#best restaurants in kyoto

[ninjafoodtours]

5 Famous Foods to Try in Kyoto

Traditional culinary culture has flourished in Kyoto, and you may get a taste of history with Japanese course meals prepared as part of a traditional tea ceremony and vegetarian cuisine influenced by Chinese Buddhism.

The town's local cuisine (Kyo-ryori) is colorful and visually appealing, thanks to the expertise of Japanese chefs. Everyone should have the opportunity to sample traditional Japanese cuisine in the stately setting of Kyoto at least once in their lives. Of course, fantastic food at reasonable costs is available.

We've compiled a list of some of the top local cuisines and budget-friendly treats that Kyoto residents enjoy daily.

Yudof (Boiled tofu): 

Perhaps no food represents Kyoto more than you. It contains only tofu, water, kelp, and a dipping sauce. The kelp is put in the bottom of a stewpot, filled with tofu and water, and simmered. Tofu is scooped up and served with a dipping sauce, typically a ponzu soy sauce-based vinaigrette.

Hamo (Conger eel) 

The spikey-toothed hamo (conger eel) is a difficult adversary to deal with. Small bones span the length of its slim body. Chefs make half-cuts into the filleted meat to make it tasty - 24 cuts within each three-centimeter span. Hamo can be boiled, grilled, deeply fried, and even used in shabu-shabu or nabe stew. Cold, boiled ham served with a tart ume (plum) sauce is especially popular in the summer.

Tsukemono (Japanese pickles) 

Before the refrigerator, Japan kept its vegetables by pickling them in salt. When Kyoto was chosen as the nation's capital in 794, a slew of items from Japan began to arrive in Kyoto and at the imperial court. Local artisans attempted to refine these products, resulting in a varied range of Kyoto crafts, including tsukemono.

Kyoto's top tsukemono are three types of pickles: shibazuke, senmaizuke, and sugizuke. Shibazuke is a sour and crunchy pickled mixture of sliced cucumber and eggplant with scarlet shiso (perilla or beefsteak plant). Shiso turns the ingredients pink.

Matcha

Kyoto is a beautiful place to explore matcha because it is the birthplace of the tea ceremony. You may get frothy green tea at many tea shops on temple grounds or in popular tourist places, with or without the ceremony. In Japan, matcha is the most acceptable type of green tea. To improve its color, flavor, fragrance, and nutritional value, it is made from tea leaves cultivated under certain circumstances, dried, and ground in a similar environment. Everything here adds to the sensory experience of drinking matcha.

Matcha is also delightful in its various modern guises, like soft-serve ice cream, cake, biscuits, and crackers, which can be found around Kyoto.

Yatsuhashi

Yatsuhashi is the most famous Kyoto souvenir sweet. It's created of rice flour, sugar, and Nikki, a type of Japanese cinnamon. Warming the dough before shaping it into a thin, half-pipe form and baking it results in crisp, slightly challenging cookies that resemble little brown roof tiles. Since 1689, this type of yatsuhashi has been around.

Matcha and sesame tastes, as well as more recent additions like chocolate and banana, are available in addition to the traditional cinnamon flavor.

Do you want to find the best fish market in Tokyo? If so, Ninja Food Tours are for you. Our team members are natives who are motivated by the thriving culinary scene. Let us take you on a delectable journey filled with cuisine, laughter, and history. On Osaka food tours, you'll uncover Kyoto's hidden gems and sample authentic Japanese dishes you've probably never eaten. The tour price includes full-size meal samples as well as the guiding charge. The night trips also include two glasses of alcoholic beverages of your choosing.

[mrsackermannx]

˚ ༘ *ೃ༄ ❝ COME BACK TO ME…❞

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ summary: gojo’s been plotting to get you back ever since you broke up.

୨୧ word count: 4.7k

୨୧ content: gojo satoru/reader, smut, no-curses au/office au, infidelity, exes to lovers, afab reader, light angst (strategic marriage/ breakup mentions), praise kink, porn with plot, love confession, overstimulation, pet names (baby, sweetheart etc), creampie, pussy-slapping, squirting, sprinkle of degradation, slight exhibitionism.

୨୧ author’s note: gojo brainrot finally gave way to some writing hehe, still getting used to characterising him so feedback is appreciated angels <3

₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊

"Don't shit where you eat," they say. They say that dating your colleague is never going to end well. However, even the most stoic people have a penchant for such relationships, not to mention the secret hopeless romantics. 

Workplace romances can make even affairs appear heartwarmingly wholesome. After all, there was something about trudging up stair after stair when the elevator was too full to them smiling at you just a desk away. Their voice fond as they offer you a sunny "Good morning."

That person who never forgets your favourite vending machine coffee, who pats your shoulder and tells you 'you're doing your best,' who lends you their umbrella, who opens up to you over a beer after overtime. Who notices when you get a haircut, whose eyes are seldom on their computer screen but on your lips. 

Not that you'd ever been unfaithful, not yet. But you'd heard countless stories. Girls talk, after all. You didn't judge, yet the point was although workplace romances could be wholesome and even sexually thrilling. They were sensational and exciting until they were over. 

Until that person no longer stays with you through overtime, bitter memories of you chugging vending machine coffee, swapping candy and chips together and then spit just like you and Gojo always did. You definitely never told anyone how many times you fucked on the desks of the colleagues you both thought sucked, especially not after you'd broken up.

You were together for a while, and although you couldn't say it out loud because it was still too painful, you missed him. A lot. In fact, you spent most nights, fist screwed up at your sides, eyes blurring in the darkness, questioning if there would always be that void he left that no one could ever fill.

Though, breaking up didn't cause the type of animosity that made people scurry from rooms when you interacted. Instead, it confused the hell out of your colleagues. It hadn't even been half a year since, and you and Gojo didn't appear to hate each other at all.

But the pain lingering in your heart ached and was annoying and inconvenient, like a stubbed toe that felt sore and tender for weeks and weeks—but in your case, months. However, Gojo was hardly being subtle with his efforts to ever so secretly win you back at every opportunity. He didn't mind playing the long game. He was going to be your last. 

All of you at the company came from important families in high social circles, marriage and dating. Love. It often came down to strategy, which was the only reason you were dating Miyano Haru, a Kyoto University graduate! CEO of a cybersecurity company! 

Guilt gripped at your gut as you yawned at the thought. 

Your families were shooting for a marriage ceremony during next year's cherry blossom season. But until then, Gojo wasn't slamming the brakes anytime soon. 

Whether that be surprising you with your favourite lunches, leaving tickets for movie screenings, galleries, or museums on your desk, or sending Google calendar invites to restaurant reservations or spa appointments via your work emails across the office floor. With sweet messages like,

Gojo Satoru has sent a "Spa day pamper package for two for this Friday.”

Surprise! You look tired this week baby. Let's go here Friday, yeah? 

Ps: You still look pretty, though. 

Just like you were still fucking dating. 

So today, when you're pitching a marketing idea in the monthly meeting, and Yaga cuts you off. Gojo cannot help himself. 

Yaga was a great man, someone Gojo was grateful to for many reasons, but fuck was this man old-fashioned and unaware of it. He refused to see your potential because he was eternally sceptical of the efficacy of women's ideas.

But you had the best ideas today. Gojo smiled because your ideas were always the best and that’s why this decision was so easy. He could fondly recall your rants about Yaga after every monthly meeting where you'd complain about his blatant misogyny; even Sukuna would let a reluctant chuckle loose to the show. 

All of you in the canteen at your table, Shoko, Utahime, Nobara and Maki at your side, growing passionate about gender pay gaps and audacious men at your company and then the world over. 

Nanami always said the right thing, and so did Higuruma, Yuuta and Choso. Gojo decidedly took the credit for Megumi being so eloquent and respectful. Inumaki was outrageous at times, and Yuuji was a lover of all people and argued fiercely for both sides. 

Those times were always fun. 

Yaga peered over his glasses, "Why don't you expand again on how you plan to execute this idea, Reader?” 

With one hand typing idly at his laptop and the other seating his chin, Gojo sighed so loudly all the eyes in the room cast to him. "Reader obviously has the best pitch for this project." 

He grinned as Yaga's knuckles grew white and he humphed before his voice sharpened, "So, are we really gonna make her explain it again?"

"For once, even I agree with him," Toji added.

Gojo winked as he looked up at you, and you felt yourself melt a little, even under the icy breeze of the conference room's AC. 

Megumi, Yuuji and Nobara huddled together under the oppressive communication Gojo and Yaga's eyes were engaging in. 

Gojo’s eyes narrowed, "So, what are you waiting for? Give her the project."

Nanami offered you a small smile and nodded before his expression soured, and he spoke before Yaga could open his mouth to protest. "I, for once, also agree with Gojo. I think we should open this pitch up for a vote?" 

Choso raised his arm, "Me too. I think it's just what we need, in fact." 

Maki nudged Yuuta and Inumaki before confidently booming, "I volunteer our assistance on the project!"

Albeit a little flustered, you bowed and thanked the room as Yaga reluctantly signed the dream project of the company to you. Sure, you were ecstatic you'd finally been recognised for your hard work and dedication, but you wanted to kill Gojo.

What didn't help was the aggressively obvious effect he had on you still. Sure, you had a new boyfriend, but Gojo didn't care. So that's why you found yourself lingering outside of his office door at 9pm because you knew he wouldn't care one bit. Like that man ever did overtime, you tsked. 

Gojo had been playing a game with you, knowing you'd finally relent, that you'd come to your senses and stop denying yourself of what you really fucking wanted. "Be selfish."

Everybody you'd asked today had told you he'd stayed in his office all day. So yeah, he really was doing this on purpose. His light was on, and he was baiting you, and you hated how easy it was for you to take it.

You knew he wanted you to barge in there, all flustered and mouthy, so he could shove you to your knees and fuck your throat open. 

Your boyfriend Miyano was sweet, he could talk about his feelings, and he didn't run away from emotional intimacy like others had. Like Gojo always had. But your family had set you up with him even though your shattered heart was still just that. Shattered. Your heart had been reduced to fragments— to a puzzle that only one genius could solve, he wasn’t prepared to give anybody guidance in the matter either. After all, geniuses couldn’t explain how to do the things they found easy. 

And although you were the one that ended things with Gojo, it hurt all the same. 

There was nothing wrong with Miyano per se. He came from a respectable family, one your family could bear you marrying into; though the Gojo clan would have been amazing, the Miyano clan wasn't terrible either. 

But you never wanted your family to arrange a relationship or marriage for you. You fell for Gojo instantly and hard. You loved him like you never loved anybody else. He thrilled you, challenged you, and made it seem like the world was too small for you both and that you could see it all when you stood at his side. He made everything and every day exciting but had the vexing ability to make you feel safe and at home all the same.

Gojo Satoru was irreplaceable in every facet of the word, in his work, friendships, and relationships. As fickle as he could appear, he was the first to call in a crisis and someone you could wholeheartedly depend on.

But Miyano was sweet and emotionally forthcoming but…entirely too normal. You didn't yearn to peel back his layers one by one and didn't care much for his childhood stories, unpopular opinions, or core principles. But you treasured the few times you’d sat with Gojo, pestering him to tell you anything deeper, anything that no one else knew. Watching with sparkling eyes as his voice grew so quiet you had to follow his lips until your eyes blurred instead. 

But it was rare he shared anything too personal with you. He had trouble with it more than most. Some nights, although you were sleeping in the same bed, you felt miles apart. 

Gojo had a wall with everybody else, like a layer of infinity that meant nobody could really touch him or delve deeper. They only saw and knew the surface that reflected back to them like a mirror. No one could truly ever get close. 

But it wasn't supposed to be the case for you, was it?

A fond and familiar laugh yanked you from your reverie, "Did you come to thank me? Because you can thank me by going to dinner with me tomorrow."

How was he larger than the door frame? You all but scowled as he leant down and tapped his cheek. "I also accept kisses as a form of repayment if you're willing," he said silkily, a jaunty grin on his lips at your expression. “With interest.” 

Your shoulders slumped, and you huffed, wilfully ignoring the growing heat ping-ponging between your bodies. "Why did you do it?" Your brows knotted, "I wanted to get it on my own, Satoru. And my pitch was strong enough. I didn't need your help."

He threw his hands up and yawned obnoxiously, smoothing the back of his hair down, "Well, what can I say? I'm a doer, not a talker."

You huffed, “No, I'm sure you're always talking."

