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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When in Ibaraki: 10 Places to Sightsee and Eat At in This Coastal Prefecture North of Tokyo

Ibaraki once held the title of “least attractive prefecture in Japan” for several years in a row, a dubious “achievement” which is a tad unfair considering the understated charms that it has to offer. 

Spanning over 6,000 square kilometres and bordering other famous locales such as Tochigi and Fukushima, Ibaraki is situated two hours north of Tokyo. From a sprawling seaside park to a torii that commands an arresting view of the Pacific Ocean, here are ten places to sightsee and eat to your heart’s content over a weekend in this coastal prefecture! 

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When in Tokyo: Ikumimama Animal Doughnuts @ Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki – Kawaii Animal Doughnuts

Insanely cute and delicious to boot, animal doughnuts have become synonymous with Japanese bakeries since capturing the Internet a decade ago. While wandering through Ikebukuro Station, I chanced upon a popup counter by Ikunimama Animal Doughnuts, a local doughnut store located in Kawasaki

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According to their Instagram page, the store can often be found roving around various train stations in Tokyo, so you might just stumble upon one if you’re lucky!

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When in Tokyo: Mrs Charlotte Food Truck – Lavender-Themed Ice Cream and Drinks, Available Only on Weekends

Modern food trucks are all the rage in Tokyo, with several offering various cuisines from Mexican and Middle Eastern, to even Singaporean. Mrs Charlotte is one such food truck known for its eclectic, pastel-themed desserts. 

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Not only is Mrs Charlotte a hit among locals, it’s also fairly elusive, open only on selected weekends for up to five hours. One reviewer reportedly took three attempts before being able to get her hands on the sought-after crepes and ice cream. 

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When in Tokyo: STABLER Shimokitazawa Meatsand 2nd @ reload, Shimokitazawa – Epic Meat and Egg Sandos in an American-Style Setting

While ramen and sushi are the first things that come to mind when Japanese food is mentioned, Tokyo is no stranger to hip, new places with all sorts of cool foodie creations to try. 

American work clothing brand, STABLER, marked its foray into F&B with the opening of STABLER  Meatsand. Its second outlet, STABLER Shimokitazawa Meatsand 2nd, is situated in reload, an enclave of hipster cafes and eateries in trendy Shimokitazawa

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When in Tokyo: Tsujihan Zeitaku Don @ Nihonbashi, Chuo City – Mountainous Kaisendon Worth the Two Hour Queue?

Leave it to social media to unearth another “hidden gem”. Once Tokyo’s best-kept secret, Tsujihan Zeitaku Don‘s fame has exploded online, thanks to the proliferation of its one and only dish – kaisendon piled high with chopped tuna and shellfish, and topped with overflowing ikura and uni that would make a seafood lover weep. 

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While Tsujijhan is one of the numerous food chains to dot Tokyo’s foodie map, its Nihonbashi branch is the most famous and visited among locals and tourists. Queues are known to run around the block, with average wait times spanning over two hours. 

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