Japan Autumn Nov 2017 一人で日本の旅 - Hitachi JR Station 日立駅

Award winning. When I arrived at Hitachi JR Station, I was surprised by the modern appearance and novel outlook of the train station! The train station was designed by Kazuyo Sejima, a Japanese architect from Ibaraki Prefecture, and has become a pride of Hitachi city. In fact, the train station has won the Good Design Awards in 2012 and the prestigious Brunel Award (under the category of Station Building) in 2014. Clean modernist elements were incorporated into its design and intelligent usage of huge glass panels transformed the train station into a viewing gallery of Pacific Ocean. Seamless connection between the train station to the seaside and city was also made possible by a spacious and transparent walkway.

Trivia. For most of us, the first thing that comes to our mind naturally when "Hitachi" is mentioned is household appliances. In fact, the headquarters of this renowned household brand was actually first established in Hitachi city and was shifted to Tokyo in 1918. Hitachi still owns offices and manufacturing plants here, and you will be able to spot them around the train station.

Limited express trains serving Hitachi Station include:
(1) Ltd Express Tokiwa ときわ
(2) Ltd Express Hitachi ひたち
Both commute along Joban line (常磐線), which connects Tokyo to Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture. From Hitachi Station,
- train commutes southwards to Mito, Tsuchiura, Toride, Ushiku and Tokyo.
- train commutes northwards to Takahagi, and eventually to Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture.

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What's nearby?

(1) Tourist Information Center, located near Chuo Guchi (Central Exit).

(2) Bus Terminal, located just in front of Chuo Guchi (Central Exit). The main bus operator in Hitachi city is Hitachi Dentetsu Kotsu 日立電鉄交通, and attractions such as Kamine Park and Nikko Mining Museum can be assessed via bus. Unfortunately, my stay in Hitachi city was a short one ( just to stay for the night at Unoshima Villa) and I did not get to visit any places of interest here.

Hitachi Dentetsu Kotsu website: http://www.hitachi-dentetsu.co.jp/
Bus routes from Hitachi JR Station (in Japanese): http://www.hitachi-dentetsu.co.jp/bus/bus_map_2017.pdf

(3) Sea view! Exit the train station from the Kaigan Guchi (Seaside Exit) to enjoy the comfortable sea breeze and a view of Hitachi Bypass 日立バイパス, the road bridge running alongside Pacific Ocean. This is one spot not to be missed after arriving at the train station!

(4) Hitachi Civic Center 日立シビックセンター, 3 minutes walk from Chuo Guchi (Central Exit).
http://www.civic.jp/center/

Japan Autumn Nov 2017 一人で日本の旅 - Omuro Keishokudo おおむろ軽食堂

Visited 13.11.2017 (Mon)

Lunch. It was about lunch time after transiting back to the foot of Omuroyama by chairlift. Decided to settle my lunch here before heading back to Izu Kogen Station. In fact, before I ascended Omuroyama earlier in the day, I was already attracted to this natural modern looking restaurant situated at the entrance of chair lift station. Though keishoku (軽食) means light meals, the food served here at Omuro Keishokudo are actually more intricate than simple snacks. Firstly, all the main courses here are accompanied by appetiser plate and dessert. There is also decent variety of rice bowls and udon to choose from the menu. For example, rice bowl topped with freshly caught shirasu (whitebait) from Usami Port or chicken marinated with soy sauce and simmered in bonito flavoured broth (とりてり丼). On the other hand, the udon noodles are served with vegetable tempura, soy sauce marinated pork or butter flavoured clams. Being a fan of fried food, I could resist not ordering their fried fish rice bowl, which happens to be one of their most popular food item on their menu. In addition to that, seafood is a specialty of Izu Peninsula because of its coastal geographical location.

