うなぎ 串焼き いづも Unagi Idumo@Osaka Umeda ★

Super Big Unagi. Too much rice. Order by QR code from your phone. Located inside Lucua mall. Arrive before 9pm to get in line. Branches also available in Tokyo.

Eel with Fluffy Omelet Rice Bowl 2,790 yen – Most Popular Dish
full rice portion (750g) (have the option to choose 1/2 rice portion)

Eel Sandwich 759

Eel Liver 396 yen

Clear Soup with Eel Liver 275

Complimentary Appetizer, Raw Egg w/ Garlic Chives 495 yen

うなぎ 串料理 いづも ルクア
大阪府大阪市北区梅田3-1-3 ルクア B2F バルチカ
06-6151-2531
https://www.instagram.com/idumolucua

Kuheiji Sake Brewery@Nagoya ★★★

VIP Kuheiji Sake Personal Private Tour. 九平次 Kuheiji since 1647. First Japanese sake ever served in 3 Michelin Stars restaurant in Paris (2006). Mr. Kuheiji Kuno is the 15th generation of Kuheiji. He is the mastermind and legend behind my favorite Kuheiji sake. His philosophy and innovative approach to sake is mind-blowing. He came up with the idea of serving premium sake in wine glasses. He entered into the terroir and planted his own rice by himself for his sake. He's the Top 100 Most Respected Japanese People in 2007. Despite of his fame, he's very down-to-earth and friendly. He's also quite an art collector.

Kuheiji-san invited me to visit his Sake Brewery in Nagoya. I was so thrilled. When I saw him again in Nagoya, I had tears in my eyes. I am a big fan of his sake. The building about 200 years old used to be the family house. Matei-san showed me the brewing process and toured the facility in detail. I also got to exclusively taste the unpasturized Betsu Atsurae, which was just bottled today. It's fruity with notes of pear. Everything was mind-blowing. I really appreciate the fine premium quality sake, but after the tour, I get to appreciate all the hard work behind it even more. Tour is by invitation only and not open to public.

Authentic Kyoto Garden

Nama Betsu Atsurae (unpasturized)
bottled the same day

Nama Betsu Atsurae (unpasturized)
bottled the same day

Kuheiji-san & Matei-san

Take Home Gift

Kuheiji-san has a lively personality

Sushi no Torico スシノトリコ@Umeda Osaka ★★

Creative Sushi Presentation. Fun experience. As seen on Instagram. Order with QR code. Minimum order 1 drink per person. All prices included tax. Online reservation available but not necessary.

海鮮なだれ寿司 (Seafood Sauce Sushi) 1,848 yen (tax included)
store recommendation

ゴロゴロ果実サワーマンゴー (Fruity Mango Sour) 605 yen
Complimentary Hijiki Snack

えびかに合戦～サーモン参戦～ (Sweet Shrimp & Crab Battle with Salmon) 968円
store recommendation

とろサーモンのレアカツ～ガリタルタル～ (Rare Salmon Toro Cutlet with Creamy Sauce) 869円
store recommendation

瓶ドン (Bottle Sashimi Rice Bowl) 990 yen

サーモンブラン (Salmon Blanc) 1,320 yen

いくらカクテル寿司 (Salmon Roe Cocktail Sushi) 869円
store recommendation

カシスビア (Black Current Beer) 462 yen

すし酒場 スシノトリコ
大阪府大阪市北区堂山町17－19 (5 mins walking from Umeda Station)
06-6361-1250 or 050-5890-9165
https://sushinotorico-osaka-umeda.owst.jp

Itsuki Chaya 五木茶屋青水店@Kiyomizudera Kyoto ★★★

Beautiful Presentation w/ Fantastic Price Point. As seen on Instagram. Only 4,000 yen per person. Make sure you book and go to the right location. I made a reservation with the help of my Japanese friend, but I made a mistake and went to the location. Main Arashiyama location needs to be booked on the web days in advance. If you want to beautiful scenic window seat 0verlooking the river will need at least a month in advance. The one I went, Kiyomizudera location, will have the busy street view for the window. Reservation only via web or phone:
https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/itsukichaya/reserve

Sakura Sea Bream Shabu Shabu

Kiyomizu Itsukichaya
349-18 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward,
Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan
+81 75-600-9610

Gion Kankandeli Rei 祇園 かんかんでり 麗@Kyoto ★★★

Korean Food with Japanese Influence. Cute mini rice bowls presentation as seen on Instagram. It's a bit too much rice. Ultimate Ochoco Don Mini Rice Bowl Set 2,980 yen, with Wagyu Sukiyaki Hot Pot 4,980 yen, with Wagyu Sukiyaki plus Sake Pairing (3 glasses) 6,980 yen. A la carte menu also available. Oolong Tea 418 yen. Reservations via phone or web recommended. (My Japanese friend helped me make the reservation via phone.)

Ultimate Ochoco Don Mini Rice Bowls Set w/ Sukuyaki & 3 glasses of Sake Paring options $6,980
1st row: 1. Yuba w/ Uni, 2. Kyoto Pork w/ Gold Leaf, 3. Kyoto Duck, 4. Simmered Beef
2nd row: 5. Toro, 6. Unagi & Dashi Tamago, 7. Tai (Red Snapper), 8. Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp)
w/ Tofu Soup, Sawara Dashi, Sansho Pepper, Wasabi, & Soy Sauce

3 Glasses of Sake Pairing for additional 2,000 yen

Menu w/ Illustration

Matsumoto

Tsuki no Katsura

Inemankai

Wagyu Sukiyaki that comes w/ the Combo Meal

Duck Kinpa w/ Cheese $1,298 yen

祇園 かんかんでり 麗
〒605-0083 京都府京都市東山区新橋通大和大路東入ル2丁目橋本町391
Authority of Shinbashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 2, Higashi-iru, Yamatooji 391, Hashimotocho, 605-0083
+81-75-744-1063

(THISIS)SHIZEN / (THISIS)NATURE@Kyoto ★★★

Absolutely Beautiful Presentation. As seen on Instagram. Wow factor on the presentation but not on the taste. The ice cream itself seemed to be rice flavor and strawberry flavor with crispy pops inside. Worth a try.

Pink Bouquet (Seasonal) 1,650, Takashimaya Premium Limited Edition 1,850 yen

(THISIS)SHIZEN / (THISIS)NATURE
Kyoto Takashimaya S.C.[T8]
1F 35 Otabicho Shimogyo-ku
Kyoto 600-8002 Japan
+81 (0)75 708 5422