Category: Land of the Rising Sun – Japan

Manhole Covers in Kansai Region

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The manhole covers in Japan is always very fascinating. it’s not just manhole covers but it’s art! They have different designs for different places. Estimated, there are about 6000 designs all over Japan.

I managed to took photos of some when I was at Kansai region in August 2019. I got Osaka, Ikeda, Wakayama, Kobe, and Nara. Too bad, I didn’t take any at Shiga and Kyoto, I forgot! Anyway, here are what I managed to take:



Next time, when you’re in Japan, don’t forget to take a look at the ground. You’ll find many interesting designs on the manhole cover in which each has its own representation of the location uniqueness.

Going Places, Land of the Rising Sun - Japan

Day 8: Goodbye Osaka (How much I spent?)

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If you are wondering how much I spent for this trip to Osaka in Summer 2019, here’s the video that summarize my expenditure. By the way, I wasn’t a budget or luxury trip. It’s pretty much in between. Hence, if you are on a budget, I’m sure you can spend less than I spent. Hope that this can be a guideline to you and give you an idea of how much budget you need if you are to go to Osaka.


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Going Places, Land of the Rising Sun - Japan

Day 7: Must Eat Kobe Beef When In Kobe | Kobe Beef at Akanoren

Posted on By sweet surrender No Comments on Day 7: Must Eat Kobe Beef When In Kobe | Kobe Beef at Akanoren

Last year, I did go to Kobe but we didn’t eat any Kobe beef. This time around, it is a must to eat it!! There are many Kobe beef eateries around, very easy to find. Don’t worry about them charging high price for it if it is located in the tourist attractions, there shouldn’t be such problem. They all charged pretty much similar and do not worry about it being fake. I believe Japanese don’t do that and they take pride in their beef and their integrity.


There are so many of them at Nankin Machi, Chinatown of Kobe. We didn’t have ours here because it was still early. This is quite an interesting place to go and it is also a foodie heaven. Eateries everywhere!


We had ours at Akanoren(3 Chome-9-5 Sannomiyacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0021, Japan). This restaurant was founded in 1906. It wasn’t plan, we just decided to go for it because of the rain and it was already way over lunch time and we were so hungry after so much walking at the shopping streets. It rained throughout our time there. That’s why we ended up at the shopping streets instead. This Kobe Beef restaurant is located at Sannomiyacho which is also a shopping street hahaha…

When you order, make sure it is printed as Kobe Beef in the menu(they have English menu), not the other beef on the menu. You might be tempted to order cheaper option but those will not be Kobe Beef. I almost ordered the cheaper option then realized it is not under the Kobe Beef category phew… We ordered the set that cost 7000yen. They have steak only which was around 3000-4000yen. In fact, this is good enough if you just want to eat meat.


Left: My first time eating beef shashimi. Interesting… No weird taste, just beef melt in your mouth…

Right: The most awaited main!!! Love it! I love my beef just lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled. They didn’t ask us how we want it to be cooked though. I don’t really mind as long that it is not rare or well-done. I’m sure they know what is best and I’m happy with this even though it looks rare than what I usually will eat, I didn’t mind, it’s not bad at all. With the heat from the hotplate, it will be cooked further too. Not a problem at all, it’s grilled to perfection! No taste of blood or anything. Just yummy, tender, juicy, melt in your mouth beef.

They served it on hotplate and they provided us with bibs to protect our clothes from oil splatters from the hotplate.


This is the set. The sashimi was served first which is not in this photo but it’s in the photo above this photo while the dessert is below this photo.

So, you know why I said you just need to order the steak instead of the set. I personally just need the meat, I don’t need the salad, the rice, the soup, and the dessert. It was a bit too much for us. We ordered one set each, regretted a bit because we could have save about 2000yen if we ordered just the meat but it’s OK, still a satisfying meal. If you plan to go, just skip the set, doesn’t matter which shop, you don’t need the set.


Left: Since we ordered a set, that means we had dessert to end the meal. The ice cream were yuzu and green tea flavours. They tasted quite nice.

Right: If you are not sure whether the place serve real Kobe beef, here’s how you can make sure you are getting the real deal. The bronze plaque displayed in the store means that it is appointed by the Kobe Meat Logistics Promotion Consociation. When you order, make sure it’s listed under the Kobe Beef section in the menu.

Before I end the post, here’s the travel vlog, see Kobe beef in action hahaha…

Happy 2020 in advance! Gosh… My expectations on my future beef steak is gonna be hard to please… Oh no…


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How to Make Japanese Hot Cake with Nagatanien The New Otani Hot Cake Mix

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Merry Christmas!! We are approaching 2020 soon!!

Want to share this video with you in case you are looking for videos on how to use Nagatanien The New Otani Hot Cake Mix:

I bought this from my previous Osaka trip. This video took me hours to film. I hope this is what you are looking for and can help you in making Japanese hot cake or pancake with the this premix or in case you are wondering whether this premix is foolproof enough or not.

Food Porn, Going Places, Land of the Rising Sun - Japan, My Kitchen, Review It!

Day 6: Half Day at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

Posted on By sweet surrender 2 Comments on Day 6: Half Day at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

After Nara, we went to Fushimi Inari Taisha (68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan). If you are in Kyoto, if you don’t go to Fushimi Inari Taisha, your trip will likely be not complete ;p This is the head shrine of the kami Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan


I’m sure this place is no stranger to many people and a popular attractions in Kyoto. You have likely seen it in many marketing materials about Kyoto and I’m sure you’ve seen photos of people taking photos under the red torii gates in Kyoto, most likely this is where it is!


There were so many people! Best to go early on weekday morning or towards the end of the day, the crowd will be less. The attraction is open 24 hours. It’s not a difficult hike, just wear comfortable shoes. If you want to take photos without the crowd, do go further up where there will be less people because people will usually turn back at the Yotsu-suji.


You will need few hours to reach the summit(233m) but if you do not have the luxury of time or just not into hiking too much, then you can turn back, there will be path for your to turn back.


By the way, it’s very hot and humid during summer. Therefore you must bring water with you. There will always be random vending machines around but having your own water will be better so that you can stay hydrated anytime you want and you don’t have to wait till you reach the nearest vending which likely will take a bit more hike.

After the hike, we felt a bit hungry so we decided to get this Wagyu from the stall there. It’s only 500yen(about RM20), if you are to get this size of cooked Wagyu beef steak in Malaysia, it will normally cost you more than RM20. It tasted sooooo good! Yum! Should have gotten another one ;p

That’s the end of our Day 6, if you want to watch the full video of my Day 6 with more views of the shrine, do check out my video here:


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Food Porn, Going Places, Land of the Rising Sun - Japan