Hi again, fabulous food followers! It’s Francesca here, back with Day 8 of our Japan adventure. And oh boy, was this day packed — with bike rides, rain rides, and the most unexpectedly delicious dinner we’ve had yet. Also: we learned a new word (okonomiyaki) and now it lives rent-free in my brain. Let’s begin.
🥐 Breakfast: Bakeries & Banana Bread (and Bikes)
Ted and Dad were up way too early for a morning run, which I personally think is madness in this heat. But they survived, so we rewarded them with… baked goods!
Our usual bakery spots were closed, so we wandered a little further and struck gold:
- Freshly baked croissants — plain, chocolate, raisin, and a super cheesy one for Dad
- We also picked up some banana bread at a nearby café while Mum and Dad got their essential flat whites
Fueled up, Ted (a.k.a. Captain Wheels) declared we should rent bikes and explore Kyoto like locals — so we grabbed four bikes, strapped Lucia to the back of Dad’s, and off we went!
🍱 Lunch: Hidden Homestyle Perfection
After a scenic cycle (with only one near miss involving a rogue pigeon), we cruised over to Nijo Castle and searched for food. Sadly, so had everyone else.
The 500-year-old soba place? Massive line.
The trendy noodle shop? Even longer.
So we kept pedalling and stumbled across a tiny restaurant with only four dishes on the menu — YES, PLEASE.
- Ted and I went with the fried chicken set (served with rice, salad, and miso soup)
- Mum and Dad had poached chicken rice bowls with scrambled egg on top
It was so simple, so comforting, and so perfect after riding through the heat. We practically inhaled it. Ted said it was the best fried chicken of the trip — and he’s had a lot of fried chicken lately.
🍵 Afternoon Tea: Fancy Tea, Funny Sweets & a Full-On Storm
Later, after some more exploring on two wheels, we popped into a very fancy tea shop in search of mochi. Spoiler: no mochi. 😩
But they did have stunning Japanese sweets that looked like they belonged in an art gallery.
- Most of them were jellies and bean pastes, not overly sweet
- They came with a drizzle of syrup to sweeten things up
- They were… interesting (weirdly wobbly), but beautifully served and honestly kind of fun
Just as we were wrapping up, we checked the weather and saw a storm heading our way. We tried to get home in time.
Spoiler #2: We didn’t.
By the time we arrived back, we were soaked to the bone. Like, puddles-in-your-socks, water-dripping-off-your-eyelashes soaked. We all ran for hot showers — and fresh dry socks.
🥢 Dinner: Unexpected Okonomiyaki Delight
We originally planned on ramen, but festival crowds made that impossible. So we wandered until we found a cozy place called Donguri, and something about the glowing sign and delicious smell said “yes.”
We were shown to a Japanese-style booth with a griddle in the table — no shoes allowed, which Lucia loved because she’s basically anti-shoes at this point. 🧦
The menu was on a tablet and we picked a few things not entirely knowing what we were getting. What arrived?
OKONOMIYAKI. Aka:
✨ Savory Japanese pancakes with fillings like beef, prawns, cheese, corn, spring onions, and even kimchi.
Sizzling, saucy, fluffy, and fabulous.
We might have over-ordered, but did we leave a single bite behind? Absolutely not.
🚲 Final Thoughts
Day 8 gave us adventure on wheels, rain-soaked memories, and a new love for Japanese pancakes. We didn’t plan every bite — but sometimes that’s when the magic happens.
Tomorrow’s forecast? Hopefully dry… but even if it rains, we’ll find something delicious to eat. 😋
See you on the next page,
Francesca (plus Ted, the Fried Chicken King, and Lucia, the Barefoot Pancake Bandit) ☔🍴👣
P.S. Ted says okonomiyaki should be a school lunch option. I fully support this campaign.
Ted Tastes Francesca Feasts 
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