Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

After our stay in Kyoto, it was time to return back to where we first started: Tokyo. Following an eventful night, the day started out early in preparation to board the Shinkansen. By now the travel routine was no longer new to me, making both the nerves and thrill I had in prior trips not as it once was. There was a fatigue I was trying to outrun that was now catching up to me that I hoped I could leave behind on those train tracks.

After arrival at to our temporary yet familiar home of Super-hotel, I and a few others chose to kill time since we would be unable to check in for another hour. Our adventure in Tokyo began in PARCO as we looked at the variety of shops the mall offered to make us fervent consumers. When shopping was all done, our small group tested our luck and tried a restaurant new to us called Marumo Kitchen on the fifth floor. Many of the dining options came in sets and, knowing two of us would be unable to finish one, I split an ochazuke with my friend as I had done many times before.

This was the first time I had heard of ochazuke and the concept of pouring dashi in rice. In addition, this would be the first time I had ever tried roe which made me a bit nervous. Yet as I bathed the rice and salmon in broth, my worries melted away in its warmth. Such rice became smooth as it hit my tongue whereas the roe added the softest pops of both texture and umami. After many days of rain and gloom, I didn’t know this was the meal I had been needing during this season.

Travel often brings stress to the body that often goes unnoticed until you encounter an experience that brings a bit of peace. It’s when I am able to have moments where I find comfort to “turn off” that I realize how much and long I had been on. My first meal back in Tokyo in our last few days in Japan told me I was valid in feeling exhausted and even missing home. The fatigue may have taken a train ride alongside me but it was not something to fear. It departed from me with each bite I took and we said our goodbyes in silence until we would inevitably cross paths again.

Following an amazing lunch and unpacking, our small group paid a visit to an arcade called TAITO. Upon discovery of a DDR game, we each had our moments to shine on the dance floor (some more than others). I myself did very well for my first time at DDR, however it was my mistake to let it get to my head — especially since I was playing at beginner level. I learned quickly that my skill was no match for anything above beginner, but that only motivates me to become better! Afterwards, we engaged in some friendly competition in Mario kart. Some advice: if you do not want your game to be glitchy, do NOT play with four people!

In that same arcade, there was an area full of photo booths and outfits to wear. Meanwhile, my friend Emily was thrifting and looking at cameras after running out of yen coins. I was under the impression that the Photo Booth would be quick and simple. Then the idea of maid outfits was proposed…