Drawn to Kobe by Travel Connections
I bid farewell to Osaka and set my sights on my next destination: Kobe. The reason for this stop was a warm invitation from someone I had originally met while traveling in Yamaguchi Prefecture, who generously offered to host me at their home.
Once I arrived in Kobe, we decided to take a quick trip to neighboring Akashi City to grab a bite. Our goal was to eat Akashiyaki, a beloved local soul food that the locals actually call "Tamagoyaki".
Retro Vibes and 30 Pieces of Tamagoyaki at "Kimuraya"
We headed to "Kimuraya", a famous, long-standing restaurant located right near Akashi Port. Stepping inside, you're immediately hit with a unique, retro atmosphere. It has this beautifully weathered, vintage vibe that feels incredibly inviting, and the walls are plastered with the autographs of celebrities.
Their take on Akashiyaki features a slightly rich, savory dashi broth, and the batter—filled with chunks of octopus—is unbelievably light and fluffy. A single serving comes with around 30 pieces! At first, you might wonder if you can actually finish it all, but it’s so delicious that it goes down surprisingly easily, leaving you perfectly full.
Tamagoyaki Honke Kimura-ya
A legendary culinary landmark founded in 1924, Honke Kimura-ya is the premier destination to taste authentic Akashiyaki. Specializing in delicate, egg-rich dumplings filled with fresh local octopus and served with a signature cooling dashi broth, this historic shop offers a delicious journey into the origins of Japanese street food culture in a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
A Rainy Bridge and a Heartwarming Feast
After our meal, we went to see the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Unfortunately, it was raining, but the sight of it was still magnificent.
Spanning 3,911 meters (about 4 kilometers), it's currently the second-longest suspension bridge in the world.
We headed back to the house, and for dinner, my host treated us to a massive, homemade oden feast.
They brought out dish after dish, practically telling me to "eat it all," and I was treated to an absolute banquet. The highlight was definitely the meatballs, which were incredibly flavorful. Looking back on the day, between the Tamagoyaki for lunch and the meatballs for dinner, I spent the whole day eating deliciously round foods. It was a fantastic day filled with the charm of Kobe and Akashi, and the deep warmth of local hospitality.
