Kaniya - Amazing Family-Run Seafood Restaurant in Ibaraki

Ibaraki is a prefecture near Tokyo, and it is home to many colleges and institutions. Thousands flock to Mito, the capital city, each year to visit the Hitachi Seaside Park, where different flowers are in bloom throughout the entire year. The park is decked in different colours through different seasoons and the gorgeous park is indeed breathtaking. If you're thinking of popping by Ibaraki for a short trip, you have to visit Kaniya! The service here is seriously impeccable. While we were working our way through our King Crab (9,800yen), the old lady washing dishes at the counter decided to help us. She broke the legs and fed us the succulent and juicy crab meat directly! We couldn't help but laugh as we bite the flesh off the shell, from her hands.

Fuji Safari Park - An Up Close Encounter with Wild Animals

People heading to Tokyo on vacation will usually include the touristy stuff in their itineraries. Activities include visiting Kawaguchiko for a glimpse of Mount Fuji, spending the day at Disneyland Tokyo, taking pictures at the famous Shibuya crossing, and more. Few know about Fuji Safari Park, which is near Mount Fuji. Fuji Safari Park gives you an experience somewhat similar to what you will experience in a safari in Africa, but at a fraction of the price.

(CLOSED) Sushi Bar Yasuda - Amazing Omakase by Owner of Sushi Yasuda in New York

I've heard so much about Sushi Yasuda, which has been consistenly ranked as one of the top ten restaurants in New York City. Chef Naomichi Yasuda moved to New York in 1984 and started working at the world famous Hatsuhana. In 1999, he started Sushi Yasuda and the restaurant has been making waves ever since. Chef Yasuda moved back to Japan in 2011 and founded Sushi Bar Yasuda, which sits in the basement of a building in Minato-ku.

麻布十番松栄寿司 Azabujuban Matsueizushi - New & Fantastic Sushi Omakase in Azabujuban (Tokyo)

I just came back from a month in Japan and one of the best meals that I've had in Tokyo was at this relatively new sushi restaurant in Azabujuban. In total, I spent 25 days in Tokyo in 2 trips, and I had tons of good food, so you can have a rough idea of the standard that you can expect here. The restaurant is located on the third level so you gotta keep your eyes peeled for the signboard as you walk along the streets. The 23-seater sports a contemporary look, ruled by darker colours.

La Madrague - Gigantic Egg Sandwiches on a Quiet Street in Kyoto

The star here is, no prizes for guessing it right, the ginormous egg sandwiches. Each order comes with four fist-sized egg-bread packages. The omelette is not exactly fluffy, I found it to be on the denser side, but the portion is irrefutably generous. Slathered with a thin layer of tomato sauce, the egg sandwich wasn't mind-blowing but it's, no doubt, satisfying. I really liked the steamed white bread though!

The Roastery by Nozy Coffee - Charming Rustic Cafe in Omotesando

While my travel partner was queuing for the famous Luke's Lobster, I decided to make a quick trip to The Roastery for a cup of latte. The cafe was really popular. Not only was it packed, there were two long queues stretching out of the entrance.

Luke's Lobster(Omotesando) - Best Lobster Roll?

People rave about Luke's Lobster all the time and I was all ready to give it a try. All the way from New York, the snug little booth in the popular Omotesando area is familiar to snaking long queues and throngs of tourists. The queue was super long, unfortunately, when I got there and we queued for close to an hour for these babies. We decided to get a trio of sandwiches so we had a variety of seafood to savour. Shrimp, crab and lobster!

Sushi Sei Honten - Fresh and Affordable Sushi

When I talk about the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, almost everyone starts raving about Sushi Dai or Sushi Daiwa. I wasn't prepared to start queuing at 4am in the morning for either of these two popular sushi restaurants so I decided to find something as good, without the insane queue. This was how I discovered Sushi Sei Honten, a two-storey restaurant in Tsukiji.

Inoichi (Kyoto) - Dashi-broth Ramen and Excellent Rice Bowls

Inoichi 猪一 is a popular Bib Gourmand Ramen Restaurant in Kyoto. Don't be surprised if you see tourists in queue with their luggage. Apart from their famous ramen prepared with simmered fish broth, which has been touted as the best ramen in Kyoto, their rice bowls warrant a try too.

Nui - A Charming Cafe & Bar in Asakusa

When I was in Tokyo, I made a few friends who arranged for a quick dinner at Nui before I flew home to Singapore. Nui is located in the quiet Asakusa district and it took us quite awhile to find it. The entire neighbourhood was so quiet by 7pm that we wondered if we were on the right track. The lively atmosphere in Nui was in stark contrast to the cold silent night just outside its doors.

Dominique Ansel Bakery(Tokyo) - Extraordinary Frozen Smore

It has been my dream to visit Dominique Ansel in New York, but since I can't make it to the States as of yet, I set my sights on the nearest outlet in Tokyo. I've heard so much about the cookie shots and frozen smores and the legendary kouign amann and I just couldn't wait to come here! It was an arduous and incredibly long wait but I finally made it here. One off the bucket list!

Edogawa Naramachi - An Unagi Feast in an Edo-jidai Shophouse

Edogawa Naramachi is renowned for their execution of fresh unagi and the restaurant is equally popular with both locals and tourists. We walked in at around 730pm on a weeknight and were greeted by really warm service. We took off our shoes and placed them in the lockers provided before we were ushered to a traditional tatami-style room.

Incredible Kobe Beef @ 蔓牛Tsurugyu (Osaka)

I was really insistent on making a trip to Kobe just to try Kobe beef until I was told that I could actually get it in Osaka. Tsurugyu is a really popular haunt with both locals and tourists alike. You need a reservation to dine here, so don't even dream of trying to walk in!