I visited Ishikiri Shrine and had a delicious kakigori at a food stall in front of the shrine. It was piled high with toppings like kinako, honey, kudzu mochi, and red bean paste. It was so fluffy and tasty. Although there were many kakigori shops around, I'm glad I chose this one. The owner and staff were very friendly. It cost 850 yen. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I visited Ishikiri Shrine, known for its power to ward off cancer. The shrine is famous for its O-bon pilgrimage. This time, my visit was quite serious, so I refrained from taking photos or playing around. I will take photos when I come back to express my gratitude. The O-bon pilgrimage took about one hour and ended safely. It is now 2 pm, and I am feeling hungry. While on the pilgrimage, I noticed two udon shops. Towards the end, I started to wonder which shop to choose. Both shops seemed similar. I decided to go to the left shop called "Suzuya." At first glance, it looked like a souvenir shop, but the back was a dining area. The shop is not very spacious, but it was empty due to the time difference. Some of the people who were on the pilgrimage with me also came to the shop. The menu was extensive, making it hard to decide. I was interested in the celebratory "O-fuku soba." It is warm soba, but since it wasn't very hot that day, I opted for the "Energetic Oden," which seems perfect for cold winters with various ingredients like shrimp, fish cakes, fried fish cakes, mountain vegetables, etc. It's said to have eight ingredients, which is considered lucky. The shop also has various souvenirs and desserts. It is a perfect place to visit for a break after completing the pilgrimage. Next time, I might try the other shop. I hope you can safely come back for the gratitude pilgrimage! Here are some menu items: - O-fuku soba: 820 yen, set meal: 980 yen - Suzuya set meal: 980 yen - Energetic Oden (five kinds): 800 yen, set meal: 1050 yen - Ishikiri Maru udon set meal: 1050 yen - Tempura udon set meal: 1050 yen - Suzuya set meal: 980 yen - Zaru soba set meal: 980 yen - Ko-Karasu Maru udon: 880 yen - Ishikiri Maru dashi chazuke set meal: 950 yen - Namito meat miso udon: 950 yen - Tori Nanba: 900 yen

Today I had lunch here. The weather was nice and sunny, so I came to Ishikiri Shrine. Many visitors were walking around the sacred stones in front of the shrine, making wishes. I arrived a bit early and ordered the "O-fuku Soba" dish. It comes with soba noodles, but I should have chosen udon instead (laughs). However, the broth was delicious, with a slight sweet taste. It made me forget about the soba. After making a wish at the shrine, I took a stroll along the approach. Thank you for the meal!

My family and I have been visiting Ishikiri Shrine every New Year since I was a child. We always receive blessings and prayers from the shrine. Recently, after my mother passed away, my sister and I visited the shrine to offer her memorial tablet. After paying our respects, we decided to have some zenzai, which my mother loved. We found a shop near the shrine and enjoyed a delicious zenzai with fluffy mochi and plenty of sweet red beans. My mother also loved anmitsu, ohagi, and other traditional sweets. We have inherited her sweet tooth, and she used to make zenzai and chirashi sushi for us on our birthdays. It has been almost two years since she passed away, and we are slowly sorting through and organizing things at home. It's a busy time, but we feel relieved to have completed one task.

I went on a whim on New Year's Eve! I found out about this restaurant from a TV show I watched before. It was really cold, so I ordered a set of warming oden, zenzai, and a limited edition famous sword meat miso udon. The oden was bubbling hot and looked appetizing even before it arrived - I was tempted to get seconds! The udon was served in a sweet broth which I really enjoyed. The only downside was that the mixed rice wasn't warm enough. The zenzai had grilled yomogi mochi which was delicious, both the mochi and red beans were tasty. The staff were friendly and made me feel cozy.

Today, I accompanied my mother to Ishikiri-san (Ishikiri Tsurugiya Jinja) at the foot of Mt. Ikoma in Higashi-Osaka City. We visited Suzuya, a shop right in front of the shrine, which offers oden, yakigohan (grilled rice), and sweets. It's a typical shop you would find near shrines and temples. I ordered the onsen tamago (hot spring egg) kake yakigohan (grilled rice with toppings) set, which came with oden and clear soup for 800 yen (excluding tax). The staff kindly explained how to eat it. First, you place the onsen tamago on top, sprinkle on some green onions and grated daikon radish, and pour the soy-based sauce. Mix it all together and take a bite. The flavor was light and gentle, perfect for tired bodies after walking from Nara Station. The oden was also delicious with a flavorful broth. Overall, it was a tasty meal. Thank you for the treat.

