novelraw Chapter 281: Ginza's Kaiseki Cuisine! Shopping~
Chapter 281: Ginza's Kaiseki Cuisine! Shopping~
Nohara Hiroshi and Misae strolled along Ginza's cobblestone streets. Sunlight passed through the shop windows on both sides, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Before long, they arrived at a time-honored tea set shop called "Seijido."
Pushing open the rustic wooden doors, a wind chime made a crisp sound. The shop was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and the shelves were neatly arranged with all kinds of ceramic tea sets, from simple and elegant white porcelain to warm and lustrous celadon. Every piece exuded refinement and elegance.
A clerk wearing a kimono with a kindly face came up to greet them, her smile warm: "Hello, you two. Are you looking to select tea sets?"
"Yes, we'd like to choose a set suitable as an engagement gift." Nohara Hiroshi nodded in response, his gaze already beginning to carefully browse the shelves.
Misae tugged at Nohara Hiroshi's sleeve and whispered: "Hiroshi-kun, look at this white porcelain tea set with cherry blossom patterns. It's so pretty." She pointed at a tea set with pink cherry blossoms painted on the cups, her eyes full of affection.
The clerk followed Misae's gaze and introduced with a smile: "This 'Cherry Blossom Blizzard' white porcelain tea set is our new model this year. It uses the traditional underglaze technique, and the cherry blossom patterns are hand-painted by an artist. It's very popular with young people."
But Nohara Hiroshi didn't express his opinion immediately. He picked up a teacup, his fingers gently rubbing the rim, and then carefully observed the glaze color of the cup body against the light: "This tea set is indeed exquisite, but as an engagement gift, I feel we can be a bit more particular. Look at the thickness of this cup wall—although uniform, the breathability is slightly poor. Using it to brew green tea might affect the release of the tea's aroma. And although the cherry blossom pattern is beautiful, it lacks elements symbolizing longevity. For an engagement gift, we'd hope to have deeper blessings in its meaning."
Hearing this, the clerk's eyes revealed surprise and admiration: "Sir, you really know a lot about tea sets! You're absolutely right. This 'Cherry Blossom Blizzard' is more oriented toward aesthetics. If you're pursuing practicality and symbolism, let me recommend this 'Pine and Crane Longevity' celadon tea set."
Saying this, she took out a celadon tea set from the display cabinet. The cup bodies were painted with green pines and cranes, and the glaze color was warm and lustrous as jade, emitting a faint sheen under the lights. "This tea set uses the porcelain-making techniques of the Southern Song Dynasty official kilns. The clay is fine and dense, with excellent breathability, making it especially suitable for brewing green tea and oolong tea. Look at the pine and crane patterns—the green pine symbolizes resilience and perseverance, while the crane represents longevity and good fortune. Using it as an engagement gift symbolizes a long-lasting marriage and blissful happiness for the newlyweds."
The clerk introduced in detail, her tone full of confidence.
Nohara Hiroshi took the teacup, gently tapped its body, and listening to the clear sound, nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad. The clay is delicate, the sound is clear and bright—it's fine porcelain. Moreover, the glaze color is warm and flawless, the artist's brushstrokes are also very delicate, and the forms of the pine and crane are lifelike. Misae, what do you think of this set?"
Misae leaned in for a closer look and said with a smile: "I think it's very beautiful, and the symbolism is great too. Sister will definitely love it."
Seeing that both were satisfied, the clerk added: "This tea set also has matching tea trays and tea scoops, all made from ebony wood with clear grain and substantial texture. Using them together is both beautiful and practical. We can also engrave the couple's names and engagement date on the bottom of the tea set as an exclusive keepsake."
"That would be wonderful!" Nohara Hiroshi decided on the spot. "We'll take this 'Pine and Crane Longevity' celadon tea set. Please help us engrave the names and date. Can we come pick it up next weekend?"
"Of course. We'll prepare it as quickly as possible and guarantee a satisfying gift for you to pick up next weekend." The clerk happily agreed and began processing the order for them.
