JAPAN: My List of Best Matcha Souvenirs

JAPAN: My List of Best Matcha Souvenirs
to Bring Home

For me, these are the best matcha flavored souvenirs to bring home because of its rich matcha flavor compared to other brands. These items are usually available at Don Quijote.

KitKat Dark Matcha

Make sure to get the dark green packaging. The other matcha kitkat is light green. The best one with fuller flavored matcha is the one in dark green packaging as shown below.

Photo courtesy of Japan mania shop

Meiji Rich Matcha Biscuits

Bourbon Alfort Mini Chocolate

Pejoy Dark Matcha Biscuit Sticks

Make sure to get the Pejoy matcha with the dark green cover. In the photo below, it's the one in front, not the one at the back. The match flavor is so much different.  

Tsujiri Matcha Latte

I bought this at a Lawson convenience store

Cafe Latory Matcha Latte

I bought this at a Lawson convenience store.

Cheap Places to Eat in Japan

Cheap Places to Eat in Japan

If you're on a strict budget, it will not be difficult to find cheap places to eat meals in Japan. 711 stores are everywhere. You can easily find fast food gyudon restaurants like Matsuya and Yoshinoya anywhere. You can get delicious meals for as low as 290 yen at Matsuya. You can live off 711 the whole duration of your stay because of the variety of delicious meals and desserts you can find in their stores. 

To give you an idea of prices and what kind of meals are available, here are some photos:

711

These photos were taken in Osaka.

From 119 to 165 yen (Note: Click the photo to see the whole picture)

365 to 491 yen (Click the photo to see the whole picture)

112 to 425 yen (Note: Click the photo to see the whole picture)

Sandwiches at 213 to 276 yen (Note: Click the photo to see the whole picture)

DESSERTS

MATSUYA


These photos were taken in Osaka.

Gyumeshi Beef on Rice (Regular: 290 yen)

Sausage and Egg Set Meal (400 yen)

Push button machine where you order

Inside Matsuya

YOSHINOYA

These photos were taken at Narita airport branch.

Beef bowl with toppings of green onion (Medium 520 yen)

Grilled Beef Rid in Cheese Bowl (Medium 680 yen)

TOKYO: Where to Find The Best Matcha Ice Cream Within Your Budget

TOKYO: Where to Find The Best Matcha Ice Cream Within Your Budget

The best matcha ice cream for me is one that delivers full-bodied matcha flavor in every bite. I found two that's worth the trouble of finding.

711 Premium Ice Cream Bar

(203 yen)

If you want cheap but good quality matcha ice cream, buy this premium bar. You can find it at almost all 711 stores because the ice cream brand is 711. Both the ice cream and the coating has matcha in it so it delivers full bodied matcha flavor in every bite.

Where to find it: 

At the ice cream bar section of any 711 store.

Operating hours of 711: 24 hours

Both the coating and the ice cream has matcha in it.

Tea and Spoon Nanaya Aoyama Gelato

(370-700 yen)

If there is one matcha gelato that is worth finding, this is it. You can choose how much matcha you want in your gelato by choosing level 1 - level 7 of matcha intensity in your gelato. For the matcha lover, the level 7 matcha gelato is guaranteed to satisfy all the matcha cravings you'll ever have. 

Where to find it:

If you're visiting Shibuya, this is the best time to find this. Check out this link for location: https://goo.gl/maps/qwUnmtBN9eN2

Operating hours of Tea and Spoon: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays)

The front of the store

Above: Price list
Below: The different gelato flavors available in the store

The price of 1 scoop of matcha gelato number 7 is 570 yen.
The price of 1 scoop of all other flavors is  370 yen.

If you want 2 scoops of gelato, and 1 scoop includes number 7, the price is 650 yen
If you want 2 scoops of gelato, without number 7, the price is 470 yen.

Matcha gelato numbers 5, 6 and 7

Matcha gelato number 7 is described as Italian gelato with powdered green tea

A closer look at matcha gelato number 7. Yum!!!

Click the photo to see the full panoramic view

TOKYO: My Review of SUSHI-ZANMAI HIGASHI SHINJUKU

Photo taken from the website 

TOKYO: My Review of SUSHI-ZANMAI HIGASHI SHINJUKU

CNN listed Sushi Zanmai as one of 4 best sushi restaurants in a recent article: Tokyo swims in sushi restaurants; 4 of the best.

Since one of the branches of Sushi Zanmai is near our hotel, we decided to check it out. It didn't disappoint.

Sushi Zanmai Shinjuku gets all its ingredients from Tsukiji market every day so you don't have have to encounter the crowds in Tsukiji market to be able to taste great sushi.

WHY I LOVE SUSHI-ZANMAI

1. The sushi is fresh and delicious.

I highly recommend you order this:

Sushizanmai Deluxe with Miso Soup (13 pieces)
(3000 yen)

Composed of the ff:

Top: Egg sushi (98 yen), Boiled prawn (128 yen), Ark shell (398 yen), Sea urchin roe (498 yen),  Salmon roe (298 yen),  Top quality sea eel (500 yen)

Bottom: Albacore tuna (98 yen), Bonito, (148 yen) Red snapper (198 yen), Sardine (148 yen), Squid (98 yen), Herring roe (198 yen), Chive buds (128 yen)

The best miso soup I ever tasted 

Salmon Roll
(580 yen) 

We ordered these but you can skip it if you don't have the budget for it:

California Roll
(580 yen) 

Tempura

TAKEOUT OPTION

These are the only items you can take out.
Miso soup is not included unlike when you dine in. 

We paired the sushi we brought to the hotel with sake. 

2. Prices are reasonable considering the good quality. 

3. The restaurant is open 24 hours.

First floor of the restaurant

4. They have an English menu.

Instructions on how to eat sushi

Location

Sushi-Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku
Japan, 〒169-0072 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, 新宿区Ōkubo, 1 Chome−1−13 ベルバウム
+81 3-5155-6655

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/E5WxbWvFXv72

This is us enjoying our sushi. 😊