I went to Ishikiri-san for the first time in a while. I always walk down from Kintetsu Ishikiri station. This time, I went all the way down to Ishikiri Shrine without stopping for snacks or anything. After finishing my visit, it was lunchtime. Since there were no special requests, I went into a restaurant right after the gate. They had a variety of basic cafeteria menu items like udon, oden, and set meals. I chose the "ofuku udon" set meal which came with mixed rice. The udon was not too soft or too firm, just the right amount of chewiness. It had about 10 different toppings like yuba and mountain vegetables, which made it feel fancy. The mixed rice was delicious as well, and it was a satisfying combination. The oden was also tasty with the flavors soaked in.

In front of Ishikiri Jinja Shrine, there is a restaurant called Suzuya. It is a place that is popular among fans of Touken Ranbu, with menu items like Ishikirimaru udon set meal. They also have Touken Ranbu dolls, character goods, and signed items from the stage actors displayed. After finishing my visit, I had the Ishikirimaru udon set meal for an early lunch, priced at 900 yen (excluding tax). I chose the cold udon, which was refreshing with the slimy texture of seaweed. I also ordered the assorted oden for 650 yen (excluding tax), which was simmered to perfection and delicious. As a souvenir, I bought Touken Ranbu yokan for 300 yen each before heading home.

After visiting Ishikiri Shrine for the New Year's tradition, we had lunch at "Suzuya" restaurant. The atmosphere was nice, with a high ceiling and slightly chilly air (laughs). The staff were all friendly and polite, which was great. The tempura udon for 800 yen was delicious, with two shrimp tempura and a sweet broth, along with mountain vegetables and shredded kelp which were a nice touch. The Suzuya set meal for 1000 yen included noodles, mixed rice, a small portion of oden, and more. While other restaurants had long lines, we were grateful to be able to enter Suzuya with hardly any wait.

My wife was being demanding and insisted on coming to Ishikiri Shrine, so we had lunch at Suzuya right next to the approach. My wife, mother, and I ordered the Ishikiri Udon set, while my son ordered the Suzuya set. It was raining and cool, so we also ordered oden along with some drinks. The oden arrived first, followed by our meals 10 minutes later. The highlight was the delicious kakiage rice. It was so good that I ended up eating my son's untouched portion and half of my wife's, totaling two and a half bowls. The food was so tasty that I still wanted more even after that. Thank you for the meal!

I went for a New Year's visit to the shrine and had lunch without a reservation. We were seated at a table for two facing the wall, with an acrylic board separating us from the next table, creating a sense of privacy. We were served warm tea. I had the plum and grated radish soba, which was refreshing and delicious. It was topped with plum, grated radish, tempura crumbs, shrimp, fish cake, green onions, mountain vegetables, green beans, and shredded seaweed. The amount of plum and grated radish seemed similar to the other ingredients, which was a bit surprising, but considering that they are not usually found in other soba dishes, it seemed appropriate. The temperature of the soba was easy to eat and comforting. I usually prefer cold soba, but the light broth was delicious. Thank you very much for the meal!

On a certain day in July 2017, I visited a restaurant in front of Ishikiri Shrine during the day. I thought it was a sweets shop, but it turned out to be a dining hall that also serves meals. The main seating is at tables, and there are also raised tatami seating areas. The spaces between seats are narrow, and it seemed like it could be difficult when crowded. Fortunately, when I visited in the morning, there was only one other customer. I ordered the morning set for 550 yen plus tax. It came with mixed rice, oden (Japanese hot pot), miso soup, and pickles. The oden had a good balance of flavors, with the broth soaking into the ingredients well. The mixed rice also had a rich dashi flavor. There was a little bit of udon noodles in the miso soup. Breakfast is the energy for the day, and I enjoyed it. Thank you for the meal.

