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Thursday, March 6, 2025

Best Restaurant to Enjoy Seafoods on Yakushima Island: Kamogawa

Restaurant Kamogawa (レストランかもがわ)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I traveled to Yakushima Island last year. After hiking in the Mononoke Forest, we took a shower at Tirol, where we were staying. Then, we decided to have dinner at Restaurant Kamogawa (レストランかもがわ), run by the owner of Tirol. Before flying to Yakushima Island, I read many reviews by Japanese locals on Tabelog and learned that this restaurant was very popular. When we visited at 5:30 pm, the tables were nearly full with both international travelers and locals. Some locals came by and remarked, "Wow, you're packed again today! Alright, we'll try again another time," before leaving because the restaurant was so busy. After enjoying our dinner at Kamogawa, we noticed some people waiting outside. If you plan on visiting Yakushima Island, you should definitely try this popular restaurant, but be sure to visit early; otherwise, you might have to wait for a while. (They open at 5 pm for dinner.) Anyway, today I'm going to share my experience at Restaurant Kamogawa.

Restaurant Kamogawa (レストランかもがわ)
78 Anbo, Yakushima,
Kumage District, Kagoshima

Opens: 9 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm

Only Accept Cash

Menu
This restaurant offers a variety of high-quality local fish and Japanese dishes, including yoshoku (洋食). Flying fish, known as tobiuo (飛魚) in Japanese, is a specialty on Yakushima Island, so we were eager to try a local flying fish dish.

Their yoshoku sets (A Set and B Set) are also popular because they include large, deep-fried shrimp. The Zeitaku Kaisendon (贅沢海鮮丼) is a fresh sashimi bowl served with miso soup, and I can’t believe it’s only 1200 yen!

Sashimi Set Special (刺身定食)

Sashimi Set Special with Deep Fried Flying Fish (刺身定食飛魚の唐揚げ)

We ordered the Sashimi Set Special for 1800 yen each, just as we had originally planned. It came with a variety of dishes, including local flying fish and miso soup. You can choose between deep-fried or grilled flying fish. I went for the deep-fried option, while my husband chose the grilled one. We were amazed at how large the flying fish was! The deep-fried flying fish was crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. We were told that the wings of the deep-fried flying fish were edible, and indeed, they were crunchy, salty, and quite enjoyable!

ashimi Set Special with Grilled Flying Fish (刺身定食焼き飛魚)

We were also impressed by how fresh the sashimi was! It included shrimp, squid, yellowtail, mackerel, and round herring. I thought that if I wanted to have this set meal featuring high-quality sashimi and side dishes in the U.S., it would easily cost over $150.

Tobiuo Satsuma Age (飛魚のさつま揚げ), Flying Fish Cake

It also included flying fish cake, known as Tobiuo Satsuma Age (飛魚のさつま揚げ). While I enjoyed the cold flying fish cake from my bento from Kamogawa Bento Store during our hike, this freshly cooked version at the restaurant was even more flavorful.

Kamenote (カメノテ), Japanese Goose Barnacle

Before visiting Kamogawa, we had been eagerly looking forward to trying Japanese goose barnacle, known as Kamenote (カメノテ) in Japan. Kamenote translates to "turtle's hand" in Japanese. It resembles a turtle's hand but is actually a type of shellfish. This was our first time trying Kamenote, and We didn't even know how to eat it. That's why we watched a YouTube video to learn how to eat it before our visit. It was surprisingly good, with a slightly shrimp-like taste. It was a great experience for us.

Overall

I really liked this restaurant. They serve a wide range of dishes at reasonable prices. If you want to enjoy Yakushima's local foods, like flying fish, this is the place to go. Their flying fish dishes were delicious, and the fresh sashimi is top-notch. Even if you're not a fan of fish, they have plenty of other options, like Japanese curry and hamburger steaks. If I ever get the chance to visit Yakushima Island again, I'll definitely return to this restaurant. Next time, I want to try their Zeitaku Kaisendon (贅沢海鮮丼), sashimi, and seafood bowl.

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Thursday, February 27, 2025

Hiking into the Heart of Princess Mononoke: Exploring Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine

As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I traveled to Yakushima Island in October last year. One of the hiking trails we wanted to try was Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine (白谷雲水峡), which is famous for the Princess Mononoke Forest. Indeed, we watched the Studio Ghibli film "Princess Mononoke" before we flew to Yakushima Island. I was excited to try this hike. We couldn't wait to experience the magical atmosphere that inspired such an iconic movie. Today, I will share my experience of hiking the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock.

My Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

My Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop Summary (AllTrails App)

Tips to Hike Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop

1. It's a strenuous hike: Be prepared for a challenging journey.

2. It's a long 5-mile hike: Ensure you're ready for the distance.

3. It's a 5 to 6-hour hike on average: Allocate sufficient time for the hike.

4. Use a GPS trail map to prevent getting lost: Sometimes it's difficult to find the right path on this trail. Indeed, two people got lost and called for help in 2021. There is almost no reception, so download a GPS map beforehand.

5. The trail might be wet, muddy, and slippery: Wear proper hiking or trekking shoes and gear. Appropriate footwear is essential for comfort and safety. Wear gloves to protect your hands in case you fall.

6. Prepare for rain: Bring a rain jacket, waterproof backpack cover, and a hand towel. It's a good idea to bring some Ziplock bags to keep your belongings dry. (We rented waterproof rain jackets for this hike from a local rental store in Anbo.)

