Hasshou (八昌)

Hasshou is a famous okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima. They specialize in Modern-yaki, or Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki which has noodles in it.

Exterior.

Tons of cabbage.

Our okonomiyaki with green onion topping.

It's huge and VERY filling!

P.S. Tomorrow, I am going to Mie-prefecture for work and will be there for a week. Will catch up on more updates when I get back!

Tomisuke (とみ助)

Catching up on some Hiroshima eats...

Dinner at Tomisuke, a restaurant specializing in fish. It's a small place run by a husband and wife where you choose a fish and how you want it prepared. We got one sashimi, fried and simmered.

Exterior.

Only counter seats. The husband is the chef.

Had some Hiroshima Sake with my meal.

Birthday

Hadn't updated in a while... sorry!

It's my sister's birthday today so I wanted to wish her a very happy birthday!!

Lots of food to blog about...

Beautiful sunset from last week.

Kakiya (牡蠣屋)

Hiroshima is famous for Oysters. We saw on many blogs and was told by locals that Kakiya in Miyajima is worth a visit.

Sign outisde the restaurant.

They are known for their grilled oysters.

Never really had grilled oysters before. It was good, but I still prefer raw oysters! (Raw oyster season starts in late October)

Kaki-Teishoku

Fried, in rice, miso soup and marinated in oil... everything oyster! After raw oysters, I love kaki-fry or fried oyster. Yum.

After our meal, we saw this antique shaved-ice machine with blocks of ice. It was so appealing, I had to eat one.

The ice was incredibly soft, fluffy and just dissolved in your mouth. Huge difference than an automatic ice shaver.

We had the homemade lemon syrup. It wasn't too sweet and the peel had a nice bitterness. It was so refreshing and cleared the oyster aftertaste. 

I was curious of how their strawberry syrup tasted like, so we went back for seconds. When will I next encounter an antique ice-shaver? Couldn't resist!

Gorgeous weather, the ocean & a sweet treat. Heaven.

Miyajima

Last month, we took a weekend trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Miyajima is an island that is a ferry ride away from Hiroshima. We were blessed with great weather, especially because it was during the time when a huge typhoon had hit Japan.

The scenery once we got off the ferry.

Anago Bento from the famous Anagomeshi Ueno.

Our view while we ate our bento lunch.

Being tourists.

The symbol of Miyajima.

We were able to walk down to get a closer look.

Walked through the Itsukushima Shrine, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a National Treasure of Japan.

Saru-Mawashi performances.

Omotesando Koffee

I had seen Omotesando Koffee earlier this year and had wanted to go.

I read that the owner temporarily rented a small space from an old home to serve his coffee. It said it would be open through 2011 but when I was chatting with the guy today, he said he may be able to extend it another year, depending on the owner of the home. 

Was about to walk right past it, until I saw some people walking out with coffee. It's in a residential area and there is NOTHING around it.

Keep an eye out for this "sign". 

Serious business.

Making my cup of iced coffee.

Creative "business cards" made out of coffee filters.

There's a small patio/garden in front of the store where it can seat about 4 people, but there were people there so I couldn't take a picture.

Vivid

Took a nice walk today to the Omotesando area. It was a beautiful autumn day, the weather was absolutely perfect. 

Crisp blue sky.

Colorful chairs getting a tan.

Interior shop in Jingumae.

Colorful cars in Omotesando.

Lime green bicycle with green tires.

Loved this display at Pass the Baton in Omotesando Hills. The chandelier was made out of coffee cups!