"I rolled my bike to the shop aiming for 'Hyougeki Kirimaru'. Upon passing through the torii gate and visiting, the shop was right in front of me. Interior: The shop has a calm interior similar to a set meal restaurant. It is very relaxing. Service: The cheerful and refreshing customer service was really wonderful and impressive. I was indecisive about ordering something other than 'Hyougeki Kirimaru', but I was not rushed and was able to think slowly. They served warm tea, which was appreciated as there were many cold menu items due to the season. It was a bit disappointing that there was no wet towel-like item. Taste: The ice was topped with matcha, black honey, kinako, and condensed milk, with 'kuzu mochi' made from arrowroot on top. When it was served, there were some melted spots on the plate which was a bit disappointing, but when scooped with a spoon, I was satisfied with its easy crumbling and melting. The latter part turned into a green soup (laughs). The matcha bitterness was not strong, and the sweetness of black honey was prominent. For those who like matcha sweets, this is a must-try!!"

In the online game Touken Ranbu, many young female fans flock to this shop in front of the shrine, which became popular due to the game. I have visited this place at least 5 times since my first visit in January 2015. It's no longer just a pilgrimage site, but a place I come to for delicious food. I have talked to some fans here, and we all agree that the Ishikirimaru Udon (wakame udon) is worth coming back for even if we have to pay for transportation. This time, I tried the Ishikirimaru Dorayaki. The combination of matcha bean paste, red bean paste, and vanilla ice cream is really delicious, giving a Japanese pancake-like sensation. The manager, who used to work for a major corporation and has a background in economics, is the reason behind the great menu and events here. The area around the cash register is filled with Touken Ranbu goods brought by visiting fans. Even if the boom fades, I would still want to come back to this great shop. They seem to be constantly adding new items to the menu, so you can enjoy it every time you visit. I will definitely go back again.

This year, I visited Ishikiri Shrine for Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year). We decided to have a light lunch at Suzuya, a restaurant right in front of the shrine. The restaurant is marked by a green noren curtain with a bell design. There were souvenirs being sold in front of the old-fashioned shop, and an elderly lady was tending to a large oden pot in the back. We were lucky to find a table available and ordered the Suzuya set meal with mixed rice and simmered noodles, curry udon, and for me, plum grated soba. The plum grated soba was topped with grated daikon radish, whole umeboshi (pickled plum), tempura crumbs, grated yam, green onions, mountain vegetables, fish cake, and peeled shrimp in the center. It was similar to the simmered noodles in the Suzuya set meal. The refreshing taste of the grated daikon radish, the sourness of the plum, the dashi from the grated yam, and the oiliness of the tempura crumbs all balanced well together, creating a delicious dish. The broth and soba were both very gentle and tasty. It was so delicious! Despite the busy crowd of Hatsumode visitors, the staff were all providing polite and attentive service. Thank you for the meal! ☆

The season when you crave something warm has arrived. Along the stone-cut approach, there are numerous shops and fortune tellers. In Fukushima's Seiten Street, there is a place called "Fortune-telling Shopping Street," but this place might have the best fortune-telling stories. Among them, "Suzuya" is bustling, offering a lucky charm called the "Stone-cut Brand Selection Gold Award-winning" (Is there really such a thing?) featured menu "Ofuku Soba Set Meal" for 850 yen. By the way, it's 800 yen for just the soba, so the set meal is a better deal with side dishes like seasoned rice. There are plenty of tables inside the shop. What is auspicious soba? Shrimp symbolizes longevity, shredded kombu seaweed symbolizes prosperity, and the black soybean in the yuba symbolizes warding off evil spirits and health, praying for a year of good health. Anyway, the auspicious soba is much appreciated. Let's eat. The soba broth is relatively light, with a nice flavor from the shredded kombu and fried tofu. The soba itself is just regular soba, but when you think of it as an auspicious dish, it all tastes delicious. I ended up getting full with the seasoned rice. There was also something called "auspicious oden," but is oden supposed to be like that? Well, everything seems lucky, so thank you for the meal.

