting at the counter you are more likely to be seated quickly. Also you might have a view of the kitchen where the staff are plating fluffy cabbage for the next order.
Juicy, tender tonkatsu with light and crispy breading. You will find yourself entranced while eating this exceptional meal with little thought of conversation. The only sounds that come to mind are oohs and aahs. We ate there twice, once for lunch and once for dinner because when in Japan, you must eat lots of tonkatsu.
Don’t forget to pick up a package of house made pickles, yuzu salad dressing and tonkatsu sauce before heading home.