It has grown on me!

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Takeno Sengyoten in Isahaya, Nagasaki: Fresh Sashimi Lunch Review

Takeno Sengyoten (竹野鮮魚店)

Last summer my husband and I visited Nagasaki, and during our drive through Isahaya we decided to look for a place that served really fresh fish for lunch. That’s how we found Takeno Sengyoten (竹野鮮魚店), a local spot with great reviews.

Takeno Sengyoten (竹野鮮魚店)

Takeno Sengyoten (竹野鮮魚店)
3-13 Eisho Higashimachi
Isahaya, Nagasaki

At the entrance, the staff displayed the recommended menu of the day: an Isaki sashimi combo for 880 yen, a Hirasu sashimi combo for 880 yen, and a Namagatsuo sashimi combo for 880 yen—which was already sold out by the time we arrived.

Meal of the Day

Even though reviews say the restaurant is usually packed on weekdays, it was surprisingly quiet when we went for a late Monday lunch, with only a few other groups inside.

The menu offered a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood, with plenty of choices that made it hard to decide.

After ordering, you can enjoy unlimited arajiru (あら汁, fish head miso soup), pickles, and green tea at the self‑serve station.

Arajiru tasted so good! The broth was rich and comforting, with just enough depth from the fish to make it feel truly homemade.

My husband chose the Chef’s Omakase Sashimi Combo for 1,400 yen, which came with salmon, hirasu (yellowtail), and tai (red snapper). Every piece was incredibly fresh.

Chef’s Omakase Sashimi Combo for 1,400 yen

I ordered the Isaki Sashimi Combo for 880 yen—my first time trying isaki, or Japanese grunt fish—and it was wonderfully clean and delicate.

Isaki Sashimi Combo for 880 yen

Our total for this lunch came to just 2,280 yen. I still can’t believe that such a high‑quality, ultra‑fresh sashimi lunch cost only about $15 for two people. We left feeling full, happy, and genuinely impressed by the value.

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Thursday, February 12, 2026

Ariake Ferry Car Travel: A 45‑Minute Ride on the “Ariake Mirai” from Fukuoka to Nagasaki

Nagasu Port (長洲港)

Last summer, my husband and I traveled from Fukuoka to Nagasaki, but instead of driving the whole way, we decided to take the Ariake Ferry. Although the Ariake Ferry departs from Nagasu Port in Kumamoto, we started our trip in Fukuoka and drove to the port before boarding. We boarded at Nagasu Port (長洲港) with our car and arrived at Taira Port (多比良港) just 45 minutes later.

The fare was surprisingly affordable — 3,400 yen total (2,900 yen for one car with one adult passenger, plus 500 yen for an additional adult). It came out to about $23, which felt incredibly cheap compared to transportation costs in the U.S.

Nagasu Port (長洲港)

My husband told me that he and his family used to take the Ariake Ferry with their car when he was a child, but it was my first time traveling this way. I was excited to board the ferry, especially since the vessel was Ariake Mirai (有明みらい).

Ariake Mirai (有明みらい)

Parking

After driving onto the ferry and parking, we got out of the car and headed up to the upper deck. It was a very hot summer day with strong UV rays, but the sea breeze felt refreshing while we stood outside for a little while.

The Upper Deck

After that, we explored the passenger deck inside. It was much larger than I expected, with plenty of seating and even a small gift shop. The ferry wasn’t crowded at all, so we found a comfortable spot to sit and relax. I ended up watching TV for a bit — something I haven’t done in Japanese for decades since moving to the U.S., so it felt strangely nostalgic and fun.

The Passenger Deck

The 45‑minute ride passed more quickly than I imagined. Before we knew it, we were back in our car, driving off the ferry and heading out to look for a place to eat lunch.

Arriving at Taira Port (多比良港)

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Thursday, February 5, 2026

Best Matcha Green Tea Drinks and Ice Cream in Yame, Fukuoka: My Top 5 Favorites

Yame is famous for producing some of Japan’s richest, most aromatic green tea, so it’s no surprise that the matcha ice cream here tastes completely different from anywhere else. It’s deeper, greener, smoother—like the essence of Yame tea captured in a single scoop. During my Japan trip, I tried matcha Green Tea drink and ice cream all across Yame, and these five places stood out the most.

