Kimetsu no Yaiba 藤の花の食事処 Pop-Up@USJ Osaka ★★★

Dream Came True. Finally made it to Demon Slayer collaboration at USJ Osaka. Plant-based Sushi was fun to make & eat. (unlimited refill for sushi & seaweed) It tasted healthy with the plants. Also came with colorful appetizers & noodles. Limited event Feb 1- Jun 9, 2024. No reservation needed on the day I went.

Plant-Based Sushi Gozen Set 3,700 yen

Beautiful Graphics around the Restaurant

Photo Op before you eat (cell phone version)

Photo Op before you eat (paid photo version)

Green Tea Soda (comes w/ free blind coaster) 1,100 yen

Noodles from Sushi Gozen Set

バンカラ • おはぎ (Bankara • Ohagi) 1,000 yen
azuki, walnut, matcha mochi
(can add specialty drinks for 1,000 yen more)

Send Off

Kengoku-san's Fast Food Restaurant

Discovered Nezuko at the end of the night

Universal Studios Japan
2-chōme-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward,
Osaka, 554-0031, Japan

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