tondabayashi

It takes about an hour and a half from where we live to Tondabayashi.

Apparently this area has a lot of preserved homes. In most regions, the preserved homes are "just for show", but in this case, most of the homes are being lived in.

One preserved home is the Tanaka family home and it is currently used as a community center.

Most of the preserved homes in this area are one-story as they were not allowed to build higher than that back then.

It was nice exploring all the little alleyways and roadways.

Mid-morning snack was from Yasu, a tiny bakery.

They are apparently known for their cream filled bread, but were already sold out at 10:00...

Satoshi had their mentaiko (spicy pollack roe) bread (right) while I had their cream cheese anpan (sweet bean paste and cream cheese) (left).

We also stopped at Koshoji, where they were having a Pokemon Go convention of sorts outside...sigh.

Inside the temple grounds though, it was super peaceful and quiet.

Lunch was at Cafe Rosa.

Satoshi went with the gutsu-gutsu (onomatopoeia for scalding) curry udon.

While I went with the goro-goro (onomatopoeia for chunks of) beef suji (muscle/nerf) curry.

I loved how there was an outer door before actually being able to enter the house.

And the cute planter boxes that looked more like frames.

We also had some coffee at Heizo.

The art shop, Konjyaku no tamatebako, next door was amazing too. Intricate kiri-e (pictures cut out of paper)

It was nice seeing all the different shops and we were amazed at how quiet and laid back this area was.

There are other areas nearby that Satoshi wants to check out, so we'll be back.

Yasu
10-12 Tondabayashi-cho
Tondabayashi, Osaka
Phone: 0721.25.8026
Hours: 8:00-18:00
Closed Mondays

Cafe Rosa
123-6 Tondabayashi-cho
Tondabayashi, Osaka
Phone: 080.1468.4180
Closed Wednesdays
Hours: 7:00-17:30

Heizo
123-39 Tondabayashi-cho
Tondabayashi, Osaka
Phone: 090.5461.9150
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Hours: 10:00-18:00