It has grown on me!

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Breakfast Delight in Japan: Tonkatsu Combo at Matsunoya for Less Than $4

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan this summer.

Did you know that many fast food restaurants in Japan offer breakfast menus at surprisingly affordable prices? (We had tried Sukiya breakfast before.) One of my personal goals this trip was to try breakfast at Matsunoya (松のや), a popular Tonkatsu chain known for its deep-fried pork, chicken, and fish—all served at wallet-friendly prices. Their breakfast menu, available from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m., is even more budget-friendly and perfect for early risers.

Thanks to jet lag, we tend to wake up before sunrise for about a week after arriving from Los Angeles. On this particular morning, we were up by 4 a.m., jogged for about 30 minutes, took a refreshing shower, and headed straight to Matsunoya. We arrived at 6 a.m., hungry and excited.

This location houses two restaurants under Matsuya Foods Co.: Matsuya (松屋), a Gyudon restaurant, and Matsunoya (松のや), which specializes in Tonkatsu. Near the entrance, we found two electric touch-panel kiosks where customers can place their orders.

Since it was still very early in the morning, most of the seats were empty and the restaurant felt calm and quiet.

There was a self-service drink station offering tea and water, where I savored a warm cup of brown rice green tea.

Asatoku Chickenkatsu Teishoku with Nato (朝得ささみ定食納豆),

I ordered the Asatoku Chickenkatsu Teishoku with Natto (朝得ささみ定食納豆), a deep-fried chicken combo served with fermented soybeans, for just 630 yen—about $4.28. This set came with white rice, miso soup, potato salad, shredded cabbage, and, of course, natto. I couldn’t believe I was getting such a hearty, satisfying meal for only $4.28!

Asatoku Chickenkatsu Teishoku with Nato (朝得ささみ定食納豆)

The freshly deep-fried chicken arrived piping hot, its golden crust perfectly crispy with each satisfying bite. I couldn’t help but savor every mouthful.

There was a selection of salad dressings and Tonkatsu sauce available to customize your meal. You could also add a kick of flavor with Karashi (からし), a spicy Japanese mustard perfect for deep-fried chicken or pork.

Asatoku Loin Katsu Teishoku (朝得ロースかつ定食)

My husband opted for the Asatoku Loin Katsu Teishoku (朝得ロースかつ定食), a pork loin cutlet combo priced at just 550 yen—about $3.74. Like my meal, his set included rice, miso soup, potato salad, and shredded cabbage, making it a delicious and satisfying bargain.

Asatoku Loin Katsu Teishoku (朝得ロースかつ定食)

Even though it was incredibly affordable, the pork loin cutlet was a generous, regular size. We really enjoyed and felt satisfied with our first Matsunoya breakfast. Although we ate quite a lot that morning, we were glad we had jogged beforehand to burn off some calories.

If you find yourself in Japan, be sure to try breakfast at Matsunoya—you’ll enjoy a delicious, hearty meal without breaking the bank. It’s the perfect way to start your day with satisfying flavors and great value.

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Thursday, November 6, 2025

Sushi Bliss for $21: Our Hamazushi Experience in Japan

This summer, my husband and I traveled to Japan. Years ago, when we lived in Osaka, we often enjoyed sushi at Kurazushi, a popular conveyor belt sushi chain. It had been quite a while since we last visited a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. After watching several Japanese YouTube videos praising Hamazushi’s fresh sushi, noodles, and desserts, we decided to try Hamazushi (はま寿司) for the first time.

Each table was equipped with an electric tablet for ordering sushi, making the experience both easy and convenient. You could select your preferred language from English, Chinese, or Japanese, which made navigating the menu simple for everyone.

I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of soy sauces available to choose from, adding an extra layer of fun to our sushi experience.

We ended up ordering 19 plates of fresh sushi! Although we started off really hungry, by the end we were completely full. I especially loved the squid nigiri sushi, while he preferred the salmon nigiri sushi.

To finish off, we ordered a cup of iced coffee for just 242 yen. Our entire sushi lunch came to 3,146 yen — about $21.40 USD. That felt like an incredible deal for such a satisfying meal!

Hamazushi was the perfect mix of convenience, variety, and flavor. It turned out to be a fun, affordable way to revisit our love for conveyor belt sushi in Japan.

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Thursday, October 30, 2025

Japan Summer Memories and the Taste of Hawaiian Airlines In-Flight Meals

This summer, my husband and I flew to Japan—it was our first time experiencing a Japanese summer since moving to the U.S. Living in Southern California, where the weather is almost always sunny and mild, we were apprehensive about Japan’s famously hot and humid climate. Friends had warned us that summers there are becoming increasingly intense each year, which is why we’d always tried to avoid visiting during that season.

But this time, I felt a strong pull to return during O-bon, the period when the spirits of ancestors are said to come home. I wanted to visit my family’s grave and honor that tradition.

Yes, Japan was sweltering while we were there. Yet despite the heat, we found ourselves enjoying the season. The buzzing of cicadas and towering cumulonimbus clouds instantly transported me back to childhood summers in Japan. At moments, it felt as if I had stepped into a Studio Ghibli film—surreal, nostalgic, and deeply moving.

We’ve visited Japan many times since moving to the U.S., but this summer’s visit truly stands out as one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had there. I’m excited to share more about this trip in an upcoming blog entry.

