Reunion at Hibiya, a Cultural Crossroads On June 9, 2024, during a refreshing afternoon between rainy days, I reunited with a long-unseen friend at “Kabe no Ana” (Hole in the Wall) in a corner of Hibiya Chanter. Hibiya is a place that symbolizes Japan’s modernization since the Meiji era, serving as Tokyo’s cultural heart where government districts, commercial areas, and cultural facilities harmonize exquisitely. The time spent with my friend here holds meaning beyond mere dining. “Kabe no Ana,” which opened in 1953 in Tamura-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, is also a living witness to an era when post-war Japanese people harbored yearning for Western culture. The spaghetti savored at this restaurant contains countless human dramas woven over 71 years. ...

A Crossroads of Multinational Fine Dining in Modern Osaki On the evening of May 28, 2024, I opened the doors to “Italian Dining Il Chianti” on the second floor of Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Osaki, located near Osaki Station. Osaki is a place that has undergone dramatic transformation from a corner of Shinagawa that once prospered with seaweed cultivation to a refined modern office district. While gazing at this colorful salad, I was reminded anew of the richness of modern Tokyo’s food culture. Here, vivid colors reminiscent of Mediterranean sunshine dance before you. The deep red of tomatoes, the rich green of broccoli, the yellow and orange of bell peppers, and the beautiful purple of red onions. The harmony woven by these vegetables is truly a symbol of the “internationalization of food” that modern Japan has embraced. ...

The Airport Experience as a Ritual of Departure On the evening of May 15, 2024, the moment I stepped into Haneda Airport’s terminal, I realized anew that airports are not merely transit points for movement, but microcosms of modern Japanese culture and special ritual spaces that open doors to the extraordinary journey of travel. The aircraft standing on the runway at dusk truly appear like giant modern birds. Their graceful forms could be called works of art that crystallize humanity’s aspiration for flight and the pinnacle of technology. There seems to be something that connects the feelings that ancient Manyoshu poets entrusted to birds with the longing we modern people harbor for aircraft. ...

Stepping foot in Meguro, this is not merely a corner of Tokyo, but a special space where a treasure trove of art and culture spanning time and space unfolds—Meguro Gajoen. And nestled in one corner of this temple of history and beauty, the renowned teppanyaki restaurant STEAK HOUSE hama. Today, we present this luxurious yet intellectual lunch experience woven by these two establishments. The Beautiful Space of Gajoen Weaving History Born in 1931 as a traditional Japanese restaurant, Meguro Gajoen traces its beginnings to “Shibaura Gajoen,” opened by founder Rikizo Hosokawa in Shibaura, Tokyo in 1928. Later moving to Meguro, it established its position as a prestigious traditional restaurant. Furthermore, it became known as Japan’s first comprehensive wedding venue. ...

Authentic Wine Bar Produced by Seijo Ishii Le Bar a Vin 52 (Le Bar à Vin 52), located on the 4th floor of Atre Ebisu West Wing, just 1 minute from Ebisu Station. This wine bar produced by Seijo Ishii doesn’t stop at being just a “trendy drinking spot.” This is a place to perfect the marriage of ingredients and wine. Utilizing Seijo Ishii’s procurement capabilities, famous for their supermarket chain, you can casually enjoy carefully selected ingredients from around the world and wines chosen by the shop master. ...

Once upon a time, the Meguro area was a renowned “excursion” destination for common people during the Edo period. This verdant region, known for temple visits and the famous Meguro Fudo, was beloved as a place where history and culture intersected. In this land where the scent of that history still faintly lingers, there quietly stands a single restaurant—‘CIAORO.’ Just a 4-minute walk from Meguro Station, this basement space, removed from the bustling crowds, is wrapped in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, as if one has wandered into a gap between dimensions. ...

Gotanda—what comes to mind when you hear this name? Its face as a business district, the entertainment quarter glittering with neon lights at night, or perhaps some might sense the shadow of the phantom inn “Kaiki-kan” that once existed here, made famous in the film “The Land Swindlers.” Yet Gotanda’s charms cannot be fully captured by these images alone. This neighborhood harbors infinite possibilities spreading like a galaxy, where history and culture intersect with the breath of new eras. ...

A Fateful Encounter at Takasaka Service Area During Our Journey En route to Hokuriku, after several hours on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, we stopped at Takasaka Service Area (downbound) during the early afternoon as hunger began to set in. This isn’t merely a rest stop—it’s a “service area paradise” teeming with gourmet delights. And there’s one place my feet naturally gravitate toward without fail: the renowned iso-age shop “Marusen.” ...

A Culinary Adventure Begins—3 Minutes from Toritsudaigaku Station Fine dining is not merely about pleasing the palate. Cuisine carries history, culture, and the essence of people’s lives. Today, I visited ‘Trattoria Il Destino,’ quietly nestled in Yakumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo. This restaurant truly lives up to its name, meaning “destiny.” From the moment you open the door, what begins is not just lunch, but a culinary adventure. Homemade Natural Yeast Bread Weaves the Spirit of Italy One of the restaurant’s distinctive features is its homemade natural yeast bread. Freshly baked bread dressed with pizza sauce and cheese—a masterpiece that evokes the cheerful breeze of Naples. The fact that bread alone can move you this much is testament to the chef’s skill. Here, bread is not merely a supporting player, but one of the protagonists building the culinary narrative. ...