"You got me there, but" he checked either side of the corridor before he looped his arm around your waist and yanked you into his office. “Game over.” 

"Satoru, I-" Your voice fell into a whimper as he flipped you against his door, his lips ghosting your earlobe as he caged you in. 

"Maybe it's because I know you like to hear my voice," he whispered. "I know you like being talked through it. And, I know you didn’t need my help, we just needed a little push.” 

We needed a final straw. 

You swallowed, fists clenched at your sides as his body suffocated yours. Heat quickly crawled up your cheeks as his large hands slid slowly down your sides, the familiar smell of his cologne igniting memories from the last times you smelt it so closely. Kissing down his throat, across his collarbones-

"What are you doing?" You finally mustered, your voice a breathless squeak. Seconds passed, and the tension blazed and kindled, refusing to be extinguished into silence. You didn't dare turn around to see him enjoying you like this.

"Nothing, nothing you don't want me to do," he said in a lilting voice, hitching the hem of your skirt up half an inch. "You've always been so vocal, so I doubt you'd lose your voice in a time like this, would you?"

"No," you hissed, curbing any further speech in case you fucking stammered.

"Don't worry though, baby. You're easy," he scoffed, "and you never stay quiet, not with me.” 

“Oh fuck you.” You gasped as he shoved his knee between your thighs to part them.

“Oh I will. But if that wimpy boyfriend of yours is doing his job, then I shouldn’t find your panties soaked in a minute, should I, princess?" 

A breath passed, and then he hitched it up a little further, resting his chin on your shoulder to taunt you more. "I see the way you look at me, baby. I know you and that look in your eyes. It tells me all I need to know, princess."

His hand caressed your quivering thighs, brushing your stomach and pausing at your chest. He gripped one breast before the other before it settled upon your throat, and he tipped your head back. 

His lips travelled down your temple, to your cheek, and to your neck, where he spoke, "Hm? Ignoring me isn't quite your style. Isn't that why you came here today?”

He kissed the corner of your mouth, and then you knew you were truly fucked. Watching as he pulled away with a grin spreading as slow and molten as melted chocolate. 

"I know you wanna kiss me," he whispered, blue eyes alight when you turned and showed him the blown-out lust glazing your eyes. "There we go, baby, that's it. Gonna kiss me?"

You nodded, already too far gone. His hand cupped the back of your head, and he met you halfway in a slow, sensual kiss. 

Your fronts drew together, and he shimmied up your skirt until it became a corset. Then he cupped your cunt, the pads of his fingers trailing feather light. Your vision hazed, and your fists curled tighter into his shirt. 

Your features were contorted beautifully with lust. "Do not tease me right now." 

He laughed as you scowled, his heart aching. He'd missed you so damn much.

"Oh? Want me to rub your pussy, baby?" he cooed, long fingers smearing the slick oozing through your panties.

"Now I know what you fucking came for,” he groaned breathily into your lips, waiting for your sign to continue. Your panties were the door, and his dumbing teasing movements were tentative little knocks. But he knew you liked to be stripped bare and fucked like you were his. This was just the final round of his game. 

You bucked your hips forward, needing more, needing him. You clung to him, tugging on his tie, "Satoru, Satoru, more, please," you whimpered through his kisses.

"I only satisfy what's mine, but you're not mine anymore, are you, sweet girl? So what can I do? Nothing."

You eagerly shook your head in protest, on your tip toes, just to drag your mouth down his jaw and neck. "Even though this needy pussy is leaking all over my fingers, responding to me like I own her," he tutted, "but I don't, do I? Pretty girl."

You made a noise half-whimper, half-growl, palming him through his pants until he hissed and then broke his feigned amusement from just how much you were riling him up. "I am yours, Satoru, always, always," you panted.

"I know that baby, but I need to know if she still is." He yanked your panties up so roughly the fabric strained against your clit and made you moan so lewdly you quickly covered your mouth.

"Needy girl," he said lowly before he drew his hand back and slapped your pussy. You moaned even louder, falling weakly into his chest. But you hardly fell far, as he grabbed your face in one hand and leant close.

"You like it when I slap your needy little pussy like this, baby?" His smile moved a millimetre as your eyes darted to his long, pretty fingers. "Want me to bury my fingers inside it till you come too? So you can stop being so needy?"

"Please, Satoru." 

"Then show me, show me how much you want them," he whispered, eyes shooting down between you both as he started to circle your clit, not daring to touch it. 

"Show me you're dying for it, and we can forget about all of this mess, can't we? You've just gotta show me who knows this pussy best.” The growing gravel in his voice turned the words into ragged commands.

In raptured submission, you yanked aside your panties and guided his fingers, back arching against the door as you ran them back and forth against your soaked cunt. Your breaths finally flew fluidly through the air, like his touch was what your body needed to convert the carbon dioxide. 

His jaw grew slack at the sight of you, getting yourself off on his fingers, clumsily rubbing your swollen clit against his fingertips, breaths huffing from your nose in the exertion. 

He leant into the beautiful image of you, moaning in your ear as your slick drowned his fingers. The slick wet sounds of your cunt as you run them back and forth, rapidly unravelling him.

"Look at me," he demanded, plunging two of his fingers knuckle deep until it squelched when you didn’t comply in seconds. You let out a humiliating whimper. The pleasure of the sudden yet sweet stretch danced through every nerve.  

He grinned, fucking his fingers inside, “You look so pretty like this, I should take a photo.”

"I can't…." You couldn't speak, not when his fingers were relentless inside like this, clenching and fluttering as he bullied that spot inside you.

But his name was a never-ending hot, sweaty mantra.

"Trying to give me scraps, huh? But you're mine," he spat. 

"No, I need you, Satoru. I need only you, only you," you babbled. 

The lustful look in your eyes catapulted him over the edge. He couldn't take it anymore, his palm granting sweet friction to your clit as he fucked you like the world was about to end. "I know you need it, baby. I've got you. I know.”

He tried to undo your buttons with his free hand but was too fucked out to do it, grunting for your help, so you did immediately. "Say the words, and I'll stretch this sweet pussy out with my cock after you come, baby.”

"I'm yours, please. Fuck me," you whimpered, your entire body shaking as pleasure climbed through your body, building until you felt the pressure about to burst. Your hands roamed his body, eager to feel him as you removed your own shirt.

But like an animal, he was all over you, kissing, licking, and biting as you squirmed close to your climax. His lips closed around your nipple, and your spine straightened at the softness until he bites it hard. 

You yelped, but he only laughed, "Hurts? Don't care, baby, it hurts seeing you with that loser, the number of times I've had to come in my fucking hand because of you."

The lewd sloshes of your pussy grew louder, and Gojo delighted in how you were now dripping onto the floor. So, he finally granted you mercy, pulsing his hand until you came in wild thrashing waves that rippled violently through your body. 

"Oh yeah? Did that feel good, pretty girl?" he whispered, tilting your chin to devour your breathless mouth. The press of his lips and the erotic flicks of his tongue were making you throb wildly on his fingers. "See, you do like it when I talk.”

He let out such an attractive laugh at your glare that you fluttered around him again. "Baby again? I'm not gonna leave this pussy just yet, let up, or I won't be able to get my cock inside," he hummed. "Isn't that what we both want?"

"Then do it. Put it in me." You spread yourself, and he bit back a moan. His eyes flickered at how you shook when his thumb brushed your clit experimentally. 

Your brows knitted at the lingering sensation, “Please, put it in me, now." 

"Oh baby, but if you keep squeezing like that." Gojo grew dizzy at how your pussy refused to let him go, helping you tug away his belt and zip down his pants. Hazy, as you let up enough for him to take his fingers out of your spasming cunt. 

"You really gonna let me fuck you right here, huh?" 

His eyes were half-lidded at the sight of you in your office heels, panties soaked and half-pulled down, shirt hanging limply and open, your skirt a thick black belt hugging your torso. 

You were a mess, his mess, his pretty mess.

"Oh baby, you're so beautiful." He knelt down, working down your panties with his breath uneven, kissing each knee as he worked them down each ankle and then tossed them behind him. 

"Shall I tell you something?" he mused, running his hands up and down your thighs as he kissed and licked at the slick threatening to stick them together.

"Yes, tell me." Your hands slid instinctively into his hair as he reached your pussy and kissed it.

"I'll be honest, yeah?"

He was waiting for a shaky, "Yeah?" so you granted him one laced through a whimper, so he suckled on your clit in return before speaking. 

“I can pamper you. Spoil you, fuck you, take care of you." His voice was almost hoarse, thick and affected by something other than lust—a different emotion.

"I know that Toru, I do."

"N' I can—love you, too," he murmured, voice so uncharacteristically small but soft like it used to be when he spoke to you at night.

You gasped. Gojo had never said those words, not once. "Satoru, I-" His tongue dove into your cunt, and you almost toppled forwards, but somehow in seconds, he was carrying you. Holding you close, you heard the unmistakable clatter of the desk's contents clatter to the floor as he pressed you down upon the cold surface.

His large arms locked your torso down, and he swiftly resumed tongue fucking your cunt, delving his fingers in and out. His heart was pounding with his confession and from your lack of reply. Though he knew he was fucking you so precisely and so perfectly that it was indeed impossible for you to respond.

Until you burst once more, hands tugging his hair, bucking your pussy into his face, greedy for not just more, but for him. For the actions to do more than the words you could barely manage, so overstimulated and so sensitive that you felt yourself heating up. But then, as your pleasure erupted, feeling your hot arousal coat your thighs, a garbled "I love you" ripped from your chest. 

Satoru froze for several seconds, and then it was as if someone found the remote and clicked play as he somehow tugged off his blazer and pants all at once. Ripping his boxers down just enough to grab the base of his cock. 

Peering down at you, hungry and lovesick. "Say it again." You giggled and tugged him down for a messy kiss, working off his shirt.

"I love you, Satoru, I love you. I've never been afraid to say it." Your body was still shaking from your blinding orgasm, and he loved every second of it. He loved that he was about to ruin you even more. 

His cheek brushed yours as he folded your body, rubbing the tip of his cock against your clit, "I love you," he whispered hotly into your ear, "I want you to feel like the luckiest woman in the world."

“I already do.”

“Yeah?” You moaned in tandem as he bucked his hips repeatedly, more of his cock easing in each time. Teasing you over and over, even though you were ready to take him, and he knew it. "Can you take me, baby?"

"Yes!" You whined, breath hitching as he tapped his cock against your cunt before he slammed in and filled you to the brim all at once. You both groaned, the sounds fading into seconds of soft relieved laughter. "Oh fuck, Toru, so good."

He moaned, voice shaky in your ear, "That's it, baby, you're so good. Take my cock. It's all yours. Take every single inch."

"Fuck Toru, you're so deep, too deep!"

"No, baby, feels good, doesn't it?" 

Before you knew it, he picked you up and slammed you against the glass overlooking the city. If you weren't on the top floor, you'd absolutely refuse. But Gojo always did like fucking you in front of Tokyo at night. 

"You can take it, baby, you can fucking take it, yeah? Cause you're made for me, so made for me," he panted.

"I can take it." 

"I know you can." He sucked and kissed on your neck, no doubt leaving his mark on you, as you wrapped your arms around his neck and took every slam of his hips. His stamina had always been otherworldly, never tiring, even as he fucked you standing up, hands sinking into the undersides of your thighs.

"Leave him," he moaned, not in the slightest asking. 

Luckily you didn't mind, as you tugged him closer and parted your lips, "I will, I promise." 

"Because you're mine, baby." His teeth were clenched, and he was groaning into your ear. Usually, Gojo could pace himself, but it had been so long, and you felt so good clinging to him like this, it was so close and so intimate. “I love you.”

So close, and so…

He blinked at the revelation that hit him like a freight train, he wasn’t going to run any longer. He liked the intimacy, he wanted to tell you all the stupid things you wanted to know now, he wanted to be close, he wanted you. He wanted to be everything you needed and wanted. 

"Are you gonna come?" Your voice was so sweet it gave him an instant sugar rush, "Come in me, baby, fill me, Satoru. Need your cum," you whimpered. “Want it?”

"Yeah? You fucking do, princess? Haah-" He pulled out and shoved your front against the glass. You moaned at the switch, and as he spread you apart before thrusting back in, his large hands engulfing each cheek. 

He lost it as you pushed your hips back on him, moaning and babbling, "Then let's have the entirety of Tokyo be a witness as I give my sweet girl what she fucking wants, huh?"

