Off the road

Okonomiyaki

Osaka or Hiroshima?
Okonomiyaki is one of the most popular food in Japan, especially in western Japan. It is difficult to explain how it is. It looks something between a pizza and a pancake. But it tastes totally different. I cannot explain how it tastes but I can say it is cool. The basic ingredients are flour, yam, egg, cabbage, spring onion. On top of that, you can add anything you like. Usually most okonomiyaki restaurants have pork okonomiyaki and squid okonomiyaki. Some restaurants have other options for the topping like shrimp, beef, cheese, rice cake, etc… Now you can learn how it is cooked on the following link:
Okonomiyaki Osaka
http://www.japan-guide.com/r/e100.html 

There are two way of cooking for okonomiyaki, Osaka style and Hiroshima style.
Osaka style is to scramble everything and fry on the pan. Meanwhile, in Hiroshima style, each ingredient is piled up in order. Usually noodles are sandwiched between them in Hiroshima style. (Hiroshima people are very much proud of their okonomiyaki. Don’t say “Osaka style is better” in front of them. They might throw a okonomiyaki cutting knife at you )
Sauce is very very important for okonomiyaki. It is dark brown colour and has kind of strong taste. Some dried sea weed and dried bonito flakes (weird?) are drizzled lastly.
Okonomiyaki Hiroshima
In both Osaka and Hiroshima, you can see okonomiyaki restaurants everywhere. Also,  Osaka style okonomiyaki are spread in the Kansai region, not only in Osaka.
In eastern Japan, okonomiyaki is less popular than in the west. You can try monja-yaki in Tokyo instead. This is a kind of weird snack.

J-Hoppers Group site

Backpackers Hostel in Kyoto

The hostel opened in Kyoto in 2002. It's an 8 minute walk from Kyoto Station. There are many important historical sites such as Toji Temple or Fushimi-Inari Shrine. The building used to be a boutique. There are individual private rooms and a cosy common room (Kitchen, Livingroom, Laundry, Shower room) in the hostel.

Japanese style Budget Hostel in Hiroshima

The hostel opened in Hiroshima in November 2006. The builing used to be a Japanese style ryokan and most guest rooms are Japanese style with tatami matts. Located near the Peace Memorial Park and A-bomb Dome. You can also go to Miyajima, which is one of the 3 most scenic spots in Japan, by tram.

Backpackers Hostel in Osaka

The hostel opened in Osaka in february 2008. It's just about 10 minutes walk to Osaka station, which has extensive travel links to everywhere. It could be a starting point for all sightseeing places not only Osaka but also Nara, Kobe, Wakayama.
 
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