Category: Local Food & Drinks
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Taste Tama: A Culinary Journey
Food has become a compelling reason to travel. Our founder, Naoko, reported for WWD Japan, covering gastronomy exclusively in the Tama region. She was inspired by distinctive places where food reflects the land, time, and local culture, often curated by chefs, producers, and monks. Today, we work in inbound travel, helping international travelers discover these…
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Tokyo Terroir: Crafting the Taste of Ome Cheese
Nestled in the quiet region of Ome, Fromages du Terroir opens its doors only three days a week. True to its name, the shop is devoted to crafting cheeses that are composed on the character of the topography, pursuing flavors deeply intertwined with the region’s nature and culture. The only ingredients used are raw milk from Ome and the…
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In Ome: Where Family Meets the Love of Hometown, People, and Drink
Tokyo is home to ten sake breweries—nine in the Tama region compared to just one within the 23 wards. One evening, at an izakaya in Tachikawa renowned for its devotion to sake, we spoke with Kazuyoshi Muto, the third-generation owner of Muto Jisaku Saketen, a long-established liquor store in Ome. Kazuyoshi is the kind of person who makes…
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Keeping it “Broth Real” in Akiruno: The Ramen School RAJUKU Story
Ramen School RAJUKU has become a destination for aspiring ramen chefs from around the world. Its owner and master chef, Takeshi Koitani, is a prominent figure in Tokyo’s ramen scene, having built and managed a string of celebrated shops. Coincidentally, our visit on April 22nd marked the 23rd anniversary of his very first restaurant, Jiraigen.…
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Wok & Spice: The Alchemy of Taste and Technique in Kunitachi
Tucked away in a quiet residential corner of Kunitachi, I-fanfunsun is a Chinese restaurant that doesn’t look to make a fuss. But word travels—sometimes faster than you’d think. From central Tokyo to far-off prefectures, curious diners and seasoned chefs alike find their way here. All drawn by a phrase passed along in hushed, reverent tones:…
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Yaho: Drink, Connect, and Bring Your Story to Life
Chisato Sakane, the owner of Snack Suichu in Yaho, has carved out a uniquely unconventional career path. A graduate of an elite university in Tokyo, she took over a long-established Japanese snack bar, making bold and unconventional life choices, challenging societal norms and trusting her entrepreneurial instincts. All while being a wife, mother of a child, and entrepreneur, she transformed her snack bar…
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Auberge Tokito: A Harmony of Plates and Palates
A food event called “Tokitoto” that “brings out the moment” was held at Auberge Tokito in Tachikawa on December 14th and 15th, 2024, with lunch and dinner sessions, each limited to 12 people. The concept of this event is to focus on the “moment” rather than the “season”. Tokito’s chefs and artists with their own…
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Culinary with Heart in Tachikawa
Yoshinori Ishii, affectionately known as Yoshi, is the visionary behind Tokito, a luxury auberge in Tachikawa. With a rich background connecting local culture to a global audience, Yoshi draws visitors from the establishment and food enthusiasts from across the world—from Europe and the Middle East to Singapore. From a young age, Yoshi found joy in…
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Crafting Imperfect Beauty: Akiruno’s Maverick Genius
“The beauty of silence,” “silence is golden,” and “if it is hidden, it is the flower,” are expressions that reflect a long-standing concept in Japanese culture: the virtue of discretion and not speaking unless spoken to. Although not all Japanese may adhere to this mindset today, this notion is often not understood outside of Japan.…
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Steeping in Time: Japanese Tea in Tachikawa
Riding a large motorcycle, wearing Timberland yellow boots and jeans, Kayoko Ikeya visits tea farmers in Sayama, Saitama, and Shizuoka—both regions famous for Japanese tea production. She is the third-generation owner of Sayamaen, a long-established tea store in Tachikawa, who certainly defies the image most people have of those involved in Japanese tea. She has…