It has grown on me!

Thursday, November 21, 2024

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 1 - Matcha Ice Cream Float at Haneda Sanchokukan

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

Last month, we had a trip to Japan and, as I mentioned before, we stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, which is perfectly situated at Tokyo's airport. We woke up early and had breakfast at Yoshinoya in Haneda Airport Terminal 3 around 4:30 a.m. After that, we set out to explore all the terminals of Haneda Airport. In Terminal 1, I was especially eager to visit Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館).

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館) is a facility located in Haneda Airport that sells a variety of local specialties and regional products from across Japan. It offers fresh, high-quality agricultural products, seafood, meat, sweets, and more.

1COIN Sake BAR in Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

At the 1COIN Sake BAR, you can always find 18 varieties of Japanese sake and domestic wine, with options like a 30ml glass, a 3-glass set for 600 yen, or a 6-glass set for 1,100 yen. In the local sake sales corner, they also offer a wide selection of brands from all over Japan. It's a great place to experience the diverse flavors of Japanese sake and wine, whether you're a connoisseur or just curious.

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

In the eat-in corner inside Haneda Sanchokukan, you'll find a delightful selection of ramen, rice balls, rice bowls, and snacks, all perfectly paired with sake and made from the finest ingredients sourced from across Japan. It's the ideal spot to savor authentic Japanese flavors while enjoying a relaxing meal.

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

In the open kitchen inside Haneda Sanchokukan, you'll find drinks and soft serve ice cream made with ingredients sourced from all over Japan. It's the perfect place to indulge in a delightful treat made with high-quality ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for a quick drink or a delicious dessert, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Matcha Frozen Float (抹茶フローズンフロート)

They offer a frozen drink called Matcha Frozen Float (抹茶フローズンフロート) for 780 yen. Since we love matcha green tea sweets, we couldn't resist giving it a try.

You can purchase it through a kiosk, with options for both English and Japanese language preferences.

Matcha Frozen Float (抹茶フローズンフロート)

This was the Matcha Frozen Float, made with Nishio matcha from Aichi Prefecture. The cold drink was paired with Hokkaido milk soft serve, topped with kuromitsu syrup and kinako for extra flavor. Inside, there was azuki bean jelly, adding a gentle texture and unique taste. It was truly a delightful and refreshing treat that hit all the right notes.

If you find yourself at Haneda Airport Terminal 1, don't miss the chance to check out Haneda Sanchokukan. It's a fantastic spot to explore local specialties and experience the unique flavors of Japan.

♥What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 - Saryo Itoen, Matcha Green Tea Cafe

♥What I Ate at Haneda Airport - Kamukura Ramen at Haneda Airport Garden

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Thursday, November 14, 2024

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 - Yoshinoya, Beef Bowl Restaurant

Yoshinoya Restaurant at Haneda Airport Terminal 3

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan last month and stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, a convenient airport hotel in Tokyo, for one night. Since one of my favorite Japanese dishes is gyudon (牛丼), or beef bowl, I was really impressed by the morning combo menu I tried at Sukiya, a beef bowl restaurant, in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, back in 2022. So, this time, I also wanted to have the morning combo menu at Yoshinoya.

The Yoshinoya restaurant in Haneda Airport Terminal 3 operates 24/7. I googled that the morning menu is available from 4 am to 11 am, so we decided to visit around 4:30 am. As we walked through Terminal 3 from the hotel, we were surprised to see many people lying on benches and chairs. Despite visiting Haneda Airport many times, it was our first time staying there for nearly 24 hours, so we didn't know that some travelers sleep at the airport in the early morning hours. It looked a bit eerie, but since it’s Tokyo, they were probably in one of the safest airports around. Anyway, we arrived at Yoshinoya at about 4:30 am and asked if the morning menu was available, but the staff informed us it starts at 8:30 am. I didn't realize the morning hours at Yoshinoya in Haneda Airport differed from other branches.

Yoshinoya Mid-Night Menu

Even though they were still serving the midnight menu, I was thrilled to finally have my favorite Japanese beef bowl after two years.

Yoshinoya Mid-Night Menu

Regular Beef Bowl with Raw Egg

As usual, I ordered a regular beef bowl (牛丼並) for 553 yen, along with a raw egg (生玉子) for 107 yen.

Japan is one of the countries where you can safely eat raw eggs.

