SAKAI JAPAN is one of the 33 cities that make up Osaka Prefecture. Sakai is home to ancient cultural heritage and where Chanoyu tea ceremony began. To be honest, I have no idea there was a place as charming as Sakai in Kansai region, apart from Kyoto. Having explored Sakai on my recent food trip, I […]

On Day 3 of the Kansai Food trip, we visited 3 prefectures, Kyoto, Hyogo and Osaka.  Yoshihiro’s Kyoto Style Confectionery Class 10 minutes away from JR Nijo Station, we attended During the 1-hour class, we tried our hands making our own wagashi, traditional Japanese confections that are often served with tea, with the guidance of […]

Due to being prone to earthquakes, most parts of Japan are not towered by skyscrapers. However, anyone arriving at Kyoto train station would not miss the Kyoto Tower, the highest building in Kyoto, rising at 131 meters (430 feet) above the ground. Designed in the style of a lighthouse, Kyoto Tower is the first of […]

After observing Shinto rituals, I enjoyed my first Japanese meal, known as kaiseki ryori at Hirashin ryokan (Japanese traditional inn). The kaiseki ryori is a traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine comprising starters, main courses, shokuji and dessert. Each dish served during different kaiseki course represents different cooking method. For example, the soup (suimono) is a […]