After visiting the Ishikiri Inari Shrine, we took a stroll through the Ishikiri Shopping Street. The street had a nostalgic charm and was a pleasant place to walk around. As rumored, there were many fortune-telling shops along the street. While exploring, we looked for a place to have lunch. Eventually, we were drawn into "Suzuya" by the sight of a large pot of Kanto-style hot pot right at the entrance. (laughs) I ordered the Fukusoba set with soba noodles (850 yen), and my wife ordered the Nameko Oroshi cold udon noodles (750 yen). We also shared a Kanto-style hot pot assortment (650 yen) with daikon radish x2, egg, thick fried tofu, and konjac. (We're still a couple who loves to eat a lot, as always ^^;) There were few customers, so our Kanto-style hot pot, Fukusoba set, and Nameko Oroshi udon were served promptly in that order. [Kanto-style Hot Pot Assortment] We tried the daikon radish, thick fried tofu, and half of the egg, and they all had a delicious flavor. As you can see in the photos, the daikon radish was especially good. [Fukusoba Set] The Fukusoba set included shrimp and shiso tempura, kamaboko, oboro kombu, tofu skin with Tanba black beans, mountain vegetables, and green onions in a five-ingredient soba. It also came with mountain vegetable mixed rice, konjac and ganmimo simmered dish, and pickles. The five-ingredient soba was hearty, with various flavors to enjoy. The mountain vegetable mixed rice had plenty of mountain vegetables and a lightly seasoned taste, which was delicious. [Nameko Oroshi Udon - Cold] The Nameko Oroshi Udon had plenty of nameko mushrooms and grated daikon, with a sprinkle of green onions. The broth looked strong but wasn't overpowering in taste, and my wife found it delicious. By the time we finished eating and left, more customers had started to arrive. Thank you for the delicious meal!

Tsunukko & Chibitsunu here! Today is January 3rd, the third day of the New Year. We are taking the subway to go on our first shrine visit of the year. We have arrived at Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine (commonly known as Ishikiri-san). This is our first time visiting this shrine as we don't often come to the area of Higashi Osaka City. We are very excited! Chibitsunu: "Exciting!" There was a long line starting from the ema hall. Oh? There is something attached to the roof of the ema hall. It's a sword and arrow (Tsurugi and Ya). The sharp sword symbolizes cutting stones, and Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine is famous as a god of tumors. The sword is used to cut tumors. After waiting in line for about 30 minutes, we finally reached near the main hall. Another famous tradition at Ishikiri Shrine is the "Hyakudo-mairi," where you walk back and forth between the main hall and the shrine entrance while making wishes. Let's make our wishes too! Tsunukko: "I want to eat lots of delicious food, I want lots of pocket money, I just want to be happy..." Chibitsunu: "I wish everyone stays healthy." Chibitsunu: "They are selling omikuji!" Let's get an omikuji! Yay! It's Daikichi (great blessing) for me! This year, I can proudly say I got Daikichi to everyone. (Last year's shrine visit was in the previous and next parts.) Chibitsunu: "I got Shokichi (small blessing) because I'm small!" This is Kame-no-Ike (Mizukami Shrine). It is said that if you write your name on the turtle's shell and release it, your wish will come true. But there are no turtles around... Oh, there is a turtle over there... In the past, there were over 1,000 turtles in Kame-no-Ike, so they moved the turtles to this small shrine. Now, you write your wishes on a piece of paper and put it in the small ceramic turtle's belly, then let it float in the water. There are so many turtles here... Chibitsunu: "There are many torii gates!" This is Hozumi Shinreisha. People come here to pray for the prevention of diseases and disasters, and for academic improvement. It is said that you make one important wish here in your lifetime. Let's keep our important wish until we think of one... After finishing our shrine visits, we feel a bit tired, so we want something sweet to eat. The road in front of the shrine has become the Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street. Let's go into this shop in front of the shrine! It's called "Oshokujidokoro Suzuya." Chibitsunu: "Sweet treats!" The shrine was crowded, so it's nice to take a break here. Drinking hot tea warms us up. We ordered Warabimochi (black honey and soybean flour) for 450 yen, Ishikiri Zenzai (with chestnut and yomogi dumplings) for 600 yen. Ishikiri is famous for yomogi. By the way, the shop's specialty yomogi skewered dumplings were sold out. Look, here are the yomogi dumplings and chestnuts. The azuki beans are just right, and the slight sweetness allows the azuki flavor to shine through. The sweetness is just right, and the plenty of ginger in it warms our bodies. This shop offers various meal options too. After enjoying the sweet treats, we feel energized. Let's explore the Ishikiri Sando Shopping Street! Chibitsunu: "Okay!" To be continued... ************************ Oshokujidokoro Suzuya 1-6-3 Higashi Ishikiri-cho, Higashi Osaka City, Osaka 072-982-3119 Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine (Ishikiri Tsurugiya Jinja) 1-1-1 Higashi Ishikiri-cho, Higashi Osaka City, Osaka 072-982-3621 Access: 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Line "Ishikiri" Station 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Keihanna Line "Shin-Ishikiri" Station