Kodawari Times

20/11/2025

Congratulations🎉 Thank you for your review!
This is a rare sake lees soap made on Shodoshima Island, floating in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. We're delighted you're feeling the moisturizing effect on your skin.

Made by the only sake brewery on Shodoshima using sake lees, this soap moisturise and soften my skin after prolonged usage.
Thank you Kodawari Times for this exquisite gift! 😃

19/11/2025

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Takamatsu City's Park, Like a Work of Art
Ritsurin Garden
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●One of Japan's Most Famous Gardens
Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, is a strolling daimyo garden constructed in the early Edo period (1603-1868), where quiet and leisurely time flows.
Six ponds and thirteen artificial hills are arranged across its vast grounds, borrowing the scenery of Mt. Shion, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful views throughout the seasons.

●Traditional Japanese Pleasure Boat
The grounds feature historic structures like the Kikugetsu-tei and the Former Higurashi-tei. Visitors can also take a traditional Japanese boat tour around South Lake, which takes about 30 minutes.
Ritsurin Park has earned high praise both domestically and internationally, including the highest rating of three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, ensuring you will have a special time.

●Asagayu is also available
Several dining spots are scattered throughout the grounds. At Hanazono-tei, open from 7:00 AM, you can enjoy Asagayu (morning porridge).
Why not spend a luxurious morning in the detached tea room, enjoying the garden view stretching out before you all to yourself?
*Advance reservations are required, so please check the official website.
https://hanazonotei.com/

17/11/2025

Congratulations on your win! Thank you for submitting your review. We're thrilled you love the vibrant colors of our Nishiguchi Kutsush*ta Socks. May their comfort bring you wonderful days!

Thank you Kodawari Times for the Nishiguchi Kutsush*ta sock! 😊
It's comfortable, and I received my favourite colour, really brighten my mood whole day 🥰

17/11/2025

Congratulations🎉 Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted you love Nishiguchi Kutsush*ta Socks, carefully crafted in Nara. We highly recommend them for their high quality and durability.

12/11/2025

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Perfect for winter souvenirs from Japan!
Christmas Advent Calendar 2025
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●What is a Christmas Advent Calendar?
Every year, once Halloween ends and November arrives, Japan becomes completely immersed in Christmas, with vibrant Christmas goods lining store shelves. Among the various products, Christmas advent calendars have gained popularity in recent years. These items let you count down to Christmas by opening one window or door each day for the 24 days from December 1st until Christmas.
This time, we’ll introduce two Christmas Advent calendars from Japanese brands.

●Royce’ Advent Calendar
The Hokkaido-based chocolate brand “Royce’,” will offer the “Royce’ Advent Calendar”—featuring hidden sweets and ornaments—for a limited time and in limited quantities starting November 4, 2025, through Royce’ mail order and directly operated stores.
Inside, you’ll find a generous 42 pieces packed with 17 different chocolate treats. For the 24 days leading up to Christmas, enjoy the exciting countdown wondering what will appear today!

●CAFE@HOME Coffee Calendar 2025
CAFE@HOME, the main brand of COFFEE STYLE UCC Co., Ltd. headquartered in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, will release the highly anticipated “CAFE@HOME Coffee Calendar 2025,” a popular annual item. It will be available starting November 7th at the UCC official online store and select retailers. Inside the 24 designed windows are 15 varieties of coffee, totaling 24 servings, each offering a new flavor to enjoy every day. Why not find your perfect cup among the 24 varieties?

★Click here to see the details of the information.
https://kodawari-times.net/fooddrink/christmas-advent-calendar-2025/

07/11/2025

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Top 3 Recommended Spots in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture
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●Selected as Best Tourism Village 2025
Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture was selected as a United Nations “Best Tourism Village 2025” in October 2025. With a history spanning approximately 1,400 years, it was once the capital of Japan where political affairs were conducted. It boasts numerous historical sites and temples, preserving beautiful rural landscapes that could be called the heartland of Japan.
This time, we'll introduce three must-visit tourist spots in Asuka Village.

●Asuka-dera Temple
Built in 596 AD by the influential statesman Soga no Umako, Asuka-dera is recognized as Japan’s first full-scale Buddhist temple.
Inside the main hall sits Japan’s oldest known Buddha statue—the Gilt Bronze Seated Shakyamuni (commonly known as the Asuka Daibutsu).
Stepping into the quiet temple grounds, you can almost feel the prayers and cultural spirit of ancient times still lingering in the air.

●Okadera Temple
Known as the 7th temple on the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage、 Okadera enshrines the Nyoirin Kannon, the largest clay Buddha statue in Japan.
The temple is also famous as the “Temple of Flowers,” with its gardens bursting into color throughout the four seasons.
It’s said to be one of the first temples in Japan to introduce “hanachōzu” (flower water basins)—a beautiful practice now popular on social media for its photogenic charm.

