Jane and I ventured out for a traditional Japanese dinner tonight, all alone, which translates as no one to order for us and this is the result:

Beer course:  Kirin

Course 1: Unidouhu – sea urchin with tofu, this had a mousse-like texture and was delicious.

Course 2:  Tako No Karamiponzuae – octopus with bitter orange juice and red pepper.  Simple, yet flavorful.

Sake course:  Kicchou - sweet sake from Nara

Course 3:  Kanipango no ankake – crab ball with vegetables and broth.

Course 4:  Jako to aotou no irini - Dried young sardines and roasted green pepper.  The green peppers taste like a combination of okra and green pepper.

Course 5:  Yasai to bacon no cheese yaki – vegetables and bacon baked with cheese.  We just love the name of this as it sounds like “yes to bacon, no to cheese”.  However, it was more like steamed vegetables baked inside of a ham and cheese crust.  Surprising and wonderful.

Sake course:  Kamoizumi – striking smell, clean finish

Course 6:  Ebimayo – Shrimp baked with mayo and onions.  Not what were expecting, as the unexpected onions left a strong after taste.

Course 7:  Gyuniku no tataki – our favorite dish of the night which was grilled beef sliced thin and served with leeks and ginger. 

Shouchu course:  sweet potato based liquour- probably should have been ordered earlier

Course 8:  Maruboshi – grilled dried sardines.

Check paid, overly satisfied, we strolled back to our hotel.