Having chosen the tea set, it was almost noon, and the sunlight had become even warmer.
Nohara Hiroshi checked the time and said to Misae: "It's getting late. Let's go to that 'Kikusuitei' ahead for kaiseki cuisine. I came here once with colleagues before, and the food was especially good."
Misae nodded with a smile: "Sure, I've long heard that Ginza's kaiseki cuisine is famous. Today I can finally try it."
The two walked for a few minutes and arrived at "Kikusuitei."
The restaurant's storefront was understated, but the interior was a different world—warm yellow lights, refined tatami private rooms, and antique calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls—everything exuded Japanese elegance and tranquility.
A server led the two into a window-side private room and handed them the menu.
Nohara Hiroshi skillfully ordered a classic kaiseki set, plus extra sea urchin and grilled sea bream that Misae liked.
Before long, the first appetizer was served—hassun.
On the exquisite lacquer tray were five small dishes: vinegared octopus, sesame tofu, grilled ginkgo nuts, braised eggplant in soy sauce, and fresh shrimp hand rolls.
The octopus was bouncy and chewy, carrying a faint vinegary aroma;
The sesame tofu melted in the mouth, full of rich sesame flavor;
the grilled ginkgo nuts were soft, glutinous, and sweet, with a unique nutty taste;
the braised eggplant was soft and flavorful, rich in soy sauce aroma;
The fresh shrimp hand rolls had a crispy outer shell and tender shrimp meat. Every bite was full of pleasant surprises.
Misae tasted in small bites, her eyes widening slightly: "This is so delicious! This sesame tofu is much more delicate than what I make at home, and the octopus is very fresh too."
Watching Misae's satisfied expression, the corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth curved up into a smile: "Don't rush;
there's even better food coming."
As soon as he finished speaking, the server brought the second course—suimono.
A clear broth had a slice of matsutake and a shrimp wonton floating in it. The broth was clear and bright, with an inviting aroma.
Misae took a sip of the broth. The umami flavor instantly spread through her mouth—the clear fragrance of matsutake and the fresh sweetness of shrimp perfectly fused together. The warm broth slid down her throat, making her whole body feel comfortable.
"This broth is too delicious—not greasy at all." Misae couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Next to come was the tsukuri—the sashimi.
Fresh tuna, sea bream, and surf clam were cut into slices of even thickness and neatly arranged on a lacquer tray with crushed ice, accompanied by perilla leaves, lemon slices, and handmade wasabi. Nohara Hiroshi picked up a piece of tuna otoro, dipped it in a bit of wasabi soy sauce, and placed it in his mouth.
The tuna otoro was rich in fat, melting in his mouth, carrying a faint milky aroma. The spiciness of the wasabi and the salty freshness of the soy sauce were perfectly balanced, stimulating the taste buds and leaving a lingering aftertaste.
Misae preferred the sea bream. The sea bream meat was firm, with a clean sweetness. With just a dip in soy sauce, one could taste the fish's purest freshness.
"This sea bream is so fresh;
it feels like it was just scooped from the sea."
Then came the yakimono—salt-grilled sea bream.
The sea bream was grilled until the skin was golden and crispy, yet the flesh remained tender and juicy.
The server considerately filleted the fish and placed it on both of their plates.
Nohara Hiroshi took a bite. The fish's sweetness carried a faint saltiness, the skin was crispy, the inside was soft and tender, and the layers of texture were rich, making it irresistible.
The main course was kamameshi—rice cooked in a pot. The rice had absorbed the seafood broth, each grain distinct, soft, glutinous, and sweet.
The surface of the kamameshi was sprinkled with a layer of shredded nori and sesame. Mixed with an onsen tamago, the egg liquid perfectly blended with the rice, making the texture even smoother. The seafood umami lingered in the mouth for a long time.
The final course served was dessert—matcha red bean daifuku and strawberry parfait.