7. Bring lunch and snacks: There are no trash cans, so bring plastic bags to keep your trash in your hiking backpack.

8. Bring bottles of water: If you're comfortable drinking natural mountain water, there are some spots along the trail where you can refill. (Personally, I didn't drink the natural water as I couldn't be sure it was 100% safe from H. pylori, so I brought plenty of water.)

9. There are only two toilets: There is a flush toilet located between the trailhead and the parking lot. Along the trail, you'll also find an unflushable bio-toilet at Shiratanigoya (白谷小屋).

10. Be cautious when crossing streams: There are streams you need to cross along the trail. If it rains a lot, it’s safer to stop crossing streams as it becomes more dangerous due to the stronger flow and increased amount of water from the rain.

When we arrived at the Shiratani Unsuikyo parking lot at 7:30 a.m., there were only a few cars parking there. While walking to the trailhead, we enjoyed the soothing sounds of the beautiful river and its cascading waterfalls, which set a relaxing vibe for the start of our hike.

The trail was muddy, rocky, and sometimes narrow, so I found it more difficult than the Jomon-Sugi Cedar trail we had tried on the previous day.

We enjoyed walking with the view of vibrant moss-covered landscapes. The enchanting moss-covered landscape made every moment feel extraordinary.

Because it was early in the morning, there were hardly any other hikers around at the beginning. The peaceful solitude allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the trail.

You'll need to cross some streams during this hike. There were moss-covered rocks that we needed to step on to cross the streams. Although the rocks were wet and surprisingly not slippery, it's still essential to tread carefully to avoid any accidents.

I was amazed by the beautiful moss-covered giant trees. We both agreed that it was truly worth visiting here. Hiking in this stunning forest is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. We were deeply touched by the serene charm and breathtaking scenery.

Kokemusumori (苔むす森) is well-known as the "Princess Mononoke Forest." Its lush, moss-covered trees and magical atmosphere make it a must-visit for film fans and nature enthusiasts.

After hiking through Kokemusumori, we began the ascent to Taikoiwa. The trail was filled with exposed tree roots and uneven paths, making each step a challenging endeavor. Despite the obstacles, the sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile.

We found a sign that said, "No eating at Taikoiwa Rock." We had planned to have lunch at the top, but decided to have it later instead.

Taikoiwa Rock (太鼓岩)

When we arrived at Taikoiwa Rock, the sun was shining, and we had the place to ourselves. We soaked in the stunning views and enjoyed a refreshing mountain breeze. This rock is famous for its appearance in Princess Mononoke. In the film, Taikoiwa Rock is where Ashitaka stands and gazes over the mystical forest, which is inspired by the real-life Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine.

After climbing down from Taikoiwa Rock, we decided to have lunch near Shiratanigoya. There were some benches and a few people eating lunch as well.

We brought shogayaki bento and nori bento, which we had purchased at Kamogawa in the morning. Kamogawa bento store opens at 6:30 a.m., making it convenient to grab a delicious meal before hiking the trail.

Shogayaki Bento

My husband enjoyed shogayaki bento. The bento box had two layers: the top layer contained ginger-fried pork, tamagoyaki, and shredded cabbage, while the bottom layer was filled with a large amount of rice. It was quite filling.

Nori Bento

I enjoyed this nori bento. It had deep-fried shrimp, chicken, and fish, along with fish cake and tamagoyaki over nori and rice. I generally love nori bento, but I fell in love with this one. The flavors were exceptional, and the shrimp was larger than it looked.

On our way back, we enjoyed more of the moss-covered landscape in Kokemusumori. We saw a tour guide pointing out the best spots for taking photos with Kodama figures from Princess Mononoke. (These guides often carry Kodama figures in their pockets to entertain visitors.)

We enjoyed the beautiful scenery as we walked back, soaking in the serene charm of the forest one last time.

On our way back, we passed through more groups of hikers. The trail, which required crossing streams, had become wetter and more slippery with the numerous footprints. It was easier in the morning, but more challenging on our return. Unfortunately, my husband slipped and injured his hand, reminding us that we should have worn gloves.

Overall

We really enjoyed this hike. If you like hiking, it's definitely worth doing at least once in a lifetime. Walking in the Princess Mononoke Forest was magical, with lush, moss-covered trees and serene views. The challenging trails and breathtaking scenery made the journey unforgettable.

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Thursday, February 20, 2025

How to Cook Grilled Cheese Mayonnaise Shrimp for Your Osechi Meal

As I mentioned in my previous entry, Traditional Japanese Foods I Ate During This New Year's Holidays, I prepared this grilled cheese mayonnaise shrimp dish as part of our osechi meal on New Year's Eve. It turned out really well. The first time I tried making grilled cheese mayonnaise shrimp for osechi was two years ago, and I absolutely loved it. So, I decided to make it again this New Year.

I found this recipe in this YouTube video, and it immediately caught my attention. Today, I'm excited to show you how to make grilled cheese mayonnaise shrimp. It's a delightful dish that's both easy to prepare and absolutely delicious.

How to Cook

Grilled Cheese Mayonnaise Shrimp

Ingredients

18 Large Shrimp

2 Tablespoons of Sake

Pinch of Salt and Black Pepper

6 Tablespoons of Mayonnaise

9 Tablespoons of Shredded Cheese

6 Tablespoons of Sliced Green Onions

Grated Cheese

1. Peel the shrimp and remove their digestive tracts, which appear as a black line along the back.

Make a shallow cut along the stomach of each shrimp with a knife and open them up. Pour sake over the shrimp to remove any odor. Then, pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. Place the shrimp on a toaster oven tray and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.