toyokawa inari betsuin

Diagonal from Toraya is Toyokawa Inari Betsuin, a branch of the Toyokawa Inari that is in Toyokawa, Aichi

The temple houses lots of kitsune (fox) and the shichifukujin (7 lucky gods)
 

I was amazed at how many tiny shrines there were on this property!

While waiting for Satoshi, I noticed this huge root?! coming down from the branch of a tree

I'm glad we got to check out this temple and will be back to try their inarizushi, which I had marked but hadn’t realized it until afterwards!

Toyokawa Inari Betsuin

1-4-7 Moto Akasaka

Minato, Tokyo

Hours: 7:00-20:00

*no admission

toraya akasaka

Toraya started in Kyoto in the 16th century! and their head offices are now in Tokyo

The tea salon in Akasaka was rebuilt in 2018 and made with lots of hinoki (cypress) by Hiroshi Naito
 

The interior is beautiful with large windows

Pretty flower arrangement

After waiting for seats we were seated near the window...where we could watch the cars whizz past

I think all the greenery that we could see from our seats is part of the property that the State Guest House sits on

I had the half sized apricot shaved ice...1870 yen (tax included)

apricot puree, amaretto syrup and marinated apricots

this was delicious

While eating, I had eaten all the puree and marinated apricots and was sad that there wasn't any more apricots to finish the rest of the shaved ice with 

And then, I was pleasantly surprised to find more apricot puree at the bottom of the dish!

I'm glad I tried this.

Satoshi had the half sized chilled oshiruko....1320 yen (tax included)

He could choose between koshian (smooth) or tsubuan (chunky), he chose tsubuan

He said this was the perfect size

shopping on the 2nd floor

rawr

then go down to the basement to see their art gallery

during this visit, they had an ukiyoe display

beautiful building and desserts. they also have some light savory items...I'll be back whenever I am in the area

Toraya Akasaka

4-9-22 Akasaka

Minato, Tokyo

Closed: every 6th of the month

Hours: 9:00-18:00 (shop), 11:00-17:30 (cafe, lunch until 14:00), 10:00-17:30 (gallery)

osaka madras curry

Not sure how I found out about Osaka Madras Curry but I had it bookmarked to try

Apparently this is owned by actor, Kitamura Kazuki

This shop is teeny, only 8 seats

The character in the turban resembles the actor
 

Buy your ticket...EXCEPT it doesn't take new bills! so we needed to ask the guy working there to change it for us

He mentioned that they plan to change the machine soon since the older bills are harder to come by these days

Kat ordered the small curry (200 grams rice) with cheese 1120 yen (tax included)

Each serving comes with a raw egg, this reminded me of a curry I had in Osaka at Namba Jiyuken, with blog friend Dennis, many moons ago.

The curry starts of a little sweet and then the spices creep up on you.

It reminded me of the curry we had at Joto Curry

The cheese had lots of pull! love!

Satoshi went with the small curry with katsu 1340 yen (tax included)

He said he enjoyed this

If you need to make your curry spicier, use their can of spices on the table (with the yellow label)

This shop is run by one person, so be prepared to wait

I'm glad we got to try this place and will be back whenever I am in the area

Osaka Madras Curry

3-14-8 Akasaka

Minato, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays

Hours: 11:00-14:45 (lunch), 16:00-20:45 (dinner)

*cash only

roppongi

Been wanting to check out Aono in Roppongi after trying the one in Akasaka

This Aono has been in business since 1856

Apparently they were both named Aono because they use the same mizuame (sugar syrup) by a company called "Aono" 
 

This Aono is known for their uguisu mochi.

A soft mochi that has powdered green azuki mixed into it to resemble the color of an uguisu (bush warbler)

This is filled with smooth sweet bean paste and covered with lots of kinako...delicious!

I loved their dorayaki...the "pancakes" were so fluffy and light

I had wanted to also check out a bakery and while I was walking I noticed this temple...Kosenji

The weeping cherry was more "colorful" from far away than up close

Unfortunately, the bakery I wanted to check out was closed on Mondays...I thought I had checked, but I guess I hadn't...boo!

Before jumping on the train to go home, I checked out Otsuna Sushi, which has been in business since 1875

I wanted to try their inarizushi and futomaki

I purchased the set that also had some kanpyomaki

The inarizushi is the "juicy" type and the "skins" are inside out

The pickled ginger (near the inarizushi) had kick!

I'm glad I got to try these places (will try the bakery another time)

Will be back to these places whenever I am in the area

Roppongi Aono

3-15-21 Roppongi

Minato, Tokyo

Hours: 9:30-18:00

Otsuna Sushi

7-14-4 Roppongi, Remm Hotel 1F

Minato, Tokyo

Hours: 10:00-22:00

this and that

I wanna know why falling dishes fall in slow motion...
 

gloopy gravy loco moco...this organic gravy was meh...Satoshi still enjoyed this though

I see a smiley face

cyclamen getting ready for the pretty season

so mini

so teeny

Yesterday, got to spend some time with V...we went to lunch at Butadaigaku...so ono!

And then visited Ikegami Plum Garden

early blooming cherry blossom at Ikegami Honmonji

Thank you for all the omiyage V, the kettle corn is so ono! and we look forward to spending time with you towards the end of your trip. Enjoy!

Have a safe weekend.

“new” shinbashi building

Saturday, the weather was forecast for snow in the evening, so we got out and about early...

I've been wanting to try Musashiya for some time.

They are a yoshoku (Western style) food eatery and have been in business since 1885

Their counter seats only 8?! people...while you are waiting in line, place your order

As soon as someone finishes their meal, sit where you are told and then you pay (cash) for your lunch

I ordered the omurice with dry curry (the rice that is put into the omelette is a spicy curry pilaf)

I also added a mini hamburg and told them that I didn't want miso soup

So much food! the omelette actually extends half of the plate! and is covered by lots of cabbage and napolitan style noodles.

Satoshi tried their omurice...lots of butter!

And I gave him most of the mini hamburger and a taste of my dry curry.

We want to try other things on their menu, we'll be back

I wanted to see Overall Arts' wall art

And all the different tiles

Even though the name has "new" in it, the building has been around since the 70s and is scheduled to be torn down in 2032?!

(This is the same building V and I had pork bowls at)

After walking around the other floors, most shops were closed because it was the weekend

So we went across the street to Karasumori Shrine

And then we went back downstairs to Kissa Fuji, a coffee shop

There is a huge lighted panel of Mount Fuji

Love the interior AND that they separate the smokers from the non-smokers

We shared their hot cake...I thought it would be super dense 

but I was happy that was so light, like chiffon cake!

And their coffee is strong, also loved the quiet!

rawr!

Glad we got to check out these places and that we made it home before the snow started

Musashiya

2-16-1 New Shinbashi Building 1F

Minato, Tokyo

Closed Sundays

Hours: 10:00-21:00

*cash only

Kissa Fuji

2-16-1 New Shinbashi Building B1

Minato, Tokyo

Closed Sundays

*cash only

Hours: 10:00-19:00