Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting four different prefectures, boasting various speciality dishes and even some mascots, all while never stepping foot outside of Ginza, Tokyo. That’s right, we went to the antenna shops! A concept I was previously unfamiliar with, these small shops located in the Ginza area house small stores that sell products specific to certain prefectures. It’s a way to learn about both infamous dishes and cultural practices of the 47 prefectures without traveling outside of the city.

Take Hokkaido for example. Located in the northernmost part of Japan, Hokkaido boasts picturesque mountains and is well known for housing many species of kombu. Another notorious entity that has stemmed from Hokkaido, which is the largest prefecture in the country, is their milk. Supposedly creamy with a subtle undercurrent of vanilla, I had to see for myself what flavors the milk would evoke in my mouth.

After ¥300 and an excruciating 60 seconds, I was finally being passed the soft serve of my dreams. The bright white and soft orange colors danced against each other, competing for the first lick on a stage that was the fragile golden cone. My stomach set its eyes on the melon portion first, not wanting to be disappointed by the infamous Hokkaido milk. The slightly artificial melon taste made my taste buds sing, and with that, I was ready for whatever came next. Let me say that I was not let down by other people’s glowing reviews of that lusciously soft milk. Milk connoisseur Summer Lam agreed. She purchased the soft serve because of her fondness for Hokkaido milk and claimed that it “Wasn’t too thick, and the milk ultimately maintained it’s creaminess”. When discussing our experiences at the Hokkaido antenna shop, she noticed people of various ages consuming the popular desert, taking so much joy in the simple act that it manifested on their faces in the form of infectious smiles. Even in the form of soft serve, the milk maintained its exquisite flavor profile, and I happily ate until there was nothing but the wrapper left.

After my wonderful experience in the north of Japan, I decided to stay in the same climate and make my way to Akita. Known for their specific breed of dog aptly named the Akita Inu, I found out that the residents of the prefecture also greatly enjoy apple-flavored products. There were a variety of apple infused alcohols lining the shelves of the antenna shop, and I noticed that apple crisps were consumed in large quantities in the area.

I really enjoyed visiting the antenna shops because I was able to get a glimpse of other prefectures. Due to the sad fact that I am only in Japan for a month, it is not humanly possible for me to see 47 various prefectures and try all of the popular food they possess, so I greatly appreciated the opportunity to see even a couple of places I may not ever actually go to. As I type these words I know that I will be coming back to Japan and I will try to experience as much as I physically can, but for now, the antenna shops left their mark on me.