"Fuck, Satoru, feels too good! I'm close too!" you moaned, both of your bodies meeting in desperate sticky clashes of hips.

He whimpered, “We're gonna come together?" 

You were gonna send him over the edge tonight. 

"I’m so glad you came. Take me, take it, baby. Oh fuck.” His hands dug into your hips, making you take every single rope of his arousal. Lewd sounds tore from your throats at the sensation of him filling you deeply. After seconds of panting and melting into each other's arms, he still made no immediate moves to leave you.

He thrusted slowly to drive it deeper, "I'm not on birth control anymore," you squeaked. "But I'll take th-“

"Good. We're getting the family started just on time."

You giggled tiredly, "You're on board that fast?"

He squeezed you as he laughed himself, arms locked tight around your waist, "Do you wanna see the engagement ring in my desk or?"

"Satoru!" 

He twirled you around to face him, "I was gonna fly you somewhere and propose, but I suppose the cats out of the bag." He pouted and got on one knee, kissing your knuckles, "You'll marry me, won't ya? Think of this as a practice proposal, though!"

You sighed, "God, you're a fucking idiot." 

"Heh, heh." He opened his desk drawer and produced a small black box. 

“I wasn’t joking, actually,” he popped it open with a proud smile, "Shoko kind of helped me pick it, said it was-"

It was beautiful, everything you’d always envisioned but had never described to him or anybody else. 

A slow tear slid down your cheek, another racing beside it seconds later, “Aww! Are you that happy to marry me, sweetheart?"

"Go away! But…yes."

He put the ring on the desk and cupped your cheeks, "Yes, you're happy, or yes, you'll marry me?" he asked tentatively.

"Both!" 

"Yay!”

You were half-expecting people to jump out with confetti because Gojo was just that ridiculous sometimes, but instead, you heard shrill knocking and then Nanami's voice, absolutely exasperated. "Gojo! You knew I was working overtime today." 

He shrugged, grinning at you recoiling into his chest and half-expecting Nanami to barrel in, "Probably the most action you'll get all year!"

He stroked your cheek, full of adoration. 

But I got her back. 

He always did like grand gestures. 

©mrsackermannx: do not repost, plagiarise, translate or modify my works.

tagging: @afortoru @luvjiro @sixpennydame @4sat0ruu @fangirlings-world @romantichomicide95 @nkogneatho @p00pdev1l @utahimeow @hayakawasb1tch @yocoochbussin <3

[daisynik7]

The Takada-Chan Meet and Greet

Pairing: Aoi Todo x f!reader

Rating: Mature

Word Count: ~3.1k

cw: explicit language, suggestive dialogue, switching POVs (reader is in 2nd person, Todo is in 3rd)

Summary: Your first Todo-free Takada-Chan event! Or so you think.

Author's Notes: Here’s Chapter 3! Thank you for supporting this series so far. In this story, Todo lives in Tokyo; he moved after graduating from Kyoto Jujutsu High School, in case you want some background info. Divider credit to @/saradika.

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Todo hates being late to Takada-Chan events. Absolutely despises it. However, his duties as a Jujutsu Sorcerer always come first; that’s the vow he committed to. Being a grade 1 sorcerer involves responsibilities that even the pop idol can’t supersede, much to his dismay.

The Saturday of Takada-Chan’s Meet and Greet, he is assigned a mission to exorcise an unregistered special grade cursed spirit outside of Tokyo. He convinces his brother, Yuji, to team up with him to knock this out as soon as possible. They successfully eliminate it, but it ends up taking them the entire morning, leaving Todo to rush back home to get ready. He’s scratched up a bit; nothing that a hot shower, moisturizer, and deodorant won’t fix. Still, he’s exhausted. It doesn’t matter, though; he will push through the pain for Takada-Chan!

As he changes, he recalls the most recent Handshake event he attended. It somehow became the best Takada-Chan experience, all thanks to that girl, his rival. The chick who gets under his skin, always challenging him, and calling him an idiot. They only received special treatment because the pop idol assumed they were a couple. How ridiculous. As if Aoi Todo could ever be with anyone besides Takada-Chan.

However, he is still a man. There’s no denying that he checked this girl out while she stood in line in front of him. He always makes it a point to observe a person, especially women. It’s for scientific data, of course, or at least that’s what he tells himself to justify it. In all honestly, he finds her cute; she has a nice smile, even though it’s never directed at him. And sure, maybe his eyes have drifted further south, mostly out of curiosity. Even he can admit to himself that she has a nice butt. He can’t help but acknowledge a beautiful ass when he sees one.

Personality-wise, he can’t straight up say he hates her. She’s annoying for trying to compete with him to be Takada-Chan’s #1 fan. She’s his rival when it comes to that. But deep down, he respects how she doesn’t back down from him. She challenges him, which he doesn’t mind since he loves competition. It keeps things interesting. It’s amusing how fired up she gets over all the stupid shit he says. And he says a lot of stupid shit.

He doesn’t like how she calls him an idiot, considering he has the highest IQ possible. But he can’t completely blame her either, given what an asshole he’s been to her so far. She probably hates him. 

