Kirbie's Cravings

Highlights from Japan

We just returned from a week in Japan. It was as magical as our first visit and perhaps even more beautiful with Tokyo and Osaka lit up with lights at night in celebration of Christmas. As I recover from jet lag, here are a few photo highlights of our trip.

Premium Souffle Pancakes from Cafe Gram
Premium Souffle Pancakes from Cafe Gram
The fluffiest pancakes ever! They had a texture similar to Japanese cheesecake, but with the taste of pancakes. I need to learn how to make these asap!

Shinjuku Terrace City Illumination
photo of Tokyo lights
One of my absolute favorite spots. Located right next to Shinjuku Station, we walked through this pathway nearly everyday during our first trip to Tokyo, and I loved being able to see it during Christmas time. It was so magical!

Special Okita-kurobuta from Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten
Special Okita-kurobuta from Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten
I previously had an amazing korobuta tonkatsu from Maisen and wanted to go back. This time we visited the original location where they had a premium and special pork offering that wasn’t at the other locations. It was a little pricey, but it is the best pork I’ve ever eaten. It made my taste buds sing and I wanted to write poetry on how delicious the pork was.

Tempura Udon from Shin Udon
Tempura Udon from Shin Udon
The fresh udon noodles were chewy and delicious, but the real standout was the tempura, freshly fried and with such a lightness to it. I wish we had ordered more.

Mutekiya ramen
photo of Mutekiya ramen
We ate a lot of ramen this trip. This was the prettiest and most generous bowl we ate. There was a line at all hours and I can see why this place is so popular, with its generous cuts of pork and perfectly cooked soft-custard yolk eggs. I still prefer Ichiran ramen, but this was pretty tasty.

Lights at Osaka Station
Lights at Osaka Station
When we went in the Spring, the garden beds were full of beautiful flowers. Now they are strung with beautiful twinkling lights.

Mount Fuji
photo of Mount Fuji
The closest we got to Mount Fuji– our view from the window while riding the train to Osaka.

Tonkatsu Curry from CoCo Curry
photo of Tonkatsu Curry from CoCo Curry
Our first and least meal was at CoCo Curry. They are large chain with many convenient locations, a huge menu, open 24 hours and they serve pretty decent curry. This plate looked even better in person.

3D Latte Art from Reissue Cafe
latte from Reissue Cafe
The latte artist here is very talented and you can request any 3D or 2D image. I saw people have their faces drawn, pets, etc. I couldn’t bring myself to drink this!

More colorful lights outside of the Shinjuku JR Station
lights outside of the Shinjuku JR Station

While I’m happy to be home, it was hard leaving this beautiful view we woke up to every morning.
photo of Tokyo out the airplane window

That’s it for now. I’ll try to get back to regular posts tomorrow and I will have more detailed posts of my trip soon too.

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12 comments on “Highlights from Japan”

  1. What an awesome trip, looks like you had the perfect timing with all of the pretty decorations! And of course all the food looks amazing!

  2. The pork tonkatsu looks amazing. I can’t stop looking at it!

  3. Love this post! Can’t wait to go to Tokyo someday, I am pinning this for the future 😉

  4. Welcome back to you and Mr. K! Those are such lovely photos if the city and decorations at night. Looking. forwards to seeing your Japan posts!

  5. Yay!! I love your IG updates and this post =D Hopefully I’ll be going to Japan sometime next year, too – I’ll definitely have lots of questions for you, hehe.

    • I hope you get to go next year! There are a lot of great airline sales to Japan throughout the year, so keep an eye out! That’s why we went back again so soon

  6. Very nice Kirbie! Did you use Global Advanced Communications this time around? Also, in spite of how cold it might be; the seafood in Hokkaido is really good this time of the year. Love the photos.

    • Hi Kirk- Yes I did! I liked the service better than the one we previously used. I don’t think I could survive Hokkaido in the winter! i was doing okay in Tokyo, but I was really cold in Osaka and the last 2 days of Tokyo, the temps dropped another 10 degrees and I pretty much refused to walk anywhere. lol