Back in Osaka

· Fashion, Food, Illustration, Travel

We started and finished our Japanese road trip by Osaka. It was our second time there (first time in 2014) and I still like the bustle and the people more laid back compared to Tokyo. We stayed there 3 days but it gave us the opportunity to discover the hidden face of the city, walking away from the very touristic Dotonbori area. We wanted to visit a more quiet area and we found it!

I also got the chance to meet one evening Kuniyoshi, with whom I’ve often been chatting on Instagram since my last trip in 2014 (we can say whatever we want but social media connect people!) and he took us to discover a lot of local specialities… which means that you’ll find at the end of this article a lot of yummy addresses! Let’s go!

 

Nakazakicho neighborhood

If you look for a peaceful area full of vintage shops, this one is for you! Looking a bit like Shimokitazawa in Tokyo but even more authentic (for how long?). As a proof, we were almost alone when we visited the narrow streets of Nakazakicho (if I remember well it was a Wednesday), might be different during weekends though…

This being said, the walk was very pleasant: Japanese designer shops and vintages shops are everywhere. The staffs were quite talkative and nice (even more than usual!) even though most of them didn’t speak a word of English.

This neighborhood, mixing housing and shops, always have nicely decorated storefronts. This little vintage shop called GREEN PEPE is a real Ali Baba’s cave, with clothes, handmade vintage items, tableware… It’s a bit hidden but if you explore all the streets around, you should find it.

This ORANGE shop was also very interesting as we found vintage Disney and Toy Story Tshirts for ¥2000. All collectors of figurines and other small famous pop culture items would find here something to please them.

Thanks to the advices of an old lady owner of a small flea market store and our traditional sign language, we found KONNICHTEI (4-chome-3-1 Wakae Higashimachi Higashiosaka), this restaurant of Soba noodles, which was delicious and pretty refreshing considering the 30°C outside.

 

 

Housing in the Abeno Haruka tower

For these few days in Osaka, we stayed at the Miyako Osaka hotel located inside the Abeno Haruka building, built in 2014, the tallest in Japan!

I didn’t take any picture of the room but we loved our few days there. During our stay we also had the chance to do a morning run with the 58th floor view (you can see that on my Instagram Story) and it was pretty nice because we were the only ones to enjoy the view (Japaneses or tourists seems to be less athletic as me! I let you imagine that ahah!)

Our view from the 53th floor

 

Anyway, we didn’t regret our choice of housing at the end of the road trip because there were a lot of shops nearby so it was very convenient to purchase gifts during our last day!

 

Kuniyoshi’s yummy addresses in Osaka

As I was telling you earlier in this article, I got the chance to meet Kuniyoshi (aka “Kuni”), the owner of 6 shops (!) of wagyu barbecue (Matsusakagyu M), who I met in 2014 when I went to one of his restaurants and with whom we had spent a very good time.

This time we spent the whole evening together so he could show us his best addresses: the occasion to discover new specialities more or least exotics!

 

MATSUSAKAGYU YAKINIKU M

As the last time, we had the best wagyu beef, just soft and delicious. You can go there your eyes closed.

 

TEMPURA TAROJIRO (高橋ビル 1f, 1 Chome-8-20 Sennichimae)

Shrimp & melting egg Tempuras, Bonito tataki

 

As its name suggests, tempura is the speciality. We tried tempura with melting egg (marvelous) as well as the very surprising tempura with Shirako… but what is Shirako? Just… seminal liquid of fugu fish… in other words fish sperm!

Shirako tempura (=Fish sperm anyone ?)

 

As you probably saw in my instastories, I tried it and I loved it (even with your disgusted reactions). Honestly, nothing to be afraid of: the texture is halfway between soft tofu and panna cotta, without real strong taste and fried it’s definitely ok!

Must try if you like challenge but it’s really a small challenge, I swear!

Other specialities like these big Hokkaido oysters with Ponzu sauce

 

NARUTO TAIYAKI (1 Chome-4-10 Sennichimae)

The best taiyaki I’ve ever had are there! These small stuffed waffles with fish shapes are handmade in front of you with a master chef turning two dozen of moulds like nobody else! Impressive!

Kuni told me that he was serving more than 800 taiyaki per day! Amongst the flavors: sweet potato, taro or custard: all delicious.

 

A few extras

Here are a few extra addresses (some revealed by Kuni, some we randomly passed by for our great pleasure).

YAKIMINO-NANCHI (1-9-6 Namba Chuo-Ku) A tableware and traditional ceramic address: where I found our plates and flower pots perfectly imperfect!

My little souvenirs

 

KUA’ AINA (Naniwa Ward, Nanbanaka, 2 Chome−10−70 なんばパークス 6F) : Hawaian burger place found in Tokyo: such a pleasure to find it here, and this light smoked taste.

KUROMON SANPEI (2 Chome-4 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward) : Seafood restaurant prepared in front of you.

ACCHICHI HOMPO DOTONBORI (7-19 Souemoncho, Chuo Ward) : To try yummy takoyaki (ball of octopus) speciality from Osaka.

HOZENJI SANPEI (1 Chome-7-10 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward) : One of the best place to eat okonomiyaki.

BINCHOTAN YAKITORI RESTAURANT (Chuo Ward, Shinsaibashisuji, 2 Chome−4−4 日総･四国ビル B1): Grilled yakitori in a restaurant overseeing the famous Glico sign.

KOKOPELLI (Chuo Ward, Namba, 1 Chome−6−5 TMビル 1F ココペリ) : Burger restaurant with Kobe beef.

GOUKAI TACHIZUSHI (12-34, Nambasennichimae) : Very fresh sushi and sashimi.

 

So here was a small tour of new address in Osaka: I hope it will help you to prepare your trip: you can anyway read again my articles written in 2014. Let’s catch up again soon to start over our road trip from Awaji (… WELL! I know it takes me some time, my apologizes!). Looking forward to remembering it with you ! (English transation by Quiterie)

Khaki and beige

· Decoration, Fashion

A post about an outfit, it’s been a while! You may have noticed that my outfits have become simpler over the years as my closet, which is not yet optimal (I am still looking for a few perfect cuts to replace those not perfect but that are doing the job anyway).

This being said, I can fit my 4-season clothes in my closet (no need to switch the winter/summer clothes = everything fit in… just perfect!). I could reduce it even more but as for now, it’s already good.

Actually, getting ready without adding any newbies, I can do it 90% of the time. But today, here are two new pieces to complete all my basics: these earrings and the pants. This last one doesn’t have a flattering fit but I like its color, high waist (to wear also with a belt) and I might ask a retoucher to change the thighs so the shape would fit me better.

As for the rest, I have had them in “stock” for a while:

  • My loose khaki jacket (2015) : (already seen here and here) a masterpiece, irreproachable quality that can be cleaned in a washing machine ; with a perfect fit. I also consider to wear it with light pink.
  • My Birkenstocks (2018) : (already seen here and here) I am enjoying the last few days of summer to wear them in a street style way like here.
  • This black shirt from Sézane : a basic shirt that I own in grey and white (I’ve got them since the beginning of this year but I don’t think if I have ever shown them here): the boyfriend cut is perfect: I will tell you more about the length of life after a few years of cleaning.
  • This net bag brought back from Thailand (2018) : (already seen here) ideal to carry everything inside = it changes from the usual wicker basket.

I immortalized this look at home before joining my girlfriends for a brunch: I thought the colors were in perfect harmony with my Medinilla magnifica and as the flowers won’t last long, I wanted to keep a souvenir! Two birds with one stone! (English translation by Quiterie)

My Outfit

Long jacket La Redoute (2015) (already seen here and here)
Tee-shirt Sézane
Pants La Redoute Collections
Sac brought from Thailand (2018) (already seen here)
Sandals Birkenstock (2018)
Earrings La Redoute Collections

Five senses #14

· Decoration, Fashion, Food

For this back to work/school period, here is the come back of one of your favorite category with a « Five senses » article (even though it’s probably the only category on this blog! Haha!). So let’s discover what stimulated my 5 senses lately!

 

Sight

You probably saw it on Instagram: I fell in love with a new incomer in my living room: the Medinilla magnifica. An exotic plant with impressive hanging pink flowers that I discovered after reading the blog Mango & Salt but I was afraid to get it at home, worried I couldn’t take care of it.

