Thursday, November 29, 2012

Nishioka Kashiho (Japanese Confectionery Shop)

This confectionery shop is out of the way. It is located in the back streets of Matsuyama. It is known for the quality of their confectioneries. When the Shimanami Sea Route was completed in the 1980's, the shop made commemorative sweets for that occasion. The shop was visited by the late Emperor Hirohito, who left the shop with a tin of tobacco and an Imperial book of matches (embossed with the symbol - chrysanthemum - of the Imperial family) that the shop still holds in memory of that visit.

Nishioka Kashiho Website (in Japanese)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Kuroudo Kakura Coffee Shop

Tea kettles and coffee makers. The coffee makers with the bowl on the top and bottom are what the coffee shop uses to make customers coffee.
A good selection of tea.
Hand crank coffee grinders
The coffee bar. The bar floor is beneath the regular floor so the bar tenders look up to their customers when serving them.
The rock garden
Take home a dessert?
Leaving Kuroudo Kakura Coffee Shop. We will go back! Great food, excellent ambiance and even better company to share it with.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Kuroudo Kakura Coffee Shop

This coffee shop is considered one of the best by the locals and it certainly is.

A Japanese blog entry on the coffee shop's other location in Imabari

Engrish!
Coffee Roaster - a sign of a serious establishment!
Unroasted beans
Grinders and scales
This displays the shops breadth of varieties of coffees and blends it offers. The placards laying face down indicates that this particular selection is currently not available.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Coffee Shop Kuroudo Kakura

Around the corner from Dogo Onse is coffee shop "Kuroudo Kakura." The place is quite popular for the locals.
View from across the street
Front of the coffee shop
Welcome to Kuroudo Kakura Coffee Shop
Snack time
Everything was good and the yogurt is made locally.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Poplar Convenience Stores in Japan

One of the largest convenience store chains in Japan. Poplar (like the tree) is clean, the food is fresh and the prices are reasonable. This store is located in downtown Matsuyama, near the center of town.

A pictorial guide to Japanese convenience stores

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

More Curry Please

Curry is very popular. You will find it served at virtually every other restaurant you visit. Japanese curry is a bit milder than Indian curry. There are Indian restaurants that serve really spicy and hot curry.

KOKOICHIBAN'YA MATSUYAMAHIGASHIISHIITEN

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Matsuyama City Hall

Getting a driver's license renewed in Japan means you must register for this at the city hall before traveling to the drivers licensing center. That said, the service is prompt and there is someone to assist you if you cannot find the form you are looking for. The last picture is a parking lot full of white Prius's near the City Hall. Could not figure out why there were so many white Prius's. The Prius is very popular in Japan and driving one is a bit of a status symbol.

Matsuyama City Hall Location