Let’s cool down your summer by an ice-cream? Since now, it’s almost summer so thing that can cool down are ice-creams. I have been in for 2 and a half-month now. When I first came here, the temperature was very low comparing to Thailand, where I came from. As now today the temperature continue increasing and many new flavor of ice-creams are on sell, so today I’m going to present you guys about the ice-cream in Japan. I had tried many of ice-creams here. The most impressive one is ‘-Gari Kun’, the popsicles. It’s cheap and has many flavors, including the limited flavor one. Seeing from outside, it’s just ordinary popsicles but inside it’s a small ice-flake. The price is cheap and worthwhile for you to buy, which is around 36 Yen depends on the store you buy it, and also the flavor as well. Gari-Gari Kun came out in many flavors as I mention before, however I think the most famous one is soda flavor. And most strange one is tomato spaghetti and creamy stew! I had never try it yet, but my friend told me that the taste of tomato spaghetti is kind of same with the real spaghetti sauce. Latest one that came out is Pear flavor; unfortunately it’s a limited edition, meaning that, not going to sell forever. If I remember it correctly, this one will sell until mid of July. In the picture is GReeeen flavor, famous singers in Japan. In the Co-op at Hiroshima University has many types and brands of ice cream selling there, such as popsicles, waffle, chocolate outer, and cup. The price is almost the same 116 Yen, cheaper than Lawson, 7-11 and Family mart (noted: not comparing to the promotion one). Coolish by Lotte is another type of ice-cream that’s famous. The ordinary Coolish is vanilla flavor but today many are on sell; cookie and cream, melon soda, caramel, coffee, etc. Somehow, most of Japanese students that I saw likely to eat popsicles type especially during after lunch because the temperature can be over 25°c, counting to be as hot! But if you want to try chocolate outer popsicles, must be Royce! The () as the texture and also the chocolate together with almond. I don’t know you can find it elsewhere in this world but if you are in Japan, this is what I recommend to try. Or if you like the cup style ice-cream more, then it’s has to be Morinaga Mow, many flavors, texture is so good. There also one but I cannot remember the name of it, it’s like a shave-ice but at the center filled with condensed milk! Apart from convenient store and co-op many restaurant also provide ice-cream as well. In addition, the companies always send out new items on sell to compete with other. Meaning that every seasons or around 2 months the new flavor will be on sell. If you happen to be here during April like me, here also Häagen-Dazs Sakura flavor or in special occasion like in the picture, Rose flavor!

JoyFull, joy of eating

Hello everyone, this is my second time writing this. After I spend exactly 3 months in Saijo, I have many favorite restaurants here. As last time I describe about the ice-cream in Japan, today I will choose my most favorite restaurants that I visit every week to you guys! The name of that restaurant is 'JoyFull' Let's talk briefly about JoyFull first! JoyFull is 7/24 restaurant, open 24 hours 7 days a week, originally from Oita prefecture. In the restaurant divided into 2 parts, smoking and non-smoking area (advice: for non-smoking people, don't go there directly after washed you hair or your hair will get the smell of tobacco). You can sit as long as you want at JoyFull! Even for study or get some paper done there, at JoyFull also have plug to charge your laptop as well. Not to mention the toilet that has in every restaurants. In Saijo, JoyFull are locate in 2 places (I had saw only 2 places, not sure if there are more or not). The nearest one is opposite of 7-11 near Fresta and Okashii Honpo, and another place is locate on the way to Ramu super market, which is very far from University. Here comes the food part, the favorite of food lovers. In JoyFull's menu consist of appetites, main courses, and desert. Not only name, picture, and price of the food but also kilocalories for you to check how much do you eat. However, the price is exclude the tax, the number in blanket behind is including tax. They provides many kind of food; salad, spaghetti, gratin, set menu, and else. My recommendation food is Doria (similar as gratin but instead of penne, it is inside), Grilled chickens salad with dressing and , Hamburg (what’s my friends recommend), and big French fries for study over night. Anyway, every dishes that my friends and me ordered, turn out to be delicious and worth the price. Someday I have club and haven't eat anything until 10 pm, JoyFull is the place that rescue me for starving to dead! Only one set of dishes, make me full to the next morning. There also drink bar and soup bar, without discount ticket it's around 230 Yen (exc. tax 8%). The drink bar ticket you can get after pay the bill from cashier, the price will be 130 Yen (exc. tax), refill as much as you want. They provide soft drinks, coffee, tea, and cocoa with both hot and cold (water is free same as other restaurants in Japan). For recommendation, I think matcha green tea is the best, however, I cannot drink coffee. After asking my friends who drink coffee, they said that Cappuccino is good for working over night! I think you might have a chance to try theirs drink bar. Not only drink bar and food but also desert! The ice-cream at Joyfull are delicious! Many of customer visit this restaurant just only for sweet. When I first ate at JoyFull is because of my tutor recommendation, she said that it's cheap and delicious and yes it is. I have try many menus at JoyFull, since I eat there every week and during the midterm exam, stay overnight at JoyFull. Also that staffs are really nice, make me love this restaurant! On the other hand, I didn't mean that other restaurants are not good or delicious. Every restaurant I had eaten is all good and delicious but JoyFull is really near my apartment, so I have a chance to visit more than others. Right now, I'm writing this article in Mermaid cafe, and planning to get new sandwich, so delicious here!!!