It’s still too early to call me a « Medinilla Master » (after only 15 days at home) but the future will tell us if the care instructions prove to be conclusive.

Apparently, it requires a luminous place (but not direct sun), watering and vaporizing its leaves with non-hard water (demineralized water for iron should work), avoid airstreams. I’ve been carefully following these instructions: finger crossed, meanwhile I’ve been admiring it.

 

Touch

As we are currently in the digital and the Internet age, the printed press has lost its luster. Even me, I don’t buy anymore any women’s magazine (and watch the last trends on Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) but I still appreciate reading the so-called « slow life » magazines that I consider as a real beautiful object to keep on my bookshelf.

As for me, the buying criteria are: the ascetic of the page and picture layouts, the writing and the “lifestyle” content as much as possible and less « psychology and personal development » (I am not saying I don’t need it but I only follow these advices of life with moderation: I have the feeling that trying to be more productive, the best of ourself, etc. tends to give individuals the same personality… but this is another subject).

So here are my favorite magazines in this domain:

 

DINETTE MAGAZINE : I’ve already talked about it in a previous Five senses article: After a few issues published, I keep enjoy reading it. This magazine from Quebec is very exotic and uncommon, with recipes (sometimes with unknown ingredients), wild life documentaries and creative editorials.

 

DIM DAM DOM : I told you about it on Instagram. An aesthetic magazine but not boring! (For instance, I’ve never got into Kinfolk magazines unlike the books). It gathers everything I like: fashion, travel and food. Very inspiring. I love reading it and reading it again.

 

LES CONFETTIS : Here is a women’s magazine I’ve kept reading! Indeed, it features interviews of women coming from different backgrounds (not only fashion or design) in order to discover different life courses. I particularly liked this summer issue with beautiful testimonials and images (interiors full of plants, it inspires me!)

 

SPECULOOS : A Belgian lifestyle magazine with always very nice and inspiring pictures.

Feel free to share the names of others if you know any good one!

 

Hearing

Photo credit : Sarah Louise Bennett

 

You know my passion for the band Bastille since the very beginning: I even wrote a full article about them. 6 years after, I am still a huge fan.

The music is still in the same vibe that made me love them but still with some evolution (in the good way) and even though they’ve become more popular abroad (thanks to collaboration with Marshmello for instance) I still can feel their passion for music and creativity and of course to have fun no matter what.

Photo credit : India Times Post

 

The last OP called « Doom days” is the one I listened the most (with the one of Kodaline) this summer and I’ve kept listening again: I love all the songs without exception and I’ve been dreaming about them coming back to France for a live tour.

When I told a friend about it, she told me about a mobile application to keep track about your favorite artist or band: Bands in town.

It synchronizes with everything you listen (on Spotify, Deezer), sends alerts about your favorite artists and suggests concerts that fits your tastes. After my spring/summer full of concerts, I will keep enjoying while being sure I won’t miss any!

 

Smell

In the streets of Honfleur…

 

I didn’t take any holiday this summer since I had already enjoyed some time off in May-June in Japan (I will continue the travel story soon!) and I had some work to get done on the side.

Even though, the activity was pretty slow in July-August and the Parisian quiet had done me good, Iast weekend we felt like I wanted to smell and see the sea.

Therefore, for a short day, we went to Honfleur, and stopped by Deauville on our way back: we had missed the « sea side and holiday » ambiance so we really enjoyed it! To smell the iodine and wet sand, this express getaway was just perfect.

Sunset in Deauville

 

Taste

Les recettes healthy de Margot (Editions Leduc)

 

This summer, I took the opportunity to cook a bit more, enjoying the large choice of seasonal fruits and vegetable varieties. I’ve been trying to prepare more healthy meals (while lowering the quantity of meat and increasing the portion of vegetables and pulses) and Margot’s book with healthy recipes helped me a lot.

I had a crush for her salty waffles with zucchini recipe, very easy to prepare: to enjoy with smoked salmon and yogurt and lemon sauce, lighter than a traditional waffle (somehow the milk is replaced by the grated zucchini). I will try autumnal recipes later on (with the coming back of pumpkin and squash!). As for now, I am still enjoying the summer! (English translation by Quiterie)

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