The matcha daifuku had a soft and glutinous outer skin, with a filling of rich matcha cream and sweet red bean paste. The slight bitterness of the matcha and the sweetness of the red bean balanced each other, creating a rich mouthfeel. The strawberry parfait was filled with fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and crispy cookie crumble, drizzled with sweet-and-sour strawberry sauce. Every bite was filled with a sense of happiness.
Misae rubbed her slightly rounded belly and said with satisfaction: "It was so delicious. I've never eaten such exquisite and delicious cuisine before. Today was truly so blissful."
Looking at Misae's happy expression, warmth also filled Nohara Hiroshi's heart: "As long as you like it, we'll come often in the future."
The two sat in the private room, slowly savoring the desserts and chatting about their upcoming vacation plans. Sunlight from outside the window shone through the glass, stretching their silhouettes long. The air was filled with the aroma of food and a sweet atmosphere—warm and wonderful.
After finishing the meal, the two stood up and left.
Walking on Ginza's streets, Misae was still savoring the deliciousness and from time to time discussed the mouthfeel of a certain dish with Nohara Hiroshi.
Nohara Hiroshi held Misae's hand, feeling the warmth of her palm, and his heart was full of happiness.
He knew that these ordinary and warm moments were the most precious beauty in life.
After coming out of "Kikusuitei," Nohara Hiroshi held Misae's hand and slowly strolled along the Ginza streets.
The afternoon sunlight gently shone on their bodies, carrying a trace of warmth. The two chatted about the delicious kaiseki cuisine they'd just had, letting out bursts of laughter from time to time.
Turning a street corner, a colorful shop suddenly came into view—standing at the entrance was a giant Kumamon plushie, waving clumsily and adorably. The window display was filled with all kinds of Kumamon merchandise, from plushies, keychains to stationery, clothing—a dazzling array that instantly captured Misae's attention.
"Wow! It's a Kumamon specialty store!" Misae's eyes lit up, and she pulled Nohara Hiroshi's hand and walked quickly over. "Hiroshi-kun, let's go inside and look. I've been wanting to buy a Kumamon plushie but never found the right one."
Looking at Misae's excited expression, Nohara Hiroshi nodded with a smile: "Sure, let's go browse. Maybe we can even bring some small gifts for the children at Sister's engagement banquet. The kids will definitely love them."
Pushing open the shop door, lively music instantly began playing. The shop was packed with customers, mostly parents with children and young women, every face beaming with happy smiles.
A shop clerk wearing a Kumamon-themed apron came over enthusiastically, her smile bright: "Hello, you two. Welcome to the Kumamon Ginza Specialty Store! We just received a new batch of Kumamon 'Hugging Plushies' today. They're very popular. Would you like me to introduce them?"
Misae couldn't wait to walk to the plushie section. She picked up a half-person-tall Kumamon hugging plushie and held it in her arms, her face full of delight: "This plushie is so soft;
it feels so comfortable! Hiroshi-kun, look—isn't it cute?"
Nohara Hiroshi walked over and gently squeezed the plushie's ear. The touch was soft and delicate, and the material also looked high-quality: "It really is cute, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. There are no loose threads, and the eyes and nose are stitched very securely. It's safe for children to play with."
The clerk, hearing the two's conversation, added with a smile: "Sir, you really have good taste! This hugging plushie uses imported short-pile plush fabric—no shedding, no fading. It's filled with high-elasticity PP cotton that has excellent rebound—no matter how much you squeeze it, it returns to its original shape. And its expression was specially adjusted by our designer to be even more adorably dopey than the previous models. Since going on the shelves, we sell dozens every day, and many customers are repeat buyers who buy several at once to give to friends."
Misae, unwilling to put down the plushie, picked up a mini Kumamon keychain and hung it on her bag. She looked at herself in the mirror and said with satisfaction: "This keychain is cute too. It looks perfect hanging on the bag."