Eating out? Where should you go to eat after class?

You might wonder that do students cook for themselves everyday? The answer is definitely no! Believes me there is no students never eat out around university. So this time I will show you where should you eat in many places. Unfortunately I cannot remember small details like the price and some of the restaurant’s name. Some might know this before but some aren’t, Hiroshima’s is difference from other province and region’s okonomiyai. Hiroshima’s will add the noodle or into it. This is famous food in Hiroshima and if you ask students at Hiroshima University, most of them recommend you to try Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki. There are many restaurants that sell this thing around university’s campus. I had tried only 2 restaurants, which turnout beyond expected! It’s worth the money for you to eat. Some little advice as usual, comes to okonomiyaki restaurant during the time you’re seriously hungry! Or else you might not be able to finish it. Together with the noodle inside, it increase the size of okonomiyaki to be bigger and bigger! The standard price of Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki is around 700 ~ 800 Yen, however this is without adding any topping. If you would like to add topping such as cheese you have to pay more. The 2 okonimiyaki restaurants I would like to recommend you located on the same road. On the intersection before reach Hiroshima University, from Saijo Station, turn left downward the hill. Just only 10 meters you will find the first one and if you go down the hill until T-junction on the left side you can see another one.

Next are some of the ready meal restaurants, Sukiya and CoCo-Ichiban. Many people may use to the name of these two restaurants, so I will not describe about it much. Sukiya as you know the fast Gyudon place you can eat. Before going to class if you have only less than 30 minutes to eat, Sukiya is another choice for you. Sukiya located nearby the okonomiyaki restaurant I mention above but on the T-junction you have to turn right. Go for around 15 meters, Sukiya will located on your right side with 24 hours open everyday. Across of Sukiya is Family mart and beside that is CoCo- Ichiban, or the curry rice restaurant. Another quicker place you can eat out, also with the level of spicy you can choose! Japanese food is not spicy at all, compare to Thai’s food, so this is the only I can eat something spicy (I ordered level 10). Every time you order you can choose you own quantity of rice and how spicy you want. If you choose 200 grams rice, you will get discount but if you order more than 300 grams you have to pay more. Same as level of spicy, apart from level 0 you have to pay but the price will be different depend on what you choose. So you have to be careful when you order the plate. However, at CoCo- Ichiban have a special menu for students only, unfortunately I cannot remember exact name of the menu but the price is cheaper and quantity of dish is a lot (somewhat I cannot finish it all). Other place you can eat out all around university the price is not too high, which students can afford the payment. There also one Italian restaurant that famous in pasta, omurice, and cake. Not only restaurant for eating but also place where you can drink as well! I still don’t have a chance to explore much around university, but I’m sure that around university’s campus have many great restaurants waiting for everyone to visit!

Near the apartment there are many interesting restaurants with delicious food. If you find yourself a little lazy to walk or make some home cooked meal today, GABA is the place for you. GABA is just across the street from the apartment, and a 2 minute walk from the Eguma bus stop. From the Eguma bus stop you will find the Asahi bike shop and as you go up the hill you will soon see a big sign that says GABA. For anyone who’s wondering what GABA means because you see the kanji horse or, it doesn’t mean horse but it means hippopotamus! GABA (Hakata ) is a ramen shop from Fukuoka which has many types of soup and menu to choose from. Inside the ramen shop, it is decorated with wood furniture and Japanese lantern in a Japanese traditional style. The ambience is very nice and homely, it makes me feel like I’m at a yukata matsuri at night because of the lanterns. If you go at night you should reserve your seats first, because it will be very packed. For people who like like soup with a very strong taste or こく味, I recommend the “赤い馬” or the red horse. With just 780 yen, you can experience the savory long boiled broth soup with miso with ramen noodles with softness of your preferences. The “赤い 馬” is composed of many things: the soup, the soft noodles, mushrooms, a little spice to add to the red horse, and the stewed chashu. Each menu can be accompanied by set menus such as SET A: rice and gyoza and so on. For an additional 250-300 yen you can get set menus that will make you full till tomorrow.

The next recommended menu is the 白馬 or the white horse, is for people who prefer a lighter taste than the red horse. Unlike the red horse which is fierce and powerful in taste, the white horse has a light taste or あっさり味. The ramen itself may not look a little oily, but you can taste real broth from this which is so savory. When ordering ramen at GABA, you can choose your preferences of noodles for instance: soft, hard, chewy, and much more. This menu is 650 yen, and can also be accompanied by set menus.

