May 5th: Children's Day in Japan, featuring Kashiwamochi

The traditional food on May 5th is "kashiwamochi, a sweet rice cake wrapped in oak leaves.

May 5th, also known as "Children's Day" or "Tango no Sekku", is a special day in Japan where families celebrate the health and happiness of their children. Boys' families may decorate their homes with traditional carp streamers and samurai dolls. Another important part of this holiday is Kashiwamochi , a traditional food. It is a sweet rice cake wrapped in oak leaves.

Kashiwamochi  is considered to be a lucky charm, and is the embodiment of the proverb "everything is good." It is customary to eat it during the new green season to feel the arrival of spring and to pray for good health.

Nutritionally, Kashiwamochi  contains nutritious white bean paste and tofu. However, since it contains a lot of sugar, it is important to eat in moderation. By eating in moderation, it becomes a healthy snack that considers nutritional balance.

The oak leaf that wraps kashiwa mochi resembles the shape of an oak fruit, hence the name “kashiwa”. Kashiwa is considered a sacred tree in Japan, and its leaves are large and round, reminiscent of the sun.

A restaurant with delicious acqua pazza in Kojimachi, Tokyo

I visited the restaurant after hearing that acqua pazza was delicious. Another reason is that the restaurant is in the middle of the stairs.

This is the restaurant “KAIDAN NO TOCHU” in Kojimachi, Tokyo. Counter seats are the main, and there are a several large table seats. It is really a building with a mysterious structure in the middle of the stairs. The interior of the store, which is well-designed with natural lighting, is based on white and has a good taste.

Stairs are not only a path for people, but also a path for the flow of energy, where the flow of energy becomes faster. Perhaps because of that, even when I entered the restaurant, I felt a strange floating feeling as if I was in a spaceship. I like this feeling.

Acquapazza is a whole oven-baked fish with clam soup and vegetables. The most delicious!

The Kojimachi neighborhood in Tokyo has both business districts and residential districts, and there are many high-quality, reasonably priced restaurants. “KAIDAN NO TOCHU” is one of them.

We also ordered an additional drink and dessert set. The combination of crispy choux and vanilla-flavoured custard cream creates a wonderful synergy. Herb tea is also delicious.

The reasonable lunch menu will suddenly rise in price in 2023. Even so, this restaurant is always full of diners. When I arrived at 12:20, it was already full and I waited for 30 minutes. I was lucky because sometimes I couldn't get in even if I waited. I felt happy after eating it. So this restaurant is a good match for me. I want to come again. even if the price goes up.

Address: 3-12-19 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo