I saw a long line at Sanuki Udon Enya, I had plenty of time so figured I que in line as well. Wait was about 45 mins, BUT definitely worth it! The noodles were thick, but light and bouncy. Broth had a little richer flavor but with that Sudachi, it really refreshes the broth. And the tempura, MASSIVE tempura hanging off the edge.
Well, my 3 weeks in Shikoku has come to an end. But I did bring home some company.
Awano - a really new Japanese whisky that as far as I know, only sold in Shikoku.
Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak (Koegi Collection) - I love Hakushu and I haven't had this bottle until now.
Hakushu Bittersweet Edition - This was part of a 2 pack combo (Yamazaki Smokey Batch) from Haneda airport. Last minute splurge, I already have a bottle but while on my trip I got a message that a dear coworker has retired. So, I'm gifting this to him.
Yamazaki Smokey Batch - Again, last minute splurge at Haneda Airport that was a 2 pack combo. I'll probably gift this to my father.
My apologies for posting bar pictures recently, but please let me post this one. I'm now in Tokushima on my trip. I've found a exclusive whisky from the city of Tokushima. All thanks to Mr. Kohno Yoshikazu of Bar Kohno. Before I dive into the bottle, I just want to say how amazing Mr. Yoshikazu is. Funny, energetic, patient, GREAT at his craft (apparently he's really well known and has a long resume). He recommended my 2 drinks. First was the Japanese whisky from Awano distillery. This whisky is still pretty new and I would think it's in it's toddler stage. I was told it's hard to get your hands on the bottle outside of Tokushima. Ladies and Gents, please come to this bar and have a drink of this delicious whisky. It's smooth and hits similarly to a Yamazaki 12. After 15 minutes of savoring this whisky, I asked Mr. Yoshizaku to make me a special cocktail. I told him that I love Hakushu... so what does he do? Makes me a Hakushu/Awano Mojito, WITH citrus from Sudachi, a special lime-esk mainly grown in Tokushima.
I have no words to describe how great Mr. Yoshikazu is. That Mojito slapped me across the face and woke up! I never knew you can make a Mojito that great without Tequila, and instead with Japanese whisky. Thanks to Mr. Kohno Yoshikazu for introducing me to my new bottle, exclusive to Tokushima!
This place is called Dion Bar in Takamatsu. I'm more of a Neat or On the Rocks person. But this bartender is really good at his craft. I've never had a Gin and Tonic this good. He infused it with what he called a marinated sugar from the oranges specifically grown in Shikoku (Shikoku oranges are on another level). Then I asked him to make me something not on the menu. He whips out this crazy good cocktail. It's like all those viral bartenders torching, cutting the ice with a miniature kitana, glass spinning, etc. But it wasn't all gimmick, that was an amazing whisky cocktail.
I don't know much Japanese, but the bartender was really cool in conversing. Trust me... don't skip Dion Bar in Takamatsu!!!
Wakka Hotel breakfast on the Shimanami Kaido
Cozy Japanese seafood set meal on Omishima Island
Bacon Pork from Omishima Brewery
Orange Bar in Matsuyama
Taimeshi in Marsuyama
Landed in Shikoku (Matsuyama). I was completely exhausted and missed some bars that I had planned. But my hotel had a pretty nice top floor bar looking into Bansuiso. Complementary view for a 18 year Hakushu and an Old Fashion.
I usually am a Neat or On the Rocks type of person. Rarely will I do shots or cocktails.
BUT, I do love Japanese highball and an Old Fashion. For some reason, no bar I've been to back home in the US makes a Japanese highball, even though it literally is just 2 ingredients. I remember one time I went to a trendy-ish ramen joint. Asked the bartender for a Japanese highball, and it was like a different language. Bless him for looking it up and trying to make the drink, but the ratio was off and it was super strong, lol. A YouTuber that I follow opened a bar in Shibuya a few ago. The bar is called LOST, was hoping I get a chance to see him. Didn't get to meet him, but the Old Fashion is great.
This place is awesome, Whisky Bank in Shibuya. Did a tasting and purchased a bottle (no picture of the bottle because they didn't have it in store, but will ship one from their Osaka location).
Off to another Japan adventure. This time I'll be visiting Shikoku, but first I have a 2 day layover in Tokyo. What's the first thing I do? I eat at my favorite Tsukemen (I've literally eaten here at least once on the 16 times I've been to Japan). Then I make sure to have gut and energy drinks. Follow by my favorite drink in Japan, Melon soda!
Warning, I'm most likely going to annoyingly post a lot of food pics in the next few weeks, sorry.
Also... Am I evil that I want to gatekeep my favorite Tsukemen? 🤣🤣🤣
Edit: I guess people can't take a joke? 🤣🤣🤣 The name is on the pic (it's on the bowl and it's a chain), Menya Musasahi.
I'm not a coffee drinker at all, but I have family members that drink coffee everyday. What is a great brand of Japanese grounded coffee to bring home as a gift?
EDIT: I see them buying grounded, roasted coffee. I'm pretty sure I haven't seen them ground their own coffee.
Thanks in advance!
New to the group, so just wanted to share my trip from February 2026. On this trip to Japan, I was in Yokohama for 4 days. I enjoyed Minato-Mirai in Yokohama, It's beautiful at night. Anyone from San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, or any Bayside city will appreciate this area. I highly suggest anyone who visits Tokyo to consider a day/night trip to Yokohama. The chinatown, ramen museum, cup noodle museum, red brick house, ferris wheel, the air cabin, etc.
Ramen is the king of noodle dishes in Japan. But I just want to pay a little respect and show my love for Soba. Why I love Soba is you can have it hot or cold. Perfect to warm up your soul on cold seasons or cool your body during hot seasons. Pair Soba with varieties of tempura or kakiage, its so diverse. I also love the standing Soba shops. Makes me feel like I'm a local commuter catching a quick meal before work or for my lunch break, lol.
Hello, I'm looking for recommendations for whisky tasting, distilleries, and purchasing in the island of Shikoku. From what I've been researching, looks like there's only a few Sake distilleries. Not much info on any whisky tastings. And I'm looking for stores that sells rare/harder to find Japanese whisky.
Before I just go and google places, I want to see if anyone has any experience or recommendations first in Shikoku. I will be in the Ehime, Kagawa, and Kochi areas.
Thanks
Is there any places that stores bikes for at least a week?
I'll be visiting the island of Shikoku. My main reason I'm going there is to bike the Shimanami Kaido. I have thought about renting a bike, but I want to exhaust all options of me bring my bike before renting. My concern is I'll be in various parts of Shikoku for multiple days (Ehime, Matsuyama, Kagawa, Tokushima, Kochi) and was wondering if there are places that actually stores your bike.
I don't want to be rude and create nuisances carrying my bike around and would rather prefer to store my bike once I'm done with the Shimanami Kaido.
Thanks for your time
I've been studying Japanese. And music has helped me tremendously. I love finding Japanese versions of songs. Some of my favorites are Country Road and Careless Whisper for American songs and Multo for Filipino song.
Please recommend any I should listen to!
In September 2025, I visited Hakodate. While enjoying a delicious bowl of curry soup, popular in Hokkaido. The restaurant was playing a Japanese song that was so catchy, I instantly Shazaam it. I listened to it almost everyday since.
Fast forward to and I returned to Japan in February 2026. This time I mainly stayed in Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Kamakura. Almost every record store I went to, no one heard or knew who this group was. It took me 16 stores until I found a little shop with and elderly couple who were surprise someone like me knew this group (I'm 39, asian-american).
I wish it was a record, but I'll take a CD with bonus features as win too. 😄
Artist: Skoop On Somebody
Notable Song: Sha La La La