Tsukemen are now available in GABA! For people who don’t know what is, tsukemen is similar to cold but they use noodles similar to ramen and soup broth instead of . But, this new menu of GABA is the curry tsukemen. It is a mix of ethnic food by changing the usual broth into curry, noodles, with grilled vegetables. GABA is one of the best ramen shops you can find around here, the price may look very pricey at first, but I promise you it’s worth every yen of your money. You don’t have to go to Fukuoka to get real ramen taste, but GABA brings Fukuoka (Hakata style Ramen) to you. So go check it out if you have the time!

Sushi Lover’s paradise

In this article, I am going to recommend one restaurant named “Hama Sushi”. This restaurant open both on weekdays and weekends so you can go anytime you wish but, the price will be different. On weekends, Saturday and Sunday, regular sushi will cost 100 yen per one plate (2 pieces) but on week days, Monday-Friday, it will be cost only 90 yen per one plate. That is to say if you go on weekdays, it will be cheaper and you can eat more of them. However, 90 yen price does not include desserts and special dishes in this restaurant. There are several types of sushi you can choose here: Salmon, Maguro, beef, etc., and you can wither pick the one you like on the bar or order it on the screen of your seat. The most interesting point in this Sushi restaurant is that they have 5 tastes of Shoyu sauce for you to try: Kansai Shoyu, Kyushu Shoyu, etc. This place also provides some other traditional Japanese foods such as Udon, Ramen, etc too. The qualities of ingredients they use are in good quality. I really recommend you to try it, at least once in your life in Japan.

By the way, from my experience, the restaurant is always crowded after 18:30 so I recommend people who do not want to wait to go before that time. There is a reserving machine near the door inside the restaurant that use for reserving the seat, you have to put number of people and then choose either you want to sit on the sitting bar or table. After that, the number of queue will be printed and sent out to you, you can look in the screen above the cashier how many queue you have to wait.

This place is easy to go and not so far from our apartment, it takes maximum 10 minutes to go by bike. Going straight all the way long from the back of the apartment. You will pass Joyfull restaurant which located Look at that juicy Maguro! at the corner of the road, go across to another side where there is 7-eleven. Then go straight on the high bridge and go straight again until you reach intersection. At this point, turn left and you will see Hama Sushi on your right hand side.

Which one you prefer? Salmon or Salmon CHEESE?!

Mermaid Café: The place for your enjoyment Japan in the summer time can be devastatingly hot. Sometimes, you need to find a place to cool you down, but the Chu Toshokan usually open and closes the air simultaneously. You also cannot drink in the toshokan too, however there is a place within the university where you can work and eat leisurely that is the “Mermaid Café”. Mermaid Café is situated in Hiroshima University, it is right in front of the Chuo Toshokan. Inside the café, the shop is designed with a modern like style, simple and spacious. The tone colors are simple earth tone colors which are feasible to the eyes. For people who appreciated wood furniture with simple designs this is the place for you. You can enjoy your cup of coffee with a spacious view of the university, because the walls are made of glass. This place is beautifully designed, it has won an award for it. There are many types of seats you can from for instance the side counter seats with a place to charge, long table with red tall chairs, outdoor seats, and lastly round tables with wooden chairs. In the Mermaid Café there are a variety of menus to choose from ranging from pastry, snacks, to various types of drinks. For instance, when you enter the shop on the right hand side there is a pastry counter where you can choose the type of pastry of your liking. Next, after selective choosing of your pastry, you need a drink to accompany you, there are juices, smoothies, coffee, tea, and much more drinks for you to choose from. For people who prefer a light snack, there are also bagel and sandwiches available too. You can also use wifi from the Chuo Toshokan from here. For the price, to some people some of the menu prices can seemingly be a little pricey, but compare to the quality of the pastry, drinks, and snacks it is quite worth the money you are spending. Recommended menus by Me: Personally, I have not come to Mermaid Café as often as other people, but every time I come to the Mermaid Café is always a memorable time. The first time I came to Mermaid Café I ordered a Café Latte, the smell of the coffee was very fresh, with good quality milk. A perfect drink for a hot sunny day. But, if you prefer something like smoothies or juices, Mermaid Café also has Orange Juice, Pineapple Mango Smoothies, Cranberry Juices, and much more. I personally recommend the Pineapple Mango Smoothie, for fans of Starbucks, it taste similar to the Mango Passion Fruit, but, with a much lower price! Snacks such as sandwiches and bagels are very tasty at the mermaid café. The Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel is to die for. The slightly smoked salmon, lettuce, and cream cheese on the freshly warmed bagel is perfect for fans of bagels. One last thing I will recommend is the blueberry scone, I personally am not crazy for blueberry scones, but after trying the Mermaid Café scones. I fell in love with it, the scone is not too hard and the texture is perfectly baked. You don’t have to go anywhere far to experience good coffee and snacks, with good atmosphere. If you find yourself not knowing where to go, Mermaid Café is the place for you!