Seeing how interested the two were, the clerk enthusiastically introduced other merchandise: "Besides plushies and keychains, we also have many practical items, like Kumamon-themed thermos bottles, notebooks, umbrellas, and women's favorites like makeup pouches and hair ties—all very popular. Especially this thermos bottle, which uses a double-layer vacuum design with excellent insulation. In winter it keeps hot water warm for 12 hours, and in summer it keeps cold water cool for 6 hours. The Kumamon pattern on the bottle is gold-stamped and won't fade. Many office workers love bringing it to the office."
Nohara Hiroshi picked up a thermos bottle and looked at it. The design was simple and clean, the Kumamon pattern was lively and fun, and it felt comfortable in the hand: "This thermos bottle is really nice. It's very practical and looks great too. Let's get one for Misae."
"Sir, you're so good to your wife!" the clerk said with a smile. "Recently, a lot of customers have come specifically to buy our Kumamon matching family outfits. The shirts have Kumamon patterns of different sizes printed on them. When adults and children wear them together, it's especially heartwarming. The return-look rate is super high when you take the kids out on weekends. One customer before bought three sets at once, saying she wanted all three of her children to wear them. She even posted photos on social media, and lots of people came asking for the link."
At the mention of "matching family outfits," Misae's eyes grew even brighter: "Matching family outfits? Can I see? Maybe when we have children in the future, we can wear them too."
The clerk quickly brought out family outfit samples. They came in red and black, with a grinning Kumamon printed on the front. The cuffs and hem had refined ribbing, giving them a quality feel. Misae held up the children's size and held it against herself, saying with a smile: "So cute. A child wearing this would definitely be super adorable."
Looking at Misae's longing expression, warmth filled Nohara Hiroshi's heart, and he said softly: "If you like it, we can buy a set first and save it for the future."
Seeing how interested the two were in the merchandise, the clerk also shared some fun stories about Kumamon's popularity: "Actually, the reason Kumamon is so popular is not only because of its cute image but also because it often appears at all kinds of events—like visiting schools to interact with children, attending mall opening events, and sometimes even going to hospitals to visit sick children and bring everyone joy. Before, there was a little girl who was hospitalized due to illness and was in a bad mood all the time. When she saw Kumamon come to visit her, she immediately smiled and hugged Kumamon, refusing to let go. Later, her family came to our store specially to buy several plushies, saying they wanted to put them in the hospital room so the child could see them every day."
"Kumamon is truly so meaningful," Misae said with emotion. "Not only cute, but it can also bring joy to everyone. No wonder so many people like it."
Nohara Hiroshi also nodded in agreement: "Actually, Kumamon's success is also because it conveys a positive and optimistic attitude toward life. Whether adults or children, when they see its adorably dopey look, their worries become fewer. Moreover, it can also drive tourism and the economy of Kumamoto Prefecture, letting more people understand Kumamoto's culture. That's also very valuable."
Hearing Nohara Hiroshi's words, the clerk's eyes were full of admiration: "Sir, you speak with such depth! Most customers just think Kumamon is cute;
very few think about so much. Actually, our store also displays many tourism brochures for Kumamoto Prefecture with introductions to attractions like Kumamoto Castle and Mount Aso, as well as local specialty foods. Many customers, after buying merchandise, also grab a brochure, saying they want to travel to Kumamoto Prefecture in the future and experience its charm in person."
The two browsed the shop for a long time and selected quite a few favorite items: a half-person-tall Kumamon hugging plushie, a thermos bottle, a set of matching family outfits, several keychains and notebooks, and two boxes of Kumamon-shaped chocolates as a gift for Sister's children.
At checkout, the clerk said with a smile: "The items you two selected are all very popular. For purchases over five thousand yen, we can also give you a limited-edition Kumamon badge with the words 'Ginza Limited' printed on it. It's a very collectible item."
"Wonderful!" Misae happily received the badge and carefully placed it in her bag. "This badge is really exquisite. I must keep it safe."
Nohara Hiroshi chuckled softly.
Although the designers of Kumamon were none other than himself and Misae, when it came to a woman's interest displayed while shopping, nothing could hide it.
Perhaps this was the very source of his motivation to work hard.
Nohara Hiroshi was also in extremely high spirits.