Well, it doesn’t matter. The only woman for him is Takada-Chan. He doesn’t have to waste his time trying to get other women to like him. Especially her, his enemy. That’s all she’ll ever be to him anyways.

~~~

The morning of Takada-Chan’s Meet and Greet, you are busy helping Sara prepare for a private party at her family’s restaurant. As much as you would have preferred to arrive at the event early to secure a good spot in line, your best friend asked for help and you couldn’t deny her of that. She deals with plenty of your ridiculous requests, so offering her a hand is the least you could do. 

As you lay out new tablecloths, Sara asks, “So, think you’ll see that himbo again today?”

“Todo? I don’t know, I hope not,” you reply. 

She sets a centerpiece down in the middle of the table. “You might want to reconsider your stance on pretending you two are a couple. I know you said you wouldn’t go along with it again, but what if you keep getting special treatment? This might be your best option.”

You look at her, eyebrows furrowed. “You’re not seriously suggesting that my best option is to pretend that egotistical gorilla is my boyfriend, are you?”

She shrugs. “What’s there to lose?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. My pride. My dignity. My self-respect!”

She snickers. “Oh honey, that went out the window as soon as you started screaming Love Gem at each other.”

You give her a playful shove as you move on to the other tables, not responding to her little jab. Smirking, she adds, “Yuji said that Todo is actually really nice once you get to know him.”

“I’ve met this guy twice already and he’s been everything but nice. And since when are you and his friend on a first name basis?”

“Oh, we’ve been texting ever since we exchanged numbers at the Handshake Event. He’s super funny,” she explains, nonchalant. “Anyways, my point is, maybe you should try to play nice with Todo. There might be some benefits you can get out of this odd relationship you two have. Also, he’s hot. Maybe you can have angry hate sex with each other. How great would that be?!”

“Sara!” you exclaim, scandalized.

She giggles, giving you a sly look. “Oh please, don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it! He’s totally your type and you know it.”

You stay quiet because it’s true. It’s not like you’ve thought about doing it with him. But he is your type, there’s no denying it. Ripped, tall, that low gruff he has in his voice. That mysterious and alluring scar on his face. What’s the story behind that?

He has an awful personality, though. Just awful. Cocky, arrogant, overbearing, irritating. A straight up asshat.

Is it a tad bit cute how smitten he gets around Takada-Chan? Yeah, maybe. Just a tad. The tiniest morsel of cuteness. Other than that, there are no redeeming qualities about him. Zero, nada, zilch. And you’re convinced that there’s nothing he can do that will change your feelings about him. 

After helping at the restaurant, you board the bus to the familiar convention center. The Meet and Greet starts in an hour at 1 PM, so as expected, there are already hundreds of fans in line. Many are already inside, so the sheer volume of fanatics outside has you assuming the worst. Today is going to be a long day of waiting for your turn with Takada-Chan. You scan the line of people ahead of you to see any familiar face, specifically Todo. He’s probably first, gloating to whoever would listen about how he’s #1. Ugh. At least this will be the first Takada-Chan event uninterrupted by him. You’re not sure why you’re even thinking of him in the first place, you need to enjoy this moment of being Todo-free.

People continue to fall in line behind you. You chat with some fans next to you, sharing your favorite songs and iconic concert moments. From the corner of your eye, you notice a familiar figure approaching slowly from the across the street. To your surprise, it’s Todo. He’s walking with a small, but noticeable limp towards the front door of the convention center, hands in his pockets. He looks through the doors, then down the line of people wrapped around the building. His whole body heightens as he takes a deep sigh and makes his way to the back, looking defeated with his head down, staring at his feet, clearly frustrated. You can’t help but feel sorry for the guy.

Once he’s within earshot, you call out to him, “Hey Todo!”

He lifts his head to glance at you with a neutral expression, waiting for you to say something else.

You’re not even sure why you call out to him. What are you supposed to say? Do you want to be a little shit and boast? He would probably do the same to you, in fact you’re certain he would. But something about his expression in this moment is pitiful. You’re not that much of a cold-hearted bitch to kick him while he’s down, right?

“I guess we were both too busy today to claim our rightful spots. We’ll get it next time.” You give him a tight-lipped smile.

He lets out a small laugh. “Yeah, sure.” Then he drags his feet towards the end of the long line.

Why did you say something so unnecessary and useless? As if saying anything can make him feel better. And why do you care about making him feel better? This guy is nothing to you. It’s not like the two of you are friends.

You look back to see if you can still see him, but by now, he’s disappeared into the throng of people.

By 12:30 PM, the crowd is buzzing. Takada-Chan will be arriving any moment. There’s a chance that she will walk through the front entrance to greet her fans. Right on cue, a stretch limo appears on the street and the pop idol steps out, surrounded by security guards. She’s wearing an off-the-shoulder cropped blouse paired with a checkered mini skirt, strutting towards the fans in black platform heels, so stylish and cool as always. She starts near the rear, waving and smiling. Your heart races with excitement as she gets closer and closer to you. As she passes by, you wave enthusiastically. She smiles and continues, but then does a double take. “Hey! I recognize you! You were at my handshake event just a few weeks ago! One half of the couple! What’s your name again?”

Stuttering, you say your name. “Y-Y-Yes! That’s me!” You can’t believe that she recognizes you!

The idol gives you an adorable pout, asking, “Where is your other half?”

What should you do? You told yourself you wouldn’t continue along with this lie. You’re supposed to hate this man. He is your sworn enemy, arch-nemesis, your rival. On the other hand, Takada-Chan is standing right here, talking to you! Would you even be in this situation if it wasn’t for this huge misunderstanding? At the same time, you can’t get his sad face out of your mind. He’s probably still wallowing in self-pity. 

Thinking on your feet, you quickly blurt out, “He’s way in the back of the line! He had work earlier today, so he came late. He didn’t feel right getting in line with me since there were already so many other fans lined up, so he just went to the back, that’s why we aren’t together.” You manage to put on your most convincing frowny face, praying to the Idol gods that this little fib is convincing enough.

She nods, not saying anything at first. Then, she gives you a mischievous grin. “Well, we can’t have that can we? Let’s go get your boyfriend.” Your eyes widen as she holds your hand and drags you out of line towards the back. You’re at a complete loss for words, no idea what is happening. When you reach Todo, his sullen face instantly changes as soon as he sees Takada-Chan. He gives you a quick glance and his expression changes from delight to confusion.     

With a bright smile, the pop idol says, “Hello! Your girlfriend told me all about your situation. Follow me!” With her free hand, she grabs Todo’s wrist and leads the two of you into the convention center, security guards surrounding you. There are gasps and excited cheers from the others as you all make your way further into the building.

Todo, currently transfixed by her  grip on his wrist, manages to whisper to you, “What’s going on?”

As quietly as you can, you respond, “I’ll explain later, just play along.” He nods, continuing to focus on Takada-Chan’s grip, blushing the whole way.

She leads you past the Meet and Greet table, through a door in the back that turns into a hallway. Most of the guards stay behind, leaving you with just the pop idol and the same guard who handed you the posters at the Handshake Event. She releases her grips on both of you, facing you, still smiling brightly. Her hand rests on the doorknob as she announces, “Welcome to my dressing room!” The door swings open, like the pearly gates of heaven. You can’t believe you’re about to enter Takada-Chan’s dressing room! What’s more unbelievable is that Takada-Chan herself has invited you!

You and Todo gasp as you walk in, taking in this behind-the-scenes glimpse into the pop idol’s life. Takada plops down on the couch, twirling one of her pigtails with her fingers. “We still have a few minutes before the Meet and Greet starts. I wanted to give my favorite couple a very exclusive experience!” She pats the space next to her on the couch, motioning for you to sit down, specifically you. From your peripheral, you see Todo’s eyes widen, green with envy. Oh, how you wish you could take a picture of this and remember it forever. He’s so jealous of you. This is a feeling you can get used to.

For some reason, you don’t sit down. Instead, you smile at Todo, putting on this fake girlfriend act. “Todo, sweetie, you go ahead and sit. You’ve been working hard all morning.”

Why did you do this? You don’t owe this guy anything. Well, maybe you do. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t even be here right now. And Todo is so in love with Takada-Chan, you feel bad taking this rare opportunity away from him. After all, he did look rough today. Maybe you have just a microscopic soft spot for him. Maybe.

His mouth opens in shock as Takada-Chan squeals and exclaims, “Oh my gosh, you two are soooooo cute! I can’t!” She scoots over to the edge of the couch to accommodate Todo’s very large body. He looks nervous, giddy, and baffled all at the same time.

Sensing that Todo is too thrilled to speak, you initiate conversation with Takada-Chan, thanking her first for this very intimate Meet and Greet, and asking her questions about being a pop idol, which she kindly answers. She asks you about your “relationship” with Todo, which you do a lot of quick thinking and lying to answer. Basically, the story is that you’ve been together for four years, first meeting at a university party. You were attracted to his huge muscles and “quiet” personality, he was attracted to your quick wit and charm. He got into Takada-Chan only because of you and often praises you for being her #1 fan. Now you both live in studio apartment together in Tokyo with a pet turtle named Nobu.

If you are going to lie your ass off, you might as well milk it for all it’s worth.

When it gets closer to 1 PM, Takada gets up and goes over to her dresser. She signs a poster with both yours and Todo’s name on it, and writes, “To my favorite couple! Can’t wait to see you both at the next event!” She finishes it with a giant heart and her signature.

“Let’s take a picture before you two leave!” Takada-Chan stands in the center as you and Todo squeeze on either side of her. She puts up a peace sign, to which you both follow. Todo, who hasn’t said a word this whole time, holds out his arm with his phone in hand and takes the picture. It turns out to be a very cute photo.

You say your goodbyes, Todo blushing and still unable to speak, then the security guard walks you out through the back exit. You lead him towards the same bench area you found at the last event and sit down, still buzzing with excitement. You just spent twenty minutes alone with Takada-Chan. It’s like a dream come true!

The sound of his voice startles you. “That was crazy.”

You giggle, turning to face him. “She knows our names.” You unravel the rolled-up poster that she signed and stare at the message she wrote. It’s so surreal!

You’re both quiet for a few moments until Todo clears his throat. “Thanks. For doing all that. I don’t know exactly what you said to her, but whatever it was, it worked.” He pauses before asking, “Why did you do that?”

You shrug your shoulders and reply, “She asked where my boyfriend was, and I just came up with something. I don’t think she would let me into her dressing room alone. Unfortunately, we’re a packaged deal now.”

He chuckles. “I guess so. I just can’t believe I sat next to her. Our knees touched!”

“Why didn’t you say anything? She was sitting right next to you; I feel like I did all the talking.”

“I was so nervous. I couldn’t believe we were in her dressing room. I didn’t know what to say. You really held it down for us.” He looks at you, smiling. It wasn’t the shit-eating grin or cocky smirk you’ve seen from him before. It’s a friendly smile. A genuine smile. 

It catches you off guard. This might be the first time you and Todo aren’t bickering with each other. The first time he’s not being a cocky asshole to you. You stare down at the poster in your hands, debating in your head. Deciding, you hand it over to him. He doesn’t take it, he only gives you a curious look and says, “What are you doing? You should keep it.”

“No, it’s okay. I shamelessly used you today. Doesn’t feel right to keep it.”

“I don’t mind if you use me,” he says in that low voice. And there’s that smirk again.

Rolling your eyes, you say, “Just take it, okay? I’ve already made up my mind.”

He continues to look at you oddly. “Seriously, why are you doing this?”

“Does it matter? Take the poster. It’s really not a big deal. Just send me that picture and we’ll call it even.”

“Fine, give me your number then.”

You recite your phone number to him. After a few seconds, you feel the vibration of your phone. There it is, the picture. And his phone number. For some reason, you feel nervous having his phone number. Like a line has been crossed. There’s a noticeable difference in the energy between you two now. It’s weirdly peaceful.

After a few moments of silence, Todo huffs and cross his arms in front of his chest. “This doesn’t change anything, just so you know. I’m still her #1 fan.”

Never mind. Hostile energy is back.

“Aww, and just when I thought we could be friends,” you retort, rolling your eyes.

He looks at you with an eyebrow raised and grins. In his low voice, he says, “I don’t think we’ll ever be friends.”

You watch him as he walks away, signed poster in hand. His words seem harsh, but you can’t help but feel like there is a hidden meaning behind what he just said.

[cinnamon-girl-writes]

dinner dates ! jjk x reader series pt. 3/4

by @cinnamon-girl-writes

featuring: shoko, higuruma, mahito | see: part 1

ieiri shoko:

shoko is soooo lana del ray coded to me 🍒

so in my mind, she takes you to a fancy restaurant on the coastline

i know she has the salary of a school nurse but just hear me out~

she’s wearing a cream colored pantsuit with assorted gold jewelry

omg shoko is such a baaaabbbeeeee (respectfully) smash

anyways- you’re wearing a low-cut navy blue bodycon dress and your favorite jimmy choo’s that she got you for your birthday a few years ago ✨

she drives you there in her black cadillac ct5 with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cigarette that she inhales from occasionally

when you get to the restaurant, she takes the car to the valet to have it parked and offers you an arm to lead you inside the restaurant

when you’re seated at you reserved table, after you’re served generous glasses of chilled dom perignon, you order only the finest foods: caviar, lobster, wagyu ribeye, and various other delicacies

your dessert assortment is even more lavish ✨

countless trays of pastries, cakes, fraises, and thing you can’t even name are set out in front of you; chocolate mousse cake, mini fruit tarts, serveral varieties of pudding, coconut cakes, lemon scones

all these shiny, expensive things, you think, but the only thing that matters is sitting right in front of you 💞

you pull a special surprise out of your pocket that you had been hiding excitedly all evening~ a 24 karat gold ring with the initials IS inscribed on it

