Go early. That’s the whole secret to Kadoya Tofu (角屋豆富店), a family tofu maker in Oshino that calls itself the “Tofu Station.” Get there in the morning and there’s still-warm tofu — and, when I visited, a little counter where…
Most people come to Oshino for the eight famously clear spring ponds of Oshino Hakkai. I come for the tofu. A few minutes from the ponds, an old family tofu maker called Hakkai Tofu (八海とうふ / Asano Shokuhin) turns Mt.…
Farmers Gotemba, the JA Fuji-Izu farm market at the foot of Mt. Fuji: highland vegetables, Shizuoka wagyu, Koshihikari rice, local flowers and a new fresh-fish counter.
Imagine a curry so rich and complex it feels like a full-course meal in a single bite. A sauce simmered for hours, developing layers of flavor that start sweet, evolve into savory umami, and finish with a lingering, gentle spice.…
In the quiet residential neighborhood of Najima in Fukuoka, there’s a humble-looking diner, or shokudo, that commands a loyal following. This is Taiyoken, a local institution famous for one thing above all else: its magnificent Toriten Teishoku (Chicken Tempura Set…
When exploring the area around Mount Fuji, the desire for an authentic, local dining experience often leads you away from the main tourist hubs and into the quiet backstreets. In Fujiyoshida, a city at the northern base of the iconic…
If you’re in the Mt. Fuji area and want a local, affordable meal, here’s a place I keep going back to. Tiger Shokudo is a diner in Fujiyoshida that I’ve eaten at many times. It serves Japanese home-style food, and…
Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) Overview This is an evening meal centered on grilled meat, but with an unusual focus. At Hakata Yakiniku Yasohachi, the rice receives as much attention as the beef. The restaurant uses Kyushu-sourced black wagyu and pairs…
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