Other Tokyo Must Eats!!

The Japanese love all things french, but I find that they excel at taking french pastries to the next level. As such, a notable mention is the Pierre Hermes cafe at Aoyama.

This is one of the Pierre Hermes that has a cafe for a sit down high tea. We actually still waited for 45min as there was only 10 seats.

The famous Ispahan cake - rose macaroon with fresh raspberry and lychee infused mousse 

Sadaharu AOKI is the first Japanese born french pastry chef that has its store in Lafayette in Paris. His french pastries are out of this world. The intricate flavours but with the touch of the refinement of Japanese ingredients. If I had a choice, I would definitely choose this over Pierre Hermes, especially for their cakes. The price is much cheaper too which is a bonus. 

They have a wide cake selection 

Their iced matcha tea is rich in flavours with just a hint of the green tea bitterness. I still reminisce about it today

I tried the bamboo green tea sake cake with a earl grey macaroon 

Both Mr."E" and I hate chestnut. As we all know, mont blanc is all chestnut based. However, this matcha mont blanc is out of this world. The chestnut is fresh, not the typical frosting like sweetness that coats your palette. The bitterness of the matcha heightens the natural sweetness of the chestnut. Just out of this world!!!!!

My obsession with all the cool bottled beverages that can be found in vending machines all over Tokyo. Most of their drinks are quite mild in terms of level of sweetness.

Peach herbal tea

Strawberry milk for breakfast 

White peach and yellow peach green tea 

Since it was winter time, yes the vending machines dispenses hot coco!!!!

 Hot caramel royal milk tea 

Sparkling apple tea soda - Yummy 

More hot caramel latte 

Sparkling fruit juice 

Some of the other cool snacks we tried in Japan

This melon bun was the size of my face!!!

Can't leave Japan without buying Pooh cookies - they are actually quite good! Mr."E" kept stealing them. 

Latte art - the design remained the same even when I drank to the bottom of the cup (double tall cafe - I went to the one in Harajuku)

They have really cool Haagen-Dazs ice cream flavours at covenant stores. This one is the Antoinette cake

Human engineered strawberries the size of my fist (literally)! I would say the emit more fragrance than anything. Is it worth it to buy 6 pieces for $20? Not really, but it was an interesting experience. 

Takano is a store famous for selling super high-end fruits. A honeydew can cost up to $100 each. We couldn't afford it, so we got jelly instead. Quite tasty.

Stop #3 - Back to Tokyo for some RAMEN!!

How can we not go to Tokyo and not have RAMEN! Even though I am not the biggest fan of all things carb, I do love soup a lot. 

Late night snack at Ipudo (yes the chain that opened in NYC) - the broth is rich and creamy with little salty aftertaste.

Both Mr. "E" and I had the shio tonkatsu - but obviously, Mr. "E" had to get extra pork

Overall:
Price: 10-15 CAD/person
Quality: 3/5 (I find the broth flavour profile quite pedestrian)
Hours: opens late up until midnight

On the day of departure, we had to hit up our all time favourite Menya Kissou. We came here in 2009 on our first trip to Japan and we reminisce about the noodle and broth since. It is in the middle of nowhere. Seriously, you have to make a side trip to trek out there, but it is totally worth it!!

They only have 10 seats and open only from 11 until they sell out (usually around 2pm); and I am making my point here that they have long line ups even on weekdays and they sell out fast!

Not a big fan of noodles, but OMG their handmade noodles are absolutely out of this world. Their broth is a blend of pork bones and fish stock. This specific type of ramen is called tsukemen (dipping ramen). You dip your noodles into the boiling broth. So the noodles essentially act as a sauce vehicle for all that umami goodness.

The broth looks heavy, but not at all. It is light and flavourful simmering with porky and fishy goodness! Yums!!

The noodles are all different in size as they are handmade every morning fresh by the owner of the store.

My favourite is menma, soy stewed bamboo shoot

Once you dip the pork into the broth, the meat melts in you mouth

Overall:
Price: 10-15 CAD/person
Quality: 5/5 (***MUST TRY***)
Hours: opens at 11am until sold out
(go early as there is a line up even when we were there at 10:30)

Stop #2 - Nikko & the unforgettable Okunoin Ryokan

Before we left for our honeymoon, Mr. "E" asked me what I would like to check off on my "must do list". I immediately told him, I want to go to an Ryokan with our own private onsen in our room watching the snow fall. Thus, began our journey to Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa in Nikko for a relaxing spa retreat.