you take your lover’s hand, slipping the dainty piece of jewelry onto her finger: “i love you, koko,” you explain, “thank you for sharing your life with me”

hiromi higuruma:

higuruma’s taking you to a lil steakhouse ✨

he just got off work, so he swings by your apartment to pick you up, still wearing his black suit-and-tie and white button up shirt

you’re wearing a fluttery red sundress that goes down to just about your knees with a little bow in the front 💋

his jaw absolutely drops when he sees you, his beautiful girlfriend, in that gorgeous dress !! he’s a lucky man 🥺

the drive to the restaurant is quiet, hiromi still trying to decompress from a stressful day at work

you make sure to tell him how proud of him you are, though because he works really hard 💞

the restaurant is super nice, the staff are friendly and the food is amazing!

you talk about all the things you’ve got going on in your lives right now

he tells you about the case he’s working right now, a divorce that’s fighting over custody arrangements

you tell him about your plans for the end of the year: visiting your mom in kyoto, your best friend’s birthday that was coming up, a new movie that you wanted to see in theaters

over all just very chill and domestic vibes 🥰

once you guys are done eating, he takes you back to his apartment where y’all get ready for bed (he lended you a pair of gray sweatpants and a black tshirt for you to sleep in)

you cuddle in his bed and watch grey’s anatomy until you both falling asleep, whispering sweet nothings and planting chaste kisses before you do ✨

mahito:

you can interpret this as canon mahito or human!mahito, whatever you prefer 🥰

so you and mahito are dating and are currently staying at a luxurious beach resort ✨

(i’m sorry i just couldn’t bring myself to write mahito at a restaurant because wtf 💀 there will be food in it though 🤷🏼♀️)

your villa is gorgeous, the warm summer breeze flowing through the open windows and linen curtains blowing about lazily

it’s huge, about six thousand square feet in total

but currently, you’re not inside the beach house; you’re laying by the shore, absorbing as much sun as you possibly can before you have to return to the city

your boyfriend is lying on the cot beside you, his arms folded above his head

the two of you had decided to order room service, so there were several trays of food on the little wooden table between you

there’s cebiche, orzo salad, intricately cut pieces of watermelon (you swear one looks to be in the shape of a familiar white-haired sorcerer), roasted chickpeas, and several other dishes you can’t name alongside two glasses of mai thai

you decide to try a couple options from the assortment, spooning a couple pieces into your boyfriend’s mouth that he eats reluctantly)

he does like the salad, though, claiming it has a ‘unique taste’ (you think he was just trying to make you happy by saying that)

as the sun starts to creep below the horizon, mahito rolls onto his side, tucking a stray piece of hair behind your ear

he leans over and plants a kiss on your cheek, then another one on your lips

as the two of you trudge tiredly back to your villa, mahito’s arm wrapped around your waist for support, he tells you how much he loves you and wishes every day could be like this 🥺💞✨

[tokyogems]

Japanese Local Foodie's Recommendations on What to Eat on Your Trip to Tokyo!

There's SO many good things to eat in Japan that it might be confusing or overwhelming. If you want to expand your options besides just ramen and sushi, please check out some of my personal recommendations of dishes and restaurants! I want everyone who comes to Japan to have the best food experience ☺︎

These are some shops I've picked that I would recommend to someone on a first or second visit to Japan, located in areas that you would most likely visit if you're in Tokyo. Please let me know if you'd like a separate cafe/sweets, or more niche shops/other cuisines list as well!

Check out my instagram & youtube for other Life in Japan content!

Yakiniku 焼肉 Japanese BBQ

Kintan | Bebu-ya | Fufutei

Gyukatsu 牛カツ Fried Japanese Beef Cutlets

Gyukatsu Motomura | Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu

Tonkatsu とんかつ Fried Pork Cutlets

Katsukichi

Gyutan 牛タン Beef tongue

Kamamoto Tanbei | Negishi | Isshin Tansuke

Okonomiyaki お好み焼き

Daikonman

Shabushabu しゃぶしゃぶ Japanese hot pot

Onyasai | Tsukada

Izakaya 居酒屋 Japanese local bar

Himawari | Chiba-chan |

Kushikatsu 串カツ Deep fried skewers 

Kushikatsu Tanaka

Teishoku 定食 Japanese set meal with several dishes

Ootoya | Yayoiken

Udon うどん　

Yamashita Honki Udon | Tsurutontan

Tsukemen つけ麺 Dipped Noodles

Enji

Mazesoba 台湾まぜそば Mixed Noodles

Kokoro

Hokkaido Soup Curry 北海道スープカレー

Suage

Bars/fancy chill night vibes (not Japanese food)

Rigoletto | Cafe Legato

I will update this whenever I find a new place to recommend!

[megu-meow]

Whose fault is that?! - Gojo Satoru

Inspired by this post from @vagabond-umlaut. Thank you for allowing me to use your post as inspiration!

gojo x fem. reader

Arguing with Gojo is terrible. Your arguments last for days, because he can never take them seriously and makes you laugh, making you forget about why you were mad at him in the first place only to remind you a few days later by doing the same stupid shit.

The only instance that he took one of your fights seriously was when Geto started going berserk and Satoru didn't know how to deal with the situation at hand. He started drifting away from you unintentionally, slowly pushing you away. You confronted him about it after a while, asking him to change his behaviour, otherwise you would have no choice but to break up with him. He observed silently as tears were rolling down your cheeks, realising how much trouble he was in, how much you were hurting from his idiocy. That day, you saw a side of him you never knew existed, his cerulean eyes were glossing with tears, begging you to give him another chance to prove you how important you were for him, how much he loved and cherished you. He was more serious than ever, he never showed that level of earnestness in his entire life, not for the elders of his clan, not for the jujutsu higher-ups. You learned that day that he was right: there was no use in taking fights and arguments too seriously, at the end of the day you were partners for life and as long as your relationship was alright no issues mattered enough to be sour about them.

But this one's a big one.

"Satoru, I understand that you have to work a lot. I understand, when you don't come home for days, because you have paperwork to do. I asked you once to fucking show up, to have dinner with my parents. But no, you had to go watch Boss Baby 2 with Yuji Itadori for the 5th time this week, bailing on me and my parents. Do you have any idea how furious my dad was, Baka?"

In reality, Gojo did not go to the cinema to watch that stupid animated movie, he had to go to Kyoto to pick up the ring he ordered a while ago, he wanted to show it to your dad so that he could ask for his permission to marry you. He ran into some trouble on his way back to Tokyo, a special grade humanoid curse wreaking havoc in the train station in Roppongi, close to your favorite flower shop, one he visited to get a blatantly oversized bouquet of peonies. If the curse didn't show up, he would have made it to dinner in time, giving you the flowers he had irritably lost while fighting, with a kiss to your lips. He would have waited for you to excuse yourself from the table to go to the bathroom, he would have gotten the velvet box out of the pockets of his fancy slacks, showing the diamond that mimicked the color of his unique eyes to your father, asking for his approval. However, by the time he got to the restaurant you were already done with dinner and were on your way home. He did catch your parents though, they were waiting for their car, he did explain the situation to your dad, your mom's eyes were full of tears as they both hugged him, gladly accepting him into your family.

"We had to go watch it again baby 'cause Sukuna kept showing up, making Yuji miss some of the best parts." he said nonchalantly, trying to make you smile.

"I don't care, Gojo!" you said furiously, flabbergasted by the audacity of the man in front of you "I'm done. You know what?! I want a fucking divorce!"

By the time you finished your sentence you voice was laced with laughter, not taking the fight too seriously always helped, you knew he was planning to atone for his wrongdoing with your parents, making a reservation at the world's best restaurant's convenient Tokyo pop-up. However, you still wanted to make him understand how annoying it was, being ignored for 5 night in a row for the same dumb movie.

"BABY, WE'RE NOT EVEN MARRIED!" he shouted back, smiling widely. He knew the argument was over, you were joyous, your smile intoxicating. He enjoyed how lighthearted these moments were, nothing seemed to be complicated or exhausting when it came to you, one of the main reasons why he wanted to marry you.

"AND WHOSE FUCKING FAULT IS THAT, 'TORU?!"

"Oh, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into, my mochi." he says, trowing finger guns at you with a mischievous wink. He sprints out of the living room, taking long strides with his chicken legs. You observe him with confusion and you are urged to follow after him. "Stay exactly where you are!" he shouts from what you assume your bedroom and you can hear shuffling, the sound of his sock drawer opening with a screech, you can also hear glass breaking, he probably knocked over the vase sitting on top of his dresser. You look down the hallway leading to your shared bedroom and he appears at the end of it, his smile reaches his pretty eyes as he sprints back to you, but the floor is slippery and he falls, landing in front of you with one of his arms lifted towards the sky, a velvet box sitting on top of his palm. Your eyes widen at the sight of the white gold band with the blatantly oversized diamond attached to it. He was groaning under his nose, whining about hitting his elbow, but he shows no effort of getting up.

"YES, SATORU, YES!" You shout in excitement, he didn't pop the question, but you knew your answer without hesitation. He smiles widely, looking up to meet your eyes, but you land on top of him with a huff, linking your arms around his neck, leaving a million kisses on his face. The whole situation is comical, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He takes pride in how excited you are, how you're laughing and giggling in eagerness. You're his everything, the diamond ring is the reminder that you will be his everything forever.

"I love you." he says quietly, getting up from the floor with you hanging around his body like a koala.

"I love you too, Satoru!" you whisper back gently, leaving a soft kiss on the spot behind his ear, which causes a shiver going through his body.

"Do you love me enough to marry me, mochi?" he asks timidly, afraid from rejection. It doesn't make a lot of sense, he knows you would say yes, you basically did already, but he feels the need to ask and with the question comes the possibility for rejection.

"Of course, silly! I would marry you today if I could." you answer, shuffling his soft hair gently. "But you will have to ask for my dad's permission and I'm not sure he would grant it to you after the shit you pulled, baby."

"I'm way ahead of you, pretty. I asked him yesterday after dinner. He even said he was excited fro me to become part of your family."

"But you weren't at dinner yesterday, 'toru..." you look at him questioningly, remembering your fight from earlier. "You didn't actually go to the movies, did you?"

"No, I didn't." he smiles widely.

"Then where were you?"

"Picking up a diamond ring in Kyoto so that I could propose mid-fight to my crazy little girlfriend." he says nonchalantly.

You want to be mad at him for lying to you. You want to scold him, for being secretive and always doing this dumb stuff. But you love him for his idiotic behaviour. You love him for his shenanigans. You are reminded about all the silly shit he pulls as he carefully slips the ring on your finger, the glimmering diamond matching the glint of his pretty eyes. You forget about your argument, you forget about all the other fights, because with Satoru around everything seems to be a bit silly and crazy.

[themusingsofmitsuki]

“It’s beautiful.” You were awed at the white sand beach of Redang Island’s Long Beach, but even more impressed with how the colors of the sky and sea mixed into a beautiful gradient of blues.

 

“Definitely beautiful.” There’s no denying that, but Kento had his eyes on you—the view was merely complementary. The image of you in a sundress, a wide brimmed hat, with glittering eyes and a beaming smile made it hard for him not to whisk you away somewhere private. Instead, he chose to wrap his strong arms around your waist and bury his face in the crook of your neck.

 

“Thank you for coming here with me, love. Even if this was all hastily planned."

In reality, you were thankful that he was taking a break at all. Something has shifted in the jujutsu world, and even you, a teacher who floats between Tokyo Jujutsu High and Kyoto Jujutsu High, have observed the building tension and unease among the students and teachers. Sorcerers were dying, curses have become increasingly aggressive, and Kento has been working overtime more frequently. You’ve always known the risk of loving a man whose life is in constant danger, but his last brush with Mahito made you understand the weight of your love for him.

 

“I’ll go where you go,” you turned to him, “and you’ll go where I go.” You flashed a cheeky grin at him, and without warning, you took his hand in yours and rushed into the cool and crisp waters. It didn’t matter that he was still in his silly Hawaiian shirt or if your sundress would be drenched—you both haven’t been this free since you and Kento both graduated high school.

 

You still remember Shoko and Utahime devising a plan to make both you and Kento confess to your little crushes for each other. Shoko thinks you’re a couple of hopeless idiots, and Utahime just found it painful to watch both of you mindlessly pine for each other and still have doubts about what the other felt.

 

Maybe Shoko’s thoughts still rang true; you both are hopeless idiots, even at this moment. Kento has something to say, but he’s been holding back for your sake. Maybe it can wait—after dinner, after you’ve visited the city of Kuala Lumpur, when you go back to your shared apartment in Tokyo—perhaps when he retires.

 

“What’s gotten you so serious, handsome? "You peck his cheek and giggle a bit, and he snaps out of his thoughts. “Just a little hungry,” he said, briefly glancing down at your lips, “it’s been a long flight and I’m starving.” Your cheeks burned at the comment, and you’ve lost all your mischief. “I heard there’s a floating restaurant not too far from here." Kento found it adorable at how flustered you’ve become. “So let’s ditch the beach and have an early dinner. You wouldn’t want to miss the sunset now, would you? I heard Redang has amazing sunsets.” He’ll let you go for now, but not tonight.

 

The floating restaurant on the beach isn’t a common experience, but the food was the best part of your experience. That, and seeing Kento finally eat heartily. The convenience of eating sandwiches could only do so much for his health, which is why you’ve taken to cooking his lunches. Satoru once joked that you’re both “so married" after seeing bunny-shaped rice balls in your boyfriend’s bento.

 

You really wish you were, but that’ll have to wait. For now, you’re satisfied with cocktails by the ocean and seafood grills with Kento on an island far, far away from Tokyo.

 

By the time you both finished dinner, you'd drank one too many cocktails. Shoko was right. You were idiots, and you both still are.

 

The sun was setting, and Kento had a shawl wrapped around you as you sobered up with him by the shore. “Someone had an appetite for strawberry daiquiris."

 

