Recharge your energy with exquisite downtown gourmet food!
After passing by the main gate of Tokyo University of the Arts and running for a while, we arrived at our first destination, "Kayaba Coffee" in Yanaka. The distance from the starting point, "Kotobuki-yu" to here is about 4 km. We still have plenty of time to spare.
Kayaba Coffee" 6-1-29 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-5832-9896 Hours: 8:00~18:00 (Mon-Fri), ~19:00 (Sat-Sun, holidays)
Kayaba Coffee is a quaint wooden building. Its retro appearance is impressive, as if you have stepped back in time to the Showa period.
The menu is also classic, reminiscent of a Showa-era coffee shop. In addition to the famous egg sandwich, we ordered anmitsu (sweet bean paste), custard pudding, and melon float. All were excellent!
With the energy charge completed, we restarted for our next destination, "Chikuryuan Okano" at the north exit of Uguisudani. This Japanese sweets store is famous for its "Kogome Daifuku" (rice cake with sweet bean paste). The distance is less than one kilometer from Kayaba Coffee.
Takeryuan Okano Uguisudani North Exit Branch" 1-6-9 Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-5849-4617 Hours: 11:00 - 17:00 Closed: Sunday, Monday, New Year's Day
However, when I arrived there, I was surprised to find that the restaurant was closed. I was disappointed. I should have checked the business days in advance. I regretted it. Incidentally, the "Kogome Daifuku" here is said to be extremely delicious, with soft and chewy rice cakes and a refined sweetness in the red bean paste. Unfortunately, I could not find it this time, but I will try again next time.
Now, let's get back on track and head to our next destination. Soon after leaving "Chikuryuan Okano Uguisudani," we passed by "Hidamari no Izumi Haginoyu" (Hidamari Spring Hagi no Yu).
Hidamari no Izumi Haginoyu" 2-13-13 Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-3872-7669 Hours: 6:00 - 9:00, 11:00 - 1:00 (last admission at 0:30) Closed: 3rd Tuesday
This is a new public bathhouse that was renovated and reopened in 2017. 4 floors from the 1st to 4th floor, it is spacious anyway! Moreover, with outdoor baths, a sauna, and a restaurant, the facilities are as good as those of a super public bath. The fee is still only 470 yen, the same as that of a regular public bathhouse.
After a five-minute drive from "Haginoyu," you will arrive at your next destination, "Tekona Senbei.
Tejina Senbei" 3-13-1 Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-3873-1489 Hours: 9:30-19:30
This is a long-established rice cracker store with a history of over 70 years. A wide variety of crackers are available, from basic ones soaked in soy sauce to sweet and sour ones sprinkled with coarse soybean flour.
I munched on a thick, hard-baked rice cracker. I am eating all the time, but you can't fight a war if you are hungry. We need energy to run.
Three kilometers east of Tejina Senbei, you will arrive at your next destination, Banana Factory in Oshiage. Located not far from Tokyo Skytree, this store specializes in banana sweets.
Banana Factory", 1F Ohashi Building, 3-34-17 Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-6240-4163 Hours: 11:00 - 19:00 Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Participants enjoy banana sandwiches and banana cream puffs while sipping on rich banana juice. Bananas are high in carbohydrates and easy to digest, making them an ideal snack before or after exercise, such as running.
Well, we ate and ate. All were delicious and very satisfying. This concludes our downtown gourmet tour. Let's go back to Juyu.
