Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

“We’ll be having a traditional Japanese breakfast at 7:30, so don’t be late!” — Dr. Young

And just like that, someone who never liked breakfast dragged this sluggish, exhausted body out of the warm futon to prepare for a feast waiting ahead.

My mind was still drifting somewhere between dreams and reality. Heavy lashes weighed down my stubborn eyes that refused to fully take in the world around me. Step by step, I slowly carried this lifeless body toward the dining hall.

Thin streams of smoke curled gently upward from the pale green cup of sencha tea, creating a dreamy haze before my eyes. Green, yellow, and red—the harmony of colors from each small dish stirred my curiosity. Little by little, every sense in my body began to awaken. Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch. Everything suddenly came alive.

The bowl of white rice sparkled softly, each grain glistening under the morning light. Beside it were delicate side dishes: boiled vegetables with enoki mushrooms and sweet-and-sour pickled radish that made the morning flavors feel fresher than ever. The pot of miso soup simmered over a glowing flame, releasing a rich umami aroma that embraced the lively dining room. The natural sweetness of mushrooms blended with the salty depth and gentle fermented tang of miso, waking up the sleepy soul still lingering inside me. The warm soup flowed through my body, slowly spreading comfort and warmth into every corner.

The true star of this grand breakfast table had to be the juicy salmon fillet warming over the fire. A thin layer of miso paste rested on top of a thick bed of enoki mushrooms. As it heated, the fragrance of miso and mushrooms pushed the salmon’s umami flavor to its fullest. One bite of salmon, a little mushroom, a touch of miso paste, and a spoonful of white rice, every flavor intertwined seamlessly without leaving the slightest gap between them. Layers of salty, sweet, and umami notes awakened my taste buds in this early morning. Maybe it was finally time for me to change my relationship with breakfast. And just like that, someone who hated breakfast ended up clearing every single plate on the table within moments.

After filling ourselves with energy, we left Bessho Onsen and headed toward the peaceful town of Ueno.

The moment we stepped off the train, all of us immediately searched for a small cozy café to rest for a while. Perhaps the long train transfers had drained everyone’s energy. Without hesitation, each of us ordered a giant iced coffee to fight off the exhaustion and the heavy summer heat.

1:00 PM. We gathered at Shinshu University and met Professor Horie, listening to his passionate presentation about his love for rice and his research on genetic modification in wheat, exploring the possibilities of creating different varieties of wheat. But the moment we all looked forward to most was meeting the Shinshu University students and hearing them talk about Japanese rice-based snacks such as rice crackers, mochi, dango, and more.

Party time! The atmosphere instantly became lively and full of noise and laughter. Everyone excitedly jumped into conversations with the Japanese students, learning about their culture and daily lives. More importantly, we finally got to try all kinds of interesting Japanese snacks. My favorite was definitely the salty-sweet rice cracker known as “senbei.” Every crunchy bite blended perfectly with the light saltiness of soy sauce, making my taste buds crave another piece immediately after the first.

Time passed as quickly as the wind. Before we realized it, the exchange had already reached its moment of goodbye. Everyone enjoyed the gathering so much that none of us truly wanted to leave. The energy and warmth of the students here made it difficult to say farewell. But goodbye was inevitable. If fate allows it, perhaps we will meet again someday.

As the colors of sunset slowly painted the city, the quietness and peace around us gently eased away my exhaustion. And well… dinner time had finally arrived. Our minds were completely consumed by cravings for tacos, the final meal of the day.

A tiny restaurant glowed softly beneath warm yellow lights along a quiet street. The rich aroma of sizzling beef welcomed us the moment we stepped inside. Each of us ordered more than two small tacos. Aghapy and I shared a Spicy Chicken Taco together. Excitedly, I asked her after her very first bite, “What do you think about the flavor? Is there anything you don’t like about this taco?” She immediately answered with enthusiasm, “The sauce inside the taco is really unique and enhances the flavor so much. Adding parsley also makes the taste more exciting. But at the same time, there’s a little too much sauce, so it overpowers some of the other flavors. And honestly, adding cheese would probably give the taco more depth and authenticity.”

Every moment during that dinner passed in the blink of an eye. The laughter around the table slowly blended into the soft sounds of the quiet night outside. Empty plates, crumpled taco wrappers, and the final sips of cold drinks were all that remained after hours of conversation and shared stories. 

Exhaustion still lingered somewhere in our bodies, yet our hearts felt strangely full. From a warm breakfast in Bessho Onsen to an unforgettable evening filled with new friendships, comforting food, and endless laughter, the day carried us through so many emotions at once. As we stepped back into the calm streets beneath the glowing night sky, I quietly realized that sometimes the most meaningful memories are hidden inside the simplest moments: a shared meal, a late-night conversation, and the feeling of being far away from home while somehow feeling completely at home at the same time.