You hiccuped, “I know you can fight.” You rested your head against his firm shoulder. The subtle waves and the mix of reds and blues could bring anybody peace, but you’re probably the luckiest person on earth to have the love of your life to experience it with you.

 

“Marry me.” The words escaped your lips, and Kento nearly choked on his beer. Maybe he had too much to drink, too. “Love, what?”

 

“I said,” you said, looking him in the eyes. “Marry me.” It was a command, but there was a painful twang about the way you said it—it came off as a firm, yet desperate plea.

 

He fondly called your name, “You have a long life ahead of you. A future free from curses and all the troubles of sorcerers.” He smiled fondly at you, but there was a somber look in his eyes. Kento also wanted to spend the rest of his life with you, but it’s taking everything in him to pull the ring you’ve been eyeing out of his pocket and make you his. He was going to make it happen—a proposal by the beach on one knee during a candlelit dinner. But he’s been holding back for your sake.

 

“I’m a sorcerer too, you know,” you pouted, and while that was true, your technique wasn’t one suited for specifically fighting.

“Besides, we can spend the rest of our lives together, even if it’s as short as the sunset.” You knew he wouldn’t agree, but part of you felt like he was going to slip through your fingers if you didn’t ask him now.

“I don’t want you to wait for somebody who might never return home. That’s not right,” he says, tucking some of your hair behind your ear. “One day, you’ll find a man who will come home to you without fail because he’s not fighting curses. He’ll learn how you like your coffee in the morning and tuck your kids to sleep at night. I’m just being selfish with you for now.”

“Not selfish enough to spend the rest of your life with me.” You averted your gaze. Both of your hands managed to find their way to his hand against your cheek, and you held his hand between your palms.

“If you’re saying no because you can’t see a future with me, I can accept it.” A few of your tears fell. “But if you don’t want to be with me for my sake, I know I’ll spend the rest of my life regretting everything we could’ve been.”

The sound of the gentle waves rippled against the shore, and he said nothing. Instead, he reaches into his breast pocket to fish for something.

It was a ring—the same one you’ve been looking at for months.

“I can’t promise you a lot,” it was his turn to hold your hand. “I won’t be able to quell your worries or come home to you on time," he said as he slid the band onto your ring finger, “and one day, I might never come home to you at all."

He looked into your eyes, and you were still too stunned to speak. You must be dreaming; the world is too cruel for this to be what you think it is.

“But I’ll do everything in my power to come home to you every night for the rest of our lives. We might not go on vacations like this every year, but I’ll be sure to make every anniversary, birthday, and festival we spend together full of fireworks and laughter.”

 

“Most importantly..." He paused, and your breath hitched. “I promise to get your cup of coffee right every morning. Please let me be greedy with you just this once and be mine. ”

“I’ve always been yours, silly.” He gently grabbed your chin and savored your lips. You reciprocated with your lips and tongue—it was love, hunger, and longing all at once. You were left breathless when he pulled away. “You’re no fair, I asked first.” He chuckled. “It’s a shame you beat me to it."

He leaner closer to your ear, “Maybe I shouldn’t be making you wait for things you’re very eager to have.” You weren’t escaping this time.

[Author’s Note: I am revising history for fellow Nanami stans and simps. This one is for us.]

[todayintokyo]

Hi there! Hope you’re well and not melting away in the humidity. I am super excited to be planning a trip to Japan again after almost four years away. Considering I lived 1) in Kansai-ish territory and 2) near Nagoya, I never got much chance to explore Tokyo outside of the usual tourist places. I already have Jinbocho on my list (along with one of the Aoyama flower market tea houses and Nakano Broadway)— do you have any suggestions for what’s fun in Tokyo for someone who is a little more experienced with the area?

Welcome back!

Now here's a challenge! I don’t know whether you're looking for new & trendy, or old & traditional, and a lot depends on the season, but…

1) Stroll from Ueno Park or Nezu to Yanaka and Sendagi. See if you can find Snake Street and follow its curves. Yanaka is as Kyoto as Tokyo gets. Yanaka and Kagurazaka.

2) Shibamata for more old Edo vibes. Cross the river on the ferry. Only ferry in Tokyo.

3) Sunamachi Ginza Shopping District in Koto-ku: another old area that's being transformed by gentrification.

4) Get lost in Shibuya Station, just for fun, but take tranquilizers with you. Walk from Shibuya via Shoto to Yoyogi Park. Shoto is one of the wealthiest areas in Tokyo, but it's not as famous as, say, Azabu-Juban or Denenchofu. Stop at Levain for bread and Fuglen for coffee.

5) Explore the swanky, hipsterish areas of Kichijōji, Shimokitazawa, Daikanyama. Take the Setagaya Tram Line from Sangenjaya to Gotokuji and visit the temple birthplace of the famous maneki-neko. Lots of tiny shops and quaint shopping streets in a relatively upmarket area along the way.

6) Okutama. Walk along the Mitake Valley Riverside Trail, from Ikusabata to Sawai, stop for sake at the Sawanoi Sake Brewery, visit the Gyokudo Museum. You can continue past Mitake to the Okutama Fishing Centre. If you are here in autumn, you'll see breathtaking autumn colours.

7) Yokohama! Not exactly Tokyo, but a nice day trip. Minato-Mirai, Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery (no, seriously, Google it), Sankeien Gardens.

I'm not a food expert, but there are really nice restaurants in all these areas. Add Yakitori Alley in Yurakucho to your list: great atmosphere. (There's a maze under the tracks between Yurakucho and Shimbashi. Well worth a visit, but it gets a bit dystopian.) Museums? Fukagawa Edo Museum in Kiyosumi, all the art museums in Ueno Park. Plants 'n stuff? Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse Dome. Shinjuku Gyoen remains my favourite Tokyo park/garden.

It's very touristy, but so iconic that it's really worth it: New York Bar and Grill in the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Expensive though. Cocktail Works is a craft gin bar in Kanda (close to Jimbocho), and a very good alternative (but without the glorious view) (which is the whole point) (actually).

Oh, by the way, Piss Alley in Shinjuku? So yesterday. Try Sankaku Chitai in Sangenjaya or Nogecho in Yokohama instead. Shh, don't tell anyone.

Best free and still relatively uncrowded view of skyline: Bunkyo Civic Center observation lounge. Shh again.

Would this suffice? If you send more details about your timing and what you're interested in, I'll happily add more.

Enjoy the planning as much as the trip! 😊

[tokidokitokyo]

東京都

Japanese Prefectures: Kantō - Tokyo

都道府県 (とどうふけん) - Prefectures of Japan

Learning the kanji and a little bit about each of Japan’s 47 prefectures!

Kanji・漢字

東　ひがし、トウ　east

京　キョウ、ケイ　capital; 10**16 (ten quadrillion)

都　みやこ、ト、ツ　metropolis, capital

関東　かんとう　Kanto, region consisting of Tokyo and surrounding prefectures

The capital of Japan, Tokyo has 23 special wards (東京都区部), 26 cities, 1 district (西多摩郡), and 4 subprefectures (支庁)

Tokyo is the largest urban and industrial agglomeration of Japan. Since ancient times the unassuming fishing village of Edo existed for centuries before the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867) made it into the capital city, while the imperial family remained in Kyoto. The Tokugawa shogunate ended with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, and Edo became the official capital of Japan, renamed to Tokyo, meaning "eastern capital." It was already the largest city in Japan and the population exceeded one million. Now it is one of the world's most populous cities and the largest industrial, commercial, and financial center in Japan. The Imperial Palace, the home of the emperor of Japan, lies at the heart of the city, encircled by stone-walled moats and broad gardens. Tokyo is the chief transportation hub for Japan and an important international traffic center, and also Japan's major cultural center.

Recommended Tourist Spot・おすすめ観光スポット Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - 新宿御苑

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

When it comes to Tokyo there is an endless list of things to do and see. So picking one to highlight was difficult, but I went with a favorite of mine. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, spacious lawns, meandering walking paths and tranquil scenery of Shinjuku Gyoen provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban center around it. In the spring, Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms, and in the fall the autumn colors are stunning. With an admission fee of only ￥500, it is a wonderful way to get lost in the beauty of an oasis in the middle of the metropolis.

Shinjuku Gyoen, meaning Shinjuku Imperial Garden, originated during the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence. Later, it was converted into a botanical garden before being transferred to the Imperial Family in 1903 who used it for recreation and for the entertainment of guests. The park was almost completely destroyed during World War II, but was eventually rebuilt and reopened in 1949 as a public park.

There are three main gardens - the Japanese garden, the French garden, and the English garden - as well as a greenhouse full of tropical flowers. There are restaurants and cafes, a tea room, and a rest house with souvenirs. The garden is so large that I have never been able to view it all in one visit.

Regional Cuisine - 郷土料理 Monjayaki - もんじゃ焼き

Monjayaki (source)

A type of pan-fried batter or savoury pancake, monjayaki is Tokyo’s version of okonomiyaki, the iconic dish of Hiroshima and Osaka. Monjayaki looks less like a potato pancake than okonomiyaki and retains a slightly runny appearance similar to melted cheese, even when cooked, but the cooking method remains the same.

The origins of monjayaki or monja can be traced back to a crêpe-like confection known as mojiyaki in the late Edo period. It was called mojiyaki (moji means character, as in hiragana) because people used it to write characters on the hot griddle surface. Monja experienced a popularity boom in the 1980s that led to the birth of Monja Street on Nishinakadori in Tsukishima where today 75 monja restaurants line the street.

To cook monja, first, stir-fry the ingredients, consisting of meats, veggies, cheese, and mochi or crispy noodles – on the griddle. Once they’re almost cooked, form a doughnut shape with a hole in the middle and pour the batter into it. Wait until the batter starts to boil, then mix it all up and press it down with the spatula to better cook it. Then scoop it into a bowl or onto a plate and enjoy.

Tokyo Dialect・Toukyou no hougen・東京の方言

Generally, the Tokyo dialect is taken to be Standard Japanese, although slang can vary between regions and social classes. Traditional dialects in central Tokyo are generally classified in two groups: Yamanote dialect (山の手言葉, Yamanote kotoba) and Shitamachi dialect (下町言葉, Shitamachi kotoba). The Yamanote dialect is characteristic of the old upper class from the Yamanote area. Since the Meiji period, Standard Japanese has been based on the Yamanote dialect. The Shitamachi dialect is a working-class dialect, and it preserves features of Edo Chōnin (Edokko) speech, also called Edo dialect (江戸言葉, 江戸弁, Edo kotoba, Edo-ben). Tokyo-style rakugo is typically played in the Shitamachi dialect.

Tokyo dialect dates back to Tokugawa Ieyasu's establishment of Edo as the main capital. Large groups of people, speaking a range of dialects migrated across the country from the former capital of Kyoto. The Kyoto dialect was the prestige language of the time and strongly influenced the Edo dialect in the early Edo period. The Edo dialect grew as Edo became the largest city in Japan and became the new prestige language in the late Edo period. Because of its unique history, especially in relation to the Kyoto dialect, Tokyo is what is known as a language island in the Kantō region. For example, traditional Kantō dialects have been characterized by the use of volitional and presumptive suffix -be, which is rarely used in Tokyo.

あたぼー　(atabou)　

Standard Japanese: 当たり前　(atari mae) English: obviously

あんまり　(anmari)

Standard Japanese: あまり　(amari) English: not very much

しょっぱい　(shoppai)

Standard Japanese: 塩辛い　(shiokarai) English: salty

でかい　(dekai)

Standard Japanese: 大きい　(ookii) English: big

About Tokyo dialect (Japanese page)

[waitmyturtles]

I finished The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House this weekend, and I feel like I’m still laid out flat by what I watched. I’ve been so consumed with QLs lately, that jumping into a wholly different world of filmmaking was a touch of a shock. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, and I have to wholeheartedly RECOMMEND IT as a must-watch for 2023. LONG post!

First off: Koreeda Hirokazu. A MASTER director and screenwriter. His taking on the canon manga, Kiyo in Kyoto, had fans in anticipation for The Makanai to premiere on Netflix. My two favorite films of his are After Life (1998) and Like Father, Like Son (2013). He doesn’t shy away particularly from difficult stories about families and complicated relationships, and tends to cast familiar faces, especially Lily Franky. His latest film, Broker, has been on the awards circuit this season.

A couple of quick definitions and explanations before I move forward. This is a show about what us in the West called “geisha” culture in Kyoto. A maiko is an apprentice geisha, and geiko is the word for geisha in Kyoto’s dialect. A makanai means a person who cooks staff meals, say, at a restaurant or another kind of business where staffers get fed. 

Kiyo in Kyoto is about the teenage protagonist, Kiyo, becoming the makanai of a maiko lodging residence in Kyoto, after she follows her best friend, Sumire (later known as Momohana), to Kyoto to apprentice as maiko. Sumire has a natural talent for this work, while Kiyo is a carefree, unburdened soul who isn’t committed to much in her young life. Kiyo is expelled from her maiko apprenticeship, but asks to become the makanai of the lodging house, and is able to stay in Kyoto, and close to Sumire, as Kiyo had promised to remain by Sumire’s side during their journey into apprenticeships. Both Kiyo and Sumire are from the same town in Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on Honshu island, just south of Hokkaido. In Aomori, Kiyo lived with her grandmother, a local doting soul, and her grandmother’s kitchen is where Kiyo first found her passion for food and cooking. Finally, Sumire is in love with their mutual friend, Kenta, who is a high school baseball star in Aomori. It’s not clarified directly, but it’s apparent that Sumire’s love is unrequited, and indeed, it’s indirectly indicated that Kenta might be more inclined towards Kiyo. Kenta is shown sitting with Kiyo’s grandmother for many meals, including holiday meals, without explanation as to his own family.

So that’s already A LOT to manage, and still, Koreeda takes on more -- he takes on the unbelievable setting that is Kyoto and the Gion district, as well as flashbacks to winter-strewn Aomori; he takes on rivalries, regrets, sisterhood, and more among the women of geiko and maiko culture; he takes on the breathtaking theme of unrequited and resistant love, and he takes on the theme of complicated -- very complicated -- friendship, leveraging Kiyo as an unburdened foil and mirror to reflect on the complicated natures of the people around her.

First off, if you are at all inclined to be taken away simply by cinematography, you MUST WATCH THIS SHOW. I haven’t watched anything more beautiful in a VERY long time. This brings up for me the wonderful conversation that took place last month regarding the sense of space in QLs; in regards to the sense of space and how ma (that very intricate concept of place, time, and space) is incorporated into doramas -- I haven’t seen a show that does it better than The Makanai at the moment. 