Exquisite. I was already quite impressed by the outlook of the appetiser at the beginning of my lunch course. Served on a rustic ceramic tile, the appetiser was made up of five different food items which varied from day to day. Featuring seasonal and locally grown ingredients, each appetiser dish on the plate has its own distinct flavour to whet diners' appetite. The fried fish rice bowl definitely earned its place as the signature creation here. The fillets were lightly breaded and deep fried to mouth watering shade of golden brown colour. Cooked to the right texture with its moisture retained completely, I was pleasantly satisfied by the outcome of the fried fish fillets. Halfway through, I finished the rest of my rice bowl in ochazuke style, by pouring dashi over rice. I have always enjoyed ochazuke since this is quite similar to how I will soak my last bit of rice in soup/broth and eventually slurp up everything at one go back at home. Dessert was served promptly after I finished my bowl of ochazuke. Comprised of a simple sweet, pudding and a bowl of lukewarm maccha, this delectable dessert set wrapped up the entire lunch course delightfully. One other noteworthy feature of Omuro Keishokudo to pay attention to while enjoying your meal is their tablewares which are all handmade,  piece by piece, by a local pottery workshop in Ito city.

Conclusion. I have to say that I am surprised to discover such a good restaurant located in a tourist attraction and I am quite sure that the relaxing ambience and delicious food served here can/will attract a decent group of people to return on another day... solely just to enjoy a meal here!

My bill:
- Fried fish don 地魚フライ丼 - 1,566 yen (tax inclusive)

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Omuro Keishokudo おおむろ軽食堂
伊東市富戸1317-5大室山リフト館1F; located near the entrance of Omuroyama chairlift station.
Operating hours: 1000 - 1600 hrs
http://izu-kukan.com/ohmuro-lunche/

Japan Autumn Nov 2017 一人で日本の旅 - Patisserie Que Sera Sera パティスリー・ケセラセラ

Visited 12.11.2017 (Sun)

Sweet tooth. Just before I headed back to Izukyu Shimoda Station 伊豆急下田駅 after visiting Perry Road, I decided to make a detour to Patisserie Que Sera Sera to enjoy some sweets. My original plan was to fulfill my sweets cravings in one of the retro cafes lined along Perry Road ペリーロード however, the menu from several shops did not appeal to me. My last hope was Patisserie Que Sera Sera, housed in a stand-alone, modern looking and white washed building and located about 4 minutes walk away from the train station. The patisserie has also allocated a section, operating it as a cafe, for dine in customers to enjoy their sweets, accompanied with drinks here. The patisserie with a touch of European flair (Que Sera Sera means Whatever Will Be, Will Be) is opened by a couple who has previously worked in the well known sweets shop, Mont St. Clair モンサンクレール, located in the chic district of Jiyugaoka in Tokyo. 

Limited period apple pie. Was already spoilt for choice by all the delicious line up of cakes in the display fridge. As I stood in front of the display fridge and could not make up my mind what to order (for quite a while), the staff directed my attention to a basket with two pieces of apple pies left and recommended me to give it a try. Initially I was unconvinced that the apple pie was a better option than the rest of delectable array of cakes but eventually gave in to the suggestion. I have to say this is one of the best apple pie I have eaten; even has as an edge over the ones I have savoured in Hirosaki on a previous trip (a city in Aomori Prefecture which is famous for apple pies). The flavours of the apple pie itself was already very well balanced; and it was further elevated by a scoop of vanilla ice cream placed on top of it. Utilising apples harvested from Aomori, the highest producing prefecture in Japan, I later found out that their apple pie is actually the most popular item in Que Sera Sera and is only available for sale between September and May. Would highly recommend to give this legendary apple pie a try if your visit to the patisserie falls within this limited period of time!

One of the best apple pies I have eaten!

Bought this Shimoda Tea Castella cake just before I left the shop. Like the cake as well - not too dense in texture and is infused with fragrant tea flavour. 

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Patisserie Que Sera Sera パティスリー・ケセラセラ
下田市敷根３－４０
Operating hours: 1000 - 1900 hrs; closed on Tuesdays
https://www.facebook.com/p.queserasera/

How to get there?

(1) By foot. Approx 4 mins walk from Izukyu Shimoda Station.