Hawaiian Airline In-Flight Meals

This time, we flew to Japan with Hawaiian Airlines. Usually, we fly directly to Tokyo before making our way to our hometown, Fukuoka. But for this trip, we flew to Fukuoka via Honolulu, departing from Los Angeles, because it was the most affordable option at the time.

Los Angels to Honolulu

We enjoyed the in-flight meal on Hawaiian Airlines. I chose the Diamond Head Strawberry Soda since I’d never seen it in California before. It was quite sweet—maybe a bit too much for your health—but to me, it tasted just like strawberry shaved ice syrup.

Los Angels to Honolulu

My husband always chooses club soda.

Los Angels to Honolulu

I love Honolulu Cookies.

Honolulu to Fukuoka

The flight from Honolulu to Fukuoka was surprisingly empty. A flight attendant recommended the yakisoba, saying it was quite good. It was a bit oily, but still flavorful and satisfying.

Honolulu to Fukuoka

We received a small bag containing a sandwich and chocolate. The sandwich, of course, pairs perfectly with a cup of Hawaiian Lion Coffee.

Honolulu to Fukuoka

Fukuoka to Honolulu

On the return flight from Japan to Honolulu, we enjoyed a comforting serving of loco moco. It was a delightful reminder of Hawaii’s rich culinary flavors, perfect for a long journey home.

Fukuoka to Honolulu

We received this small bag about an hour before arriving in Honolulu. I really enjoyed the Kameda no Tsumamidane (亀田のつまみ種)—a delightful mix of 10 different kinds of small rice crackers. Next time we visit Japan, I’ll definitely be sure to buy one!

Kameda no Tsumamidane (亀田のつまみ種)

There was no in-flight meal on the night flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles, which was probably why.

Our journey was filled with memorable moments, from savoring unique in-flight meals to soaking in the nostalgic summer atmosphere of Japan. I look forward to sharing more stories and reflections from this unforgettable trip in my next blog entry.

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Review: Hilton Fukuoka's Fitness Center and Public Bath

Hilton Fukuoka's Fitness Center

As I mentioned in a previous entry, my husband and I traveled to Japan last year and had the pleasure of staying at three different hotels during our visit to Fukuoka: Hotel Front Inn Fukuoka Airport, ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka, and Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk. Actually, this was our second stay at the Hilton Fukuoka. We also stayed here two years ago and had a great time.

Guests staying at Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk have complimentary access to the gym area of the fitness center, which is open 24 hours a day. Use of the pool area, however, comes with an additional fee of 2,200 yen.

Fitness Center Hours

Gym Area : 24 Hours

Fitness Center (5th Floor)

Hilton Fukuoka Gym Area Entrance

After breakfast, we arrived at the fitness center around 8:30 a.m. Near the entrance stood a vending machine filled with drinks.

Vending Machine

There were two water dispensers—handy reminders to stay hydrated before and after a workout.

There was a blood pressure monitor and a scale in the gym. It was a nice surprise since most fitness centers in the U.S. don’t usually offer health-check devices like these.

We got to the gym area at 8:30 a.m. It was empty, which surprised us. In hotels like the Hilton, Western tourists often use the gym early in the morning. But Fukuoka is popular with Asian tourists, and we saw fewer Western visitors. That may be why the gym was quiet and felt like our private space.

According to the Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk website, the fitness center features around 20 types of training machines, including the latest models from PRECOR, along with a full set of dumbbells.

I chose the cross trainer for my workout, which lets me train both legs and upper body at the same time. It’s my go-to machine whenever I visit a hotel gym, and I was glad to find that Hilton Fukuoka had a relatively new model. It was smooth, quiet, and gave me a satisfying aerobic session.

The gym at Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk was clean, quiet, and easy to use. I liked how peaceful it felt in the morning, and the equipment was in good condition. I enjoyed my workout and would be happy to use this gym again during a future stay.

The Rock Bath, Public Bath (7th Floor)

The rock bath is located on the 7th floor. Usually, hotel guests need to pay 1,760 yen to use it. However, guests staying on the 6th or 7th floors can use it for free. We stayed in a suite room, and during check-in, we received a complimentary voucher, so we didn’t have to pay. It’s not mentioned on the official website, but it seems that guests in executive and suite rooms also get free access.

Public Bath Hours

7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Photo by Hilton Fukuoka

I went to the public bath around 9 p.m., and it wasn’t too crowded—which was nice. I was able to relax and enjoy the bath. Two years ago, the bath was packed with large tour groups, mostly visiting from other parts of Asia, so this time felt much quieter and more peaceful. My husband said the men’s bath was completely empty, and he could truly unwind.

There was a sauna too, and I gave it a try—but it was way too hot for me. I couldn’t even last a full minute! Saunas have become really popular in Japan lately, but I still don’t quite get the appeal. What makes people enjoy sitting in such intense heat? Some say it’s the health perks: improved circulation, stress relief, better skin, and even heart health. It’s like a wellness ritual for some people—but for me, the heat was just overwhelming.

Overall

I really enjoyed working out at the fitness gym—it was well-equipped and comfortable. Moving my body and breaking a light sweat felt great. I also liked the fact that soaking in the quiet public bath was the perfect way to unwind. It left me feeling refreshed and clear-headed. If I get the chance to stay at Hilton Fukuoka again, I’ll definitely visit both the fitness gym and the public bath.

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