Regular Beef Bowl with Raw Egg

I mixed the beaten egg and soy sauce well and poured it over the beef bowl. Then, I topped it with kizami shoga (刻み生姜), or pickled red ginger. This is how I enjoy my Japanese beef bowl. As expected, it was delicious! Eating raw egg always makes me feel like I’ve come back to Japan.

Regular Beef Bow, Soft Boiled Egg and Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup

My husband ordered a regular beef bowl (牛丼並) for 553 yen, a soft boiled egg (半熟玉子) for 107 yen, and pork and vegetable miso soup, which is called tonjiru (豚汁), for 217 yen. When he gets a beef bowl, he almost always adds the pork and vegetable miso soup. It’s become his go-to combo for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Our early morning Yoshinoya beef bowls were a delightful start to the day. It's remarkable that Yoshinoya stays open 24/7, providing meals that are both delicious and budget-friendly. The hot meal we had at that hour was both comforting and satisfying. It’s always a delight to taste such consistency and quality.

On the last day of our two-week trip to Japan, we visited this Yoshinoya restaurant once more for our final meal before flying back to Los Angeles. It felt like a fitting end to our journey, savoring one last taste of Japan before heading home.

Black Beef Curry

My husband ordered the black beef curry (牛黒カレー) for 674 yen. The curry was incredibly rich and delicious, with layers of deep, savory flavors. It was the perfect comfort food for his final meal in Japan.

Regular Beef Bowl and Raw Egg

I didn’t think twice before ordering a regular beef bowl (牛丼並) for 453 yen and a raw egg (生玉子) for 107 yen. The dish was cheaper because Yoshinoya had a 100 yen discount on all beef bowls for a week. The combination was as delicious as ever, and the raw egg brought an extra layer of richness. This meal was the perfect way to conclude our culinary adventure in Japan. 😋

♥What I Ate at Haneda Airport - Kamukura Ramen at Haneda Airport Garden

♥Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan

♥Hotel Room Tour and Review - Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Ikebukuro, Tokyo

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Thursday, November 7, 2024

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 - Saryo Itoen, Matcha Green Tea Cafe

Saryo Itoen (茶寮伊藤園)

As mentioned in my previous entry, we visited Japan last month and stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, a convenient airport hotel in Tokyo. After enjoying Kamukura Ramen at Haneda Airport Garden, we visited Saryo Itoen (茶寮伊藤園) on the 4th floor of Haneda Airport Terminal 3. If you love Japanese food and drink, you have probably heard of Itoen Green Tea. Itoen (伊藤園) is a well-known Japanese beverage company specializing in tea. You can find many types of Itoen bottled teas at supermarkets and convenience stores across Japan. Additionally, you can also purchase Itoen Oi Ocha, a bottled Japanese green tea, in the U.S.

Saryo Itoen Menu

I had always wanted to try the Itoen cafe after seeing it at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 many years ago. Since we stayed at a hotel in Haneda Airport that day, we had time to thoroughly explore the airport. That's why we finally decided to try their green tea sweets. Because it was located at the airport, the menu was quite pricey. Despite the cost, we couldn't resist indulging in their beautifully presented desserts.

We ordered the Matcha & Hojicha Soft Serve Anmitsu (抹茶＆ほうじ茶ソフトあんみつ) for 1,100 yen. It had been two years since our last taste of matcha green tea ice cream. The authentic bitterness and sweetness of the Japanese matcha reminded me of how much I missed Japan’s unique flavors.

We sat at a table under a traditional red umbrella. The atmosphere of the cafe was excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed the traditional Japanese sweets. The serene setting, combined with the delicious treats, made for a relaxing and memorable experience. We left the cafe feeling satisfied and delighted with our visit to Itoen.

♥What I Ate at Haneda Airport - Kamukura Ramen at Haneda Airport Garden

♥Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan

♥Hotel Room Tour and Review - Sunshine City Prince Hotel - Ikebukuro, Tokyo

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Thursday, October 31, 2024

What I Ate at Haneda Airport - Kamukura Ramen at Haneda Airport Garden

Dotonbori Kamukura (どうとんぼり神座), Ramen Restaurant

My husband and I visited Japan this month. As mentioned in my previous entry, we stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, a convenient airport hotel in Tokyo. After checking in, we headed to Dotonbori Kamukura (どうとんぼり神座) ramen restaurant, located in Haneda Airport Garden, which is situated in Terminal 3 and offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and amenities. It only took us a minute to walk from the hotel to Dotonbori Kamukura ramen restaurant.

