そばの木 (Soba no Ki)

On my last trip to Fukuoka, while driving through the mountains,

my Mom and I spotted this restaurant, Soba no Ki.

This time around, we decided to try it.

Exteior.

Soba Tree.

Interior/Kitchen.

Menu.

We ordered the 'Soba no Ki Set'.

View from my seat.

そばぞうすい (Soba Zosui),

or Soba seed porridge.

温野菜サラダ (Steamed Vegetables)

was so simple with a hint of butter.

もりそば (Mori Soba)

The handmade soba was delicious.

白菜にぎり　(Hakusai Nigiri)

Rice wrapped with lightly pickled Napa Cabbage.

It was really refreshing and I've never had anything like it.

そば湯

This pot was so cool!

お別れ

Off to Fukuoka to say good bye..

おばあちゃん…

次は天国で会おうね

Atelier SHUN

Haven't blogged about food in a while...

Its been so cold recently and that has triggered my craving for sweets.

(Its just one of my lame excuses to eat sweets!)

Atelier SHUN is a cafe I've wanted to try

and it turns out that its owned by the famous Kihachi Kumagai.

SHUN or "旬" in Japanese means seasonal and

their concept is to use seasonal ingredients from all over Japan.

The store faces 'プラチナ通り' or Platinum Street in Shirogane. 

The interior is spacious and cozy.

I had the seasonal Orange tart.

The tart was very light but buttery & flaky.

Washed it down with a Matcha Au Lait.

Almost Spring...

The weather is still very unstable and

Sakura season is coming to an end. Boo.

The leaves are starting to replace the flowers on the trees.

Close up.

The mix of the fresh green and light pink is pretty though.

Meguro River Hanami

Meguro River is famous for the beautiful sakura trees

that grows on both sides of the river.

I've always wanted to go and this year, I finally made it!

Sakura Festival.

So beautiful.

The sakura draping over the river from both sides.

I also want to see the yozakura (night sakura)..

Meguro River hanami is a must if you're in tokyo during this season!

Oceans

Saw 'Oceans' (オーシャンズ) today.

This movie brings awareness to what we can do to preserve

marine life & the beautiful ocean through amazing footage.

Its unfortunate that these animals have developed over thousands of years and humans have driven many to extinction in such a short period of time.

It comes out in the states on Earth Day, April 22.
*Disneynature will donate to save coral reefs
for every person who attends Oceans on opening week.

Yoyogi Koen Hanami

Yesterday was my first ever 'hanami'

at Yoyogi Koen (my first time here too).

The cherry blossoms were so beautiful

but I didn't expect hanami being this chaotic.

Arriving at Harajuku station. Crazy.

Getting off the train and out of the station took like 20 min.

Gazillions of people enjoying the sakura.

Its a little hard to see, but there's a line.

An hour wait for the bathroom. Uhm, no thanks.

Beautiful Sakura!

Love the contrast of the dark tree and light pink flowers.

So gorgeous!

Penny was pooped.

The Strange Country

Interesting...
Stumbled across this video (in Japanese):

Japan - The Strange Country (Japanese ver.) from Kenichi on Vimeo.