The View from Yame Central Tea Plantation Observation Deck (八女中央大茶園展望所)

Yame Central Tea Plantation Observation Deck

2042-2 Hon, Yame, Fukuoka 834-0015, Japan

1. Kashi Kichi

Address: 2626-3 Hoshinomura, Yame, Fukuoka

Kashi Kichi

Kashi Kichi is one of my favorite stops in Hoshinomura, and their matcha smoothie is always worth the trip. Made with rich Yame matcha, it’s smooth, refreshing, and has the perfect balance of gentle bitterness and sweetness. Enjoying it in the quiet mountain village makes it taste even more special.

Kashi Kichi

2. Ushijima Seicha (牛島製茶)

Address: 405-4 Tsunoe, Yame, Fukuoka

Ushijima Seicha (牛島製茶)

Ushijima Seicha offers a matcha soft serve that feels like a direct expression of their tea-making craft. The color is a deep jade, and the flavor is intense without being overwhelming. It’s the kind of green tea ice cream that makes you pause after the first bite because it’s so pure and clean. A must‑visit for tea lovers who appreciate depth and authenticity.

Ushijima Seicha (牛島製茶)

3. Yame Cha Cafe Bunbuku (八女茶カフェぶんぶく)

Address: 269-2 Toyobuku, Yame, Fukuoka

Yame Cha Cafe Bunbuku (八女茶カフェぶんぶく)

Bunbuku’s matcha ice cream is gentle, creamy, and comforting—perfect for anyone who prefers a smoother, slightly sweeter matcha profile. The café itself has a cozy, local atmosphere, making it a lovely place to take a break and enjoy a refreshing treat between sightseeing stops.

Yame Cha Cafe Bunbuku (八女茶カフェぶんぶく)

4. Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

Address: 2019-4 Mizuhara Hirokawa, Yame, Fukuoka

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

Chanohadou’s matcha soft serve is luxurious—rich, silky, and topped with a generous dusting of Yame matcha powder. The bitterness and sweetness come together beautifully, creating a layered flavor that lingers. This was one of the most memorable matcha ice creams of my trip, and it perfectly reflects the quality of Yame tea.

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

5. Bengaramura Cafe Gather Drip (べんがら村カフェギャザードリップ)

Address: 100 Miyano, Yame, Fukuoka

Bengaramura Cafe Gather Drip (べんがら村カフェギャザードリップ)

Located inside the charming Bengaramura complex, this café serves a refreshing matcha ice cream that’s lighter and more refreshing than the others. It’s ideal on a hot summer day, especially after exploring the traditional red‑brick buildings and local shops in the area.

Bengaramura Cafe Gather Drip (べんがら村カフェギャザードリップ)

Matcha Ice Cream You Can Find at Supermarkets in Fukuoka

You can also find delicious commercial matcha ice cream throughout Fukuoka, especially at convenience stores and local supermarkets.

Marunaga Ice Manju Matcha (丸永あいすまんじゅう抹茶) Marunaga Ice Manju Matcha combines creamy matcha ice cream with a center of sweet Hokkaido red bean paste. The matcha has a gentle sweetness and a hint of pleasant bitterness, making it a refreshing and satisfying frozen treat.

Marunaga Ice Manju Matcha (丸永あいすまんじゅう抹茶)

Marunaga Yame Matcha Monaka (丸永八女抹茶もなか) Marunaga Yame Matcha Monaka features a crisp monaka wafer filled with fragrant Yame matcha ice cream, offering a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy Yame’s signature tea.

Marunaga Yame Matcha Monaka (丸永八女抹茶もなか)

After exploring cafés, tea shops, and even convenience stores across Yame and Fukuoka, I realized that matcha here can be enjoyed in so many forms—smoothies, soft serve, and even affordable commercial ice cream. Whether it’s a handcrafted drink in a quiet village or a packaged treat from a local supermarket, each one highlights the depth and character of Yame matcha in its own way. It’s one of the reasons I love coming back to this region: no matter where you go, you can always find a little taste of Yame’s tea culture.

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