The small restaurant seemed busy with limited seating, and the service felt a bit slow. There were many foreign customers, making it seem hectic. I ordered the lunch set for 1500 yen, which today was fried sardines. Despite making a reservation, it took about 30 minutes for the food to arrive. The set included steamed vegetables, fried sardines, three side dishes, miso soup, pickles, and rice with the option for seconds. Overall, everything was delicious. The fried sardines were easy to eat as the bones were removed. For 1500 yen, the lunch set was reasonably priced.

Today's lunch was at "Shun-saian Hasegawa" in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. It is located near the Uji Police Station, south of Uji Bridge Shopping Street. The restaurant offers bento boxes and traditional Japanese cuisine. Despite the crowded tourist season in Uji Bridge, the opposite side of the shopping street is not as busy. There is a high-end looking restaurant in a magnificent building at the corner of the intersection. I checked the prices on the signboard outside and felt reassured to visit. Although the building is large, the interior of the restaurant is cozy with a counter and two tables. The recommended dish seems to be the seafood bowl. They also have local specialties and various other rice bowl dishes. I wanted sashimi, so I ordered the "Sashimi set meal" for 1800 yen. They served a cloth towel and tea, which was a nice touch. The cooking process took quite some time. Finally, the luxurious set meal arrived on a black lacquered square tray. Each dish was beautifully presented in unique plates. The miso soup with Nameko mushrooms and tofu had a distinct flavor that complemented the dashi broth. The simmered dish had an authentic taste like that of a high-end restaurant. The chawanmushi (savory egg custard) was piping hot, smooth, and had a delicate texture from the yuba (tofu skin). The steamed vegetables were a pleasant surprise and tasted great with a sprinkle of salt. The sashimi was of high quality, especially the sweet and large botan shrimp. Overall, it was a great value for authentic Japanese cuisine at this genuine Japanese restaurant.

Cliff-edge Bento Stamp Rally, this time featuring Hasegawa-san who is celebrating their 10th anniversary. Originally known for their catering services, they offer well-prepared bento boxes. The main dish is a large deep-fried fresh ice fish, accompanied by flavorful simmered dishes and delicious side dishes. The dessert includes a mini daifuku wrapped in bamboo leaves, which is a nice touch.

I visited to eat Uji green tea pickles. Finally, I was able to eat the Uji green tea set meal for 2000 yen. In a tea bowl, there is a generous amount of high-quality tuna. Then, hot Uji green tea is poured over it. The tuna's flavor blends nicely, and it can be enjoyed smoothly with pickled vegetables. After the meal, the landlady's special chiffon cake is served with matcha. A new Uji specialty, Uji green tea pickles. There are several other shops that offer it as well. Why not try visiting them too?

The food is always delicious whenever I come here. I feel at ease with the taste and always want to come back.

I found a delicious restaurant after a long time. I want to go again.

When we thought the local fish market had closed, a new Kyoto cuisine restaurant suddenly opened. We love this type of cuisine, so we quickly went with my partner to check it out. Upon entering, we found an L-shaped counter and a few table seats in a cozy setting. We ordered the "Chef's Special Course" for ¥3,000, which included two draft beers, a variety of appetizers, sashimi, tempura, steamed vegetables, chawanmushi, rice with condiments, miso soup, and a small dessert. The presentation was small and intricate, using ingredients not commonly found in Kyoto cuisine. The broth was on the richer side, which wasn't to my liking. Considering the price, we understood the limitations. Surprisingly, an Elgar clock on the wall played "Pomp and Circumstance," adding a unique touch to the experience. (Note: The menu seemed to offer only set courses at the moment.)