Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

On Monday, May 26^th, we had the amazing opportunity to visit a child welfare center in Kyoto. After having class with Prof. Ito and Prof. Young at Ryukoku University, we departed on a short train ride to our next destination. In Japan, there are many school-aged children who experience school refusal or other challenges in their academic journeys. To help support these children, many programs have been put in place to give them access to alternative forms of education. In many communities, Kodomo Shokudo or “childrens cafeterias” have been established to give children a place to be themselves and play without judgement. Our group was given the unique opportunity to visit and learn more about a non-profit Kodomo Shokudo called ReFrame. We were greeted by the non-profit’s director Ms. Asakura who shared her story with us. She explained that her struggles with the Japanese education system led her to establish a place where local kids could express themselves. We also learned about the various community events and engagements that ReFrame hosts/participates in. Afterwards, we visited a local Buddhist shrine and said a prayer with a priest. The experience was eye opening to many of us as it broadened our understanding of Buddhist practices and Buddhism’s role in Japanese society. Michael Tran commented that the experience was “enlightening” and allowed him to “better understand Buddhism and how it plays a role in Japanese communities”.  

After an enriching experience at ReFrame and the shrine, we headed back to Kyoto to get some rest and explore the city some more. Around 7pm, Michael and I decided to go get some dinner around Kyoto Station. After taking the train to Kyoto station, we were shocked with the size of the underground labyrinth. With tons of shops and restaurants, there were a lot of options for us to explore. Walking around the station, everything looked good from yakitori to sushi to soba. Overwhelmed with the sheer number of restaurants nearby, we decided to consult Google Maps to see what restaurants were well rated. Eventually, we decided to get revolving sushi at a restaurant in the dining hall. As we sat, we saw there were tons of different dishes whizzing by our table waiting to be taken. At first, we decided to take a few interesting dishes off the belt. After trying octopus tentacle, crab miso paste, and marinated squid, we decided it was time to order some more familiar dishes. Using the tablet, we ordered the grilled set of salmon and shrimp which was quite good. We also ordered a couple fatty tunas and some white fish. Each bite was fresh and distinct from the others, it was a wonderful experience washed down with unlimited green tea. Turns out, we had been enjoying the sushi so much that we ordered 10,000 yen worth of it! After paying the price for our sashimi indulgence, we decided to grab a quick snack elsewhere before heading home. 

Emerging to the surface from the station, we were greeted with a beautiful purple sky complimented by a view of the Kyoto Tower. Seeing quite a few people and businesses, we decided to wander towards the tower. Right beneath Kyoto Tower, a sign advertising a food court caught our eyes. We decided to walk to the basement of the tower to uncover a bustling food court filled with people. There were a variety of restaurants but one caught our eyes; the 100% wagyu beef burger was calling my name. I had not had a burger since coming to Japan so I was delighted to finally see the familiar dish. For quite a premium, I was able to order the behemoth of a burger. When it finally arrived, me and Michael were extremely excited. As we split the meal, our homesickness melted away as we experienced a taste of home with a premium twist. We then further explored the food court and ordered some boba tea. Overall, our experience in and around Kyoto Station was filled with delicious food and pricey bills. Undoubtedly, the excursion was well worth it and we returned home satisfied with full stomachs.