Haneda Airport Garden

Dotonbori Kamukura (どうとんぼり神座)

1F Haneda Airport Garden

2-7-1 Haneda Airport

Ota-ku Tokyo, Japan

Dotonbori Kamukura (どうとんぼり神座), Ramen Restaurant

Dotonbori Kamukura (どうとんぼり神座) is one of the most famous ramen restaurants in Osaka. When I was 18 years old, I first tasted Dotonbori Kamukura ramen in Dotonbori, Osaka, and I was amazed by its deliciousness. Their unique soy sauce-based broth was incredibly savory and packed with rich umami flavor, complemented perfectly by plenty of napa cabbage. I often visited Dotonbori Kamukura when I lived in Osaka. When my family visited, I introduced them to my favorite ramen spot, and they loved it as much as I did. Before staying at the hotel this month, I didn't know that one of their branches was now at Haneda Airport Garden. Having moved to the U.S. from Osaka over a decade ago, I hadn’t had their ramen in many years. That’s why we decided to try it again after so long.

Kamukura (神座) Ramen Restaurant

Each table is equipped with a touch panel tablet for ordering, allowing you to choose your preferred language.

Oishi Ramen (おいしいラーメン)

I ordered the Oishii Ramen (おいしいラーメン) for 820 yen, including tax. That's just $5.40! In the U.S., a bowl of ramen usually costs around $25 with tax and tip. Can you believe you can get such high-quality ramen for only $5? Anyway, Oishii Ramen is their signature dish, featuring a savory soy sauce-based broth filled with plenty of napa cabbage. It was a delight to revisit this old favorite.

Yasai Ippai Ramen (野菜いっぱいラーメン) with Nitamago (煮玉子)

My husband ordered the Yasai Ippai Ramen (野菜いっぱいラーメン) with Nitamago (煮玉子) for 1,200 yen (1,070 yen for the ramen and 130 yen for the nitamago). In addition to napa cabbage, it was loaded with vegetables like green cabbage, carrots, onions, and bean sprouts. He always enjoys having extra veggies in his meals.

This restaurant, newly created for both Japanese and international visitors at Haneda Airport, offered a different atmosphere compared to my experiences in Osaka, but the taste of the ramen was just as delicious as I remembered. The original restaurant I used to visit in Osaka opened in 1986, while the new one at Haneda Airport opened just last year. It's fascinating to see how the legacy of this beloved ramen spot has expanded to serve travelers from around the world. If you're visiting Haneda Airport and haven't tried Dotonbori Kamukura ramen before, you should definitely give this restaurant a try!

♥Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan

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Thursday, October 24, 2024

Hotel Room Tour and Review - Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan

A year ago, I discovered a new airport hotel with direct access to Haneda Airport, featuring an onsen (温泉), a natural hot spring, with a view. You can soak in the onsen while enjoying views of airplanes and Mount Fuji. I thought it would be such a cool experience! That's why this time, my husband and I decided to stay at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, which is directly connected to Haneda Airport Terminal 3. The hotel opened in December 2022, making it a very new addition to Tokyo's airport hotels.

Haneda Airport Garden

After picking up our checked baggage at Haneda Airport, we made our way to the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport. We loaded our heavy suitcases onto a baggage cart and used it to get to the hotel lobby, which was really convenient for travelers coming from abroad with lots of luggage. The hotel is situated within Haneda Airport Garden, which is a bustling complex filled with a variety of restaurants, shops, and amenities, offering travelers a convenient and enjoyable stopover experience.

Japanese Armor

There was Japanese Armor displayed at Haneda Airport Garden.

Hotel Villa Fontaine Entrance

You can take the elevator or escalator to go up to the lobby.

Front Lobby (4th Floor)

In the lobby, there were many kiosk terminals for self-check-in, but the hotel staff assisted us with checking in at the front desk.

In the lobby, I also came across some Japanese armor. Interestingly, it was for sale at 990,000 yen, which is roughly $6,700.

These days, it's common for Japanese hotels to provide essential amenities near the front desk, allowing guests to take as many as they need. At this hotel, amenities and smaller-sized pajamas are conveniently placed next to the elevator.

Superior Queen Room (20㎡ / 215ft²)

Superior Queen Room

This time, we stayed in a Superior Queen room. Since the hotel was less than two years old, the room looked brand new and spotless.

Two sets of pajamas were laid out on the bed. A note mentioned that guests are welcome to wear the pajamas and slippers to the Izumi Tenku no Yu spa.

A multi-charging cable was on the bedside table, which was really useful.