We took a train from Asakusa to Nikko which took about 2.5 hours. Can't leave without an Ekiben - usually consist of pickled vegetables with simmered fish

Upon arrival, Hotel Okunoin's shuttle car that picked us up at the pre-arranged time as requested

We were welcomed at the grand hall with local cherry beer and champagne paired with pickled plums

Okunoin Hotel was famous for their japanese gardens and privacy The hotel only has 17 rooms where 8 rooms have their own onsen (private hot spring bath) in the room

We got upgraded to their presidential suites (Shiraneaoi) as they know it was for our honeymoon. Looking in is the living/bedroom area, extending into the dining room, and the bathroom/ entry hall. 

We were welcomed with local Japanese snacks and blooming flower tea

The hotel is well equipped to make the most relaxing experience ever. The sitting area has a massage chair extending to the balcony

Falling snow 

Here is our private onsen (Japanese bath), the water comes from a local hot spring that heals the body and relaxes the mind

View from our balcony at night 

My little friends decided to join us in the comfort of our new spa retreat

Tonight's dinner menu - Ryokan always has Kaiseki included with your accommodation. Most of the food are sourced locally and must be in season.

During the winter season, yuba (made from soybean) and river fish are very famous in Nikko.

First course - usually appetizers and sashimi course with a lighter taste profile; I actually found the appetizers quite westernized with a tendency towards sweetness rather than savoury

Left: Eggplant with miso
Right: Salad dressing with tofu within crabapple

Left: Grilled rainbow trout & river crab

Right: Steamed egg with taro 

This was absolutely delish! Sea urchin, shrimp, caviar, with gelee

Steamed nikko yuba with bean juice

Seasonal Sashimi (chutoro, hamachi, surf clam) 

Given that Nikko is inland - their sashimi is super super fresh, especially the surf clam 

Nikko Yuba (tofu skin: soybean milk) and crab Ankake sprinkled with local spring onions.

The spring onions was exceptionally sweet and fresh, much like freshly picked veggies from the backyard

Clam soup with young onion shoots

This is a consume which is famous in all Kaiseki. Very clean radiating with the sweetness of the clam & onion shots. Very refreshing before the main course

Main course: Shabu-shabu 

Another winter favourite with wagyu beef hot pot style with local fresh vegetables

Salt grilled "Iwana fish" (local river trout)

Very very fresh, but by this time I am so stuffed I couldn't even enjoy the rice (and as we all know Japanese pearl rice is the best in terms of sweetness and texture)

Management gave us a little honeymoon present - a pair of chopsticks signifies a happy marriage in Japanese culture

After dinner, I decided to use this fancy nano steamer for a full spa facial experience (*I secretly brought one back to Canada because it hydrates very well)

Before bedtime, we decided to have a little yuzu sake (must get in Japan) with our hot spring bath 

Obviously I have to spoil myself with a full skin treatment with my bath and yuzu sake 

Waking up to such a beautiful view - the futon was extremely comfortable 

Breakfast by the dining hall with view of the Japanese garden 

Local greens and edible flowers

Locally made yogurt from milk-fed cows 

Typical traditional Japanese breakfast with grilled fish

After a relaxing day, we decided to take a stroll around town. Shinkyo bridge 

The famous Toshogu Shrine dating back to the 1600s 

Strolling the grounds of Toshogu shrine - I love the serene and zen of Japanese temples

Before we leave, we have to bless our new marriage at the Futarasan Shrine where couples pray for forever happiness 

This is quite famous all around Japan

Before heading back to Tokyo, we went to a local cafe near the station and I had Japanese style Bolognese. The flavours are a lot more beefy and sweeter than Italian Bolognese.

Heading back to Nikko

I find that overall, Nikko and Hotel Okunoin was a pure relaxing experience that I would do it again in a blink of an eye. I recommend the hotel to any newly married couple as it was truly amazing. Worth every penny.

Overall (Hotel Okunoin):

Price: $$$$ (can be pricey - but well worth the experience)

Service: 5/5

Quality: 5/5