The way Koreeda captured seasons. The way he incorporated fashion -- what geikos and maikos wear during performances, on their off-time, during celebrations -- my GOD. The way he used COLOR. The way he used quiet, and sound, to lift up conversations outside in spectacular settings. The way he held shots. SUMPTUOUS. I was totally taken away.

Two shots that moved me: Kiyo in a sento bathhouse, humming to herself. (She’s later teased, without her knowing, by some of the maiko, for being like an old man, scrubbing and humming in the sento.) 

Kiyo, Kenta, and Sumire, a flashback to Aomori, Kiyo and Kenta shoveling snow while Sumire built a snowman. And an immediate cut to Sumire watching Kiyo shovel snow in Kyoto. The quietness and the beauty gave me physical chills. 

Kiyo as a free soul, moved by her passion for cooking and not much else, is leveraged so beautifully as a means of a young woman being in a place at a particular time, without carrying the emotional burden of existence that many of us place on our shoulders. She’s not the person who asks why something is happening in her life. She’s the one who’s feeding the people who are doing that asking unto themselves, and suffering either because of that inquiry, or suffering simply because of an inability to transcend what they’re going through. Kiyo is clearly a Zen-like foil -- even though she’s treated often as someone “with a screw loose,” as the geiko Momoko says to Sumire in the last episode. But I think Kiyo is far more in touch with the world than anyone else that surrounds her in the show. She’s the human embodiment of ma.

So, speaking of cooking: the reason why I picked up this show is because friends of mine recommended it to me as a cooking dorama, and certainly, a lot of news coverage in the West focuses much on the food of the show. Many of the Western articles, I think, miss many points about the show, and I think it’s in part for a lack of understanding about how food and cooking are so emotionally interwoven in unspoken aspects of Asian cultures. (A lot of commentary I’m reading just focuses on the dishes -- and the dishes are incredibly important, especially in how Kiyo interprets them from her Aomori taste, adjusting seasonings and techniques for the group of maiko she’s serving who hail from across Japan. But the dishes are not the only, or the most important, aspects to this show.)

Kiyo is often asked if she’s okay with being the makanai. She kept her promise to her friend, Sumire, Sumi-chan, to stay by Sumire’s side. Sumire would ideally like to keep Kiyo by her side -- if Kenta likes Kiyo, it’s better to keep Kiyo in Kyoto. But also: Sumire is primed to be the next best maiko and geiko in Gion, as Momoko predicts (Momoko is the star geiko of Gion), and Sumire will need an ally. Kiyo is Sumire’s ally -- and we’re not sure if Sumire has Kiyo’s best interests at hand.

But Kiyo insists that she’s okay, that she wants to be the makanai. Even at 16, she says, this may be the job I was intended to have. Kiyo radiates simplicity in a fantastic, uplifting way. I think Western critics are missing this. Western food media tends to absolutely glorify, many times in horrific and ignorant ways, dishes without the cultural context of the cooking, preparation, or history of those dishes. In other words, Western media erases the stories behind the cooking.

The Makanai is ALL ABOUT THE STORIES BEHIND THE COOKING. Kiyo is a makanai, and to Kiyo, that’s just fine. She doesn’t find it demeaning because she is not demeaned. She even seems surprised when she’s asked by a lodge okkasan if she’s okay with this job. 

Food brings comfort, memories. It satisfies hunger, needs. Comfort, memories, hunger, needs -- these are HUGE, huge. Kiyo does that? That’s massive emotional work. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

So, what all does this show have? Absolutely EXQUISITE cinematography, and an unwinding, mature story focused on the journeys of two teenagers, with ambition, rivalry, regret, love (requited, unrequited, unresolved), and beyond unbelievable acting. 

It’s an absolute CRIME that I can’t take screenshots (eff you, Netflix), but here’s two. Hashimoto Ai, as Momoko, is on the right of the first shot. Imagine her kimono as brilliant sky blue. The fashion choices and colors in this show were mindblowing. Hashimoto Ai, by the way -- I STAN. What a CONCRETE performance.

The reason why I chose the second shot, of Sumire in her daily lessons, is because the light from the windows reminds me of when I first started to learn how to meditate years and years ago. The Makanai is one of the most meditative shows that I’ve seen in years, and I CANNOT recommend it highly enough. Utterly breathtaking.

[ninjafoodtours]

A Dining Guide: Best Restaurants in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto's "Kyo-ryori" cuisine, which has a thousand-year tradition, has been highly affected. Kyo-ryori, also referred to as "Kyoto cuisine," is a method of indulging all senses when eating. You can get aid from Food Tours Japan Culinary Tours Japan if you want to learn about the best gourmet experiences in Japan, the world's top culinary destination. Best food tours in Japan are recommended if you wish to appreciate Japanese cuisine.

In this guide to Kyoto cuisine, we want you to taste this. Here are the top five Kyoto restaurants where you may try local cuisine.

1. Kikunoi

Kyoto's cultural and entertainment hub is a ryotei, or traditional Japanese fine-dining establishment called Kikunoi, which is tucked away in the Gion-Maruyama district. The establishment, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Mutara, offers a selection of Kyoto-born specialties. But the leader of the pack is kaiseki, its most well-known thing. Kikunoi is continuously crowded and not meant to be visited by everyone. Make sure your reservation is made at least one month in advance.

2. Tankuma Kitamise

Tankuma Kitamise, a Kyo-ryori ("Kyoto-style food") restaurant, was founded in 1928 and is located in Kiyamachi, the heart of the city. Takuma Kitamise claims that despite being around for almost a century, the flavors have been passed down through three generations. The restaurant has cemented its long-standing status as a top Kyo-ryori since it is a popular hangout with critical local politicians and entrepreneurs. We suggest dining there for a full three-course dinner to experience Kyoto cuisine. For instance, Horikawa is home to a Tankuma Kitamise branch.

3. Sushi no Musashi

Yes, just like your checked luggage at the airport, food is provided on a conveyor belt that is constantly moving. Only Japan offers kaiten-sushi, or Sushi served on a conveyor belt. In Kyoto, you can go to several well-known kaiten-sushi establishments. Just one of them is Sushi, not Musashi. This restaurant is a favorite among foodies due to its excellent Sushi. The price is only $1. (146). Although it's not the best, your dining experience is unique.

4. Miami

If you're seeking obanzai (homestyle Kyoto cuisine), Miami is among the best dining establishments in Kyoto, Japan. Sashimi, tofu skin, Sushi, spring rolls, grilled lamb, and quail are just a few delicacies you may buy. Obanzai exclusively uses those components to ensure you obtain the best seasonal fruit from Kyoto. Make sure your stomach has enough space by eating only a modest amount of food if you want to sample more meals than you typically eat in a day. It'll all be beneficial in the end!

5. Hyotei

One of Kyoto's oldest and most visually appealing traditional restaurants is Hyotei. This three-star Michelin kaiseki restaurant caters to international diners by making a few changes to the kaiseki courses and serving them in upscale tearooms. Because a significant amount of the Hyotei menu consists of fish and vegetables, it is essential to keep that in mind. A hotel is a good choice if you're looking for traditional kaiseki served in a genuinely elegant setting.

Do you require assistance finding restaurants in Kyoto? Contact Ninja Food Tours to have a traditional Japanese meal at one of our suggested Izakaya establishments. We stop to purchase local, freshly prepared food and drinks as we travel through Shinjuku, the busiest district in Tokyo.

[crossbackpoke-check]

56 and any Yamo pairing! 🫶

i just wheezed so hard when i saw what the song was i almost snorted coffee out of my nose i am so sorry for this one

#56 - kyoto phoebe bridgers + yamo

the story of how this song ended up on my wrapped is too long so it’s going in the tags but. let me set the scene for you.

2026 NHL GLOBAL SERIES™️ JAPAN - Presented by YPPI

November 13 & 14, 2026: Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks

Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan

It’s a pitiful excuse of a consolation prize for not being able to go to the Olympics, but Kailer’s not going to look a vacation horse in the mouth. The arena’s cool. It’s huge. The people are cool. There’s so many more of them than he thought there’d be with jerseys that have his name on the back, and a lot more that have the familiar orange and blue. He takes a picture of the fifth Oilers Yamamoto jersey he signs—this one’s the good Reverse Retro—and texts it to Connor, says,

no one here has even heard of mcjesus

and gets a moon face emoji in response. Leon’s influence. Kailer’s still never really deciphered what that one means, and he doesn’t think Connor knows either.

They don’t have a lot of time off between games, but Kailer’s trying to be a good tourist. His dad had been so happy when Kailer had told him about the series that Kailer’d had to stop him from trying to book a flight a year in advance, and his mom’s been just as bad, sending him every article she sees about Best New Spot in Tokyo! Cool Restaurant! Have You Seen This Japanese Cat Café? that she scrolls across on Facebook since June. Suzy’s in the same boat, so they’ve been crossing off their compiled travel-guide list together, looping in as many guys as they can. Everyone’s been pretty game. All the teams are crammed into close quarters at the same hotel, which means everyone wants to spend as much time as possible outside of it, and it helps that Kailer’s gotten pretty close with all the other guys that the NHL picked up as Global Series figureheads. Robo’s memes? Absolutely fire. The groupchat loves them.

For every item he crosses off the list, Kailer takes a picture and keeps it tucked in his phone notes. It’s like speed-running a scavenger hunt—they’re only here for four days—but he’s doing a pretty good job. His favorite so far has been all the gardens. They’re stunning, trees shining bright red and yellow, and every vendor has been selling maple candies, maple cakes, and even fried maple, though the official maple festival doesn’t start until next week. The second garden he visits, he does it on his own after practice, buying two cakes from a cart near the gate and walking until he loses the bustle outside. It’s easy to get lost in the winding pathways, heading deeper into the quiet, and there’s dozens of benches underneath the burnished leaves where young couples are tucked away on dates, or old friends are laughing and catching up. In some of the little clearings, there’s small shrines where people leave offerings, a prayer for good luck or good fortune.

Kailer stops at one without any people and sets the second maple cake on top of it, then sits and scrolls through all the texts that he’s missed. His mom gets replied to with a picture of him outside the garden gate, grinning and surrounded by other travelers. He sends his brother a picture of a trashy graphic I Love Japan t-shirt with the threat that he’ll buy one for him, and Kailer’s dad gets a picture of the meticulously arranged and cut bonsai that are across from the bench where he’s sitting. The Seattle groupchat gets a recycled meme from Robo, and he gets two thumbs up and an “LMAO” before he can even exit the thread. Finally, Kailer takes a picture of the half-eaten maple cake in his hand, holding it next to a fallen maple leaf on the bench, and gets halfway through typing another message before he thinks better of it.

(On the plane over, Drieds was reading them a story about how when they first introduced the high-speed railway, people were afraid to use it because they thought it would be too fast for their souls to keep up.

“Bro, if that were true, you just left your soul in the middle of the Pacific,” Ebs had laughed. “Planes are faster than trains.”

“Are they?” Matty asked. “Isn’t the train in Japan the fastest in the world?”

Drieds couldn’t make it through the rest of the story over the sound of everyone ripping Matty to shreds, so Kailer didn’t get to ask whether or not they found out anything about planes. Kailer’s not worried about his soul, but the logic makes a strange kind of sense; after all, he traveled 429 miles in five and a half hours once, and that was a little too fast for his heart to keep up.)

Fuck it. Kailer’s been trying to write a response for the past ten days, and he’s sick of swiping in and out of the message, staring at the keyboard so long he starts to see swirls in his vision.

Kailer drafts the text again and sends it, no context, no caption. A text travels faster than a high-speed train or a jet. Maybe it’ll pick his heart back up on the way.

[luke-r-gillespie]

May 23 - Osaka / Kaiyukan Aquarium (Freeday) + Media Reflection

Freewriting

Today was another (and our final) full free day! It was a little unideal to have our two free days in Kyoto on days two and four in Kyoto, but it is what it is. I of course took full advantage of this opportunity to sleep in until 10 (I know, crazy stuff!) After rousing from my slumber, I ate two croissants (purchased from family mart yesterday,) before getting ready to head to Osaka with Zachary, Griffin, and Noah. Leaving the hotel, no one was super eager to navigate to Osaka, so I offered (rookie mistake on all of our parts to be honest.) I lacked the insight to find the aquarium's official name (Kaiyukan Aquarium) and assumed that Osaka Aquarium would be sufficient (it was not.) After about two hours of train rides, while waiting for our bus to "Osaka Aquarium," Noah decided to double check our destination and it turns out that "Osaka Aquarium" is a pet store about an hour away (by train) from the actual aquarium (oops.)

So, after catching ANOTHER train we arrived on the correct island and grabbed food in a shopping mall (which was probably the coolest mall I have ever been in) before heading into the aquarium. The island itself was super cool and had way more to do than just the aquarium, but we kept our eyes on the prize.

We split up in the mall and Zachary and I went to a beef place while Noah and Griffin decided on Wendy's. The restaurant we ate at was called ビフテキ (Beef Teki) and it was delicious (I have attached an image to rub it in!)

After eating, we finally went to the aquarium (roughly three and a half hours after out initial departure from Kyoto.) The aquarium was amazing (best aquarium I have ever been to hands down.) The standouts for me were definitely the penguins and whale sharks, although the seals doing tricks were also pretty cool.

We spent about two full hours exploring the aquarium before catching a few trains back to Kyoto (the journey back took significantly less time, I was not the one navigating.)

After getting back to Stay SAKURA, I chilled out for twenty minutes before grabbing dinner at a little place around the corner with Griffin and Zachary. No picture this time as I was pretty hungry and inhaled my food. It is now 10 and I plan on watching some TV for a little before getting an early night, as our meeting tomorrow is at 8:10 (meaning I will be waking up at 7:10.) Overall another eventful and fun free day in Kyoto!

Independent Excursion: Media Reflection (Jujutsu Kaisen & Kaiyukan Aquarium)

