Japan Unexpected Finds | Satisfying Meals
Hotel TV surprise—The Solitary Gourmet 孤独のグルメ! One of my all-time favs Everyday eateries, discovered by chance—that’s what I love about it During my last trip to Japan, there were days with no to-eat list Just like Goro, I kept an open mind and let intuition lead the way Discovering cosy spots And enjoying simple, satisfying meals So, here’s my personal discovery list! We headed to Gotemba for a bit of outlet shopping and an overnight stay at Hotel Clad Famous for its rooms with full views of Mt Fuji The skies were clear, so we made an unplanned detour to Lake Kawaguchiko to visit Fuji-san This was my fourth visit — one for every season And each time, she revealed her full glory. Forever thankful Goodbye, Fuji-san. Until we meet again Heading back to Gotemba Station to look for dinner We arrived late—and there was Janjanken, warm and welcoming English menu available. Just order at the entrance vending machine Tomato Ramen (¥920), a house favourite—think ramen meets Italian tomato soup Seasonal special Maze Soba (¥990)
Tip: Seasonal specials change regularly—keep a look out! Black pork gyozas (¥380)—crispy, juicy, and full of flavour They provided a special vinegar to drizzle over the Maze Soba With a dried sardine inside, for that extra umami kick A lovely find in a spot with retro charm Less than an hour from Tokyo: a coastal city with temples, beaches & windsurfing Near Kamakura-Koko-Mae Station, this crossing is iconic from the anime Slam Dunk After lunch, we stumbled upon a quaint traditional sweets shop near Wadazuka Station Set in a century-old house with a charming courtyard Stepping inside felt like going back in time We shared Cream Anmitsu A dessert with kanten agar, fruit, mochi, sweet red bean paste, ice cream, and black sugar syrup And of course, a warabi mochi. Can’t go wrong with these timeless treats The shop was quiet and cosy Picture-perfect for the gram A city northeast of Tokyo, known for its Edo-era charm A blend of old-world character and modern convenience From cosy eateries To old-school homeware shops And the modern, adorable Miffy Storehouse Bakery The rich soy sauce aroma pulled me in Behind the long dango queue A tiny kitchen serves simple lunches from ¥500 A quiet lunch, hidden behind the crowd Chose Tsukune Gohan Set over Tamagokake—wanted something heartier Set came with tofu and pickles. So good! A windy, chilly evening called for something warm Wandering the streets, I saw a lightbox near a basement stairway Just enough hiragana to recognise おでん — and found this underground restaurant Perk of dining solo: front-row counter seat! And yes — there’s an English menu with pictures, so no stress They serve more than oden — a good range of izakaya fare too That gentle broth aroma — savoury, slightly sweet, and so comforting Each ingredient soaks up the broth differently — from juicy daikon to springy fishcakes Dinner and a drink came to around ¥3,000. That’s standard for Ginza The crowd inside the bakery piqued my curiosity Who knew? Upstairs is a Western diner serving yoshoku classics A good intro to their yoshoku: Hamburger Steak & Beef Stew (¥2,310) Comes with free-flow bread and whipped butter Had to resist endless bread and stay focused on the main It was so good, I returned another day for the Napolitan Pasta (¥1,800) Though this one didn’t quite hit the spot There’s also a Tea Room and a French Bistro I snagged a quiet window seat! It took effort not to fill up on the bread Kappabashi is a must-visit for me whenever I’m in Tokyo This time, I was glad to be on my own, wandering at my own pace Midway, hunger struck—I veered off the main street to find food That’s when I spotted an unassuming Taiwanese eatery The name 阿里山 caught my eye Braised Pork Set came with Wonton Soup and Dessert—just ¥900 Simple, satisfying comfort food A hearty refuel before continuing my exploration Spent almost the whole day there—from 10am to 6pm! Just as I was leaving, a little van selling roasted sweet potatoes rolled by Tempting… but I had other plans We first ventured into Jimbocho Book Town for a ramen shop But it was so interesting, we went back just to explore more The Jimbocho Book Town is full of unique finds A shop selling cat-themed books and goods A must-visit for cat lovers One of the few shops in Japan that specialises in karuta—a traditional card-matching game Head up to Level 2 for an exhibit of vintage and out-of-print sets They carry a wide variety of Kurata, from classic waka poetry sets To modern takes on animals, languages Fish, and even sushi Tip: You can also pick up a mahjong set here! I couldn’t resist—I brought home two sets: お料理いろはかるた — cooking tips in catchy, rhythmic phrases 野菜カード — a charming veggie-themed deck That’s when we found a modern-style Takoyaki shop tucked away nearby Just four counter seats and two standing spots We dropped by during tea time, so the menu was limited Kicked things off with mojitos Cheers! Our tea snack came with complimentary otoshi (お通し) — tako, of course 🐙 This tiny shop exudes elegance — a refined take on classic street food Tip: They offer seasonal takoyaki—flavours rotate with the seasons We ordered two flavours of takoyaki One with a rich soy glaze (¥480) And the classic — house-made sauce with mayo (¥480) Topped with freshly shaved katsuobushi The wasabi added a surprising balance to the richness Each piece was fluffy, creamy, and packed with dashi flavour Hope you enjoy my discoveries. Ditch the to-eat list—let your gut and curiosity lead the way! Thank you for watching!
Inspired by The Solitary Gourmet way of eating, I spent parts of my Japan trip with no food itinerary, just an open mind (and a hungry stomach).
In this video, I share my personal discovery list:
From tomato ramen in Gotemba 🍅, to nostalgic desserts in Kamakura 🍡, oden in a cosy Ginza basement 🍢, and a refined takoyaki bar hidden in Jimbocho 🐙—each meal was a reminder that the best bites are often the ones you never planned for.
✨ Whether you’re planning a trip or just daydreaming, I hope these spontaneous finds inspire you to ditch the to-eat list—and let your gut and curiosity lead the way.
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0:00 Overview
0:25 Introduction
1:22 Janjanken ジャンジャン軒
Old-school ramen spot at Gotemba Station—don’t miss their seasonal specials!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/i4c6xfsvHApPK8MA9
2:12 Mushin An 無心庵
Traditional Japanese Sweets shop set in a century-old house with a charming courtyard
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wniZAcPoEVdti8VBA
3:12 Soy Sauce Kingdom Kawagoe Tokinokan Shop 醤遊王国 川越時の鐘店
A tiny kitchen serving up simple but wholesome meals
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YieWfcDVbXoR4RXh9
3:29 Kamekou かめ幸
No frills oden at the heart of Ginza
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rYbuwAyCZnrCHQAP7
4:03 Yoshoku Grill Kimuraya 銀座木村家 洋食グリル(グリル木村家)
Look beyond the bakery—they serve classic yoshoku fare
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tvAn9ERhkcCyqye26?g_st=iw
4:49 Arisan Taiwanese Restaurant 阿里山台湾料理
This place is all about flavour-packed, soulful Taiwanese comfort food
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mCAUagpmMNSviL7B9
5:32 Anegawa Bookstore 姉川書店
A cute shop packed with cat-themed everything
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgh9k7xTh6p6DZKQ7
5:48 Okuno Kurata Shop 奥野かるた店
One of the few shops in Japan that specialises in karuta—a traditional card-matching game
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgh9k7xTh6p6DZKQ7
6:31 Takomasa 正蛸たこ焼
A refined, modern takoyaki bar with a touch of elegance
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2HXy88mWJ9FPvsWN6
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