chimoto

Monday was a holiday, Vernal Equinox or the First day of Spring.

I had actually planned to go to the Toritsudaigaku area on Tuesday, but the weather was forecast for rain, so we went on Monday instead.

Since it was a holiday there were quite a number of people out and about.

One place we stumbled upon was Chimoto.

Apparently they have been in business for about 50 years.

They are apparently known for their Yagumo mochi.

The mochi is super soft.

A look at the ingredients and it is similar to homemade marshmallows.

Made from brown sugar and cashews, meringue and other ingredients it is not very sweet and there are sometimes pieces of cashews.

I’m glad we were able to try this, as I’ve seen people post that they were sold out by the time they went.

In the summer they are popular for shave ice, and in the fall they are popular for kuri (chestnut) yokan.

Because of the pandemic, their cafe area is currently closed, so hopefully we'll be able to check out their shave ice in the future.

We'll be back.

Chimoto

1-4-6 Yagumo

Meguro, Tokyo

Phone: 03.3718.4643

Closed Thursdays & some Wednesdays

Hours: 10:00-16:00 earlier if they sell out.

kitchen croquette

We tried a new (to us) bento place, Kitchen Croquette.

They have been in business for over 40 years.

Matsuko Deluxe even ate there (there is a photo of her on the door)

Satoshi and I both got their daily bento which had 5 different bento items...white fleshed fish with tomato & clam sauce, chicken katsu with parmesan cheese, eggplant nibitashi (braised), pan fried ham, harusame (glass noodle) salad, cabbage and tsukemono...650 yen (tax included)

For 50 yen more you can change the white rice to multi grain rice...so that is what I did.

And since the shop is called Kitchen Croquette, we picked up two of their croquette to try...120 yen (tax included) each.

The croquette was perfectly fried, creamy, delicious!

And every item in the bento was flavorful and delicious.

My favorite item was the fish.

I'm glad we tried this shop and will definitely be back whenever we are nearby.

Kitchen Croquette

4-35-8 Omorihigashi

Ota, Tokyo

Phone: 03.5471.2751

Closed Sundays

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

jimmy's

Jimmy's is a chain type bakery in Okinawa, I've never actually been to one when we visited Okinawa, but think it may be similar to Zippy's or King's Bakery.

I think they also have restaurants around Okinawa too.

Apparently they have been in business since 1956 and the owner used to work on the American bases in Okinawa and people used to call him "Jimmy".

He also apparently went to Hawaii to learn how to bake cakes.

I recently found their muffins at the market, so I picked up their banana nut and chocolate chip for us to try.

They are "larger" than the muffins that you find around Japan, so in essence you could say they are "American sized" (though I think the muffins you find in America are probably larger)

These were super moist, buttery and delicious.

On their website they note that they also have purple sweet potato muffins, which I would like to try.

I'm glad we tried them and would pick them up again. 

this and that

One thing you cannot find in Kanto (Eastern Japan) are ka-ru (curls) similar to cheetos made by Meiji.

Wasn't ever really into these when we lived in Osaka, but bought them for our Friday/Saturday pupu parties.

Kamogawa....Kamo river.

Sunday was overcast and super warm.

We tried Kamogawa, a Japanese sweet made by Choseido, which has been in business since 1919.

This sweet is supposed to represent the clear water of the Kamo river and the river rocks that you can see in the water.

We also tried the Chosei mochi...kinako mochi...so soft...delicious.

Since we had nothing else to do (no tv or wifi)...Satoshi worked on his videos.

He can do them himself using an app...yeah!

I'll post some of them later...shh!

I was so bored that I took pictures of all sorts of things.

Like this bottle of sake...Kyochitose.

Some things I brought back..the bells that were attached to my Mount Fuji hiking stick.

A koa clock I found in MIL’s stash that I think my mom gave to her that was made by my Uncle Herb.

A wind chime I found in MIL’s stash...love the sound of this one.

Gonna see if Book Off will buy this MD player.

Cute robot at the Haneda Airport Information Desk, guess they have replaced people...

This monaka made by Suehiroya, this Japanese sweet shop has been in business for over 70 years and is  located on the way to the family grave.

Bought some of Satoshi's favorite tsukemono, suguki and red turnip.

The neighborhood kanhizakura tree has started blooming.

Had to make space since "someone" is not ready to danshari (purge), he sent 5 boxes from Kyoto to Tokyo...can you believe those boxes originally came from Hawaii?! (which means he has not opened them for over 20 years?!) sigh.

Have a safe weekend.

Choseido

22-1 Shimogamo Kamikawara-cho

Sakyo, Kyoto

Phone: 075.712.0677

Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

Hours: 10:00-17:30

Suehiroya

3 Sennyuji Suzumegamori-cho

Higashiyama, Kyoto

Phone: 075.561.6043

Open Daily 9:00-17:00

10059

Yesterday Satoshi had an errand to run, so I went on a walk.

Found some "everyone's chairs" in front of a preschool.

Sad they gotta chain the chairs down so no one takes them.

Interesting liquor store front.

Conveyor belt sushi chain has a take out shop.

Tosamizuki (spike winter hazel)

Hakuren (yulan magnolia)

Hello...

Was able to pick up some Inose shumai for our dinner, they will be raising their prices in April.

Right now it is 450 yen (tax included) for 12 pieces, it will go up 50 yen...still a bargain.

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are getting warmer.

ps last night was the longest earthquake we have ever experienced, we are okay. 

Other areas lost power and water, thank you to everyone who checked on us.

the trip back

For our trip back to Tokyo, we picked up some bento at the Kyoto station.

Satoshi's chirimen sansho bento.

My nori bento.

Loved my bento and gave some to Satoshi, he said the rice in my bento was tastier than his because it had “stuff” mixed in.

I looked at who made both of our bentos and it was the same company in Kyoto, Nomura Tsukudani.

It rained the night before and luckily it stopped when we made our way to the train station.

It was cloudy at the start of our ride but we were lucky to see Mount Fuji.

Enjoy this short video. 

Hoping we can all travel soon.

tankuma

Saturday we gathered to put MIL's remains into the family grave.

It was actually MIL's birthday, she would have been 93.

The weather was beautiful and there were lots of ume trees in bloom.

After the service, lunch was at Rhiga Royal Kyoto's Tankuma.

Since explaining each dish is difficult, I'll tell you what I know and leave the rest to the photos.

Takenoko (bamboo shoots), nanohana (rape blossoms), etc.

Ebi shinjo (shrimp dumpling)

Sashimi

Misoyaki salmon..this was so delicious!

Takenoko nimono (simmered bamboo shoots & veggies)

Sunamono (vinegar marinated foods)

Takenoko gohan (bamboo shoot rice)

I loved all the dishes that the food was served in.

It was a very filling meal too.

I'm glad we were able to gather and thankful that BIL and SIL took care of all the arrangements.

Tankuma

Rhiga Royal Kyoto

1 banchi Taimatsucho B2

Shimogyo, Kyoto