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Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Tempura Matsu pop-up, NYC

December 3, 2019

Last month we traveled 800 miles for a lunch - which was actually 6000 miles closer than the usual distance required! The restaurant in question, Tempura Matsu, is located in Kyoto but came to New York for a pop-up.  It was in the planning stages when we were there in May, and we (perhaps a bit ... continue reading...


Gion Sushi Tadayasu, Kyoto

November 9, 2019

For us, no trip to Japan is complete without a sushi meal - it's such a quintessential experience to sit at the wooden counter and watch the chef prepare and serve piece after piece. We had lunch at Gion Sushi Tadayasu, which I chose with the help of the Tableall website.  It's a very helpful ... continue reading...


Narisawa, Tokyo

November 2, 2019

To understand the thinking behind Narisawa, you must understand satoyama. It's a term unique to Japan that refers to countryside where people live in harmony with nature, farming, fishing, and foraging (the translation is village - hill).  Narisawa's explanation: Japan is surrounded by forests ... continue reading...


Hoshinoya Tokyo

October 20, 2019

Imagine an open-air onsen hot spring bath, twenty stories above the Otemachi financial district.  Or an elevator with pristine tatami mat flooring, whisking you - shoeless - from the streets of Tokyo to a quiet, shoji screen-lined hall. The Hoshinoya Tokyo is filled with these delightfully ... continue reading...


Hoshinoya Kyoto

September 22, 2019

Want to vacation like a Heian noble? Step onto one of the Hoshinoya's unassuming wooden boats, and 10 minutes later you're in another world, far from the thronging crowds and bustle of Arashiyama's main streets.  Out here, the river cuts between steep wooded hills with rocky banks.  Ahead, ... continue reading...


Kimono and ikebana

September 9, 2019

At any site in Kyoto, you'll see dozens of kimono-clad tourists.  I thought it would be fun to join them and have a few photos taken! Step one is choosing the kimono and obi.  Though the shop had racks and racks of options, it turned out that only a few were long enough for me - apparently I am ... continue reading...


Tokyo by night

August 27, 2019

D and I are not night owls, especially when we're traveling - jetlag and busy days always result in us going to bed early. But on this trip, I decided to stay up late enough to see Tokyo by night.  And since I needed someone to help me see me a variety of interesting places, I arranged a ... continue reading...


Our meals at the Tawaraya

August 18, 2019

The food at a ryokan is an essential part of the experience, as both breakfast and dinner are included.  At the Tawaraya, we had some of the best meals of our recent trip. Our first dinner was kaiseki, served with perfect timing and grace by our room attendant, Suzu, and her assistant, Yo.  Each ... continue reading...


Tawaraya ryokan, Kyoto

August 4, 2019

Ryokan, or traditional Japanese inns, are not for everyone.  They are dim, quiet, restful places sans lobby, bar, or spa.  You'll surrender your shoes at the entrance and see them again only when you depart.  Almost all of your time is passed relaxing in your room, where you'll also have breakfast ... continue reading...


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I'm Jen. Join me on my food and travel adventures!

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