Continued : Japan Day 2: Tokyo Station for delectable Japanese desserts : Ichiran Ramen

In continuation from my last post, and since it was getting a bit too long for me myself to stroll; here goes the ending part of it!

One thing about Tokyo desserts (other than expensive) is that they are so well made. Japan confectioneries has a great blend of Japanese, European, Chinese, and American influences and Japanese being Japanese; all done to perfection.

BELOW: Chestnuts are in season now and everyday I see chestnut cream tarts, chestnuts cookies, chestnuts cakes and chestnut mochi!

Expect to fork out 200 Yen (RM8) for VERY simple puffs to 500 Yen (RM20) for simple cakes and up to 1000 YEN (RM40) for the sinfully, utterly delightful cakes. When we were at Tokyo station, we were only at one part of it that has all the best confectioneries shops in one area.

I was starstruck and kept taking pictures and mentally noting the designs, the names, the possible ingredients that went into each and every one of these sweet delights.
The area is called GRANSTA.

We didn’t even leave the station that night. We just walked around; and there were more than enough shops to keep me distracted for hours!

There were heavier French influences in the westernised desserts.

Macarons!

In funkier mix – match flavours too!

Gift packs.

You know what they say about Japanese cheesecakes. They are heavenly.

I could eat them all. If only my pocket allows it!

Fairycake Fair has really cute cupcakes on display. If you think the cupcakes by some of the bakeries in KL is cute, then you have not seen anything yet. Go to Japan and you’ll know what I mean. Sadly photography wasn’t allowed so I didn’t manage to capture any shots.

Tokyo Nicorin specialty – baked “silver bell” symbol of Tokyo Station. It’s an elegant & fragrant dough sponge cake with 3 selected fillings of purple potat, chestnut and azuki.

These milk based puddings were so-so milky and luscious!

Some of the shops stopped me from taking further photos or else there would be even more to show here.

This area primarily showcased Japanese local biscuits and snacks where the sticky cakes, biscuits and mochis were predominantly displayed.

I still don’t understand why these biscuits are so expensive.

It’s easy to see why. Their creations were simply mouthwatering.

Chestnuts cream cake again.

The Japanese chestnuts tasted way different from our chinese chestnuts. No hope of replicating these desserts, sadly.

Green tea cake. Oh, how come our green tea cakes in KL are so boring?? Look at this!

Unfortunately, I was refrained from taking further pictures of Buzzsearch’s desserts. There were so many more! All looking delish.

And there were breads too of course.

Their breads are European influenced but not as heavy in texture.

We sampled one of the Japanese favourites, the deep fried bread with potato and meat curry filling. It was wonderfully fluffy and tasty.

If there’s anything I’ll miss about Japan, it’s definitely the desserts. Throughout my 12 days trip in Japan, I visited many of these wonderful desserts shops located at the basement of departmental stores, shopping malls and at subway stations. Majority of the patrons are the locals, and you’ll think its only for tourist but no, it’s not.

Pictures are hard to come by as I was refrained from taking photos by the staff (politely though) but I did manage some more which you’ll see over my next few posts! 🙂

Right after the desserts galore, we went back to Ueno Station for Ichiran Ramen; of which you can read all about it HERE.

Ichiran is famed for being one of the best ramen in Tokyo and I definitely had to agree after slurping a full bowl of it! 🙂

Stuffed from the hearty bowl of porky goodness, we took a walk around the Ueno area. It was a chilly evening, but lovely to walk around as Japan is so safe and clean. This chinese restaurant called Bamboo – something was just opposite from Ichiran Ramen.

Even late at night the atmosphere was busy with automobiles and people taking turns crowding the streets.

Roads in Japan are wide, much wider compared to Malaysia!

Hands tucked in tightly into my coat, we walked slowly as I luxuriate in the feeling of being in Tokyo. This is it; I told myself. I’m in Japan! 🙂
Chong was most helpful with so much to share about Japan. We went on a overhead bridge towards the Ueno Station and the added height gave me an advantageous view of the area below.

To be frank it wasn’t the prettiest city in the world.
It’s a huge busy metropolitan with heavy traffic; both human and automobiles, and tall buildings competing for space in the sky. Yet, there is an orderliness in this organised chaos that draws people to Japan, and I felt the pull myself.

We reached the Ueno Station soon enough, right back to where we came from – remember the pretty French-y building?

Guess where was this found and at what cafe? 🙂

Just before heading to my train I grabbed some bread for breakfast the next day.

A quick goodbye to Chong and 160 Yen (RM7) later, I’m back in Asakusa station; walking the lone street back to my hostel, passing the famous Sensoji Temple, just like how I did every night for the first 4 days staying in the Asakusa area.

Checking my exit. For Sakura Hostel Asakusa, Exit 1 is the nearest to the Kaminari-don Gate.

Taking a picture of the Tokyo Skytree, a ritual every night as I walked back.

Good night folks! That’s it for Day 2! 🙂