October itinerary in Japan Day 7 (Hyogo Day 1 Meal edition)
(Tuesday, October 26)
Table of contents
1. Breakfast “Ekisoba”
For breakfast in Himeji, I had “Tempura Ekisoba” (Yen380) at “Ekisoba“. “Ekisoba” is a rare type of noodle that combines yellow ramen noodles with Japanese-style soup. In 1949, “Maneki Shokuhin” started selling “Ekisoba” at the platform of Himeji Station. It can be said that it is the local food of Himeji citizens. I’m a former Himeji citizen, so when I come to Himeji, I want to eat.
As I introduced before, it is said that Ekiben was originally sold at Himeji Station by Maneki Shokuhin in 1888 (Meiji 21). You can see that “Maneki Shokuhin” is a company that has come up with various ideas since its establishment.
2. Lunch “Tacopy”
I had Akashiyaki-style “Takoyaki” (Yen450 for 10 pieces) and “Himeji Oden” at “Tacopy” on the first basement floor of Himeji Grand Festa. The name of “Tacopy” has changed several times, but it has been in the basement of the station building of Himeji Station for a long time. The main restaurant is Takoyaki, but it offers a variety of meals such as oden and curry rice. It’s cheap and delicious, so it’s always crowded at lunchtime. It is a popular restaurant with a high score of 3.54 in Tabelog.
Akashiyaki-style “Takoyaki” and “Himeji Oden” are also local dishes of Himeji. Akashiyaki-style “Takoyaki” is Akashiyaki that is eaten with sauce and soup. In Akashi, takoyaki is only added to the soup, but the Himeji style is to add sauce and soup to the takoyaki.
Himeji oden is eaten with ginger and soy sauce. Generally, oden is sprinkled with mustard, but ginger and soy sauce are used in the Himeji style.
Ekisoba, Akashi-style takoyaki, and Himeji oden are all local dishes of Himeji, but you can see that they are not completely original dishes of Himeji, but just a little arrangement. Therefore, the appeal to non-Himeji citizens is weak, and I think it is difficult to spread Himeji’s local cuisine nationwide. However, there is no doubt that they are delicious, so please try them when you visit Himeji.
3. Dinner “Kaminari Sushi”
I had dinner at “Kaminari Sushi“. The owner is from a family of fishermen on Boze Island (Ieshima Islands) in Harima Nada (the Sea of Harima). Therefore, the connoisseur of fish is certain. “Kaminari Sushi” is procured from seafood such as Harima Nada, and is served at sushi restaurants. The owner is a buzz cut and scary at first glance, but he was a very kind person and was able to relax and eat delicious sushi.
I ate “Kaminari Omakase” for Yen12,100. Considering the price with quality comparable to that of a sushi restaurant in Tokyo, it was a great deal. I ate assorted sashimi (manti shrimp, Japanese tiger prawn, razor clam, Sakhalin surf clam), chawan-mushi, sushi (blackthroat seaperch, sardines, sea urchin and salmon roe, conger eels), Sazae no Tsuboyaki (Turbo cooked in its own shell), gazami crab, and grilled kinki (broadbanded thornyhead). In addition, the catch of mantis shrimp and conger eel is large in Himeji, and it is a specialty of Himeji.
It was the best luxury to enjoy delicious sushi and sake at the spacious counter. It is highly recommended when eating sushi in Himeji. Reservation is required.
Note: The departure / arrival times, fees, admission fees, etc. of transportation listed in the text are as of the time of writing the BLOG. They may change in the future, so please check for yourself when you go on a trip.