Jujutsu Kaisen is an extremely popular Japanese manga series (with an equally popular anime adaptation) written and illustrated by Gege Akutami. The series has been serialized in the popular weekly manga magazine, Shonen Jump since March of 2018. As of May 26 of this year, the well received manga has 261 chapters and is currently ongoing. Since 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen has been in the top four of Shonen Jump's most popular serializations, only losing out to One Piece for the first place spot for the past two years (2022 & 2023.)

I am a huge fan of Jujutsu Kaisen and after seeing Kaiyukan Aquarium and its iconic whale sharks be beautifully depicted in chapter 70 of the manga (as well as Season 2 episode 3 of the anime,) I knew this was a location that I had to visit while I was in Japan.

The section of the "Hidden Inventory" story arc that depicts Osaka, follows the main cast as they travel to Osaka to rescue a kidnapped character. Despite Jujutsu Kaisen being a Shonen series and centering around a fictious power system called "cursed energy," the series depictions of locations in Japan (such as all of Shibuya and much of Osaka) are extremely accurate. Much of the Japanese culture depicted in the show (by the high school and older aged characters) is also authentic to what I have experienced in my time here. After spending two weeks in Tokyo and two weeks in Kyoto, it is clear to me that Gege Akutami inserts his fictional characters into nonfiction settings. Perhaps this is a part of why his series is so successful in Japan, as well as in other countries.

Within the Osaka and Kaiyukan Aquarium sections of the Jujutsu Kaisen story, Riko Amanai is enjoying her final day of life with her new friends before she is to be absorbed (which is most likely to lead to her death) for the good of Japan and the world (within the world of the series obviously.) While walking in the aquarium and gazing at the whale sharks, she has an epiphany about how large the world is and how little of it she has actually seen up to this point. This ultimately leads to her making the decision that she wants to keep on living and see more of what the world has to offer. Below is the two page spread of Amanai walking past the whale sharks tank.

While in Japan, I have had a similar realization. Japan has totally changed my world view and opened my eyes up to how people live in other parts of the world. Prior to this trip, I had only traveled within Europe and the United States and all of the countries that I had visited had similar ideals to the United States and were set up in a similar way. Japan is the first major departure from this that I have experienced myself and it makes me excited about what else the world has to offer. Having struggled with my own mental health in the past, I relate to Amani's epiphany in seeing the beauty of things that were before, unbeknownst to oneself.

While at Kaiyukan Aquarium, I searched for the exact location of the manga panel that I previously mentioned. While I could not recreate the exact shot, I am still happy with the level of accuracy Gege Akutami provided within his work.

The vibe and feeling of the aquarium were dead on, aside from Amani being the only one there in the manga, as it was quite busy when I went (however, this is not an issue in the anime.) I would certainly say that Jujutsu Kaisen provided a reasonable depiction of the real world location, with almost no slippage between the media and reality.

[aleena-malik]

Best Travel Country for Vacation in May 2024

While selecting the ideal holiday spot might occasionally feel stressful, planning a trip is always an enjoyable experience.

You want to make sure you choose a location that offers fantastic weather, breathtaking sights to view, and unforgettable experiences, especially if you plan to travel in May 2024.

In the process of choosing the ideal destination for your May 2024 vacation, let's examine some commonly asked questions and break down the selection process.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Travel Country

It's important to think about a number of variables before focusing on any one country, as they may affect your choice:

1. Weather and Climate: In many regions of the world, May is a month of transition. While some countries are entering summer, others are either in the process of moving from fall to winter in the Southern Hemisphere, or from spring to summer. Think about the weather conditions that you like for your vacation activities.

2. Tourist Attractions: Which attractions and events are a must-see for you? Make sure the nation you select gives the experiences you want, whether they are natural wonders, historical sites, or exciting cities life.

3. Safety and Security: Traveling safely is of the utmost importance. Examine the safety conditions at prospective trip locations, taking note of any travel warnings that your government or respectable foreign organizations may have issued.

4. Budget-Friendly Options: Although traveling can be costly, there are methods to travel on a tighter budget. Search for nations where you can get more for your money in terms of meals, accommodation, and transportation.

5. Cultural Events and Festivals: Plan your vacation to coincide with festivals or other cultural events taking place in your destination to fully immerse yourself in the local way of life.

Top Travel Countries for Vacation in May 2024

After discussing the crucial elements to take into account, let's look at some of the best places to visit for your May 2024 vacation:

1. Greece

Weather and Climate: Greece is most pleasant in May, and tour to greece attractions is always relaxing. When there is an abundance of sunshine and pleasant temperatures. It's ideal for taking in mouthwatering Greek cuisine, relaxing on gorgeous beaches, and touring historic sites.

Must-See Attractions: Don't miss famous locations like Delphi's ancient sites, Santorini's breathtaking sunsets, and Athens' Acropolis.

Safety Information: While most travelers find Greece to be safe, be on the lookout for thieves in crowded areas.

Budget-Friendly Tips: If you're looking for less expensive hotel and dining options, think about traveling to less visited islands like Milos or Naxos. Also there are world luxurious hotels that are cheap and comfortable.

Cultural Events and Festivals: Take in the lively mood of the Greek Easter celebrations, which frequently continue into May with customary feasts and events.

2. Japan

Weather and Climate: With pleasant temperatures and gorgeous cherry blossoms that are still in bloom in some areas, May is a great time to visit Japan. Discover the peaceful temples of Kyoto, the bustling streets of Tokyo, and the breathtaking scenery of Hokkaido.

Must-See Attractions: From the recognizable Mount Fuji to the ancient streets of Kyoto's Gion neighborhood, there are plenty of traveler attractions in Japan. Started with Tokyo National Museum,

Safety Information: Japan is considered by many as a safe travel destination due to its low crime rate.

Budget-Friendly Tips: Choose low-cost places to stay like guesthouses or capsule hotels, and take advantage of the cheap meals at neighborhood restaurants and food sellers.

Cultural Events and Festivals: In Japan, May symbolizes the beginning of Golden Week, a period of national celebrations marked by fairs, parades, and other cultural activities all throughout the nation.

Interesting fact: There are more than 6,800 islands in Japan! That's a lot of opportunity for beach selfies right there. 🏝️📸

3. Costa Rica

Weather and Climate: Costa Rica's green season, which spans from May to June, offers gorgeous scenery, less tourists, and cheaper costs. Tour to Cosata Rica attractions savor the remarkable diversity of the nation, ranging from gorgeous shores to lush rainforests.

Must-See Attractions: See animals in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, relax on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, and hike up the Arenal Volcano.

Safety Information: While travel to Costa Rica is typically safe, keep an eye out for small-time theft, particularly in popular tourist locations.

Budget-Friendly Tips: Benefit from cheap hotel choices such as eco-lodges and hostels, and enjoy authentic and reasonably priced meals at neighborhood cafes (small eateries).

Cultural Events and Festivals: Enjoy the festive Fiesta de los Diablitos events in the native towns of Rey Curre and Boruca.

Conclusion:

When selecting the ideal destination for your May 2024 trip, While most people dream of traveling to an exotic location for their fantasy vacation, very few really accomplish this. Most struggle to decide where and how long to spend our valuable vacation time.

Too many people end up stuck in this process of consideration and opt to visit the same spot year after year. While there are numerous considerations when picking a vacation spot, cost is always the primary one. 

Luckily for you, if you've read this article, the only thing left to worry about is obtaining enough scheduled time off to visit all of these reasonably priced locations.��

[hyohaehyuk]

Takeru Sato's relationship with One Ok Rock's Taka is "as a wife and a husband!"

Takeru Sato attended a talk event held in Yokohama on August 19th (Tuesday), 2014 to which fans were invited to commemorate the release of his first photobook "ALTERNATIVE" (published by Magazine House) in about three years. He talked about his days shooting the photo book.

The photo book follows Mr. Sato's journey for about a year since last summer, including the turning point of 25 years old, and includes footage from his trip to South Africa and behind the scenes of Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno Arc/Legend's End''. In addition, the live broadcast program "Taketere'' distributed by USTREAM, which Mr. Sato started for the purpose of interacting with fans, has been made into a DVD as "Taketere DVD vol.1'' at the request of fans, and it has been released along with a photo book. .

Regarding photo books, over the past year, Sato says, "I've taken about 200 million photos (lol),'' which is a bit of an exaggeration, but he reveals that he has taken quite a number of photos. Among them, Mr. Sato himself behaves without being aware of the camera, "I didn't have time to worry about it. It was a secret photo (lol)'' he said jokingly, ``It was difficult to choose (from a huge number of photos) for the photobook.''

In South Africa, which he had always wanted to visit, he visited the savannah. Including shots that were not included in the photo book, such as shots of elephants and giraffes together in the savannah, shots of a person going down to the water where there was a crocodile the day before and being surrounded by a large number of butterflies. Many valuable photos that could only be taken were introduced, and he said looked back with a smile ``Going abroad is liberating,'' and ``Savannah is a place you should go to at least once in your life. The wind was the best.''

In a photo taken in Japan, he is seen drinking alcohol at a sushi restaurant with his close friend Taka, the vocalist of ONE OK ROCK, who also performed the theme song for the movie "Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno Arc: Densetsu no Saigohen.''

For Sato, this seems to be a picture of a blissful moment, but regarding his relationship with Taka, who had previously said publicly that they were "friends and lovers''. "Recently, we're both wife and husband (lol). We're not so clingy now,'' he said, expressing that their relationship is more like that of a married couple, having passed the period of being newlyweds, and the fans cheered.

The photo on the jacket of "Taketere DVD vol.1" features Mr. Sato's face scribbled with a magic pen. Introducing various graffiti on facial photos! Mr. Sato also enjoyed seeing the various transformations, including ones that transformed him into a panda, the mascot character Kumamon and one that dressed up as a woman.

By the way, as a surprise for Mr. Sato, a graffiti by Ryunosuke Kamiki, who co-starred with him in "Rurouni Kenshin" and has a close relationship with him in his private life, also appeared! Mr. Kamiki drew a graffiti that resembled Mr. Sato as a cat, with a comment in Kenshin's tone saying, ``I am a cat (a stray cat)'' and a cross scar. Sato said with a smile, ``(Kamiki) usually draws and is good at it. He's cute, isn't he?''

Lastly, when asked about his future, Mr. Sato said reassuringly, "There are about 600 things I want to do!'' He promised to reunite with his fans, saying, "I'll do my best to create a place like this again!'' and the venue was filled with warm applause.

Via cinemacafe

I believe the takeru and taka at a sushi restaurant is this (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) but i don't know if he showed a exclusive photo or is one of those that appear in the links.

I will try to find photos of him in the event showing the photo.

[webbedphantom]

The Journey is its own Reward

[@fatexbound continued from here]

He was a bit nervous. Honestly, he had been since he'd received her card a few days prior. He'd never been on a date before. He'd always been too shy to make the first move, and no one back in Kyoto had ever seemed interested, so the opportunity never arose.

But now that it had, on Valentine's Day of all days, he was determined not to screw it up. He'd done some research at the flower shop to pick out the perfect bouquet, made sure the order was ready in advance, and had gotten Kawakami to let him out of class early to swing by to pick it up. The card in her locker was the finishing touch, something to let her know he was taking this seriously.

Granted, he didn't think anything would come of this. His mind had somehow rationalized this date as being more of a way to thank him for helping her improve her coffee skills, as well... Why on earth would a girl as amazing as her ever have a crush on him?? She was way out of his league.

Still, even if this was just a one time thing, he was going to do everything possible to give her the best date of her life. She deserved that much, at least.

And so it was that he awaited her at the school gate, offering her the flowers with a bright smile.

"What can I say? Working at a flower shop has its perks."

That was... oddly smooth, coming from you.

'What's that supposed to mean??'

Just thought you'd be more... flustered. You are on a date with your crush, after all.

'Yeah, but it's not a "date" date. We're just two friends hanging out on Valentine's Day.'

... If you say so.

Despite his words (thoughts?), he suddenly began to doubt his theory once she said the word. Something about her inflection or tone of voice just made it feel more... real.

But that doubt didn't last long, his obliviousness was a bit difficult to overcome, so he was back to his usual chipper self in no time.

"Y-Yeah, let's do it!" He replied, excitedly pumping his fist in the air. "I actually did some research during my lunch break, and there's a bunch of interesting stuff nearby. Some museums, a park, couple of restaurants, the usual stuff."

"But I didn't look into how to get to any of it, since that'd kinda defeat the purpose of this little "Choose your own adventure" type of thing we're doing. No planning, no expectations, just a casual stroll to see what the city has in store for us."

It was honestly rather similar to how he spent most of his free time these days, albeit with a much lower chance of getting into a fist fight with some idiot in a frog suit. Still, it was a novel idea for a date, especially given how much pressure most people would put themselves under trying to plan out this particular occasion.

Though as they were heading off, a thought crossed his mind, one that brought a bit of warmth back to his cheeks. People usually held hands on dates, didn't they? Sure, this wasn't a "date" date, but... did the hand-holding thing still apply? Was she expecting him to? To be honest, the idea definitely appealed to him, yet the mere thought of it made his nerves skyrocket.

Still... surely there wouldn't be any harm in asking... right?

"D-do you, um... Would you want to, uh... h-hold hands?"

Annnnnnd there goes his cool and confident image... Hoo boy-