●Ishibutai Kofun
Composed of more than 30 massive stones, Ishibutai Kofun is an awe-inspiring ancient tomb that stands as a symbol of the power once held by Japan’s early rulers.
It is widely believed to be the burial site of Soga no Umako, whose garden once stood nearby.
Today, the surrounding area has been turned into a park where visitors can enjoy scenic walks and seasonal flowers while contemplating Japan’s ancient past.

For a detailed article on Asuka Village, click here.
https://kodawari-times.net/sightseeing/asuka-village-history/

05/11/2025

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Mendo-ya : A long-established restaurant serving local cuisine
from Asuka Village, Nara
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●Ancient Capital, Asuka Village
Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture is known as the cradle of Japan, having served as the capital during the Asuka period approximately 1,400 years ago. Ancient burial mounds and temples dot the pastoral landscape, creating a tranquil and peaceful area where history and nature harmonize. Recently recognized as a United Nations “Best Tourism Village2025,” it is a spot attracting attention from around the world.

●Mendoya: Over 100 Years of Dining
The restaurant we're introducing this time, “Mendo-ya,” is a long-established eatery that has been operating in this very location for over 100 years. With it’s tiled roof and white plaster walls, the building blends beautifully into the peaceful rural landscape of Asuka.
The two-story interior features both table seating and traditional tatami rooms, accommodating everyone from families to large tour groups.

●Popular Lunch Set
I tried Mendoya's popular weekday lunch menu, the “Asuka Road: Traveler’s Set” (1,400 yen).
The nyuumen (warm thin noodles) looks as gentle as it tastes—it’s light bonito broth fills your mouth with delicate umami that soothes away the fatigue of travel.
The dessert, warabi mochi, had a refined sweetness with just the right chewiness and a soft, springy texture.

●Reservation-Only: Signature Local Dishes
At Mendo-ya, you can enjoy local cuisine passed down in Asuka Village and Nara Prefecture.
The famous “Asuka Nabe” is a dish simmered in a special milk broth, featuring locally grown pesticide-free vegetables and free-range chicken. The “Hyotan Bento,” generously packed with ingredients from Asuka Village, is also popular. Both items are available by advance reservation only. Please remember to make a reservation when visiting.

●Enjoy sightseeing after your meal
Located along the route connecting Asuka-dera Temple, Okadera Temple, and the Ishibutai Kofun, Mendo-ya sits in an ideal spot for travelers exploring the area’s historic sites.
After enjoying your meal, take a short walk and explore the peaceful surroundings of Asuka Village.

[Mendo-ya Information]
Address: 40 Oka, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture
Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed: Irregular days off
▼Reservations here
https://autoreserve.com/en/restaurants/az4RSwXwnqCMV3VKPTzm?medium_slug=Z6cB8Ud6buTh&ar_article_id=Z6cB8Ud6buTh_20250816_000003

31/10/2025

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4 Recommended Souvenirs from Izumo and Matsue
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●Yakumo lacquerware
Yakumo lacquerware is a traditional craft of Matsue City, named after the ancient Izumo poem beginning “Yakumo tatsu” (“The clouds gather”), it was thus called Yakumo lacquerware.
Characterized by delicate and beautiful lacquerwork, where patterns are drawn using colored lacquer and gold powder, then finished by layering transparent lacquer.

●Magatama
The town of Tamayu in Shimane Prefecture, within the Izumo region, is considered the birthplace of magatama. Magatama have been crafted here since ancient times using blue agate sourced from Mount Kasen, serving as amulets to ward off evil spirits.
Around Izumo Grand Shrine and Tamatsukuri Onsen, visitors can purchase individual magatama or magatama accessories as souvenirs.

●Tamatsukuri Onsen Cosmetics
Tamatsukuri Beauty Laboratory HIMELABO, a basic cosmetics brand featuring Tamatsukuri Onsen water for beautiful skin. Here, we offer a wide selection of basic skincare products suitable for both men and women, including soap, mist, serum, gel, and UV cream.
Beyond the hot spring water, we actively use naturally derived ingredients in our gentle formulations, ensuring safe use.

●Japanese sweets
Matsue is renowned alongside Kyoto and Kanazawa as one of Japan’s three great confectionery and tea regions.
The “Three Great Confectioneries of Matsue” are “Natanenosato” (Rapeseed Village), ‘Wakakusa’ (Young Grass), and “Yamakawa” (Mountain River). These are colorful Japanese sweets that pair beautifully with tea.

★Click here to see the details of the information.
https://kodawari-times.net/sightseeing/shimane-prefectures-izumo-and-matsue/