Last Sushi

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/160 sec, ISO125
“Eel with Mayo” Tatsuno, 2026

For our last dinner in Japan, we went to Sushiro. This was my third time going this trip, though Mariko insists it was four (I still disagree 😅). Either way, it was satisfying and cheap, exactly what we wanted. Bonus points for spotting a cute Dokinchan in a car in the parking lot. 🍣

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/600 sec, ISO250
“Dokinchan” Tatsuno, 2026

Home Again, Shrine Visit, and So-So Sushi 🏡

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/7.1, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
“Shrine Visit” Tatsuno, 2026

This morning we finally made it to our house, unpacked our suitcases, and got settled in. After that we walked over to the local shrine to pay our respects, then wandered the neighborhood for a bit. I love exploring the streets and shops around our place. Always fun! 🏠

By then our appetite was building, so we headed to Rikimaru for kaitenzushi. It was just okay, honestly a bit of a letdown. Mariko and Bay had gone a few months back and said it was much better that time. Oh well, at least the meal was cheap. It still amazes me how affordable some meals in Japan can be! 🍣

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/7.1, 1/550 sec, ISO400
“Osanpo” Tatsuno, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO640
“Tempura Sushi” Taichi, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Seared Toro” Taichi, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Salad and Salmon” Taichi, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
“Clam Miso Soup” Taichi, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
“Rikimaru Sushi” Taichi, 2026

Birthday Wine & Sushi Pairing

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
“Wine Setting” Austin, 2025

Tonight we celebrated a friend’s birthday with a wine and sushi pairing party. One of our friends is a sommelier and his daughter is an event planner, so everything was beautifully organized. To top it off, the guest of honor’s husband is a sushi chef, which meant the food was incredible. I picked up a few new things about wine and left with a very full belly. Such a fun and special evening!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO640
“Saba Oshizushi” Austin, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Cake and Coffee” Austin, 2025

Saké and Cheese Pairing

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/40 sec, ISO640
“Saké and Cheese Pairing” Austin, 2025

Tonight we attended a saké and cheese pairing event at Komé Sushi Kitchen, and it turned out to be such an eye-opening experience. I had no idea how well saké could complement different types of cheese! Each pairing brought out unique flavors and textures I wouldn’t have expected. I also realized how little I actually know about cheese, which has definitely sparked my curiosity. I’d love to dive deeper into it, so I’m thinking about signing up for a class or two at Antonelli’s sometime soon.

After the event, we decided to stick around for some sushi and other Japanese dishes. Everything we tried was fresh, beautifully prepared, and seriously delicious. A fun and flavorful night all around!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/30 sec, ISO1600
“NIgiri” Austin, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO1600
“Agedashi Tofu” Austin, 2025

Sushi at Home

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO400
“Sushi Dinner” Cedar Park, 2025

Sushi at home is so much fun! I especially enjoy hamachi and hotate, and there was plenty to go around tonight. I’m usually not a big fan of maguro, but it was surprisingly tasty this time. The salmon is always delicious, as usual. Honestly, I could eat sushi like this every night!

Mother’s Day Dinner

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO800
“Temaki and Chicken” Cedar Park, 2024

For Mother’s Day we had a couple of friends over to our house to eat temaki sushi. It’s so fun to make your own sushi hand-rolls, and of course it’s so delicious! In addition, Mariko made some karaage, and I made cocktails. A fun dinner!