Seaside Oysters at Tsudau-Suisan

, , , , Food, Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Seaside Oysters at Tsudau-Suisan
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/160 sec, ISO100
 “Kaki Section” Tatsuno, 2026

Today we headed to the seaside for lunch at Tsudau-Suisan, this amazing seafood restaurant perched right on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The views were absolutely spectacular! 🌊 We had reservations and they gave us one of the best tables in the house. I was so excited when they showed us to our spot! ✨

One of the specialties here (and the area in general) are the oysters, so naturally I went a little crazy. 😅 I ordered a whole bucket of oysters to be steamed at the table, some rice with oysters that were also cooked tableside, and oyster roll sushi. It was all delicious! We also got sashimi and gratin, plus I had a nama-biiru to wash it down. Such a memorable meal. Definitely recommended! 🦪

Afterwards we stopped at Road Station Mitsu to do a bit of shopping, and that’s where I saw the largest daikon I have ever laid eyes on. And it was only ¥160 JP ($1 US)! Unbelievable! 🥕

Lastly, I was happy to get my first stamp in my notebook. It’s so funny because it has an oyster and daikon on it! 📓

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/1000 sec, ISO50
 “Seaside Beer” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/280 sec, ISO40
 “Oyster Sushi” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100
 “Oyster Bucket” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/200 sec, ISO40
 “Yummy Beer” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO125
 “Oysters on the Half-Shell” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/670 sec, ISO80
 “Fresh Shellfish” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO200
 “Enormous Daikon” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/120 sec, ISO64
 “Mitsu Stamp” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/2800 sec, ISO80
 “Fishing Harbor” Tatsuno, 2026

Another Afternoon Osanpo

, , , Photo Life, Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Another Afternoon Osanpo
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO200
 “Ume Blossoms” Tatsuno, 2026

I went for another afternoon osanpo after wrapping up work for the day. There’s just so much here in Japan that catches my eye and makes me want to pull out my camera! 📸

I’ve realized I kind of gauge how much I like a place by how many photos I end up taking. The more shots, the more I’m loving it. ✨

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/3600 sec, ISO80
 “Coffee” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/180 sec, ISO64
 “Torii” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/5, 1/900 sec, ISO800
 “Tombo” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/9, 1/450 sec, ISO800
 “Neighborhood Stroll” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec, ISO800
 “Elder Tree” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/4, 1/850 sec, ISO800
 “Wishes” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/4.5, 1/750 sec, ISO800
 “Through Trees” Tatsuno, 2026

Today’s Osanpo

, Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Today’s Osanpo
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO25
 “Bike” Tatsuno, 2026

After lunch, we headed out for an osanpo around the neighborhood. I always love having my camera handy for these little walks! 📸 There’s so much to see when you just slow down and look around. Such a great way to spend the afternoon. ✨

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/1100 sec, ISO80
 “Street Scene” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/2400 sec, ISO80
 “Tombo” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/730 sec, ISO80
 “Tombo” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/400 sec, ISO80
 “Banner” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/4000 sec, ISO64
 “The Neighborhood” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/1000 sec, ISO64
 “Old Goods” Tatsuno, 2026

Lunch at Kura Terrace クラテラスたつの

, , Food, Slice of Life1 Comment on Lunch at Kura Terrace クラテラスたつの
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/75 sec, ISO200
 “Kura Terrace Lunch” Tatsuno, 2026

Today we had lunch at Kura Terrace (クラテラスたつの), and it was exactly what I needed! The set meal came with a variety of vegetarian dishes – super filling and satisfying. I went with the brown rice topped with raw egg, and wow, it was delicious! 🍚✨

The place gets pretty crowded, so I’m glad we made reservations ahead of time. It felt great to have such a healthy meal while dining out for a change. After lunch, we went for a walk around the area and I felt totally energized. Love finding spots like this! 😊 I’m so happy that it’s only a short walk from our house.

Akatombo-kun and Akane-chan

I Like It, Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Akatombo-kun and Akane-chan
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/2300 sec, ISO80
 “Hon Tatsuno” Tatsuno, 2026

On today’s osanpo, I walked to Hon-Tatsuno Station just to get used to the route. And yes, I ran into my favorite duo again: Akatombo-kun and Akane-chan! ✨

For those who don’t know, the composer of the famous song Akatombo (Red Dragonfly) was from this area, so the city adopted the red dragonfly as its mascot. First came Akatombo-kun, then a few years later they added his girlfriend Akane-chan. I love them both!

Mariko and Bay think I’m weird for being so obsessed with the city mascots, but honestly? I think it’s fun!

“Mascots Tatsuno, 2026Screenshot

Lunch at Tsukanoma

, Food, Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Lunch at Tsukanoma
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/750 sec, ISO80
 “Tsukanoma” Tatsuno, 2026

Today we grabbed lunch at Tsukanoma, a little café tucked into an old building nearby. I ordered their open-faced sandwich and wow, it did not disappoint! Fresh vegetables piled high with meat, everything toasted just right. The kind of meal that makes you want to come back tomorrow. 🥪✨

Honestly, I could eat this every day and be perfectly happy about it. I was really looking forward to eating here! Yokatta.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO800
 “Open-Face Sandwich” Tatsuno, 2026

Morning Work and Afternoon Eats

, Food, Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Morning Work and Afternoon Eats
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/60 sec, ISO320
 “Chestnut French Toast” Tatsuno, 2026

While I’m in Japan, my work hours are 5 am to 2 pm, which means I have a nice 3-hour overlap with the team in Austin each day. ⏰ Usually it’s super busy when I start because people have been sending me work during their day. When I log in, it’s 2 pm for the Texas team (they’re a day behind me) and for those couple of hours, I’m responding to emails, Slack messages, and hopping on calls. It’s kind of intense! But from about 8 am onwards, it gets very quiet and I get a ton of work done. I think I like it! 💻✨

This schedule also means I have my afternoons free to do as I please. Today, Mariko and I went to Kurisu Chestunut café to get some dessert. She got a strawberry parfait, while I enjoyed a marron (chestnut) and cream French toast. It was yummy! 🍓🌰

After that we took care of errands before getting dinner at Matsu-ya, a fast-food gyu-don (beef bowl) restaurant. It was just okay. Very salty. 🍚 We probably won’t be returning, but it’s good to try out the options in town!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64
 “Soup and Gyudon” Tatsuno, 2026