I reserved Inzutaya's osechi for this year as well. This time, I ordered two different sets, one with one tier and the other with two tiers. I chose the original osechi from Inzutaya, but they wrote two separate delivery slips, charged separate delivery fees, and did not allow for time specification. Also, they couldn't guarantee that the sets would arrive together. I wish they could improve this. The reservation area was in a crowded aisle, and I had to wait there, which inconvenienced the customers of the kamaboko shop next door. I wish they had provided the delivery slips on a table for us to fill out in advance with a pen. Instead, they brought out the delivery slips separately from the back, making us rewrite them. As always, Inzutaya lives up to its reputation. The flavors were delicious with a well-balanced dashi taste that wasn't overwhelming. The dishes were individually portioned, allowing us to enjoy a variety of flavors without getting tired of them. There were no strange or unidentifiable dishes, which was great.

In the basement of Idutsuya, there is a tea corner. This time, I purchased Marco Polo. "Marco Polo" is a tea brand from the French tea house Mariage Frères, which has been around since the 17th century. When you open the can, there is a faintly sweet vanilla-like scent. The official description says it is a mix of enchanting Chinese fruits and mysterious Tibetan flowers. The scent is quite strong and very soothing. It has a rich aroma like tropical fruits. It is very delicious.

I reserved and purchased osechi (New Year's food) at Izutsuya at the end of the year. They offer delivery on December 31st for an additional fee. I chose the special Izutsuya 85th Anniversary Osechi (2-tier for 32,800 yen), which is divided into small compartments filled with a variety of Western-style dishes. It does not include the traditional black beans, which I actually prefer to buy separately. The flavors are light and not overwhelming, but some may find it a bit on the sweet side. With fewer people ordering osechi and online orders becoming more common, the order counter was tucked away in a crowded area, making it a bit challenging to fill out the order form while standing and trying to avoid bumping into other customers passing by.

The 2,800th review is about the unfortunate removal of "Fortnum & Mason" at Ogura Itoya in the department store. The reviewer recalls childhood memories of visiting the store with family for a special treat, and expresses a sense of nostalgia for the place. Despite the removal of the restaurant, the reviewer visits the store to purchase tea leaves from Fortnum & Mason, opting for Darjeeling tea. The review ends with a reflection on reaching the milestone of 2,800 reviews and plans to celebrate the next milestone at a favorite store.

3.06 Can't find any souvenirs - I was looking for local specialties, and I found Kumamon cookies. This is great, and they even come in a pack of two, perfect for sharing! The packaging is different, so at first glance, it might look like a different product. I've decided to buy a lot. The only problem is whether they will break during transport, but that's just part of the fun. I tried one bag, and it was good. Now I have a bunch of souvenirs to give out. Next, I'll be exploring sweets in Hakata Hankyu - I'm looking forward to Ampleur, Ange Coco, and more!

This is a spin-off post under the "Other" category, so feel free to like it or not. It's like an event happening in the basement of a department store, showcasing a variety of famous local sweets from across the country called "National Famous Sweets Seasonal Colorful". I purchased a box of Nagasaki's Bunmeido main store's castella, which comes in a cut packaging with 5 pieces inside. Bunmeido with a polar bear's face can only be found in the eastern part of Japan, it's a different company but under the same Bunmeido name. When it comes to castella, it's common to have paper stuck to the bottom or have the sugar coating peel off along with the cake, but Bunmeido's castella is moist, not dry, and has a rich sweetness to it. If there is a direct store in the basement, I will post about it there, but I'm not sure where to go next. If I purchase something from various events or stores on the same floor (not specialty stores), or at a gourmet event in the main building's 8th floor event hall, I will share it here again.