When in Tochigi: Bakery Cafe Penny Lane @ Yumoto, Nasu Koden – Beatles-Themed Cafe and Bakery Nestled Among Japan’s Mountains

What do Nasu and The Beatles have in common? A themed bakery and cafe called Bakery Cafe Penny Lane! Driving up Nasu Highlands which is known for its forest trails and hilly areas, you would least expect to find a gathering of cottage-like buildings reminiscent of the English countryside.
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Bakery Cafe Penny Lane Nasu is one of seven sister cafes scattered across Tochigi and Ibaraki, all except a couple similarly themed to re-create the atmosphere of a traditional English teahouse. 

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When in Tokyo: Bistro Fukumimi Corridor @ Ginza, Chuo City – Bustling and Modern Izakaya Open Till 11.30pm

I was determined to eat as many different local dishes as possible, and yakitori seemed like the best way to conclude my Tokyo trip.

It was by pure chance that I found myself back at Bistro Fukumimi Corridor, the very same yakitori bar that my colleagues and I had visited during our last work trip. 

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Located along Ginza Corridor, which runs around and under the Yamanote Line, its main premises is actually located underground, with a steep staircase leading to it. As with most other dining places situated in touristy Ginza, Bistro Fukumimi Corridor is foreigner-friendly, with items listed in both English and Japanese. 

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When in Tokyo: Ginza Kimuraya @ Chuo City, Ginza – The Birthplace of Anpan

Many of us have fond memories of munching on a warm an pan for a quick breakfast or after-school snack. But did you know that this bite-sized comfort food was supposedly born in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo

Ginza Kimuraya is a heritage bakery of almost two centuries, having opened its doors in 1869. Situated on the same road as the iconic Seiko House Ginza Clock Tower, it is widely regarded as the oldest and first Western-style bakery in Japan. 

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When in Ibaraki: COLK @ Mito, Ibaraki – Sophisticated Chef’s Menu Boasting Local Ingredients

The beauty of the seasons is in their ephemeral nature, which makes experiencing them before they are swept away by the winds of change even more precious. The same can be said of the dishes inspired and crafted from each season’s ingredients.

COLK is an intimate Japanese-French restaurant that strives for culinary creativity using the best and freshest ingredients from Ibaraki.

Its menu changes three times a year, in line with the four seasons, and whenever the restaurant can acquire exceptionally good-quality components that warrant a special change.

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Image Source: COLK

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When in Tochigi: Exploring Nasu Highlands, Tochigi’s Picturesque Mountain Town

Nasu turned out to be one of the unexpected highlights of my Tokyo trip, with its mountainous locales, forest trails, and quiet serenity. 

Spanning from Nasu Shiobara and Nasu Kogen, it’s an expansive, remote region that’s also home to numerous onsens and holiday villas of the rich and famous. Here are nine spots where you can check out Nasu’s natural beauty and enjoy an idyllic getaway from the city.

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When in Tokyo: Gyoza Hohei @ Ryushin Buiding, Ginza – Gyoza Bar Open Till Late; Try Their Ginger Gyoza

I love me a good gyoza, whether as a hearty dinner dish or a sinful snack to pair with beer. There are few experiences as comforting as biting into a thin gyoza skin and sinking your teeth into greasy minced meat that is bursting with flavour. 

I stumbled upon Gyoza Hohei while searching for a late dinner near my hotel in Ginza. Turns out, this unassuming establishment is actually the sister location to the legendary Kyoto-based eatery of the same name! 

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