Panasonic Air Purifier

Many Japanese hotels place air purifiers in their rooms. This one was a Panasonic Nanoe Air Purifier.

The room had two pairs of regular slippers and two pairs of disposable ones.

Mini Bar

There were two bottles of water, some packs of black tea, green tea, and individual drip coffee packs. If you love this type of coffee, you should check out Key Coffee Drip On and UCC Coffee, which you can purchase at most supermarkets in Japan.

There was a mini-fridge.

Bathroom

The bathroom was pristine and well-maintained.

I really liked that the face and hand soap was from Pelican Soap, a famous manufacturer known for making Japanese charcoal soap.

The bathtub was wonderfully deep and perfect for a relaxing soak.

The shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were from Pelican Soap as well!

The View from The Window

The room had a window, but the view wasn't great, and it was actually pretty hard to see the airplanes taking off.

Monitor Convenience

One of the features I liked about this hotel was the TV monitor that displayed the current crowd level at the Izumi Tenku no Yu spa. It also allowed you to check the availability of the laundry machines.

It showed that the spa was currently not crowded at all.

The four laundry machines were available to use. (Two machines were still running to dry, three machines had completed their cycles and were waiting for guests to pick up their clothing, and four machines were ready to use.)

Laundry Room (4th Floor)

On the fourth floor, there was a laundry room with Sharp washer-dryer combos.

I thought the price was pretty reasonable. It costs 500 yen (about $3) to wash and dry 3kg of clothing, and you don't need to provide laundry detergent. The coolest feature of this machine is that it can clean itself with Ag+ion for one minute before you start using it. You can also set a security code to lock the door and protect your clothing from theft.

However, you cannot use your credit card for it.

Vending Machine (4th Floor)

There were many vending machines on the fourth floor where you could purchase drinks, including alcohol.

Ice Dispenser and Vending Machine (Each Floor)

In addition, each guest room floor has an ice dispenser, a microwave oven, and a vending machine.

Izumi Tenku No Yu, Natural Hot Spring (12th Floor)

Izumi Tenku No Yu (泉天空の湯)

One of the reasons I chose this hotel was to enjoy the Japanese natural hot spring. If you stay here, you can enjoy the hot spring as many times as you like. It usually costs 4,800 yen for adults but is only 2,000 yen for hotel guests. If you also want to try the hot stone sauna, it costs an additional 800 yen.

Izumi Tenku No Yu provides many amenities and supplies, so you don't need to bring anything. Here's what they offer:

Amenities and Supplies Provided:

・Towel

・Washing Body Towel

・Hair Brush

・Hair Tie

・Cotton Pad and Swab

・Makeup Remover/Facial Foam Soap

・Shampoo

・Conditioner

・Body Soap

・Hair Dryer (Dyson and Panasonic Nanoe)

・Hair Iron (ReFa)

・Hair Moisturizing Mist

・Japanese Facial Lotion (Keshosui)

・Japanese Facial Milk, Emulsion (Nyueki)

I went there around 6 p.m. on a weekday, and it wasn't crowded at all. Before going, I checked the crowd level on the TV monitor in my room.

OMG! It's a ReFa shower head!

First, I was impressed by their high-end shower head! It was ReFa! In recent years, many Japanese people have invested in high-end shower heads because they improve skin conditions. ReFa shower heads are known for their innovative technology that produces ultrafine bubbles and microbubbles, providing a spa-like experience. ReFa, in particular, is one of the most famous and popular brands for shower heads in Japan. I really enjoyed using the ReFa shower head.

Unwind in Japan's Natural Hot Springs

You wouldn't believe it's a "natural" hot spring. Yes, it really is! Enjoying a natural hot spring while watching airplanes is something truly unique to Japan. I experienced both the indoor and outdoor baths. It was my first time soaking in a carbonated spring, and I loved feeling the tiny bubbles all over. The open-air bath was another highlight, with a soothing breeze adding to the relaxation.

Izumi Tenku No Yu (泉天空の湯)

Overall

Our stay at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport was a fantastic experience! The combination of modern amenities and the convenience of being directly connected to the airport was impressive. Plus, the added bonus of having access to the Izumi Tenku no Yu natural hot spring with its luxurious features was a real treat. It was a perfect blend of relaxation and practical convenience, truly a unique experience you can only find in Japan. If you have the chance to stay at Haneda Airport, you should definitely choose the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport. It's especially convenient before a long flight, particularly if it's in the afternoon, as checkout is at 11:00 am. This allows you to rest and relax right up until you need to check in for your flight.

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