iki Roastery & Eatery: Where Light, Coffee, and Perfect Cake Meet in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Tokyo

The interior of a bustling cafe with a high ceiling and exposed wooden beams. A white counter has a sign above it that reads, 'Be. Here. Now.' and many customers are gathered around it.

Discovering a Sanctuary of Light in Kiyosumi Shirakawa Kiyosumi Shirakawa, on the east side of Tokyo, has transformed into a pilgrimage site for specialty coffee lovers since the arrival of Blue Bottle Coffee. However, the reason I’m repeatedly drawn back to this neighborhood is concentrated in one specific place, a short walk from the bustling Continue reading “iki Roastery & Eatery: Where Light, Coffee, and Perfect Cake Meet in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Tokyo”

Amber Palace: A Peking Duck Memoir at the Palace Hotel Tokyo

A close-up of a glistening, golden-brown roasted Peking duck leg quarter on a white plate.

From a Fragment of Memory to an Amber Glow Every story has a small beginning. For me, it was a bowl of tantanmen noodles at a restaurant called Chuugoku Hanten in Mita. After a client meeting, I stumbled upon the place by chance. The flavor I discovered there became deeply etched in my memory. Since Continue reading “Amber Palace: A Peking Duck Memoir at the Palace Hotel Tokyo”

ANA A380 Business Class Review: The Flying Honu Experience from Hawaii to Japan

A close-up of an orange ANA Airbus A380

A Perfect Prologue to the Journey Home The final day in paradise. It’s a moment always filled with a unique blend of melancholy and anticipation. The gentle Hawaiian breeze, the distant rhythm of the waves, and the iconic silhouette of Diamond Head are etched into memory. As our time in Hawaii drew to a close, Continue reading “ANA A380 Business Class Review: The Flying Honu Experience from Hawaii to Japan”

Finding the Best Tofu Restaurant in Tokyo: A Kaiseki Experience at Umenohana, Ginza

Yudofu, or boiled tofu, served in a hammered metal bowl filled with hot spring water, garnished with snow peas and pink flower-shaped fu.

Searching for the Best Tofu Restaurant in Tokyo? The Answer Might Be in Ginza. Tokyo’s culinary landscape is a vast, dazzling universe. But sometimes, amidst the endless options, my soul craves something pure, something that quiets the noise of the city. As CityNomix, I walk the streets of the world, and on this particular cloudy Continue reading “Finding the Best Tofu Restaurant in Tokyo: A Kaiseki Experience at Umenohana, Ginza”

Finding Tokyo’s Best Thai Food: My Unforgettable Lunch at Old Thailand

A Thai food set on a wooden table. In the foreground is a bowl of Sen Lek Nam, a rice noodle soup with minced meat and cilantro, with a side of mini Gapao and a fresh spring roll in the background.

A Quest for Authenticity: Why I Keep Coming Back to Old Thailand Tokyo Sometimes, a craving hits. It’s sudden and undeniable. You need truly delicious Thai food. As CityNomix, my days in digital marketing are filled with logic and data. But when I step out into the city, I’m on a constant search. I look Continue reading “Finding Tokyo’s Best Thai Food: My Unforgettable Lunch at Old Thailand”

Kanda Matsuya: A Taste of Edo-Style Soba in a Legendary Tokyo Restaurant

A Japanese meal set featuring cold soba noodles on a black seiro tray, a bowl of warm dipping sauce in a light blue bowl, and condiments like sliced green onions.

An Escape to Tradition: My First Encounter with Kanda Matsuya On a crisp autumn afternoon, I felt an undeniable craving for soba. Not just any soba, but authentic, historic Edomae-style noodles. Seeking refuge from the digital noise of modern life, I found myself wandering the streets of Kanda, Tokyo. Among the towering office buildings, a Continue reading “Kanda Matsuya: A Taste of Edo-Style Soba in a Legendary Tokyo Restaurant”

bakery bank Tokyo Review: A Culinary Pilgrimage to a Renovated Bank in Nihonbashi Kabutocho

A close-up of sourdough loaves on display at a bakery. The focus is on the bread in the foreground, with handwritten labels in Japanese for

Introduction: The Taste That Led Me to bakery bank In the vibrant hum of Tokyo, you sometimes encounter a flavor that imprints itself on your memory. It might be the culmination of a well-planned gastronomic quest. Or, it can be a moment of pure serendipity. My experience in Nihonbashi Kabutocho was decidedly the latter. It Continue reading “bakery bank Tokyo Review: A Culinary Pilgrimage to a Renovated Bank in Nihonbashi Kabutocho”

A Delicious Return: My Unforgettable Lunch Course Experience at Bistro Yen in Tokyo

A slice of Basque cheesecake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on a white, wavy plate, placed on a wooden table.

Drawn Back by Flavor: A Return to Bistro Yen in Nihonbashi Kabutocho On a clear autumn afternoon, after a meeting in Nihonbashi Kabutocho, my feet carried me instinctively to one specific place: Bistro yen. This area, once known strictly as Tokyo’s financial district, is now buzzing with creative energy. I couldn’t forget the culinary revelation Continue reading “A Delicious Return: My Unforgettable Lunch Course Experience at Bistro Yen in Tokyo”

Discovering Taneya’s Seasonal Sweets: A Limited Edition Wagashi Experience in Tokyo

A white box with Japanese calligraphy and two blocks of Kuri Mushi Yokan (steamed chestnut jelly) wrapped in thin paper, resting on a wooden table.

An Autumn Quest for Taneya’s Seasonal Sweets On a crisp October afternoon, with the palpable sense of autumn settling over Tokyo, I found myself navigating the elegant bustle of Nihonbashi. My purpose was singular: to acquire a seasonal treasure from Taneya, a venerable *wagashi* (traditional Japanese confectionery) house. As CityNomix, my days are spent in Continue reading “Discovering Taneya’s Seasonal Sweets: A Limited Edition Wagashi Experience in Tokyo”

The Ultimate Tokyo Station Cafe: A Serene Culinary Escape at The Cafe by AMAN

A view from inside a cafe with a wooden ceiling, looking out a large window at vibrant green trees bathed in sunlight.

Discovering a Hidden Gem: The Search for the Perfect Tokyo Station Cafe Tokyo Station. For many, it’s the bustling heart of the city, a whirlwind of commuters, travelers, and hurried footsteps. As CityNomix, I thrive on this urban energy, navigating the concrete canyons of Marunouchi, a district synonymous with finance and ceaseless activity. But even Continue reading “The Ultimate Tokyo Station Cafe: A Serene Culinary Escape at The Cafe by AMAN”