Food from Hiroshima and More

I couldn't leave Japan without stopping to get something good to eat. And with the Yurakucho Line being the train I took from Ikebukuro Station to Gokoku-ji, Ginza-itchome Station was not a problem to get to. Once again I bought a few things at TAU Hiroshima.

Walking back through Ikebukuro Station, I had to enjoy the flowers.

Very pretty but that price, and I don't know if customs in the US would allow it.

I actually enjoyed a couple MR. waffles on another day. This Belgian Liege waffle was almond.

And this unusual Belgian Liege waffle was not green tea. It was mung beans and a springtime Japanese vegetable that I do not remember. Nanohana maybe?

I did enjoy on my last day a couple of the treats I bought at the local market, when I went there during the snow day. I found a little Mont Blanc pudding!

This was a nice find since a lot of the food shops were closed due to the virus. I couldn't resist enjoying one of the really big strawberries with it.

Yes someone inspired me to try this. And it was delicious.

I was also really happy to find little fresh tomatoes.

I enjoyed them on a 7-Eleven Caesar salad. They were sweet, acidic and juicy. So good!

Remembering the oysters I ate at TAU Hiroshima last year. What a wonderful meal that was. Canned oysters are not quite the same, but these drenched in Setouchi lemon were really good.

One last izakaya moment, enjoying the oysters with that nice sake that I always get.

Just a few things that made it home with me. I saw this and wanted to try it. Hiroshima Oyster flavored yakisoba. Along with a bottle of Setoda Lemon Ale from Yamaguchi Narutaki Kogen Brewery. This was a really good pairing.

I love how Japanese instant foods have drawing so you know how to prepare it.

Fun feature is this little steam vent grate that you open up after you put hot water in.

Of course always make sure to take out the seasoning packet before putting the water in.

I added a little cabbage. This was actually tasty and made me wish I had bought more. Having this to eat after my long flights home was a really good idea. And those flights are the subject of my next blog post. Because it was definitely different this trip.

Koé Green, La Vita and Illuminations

With the sun going down and after that long walk through Todoroki Valley, it was time to think about dinner. So I took a short ride from Todoroki Station to Jiyugaoka Station to check out a restaurant I had noted in my online research. Where I ended up is part of the Shibuya koé hotel group. Located at the koé house store in Jiyugaoka is koé green.

There was definitely a Scandinavian vibe to koé house. The restaurant was in the first floor of the store with tables that were placed around the center stairs. Ordering is done at the counter and then you pick where you want to sit. I passed on the pasta gratin selections and went with their green's deli plate.

This came with a battered fish that I think was cod, salad, two deli items, bread and drink. The fish was really nice with a light batter. I don't usually eat fried food in the US, but in Japan, there is much less of an oily taste. I think it's the type of oil that many places use in Japan. Possibly canola oil? I know I prefer it and use it at home. In America, corn oil is used more often. 

Everything on my plate was delicious, with bits of spice and heat in unexpected but nice ways. Tsukemono pickles were topped by cold curried shrimp. Amazing taste! koé green is located at koé house, 2 Chome-9-19 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City.

Finishing my dinner, I went for a short walk. To La Vita.

I think I arrived at a perfect time, with the moon rising in the sky and the sun setting.

La Vita is a little area in Jiyugaoka where the architectural design is based on Venice.

It is only one block in size, but the photos make it seem much bigger. In part because of all the details like the lights and moldings. Even Roman goddess Diana is there hunting. Nice timing with the moon showing up in the sky.

Besides the architecture reminding me of Venice, there is a little bridge over a canal and a gondola.

The canal doesn't go any where and is very shallow. But it is picturesque and a number of people were busy taking selfies there.

It was dark when I made it back to Jiyugaoka Station, which is why I noticed this very creative illumination in the shape of a Gothic arch.

Besides the sakura pink lights in the trees, red and pink rose lights covered the arch.

Along with these other rose lights that changed color.

Before I left Jiyugaoka, I did stop at a couple little shops by the station. I had heard of Cafe&Cake Mozart, and there was a little store outside the station.

So I bought their little chocolate chocolate chip and nut cookies. I think the nuts were almond. These were very nice. Cake&Cafe Mozart's address is Front Exit Jiyugaoka Station, 30, Meguro City.

Being that Jiyugaoka is a place that has a more European style to it, it was not surprising that there was a Dalloyau Paris shop there. Of course I had to get a few macarons. Left to right is chocolate, chocolate orange, and pistachio. I had asked for and pointed to the season special, pistachio with peppermint, but I was given the regular pistachio macaron. Other than that, they were delicious! Crispy outside, creamy inside. Their macarons are a little smaller than I've seen elsewhere, but nicely made. Dalloyau Paris address is 2-chōme-11-2 Jiyūgaoka, Meguro City.

Starting in Shibuya

I think it was November 29th. I headed to Shibuya to figure out where two new music venues were. This may have been the first time I noticed the concrete encased Shibuya River. It's possible that the name of one of the new venues comes from this urban waterway.

From Shibuya I took a train one stop to Aoyama. I was focused on reaching a certain place. I turned a corner and surprised myself. It was the building where the Aoyama Moi-même-Moitié store was. Unplanned visit.

While there are a lot of high end architectural buildings and shops in Aoyama, there are still a lot of older buildings and interesting shops if you walk through the narrow streets. It's always interesting to see design details like the stained glass in the back of this store.

But what I wanted to see was something I had glimpsed on my last visit to Tokyo.

Aoyama's St. Grace Cathedral.

Granted it's not that old, and it's actually a wedding venue not an actual church, but it still has that great Gothic architecture.

Sadly it was not easy to take photos because of all the power lines and there was a couple getting their wedding photos taken, but the place still looked amazing against that vivid blue sky. I love seeing all the details.

My next stop would be for lunch. Still walking along those narrow streets. Another wedding venue. This is the Chapelle des Anges.

Which was right by where I was having lunch.

Everything Salad and their website is here http://www.everythingsalad.jp/. I really like when places have websites and social media. Because I can figure out what I want to eat before arriving. Since not every place has an English menu or people who can speak English. It's helpful even when a person can speak a little Japanese.

I had the fresh salad set for lunch. Those avocado slices got me. The soup was minestrone and it was delicious! They are on Instagram which is where I figured out what I wanted to eat before going https://www.instagram.com/everythingsalad/. And their address is 3 Chome-14-26, Minamiaoyama, Minato City. This was a really great fresh salad. Tokyo, your salad game has definitely improved.

I decided to see one last thing before going back to my hotel. Still walking through those narrow Aoyama streets. A feeling of timelessness with this restaurant. It's lovely with all the wood and green trees and plants. It's Aoyama Torimikura, an izakaya.

Back out on the main streets. Aoyama Dori to be exact. This clock with the astrology figures caught my attention.

I reached my destination. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in the distance. I will spare you the image of the hundreds of people on the street and just share a couple photos of the golden ginkgo trees.

Back at my hotel after those really long walks. I was able to see a little bit of sunset with silhouetted mountains. It must have been quite a view before all the concrete buildings were constructed.