Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

Previously:

Shirakawa-Go

Again, this Takayama trip was reminiscent of my previous trip.  So we tried to visit as much as places we did before.  The first dinner which was only me and husband at this Tenaga Ashinaga was delightful.  We just wanted to let our family try as well.  Straight after that Shirakawa-Go and Kanazawa trip, we went to this restaurant.  It is located just a block away from Kajibashi Soba shop (yesterday).  Not much changed from this restaurant compared to a couple years ago.  However, I think they have more menu options in the house and of course price (understandable though).

Hoba miso steak 1,980¥

I went for the same menu, Hoba miso steak.  Although it looked slightly different but taste equally delicious with before.  I always prefer the meat in medium rare stage, so it will be very tender and melt-in-your-mouth.   Other people tried different food and they all were good.  The meal came with one complimentary drink from green tea to sake.

Hida beef with stone grilled meal

Tenaga Ashinaga
3-58-11 Honcho, Takayama
Ph: +577 34 5855

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market

Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

Previously:
Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

This is our last night in Takayama yet we haven't tried their delicacies, Hoba Miso Steak dish in a proper way in a proper restaurant.  So we did food hunting, in the middle of Takayama town in searching the would be nice restaurant to complete our wish list.  Then we spotted this not so big restaurant in one of small alley.  Their menu looks very tempting and the price is pretty reasonable too, even slightly less than standard I guess.  

Sukiyaki 2,880yen

Hoba Miso Steak (50gr) 1,480yen

The food was great, it exceeds our expectation.  We really had a good beef meal here.  Their Sukiyaki was absolutely delicious, the broth was sweet and full of flavour.  For my dish the Hoba Miso steak was also sensational, the meat itself was fatty and marbling, just melt-in-your-mouth.  Miso paste and beef are definitely married well together.  What else can I say, tonight meal were totally yum.. yum... yummmm.

Tenaga Ashinaga

3-58-11 Hommachi, Takayama

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Day 12: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Previously:
Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

After explored the beauty of Takayama Old Town, now we are heading further south to another fascinating city named Kyoto.  This city is a blend between modernisation mix with old historic sites that lives in harmony. From Takayama, we need to make our way back to Nagoya station then transit to a different Shinkansen to Kyoto station.

Once we arrived at Kyoto station, we were blown away by how many restaurants inside the station itself.  We were landed in this one restaurant serving common Japanese food just for a quickie.  As we gonna have a long journey ahead discovering the charisma of Kyoto city.

Beef Curry Rice

Pork Donburi

Kyoto Tower

There is of course train that you can catch to go from one point to another covered by JRP.  However, it is not as convenient as if you take a bus.  You only need to pay 500yen for a day pass and most of the tourist attractions are just located a stone away from the bus stop.

The main bus stop is sited right outside Kyoto station and you can buy the ticket from information centre.  Just wait in the correct stand to wherever you want to go and wait the bus from there.  Our first stop is Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavilion.  The place is really really amazing, shining gold although nothing much else to see in here beside the pavilion, but it is definitely a nice site to visit, is something unique and enticing.

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Mango Ice Cream

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

From Kyoto station take bus number 101 or 205 

It takes about 40 minutes

Entry fee: 400yen/adult

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 12: Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market

Previously:
Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama

Early walk in the Miyagawa morning market

Today was an usual weekdays, so the market wasn't that busy and crowded.  Pretty chill and enjoyable morning walk.  This place is the place to buy some souvenirs and local products and snacks.  There are some restaurants and cafe that selling Japanese and Western style breakfast as well.

We picked the first shop that we passed by along the morning market.  By the time we arrived there was nearly 9 am and it was quite late for Japanese to have breakfast because some of the menu was sold out.  We had an ordinary grilled salmon meal for breakfast and (I'm not so sure what type of fish) steamed fish meal.  After that we went trying a few different snacks in there like this grilled meringue.  It was as soft as cloud and taste like grilled sweet meringue.

grilled salmon breakfast meal

Steamed fish meal

Grilled meringue

Then we saw this nice-looking cafe.  They serve range of coffees and classic red bean mochi.  They also made very very yummy homemade cookies (sorry, didn't have the photo of it).  Every cup of coffee came with a pack of cookie.  We bought some extra cookies after but they didn't have much only 4 or 5 packs left.  First come first serve basis, so better be quick.

Hot tea with red bean soup mochi

かじ橋食堂 (Japanese restaurant for breakfast along Miyagawa morning market)

La Chaise
1-22 Shimosannomachi, Takayama
Ph: +81 577 36 2511


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Oyado Koto No Yume, Takayama

Day 11: Shirakawa-Go

Previously:
Day 10: Dinner at Takayama


Early morning we went to the same bus stop with yesterday, but this time we were heading to Shirakawa-Go.  Only about 50 minutes away from Takayama by bus.  This town is very unique, unique with their house shape.  Only less than 2,000 local people populate in there, very very quite town.  A day tour is probably enough, but if you want to indulge deeper with the way people live there and sample their local food cooked by the local people, do stay in one of their minshuku.  It would be one of your memorable experiences.

Since Shirakawago became a UNESCO site, the number of tourists visiting this place grew rapidly, therefore it also helps increasing their economy.  However, in the down side, there was an outbreak of damage to the area from tourists entering people's homes to see how they lived, taking pictures and other such manners.  There is also a fear growing that the change to catering to tourists will harm the charm of the area's simplicity and fundamental Japanese scenery.

Therefore, Please do care of the environment and surroundings when you are visiting anywhere!!  Help in protecting and preserving the World Heritage sites, so others still have a chance to see this beautiful scenery.  And respect the ancestors and local people who actually build this magnificent place with their own hand and hard work.

Hidagyu Kushiyaki (Beef Skewers)

They smartly use the natural spring water flow from the mountain to keep the bottle of drinks cool.  Fridge is not needed around here. 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 11: Dinner at Tenaga Ashinaga, Takayama