Sushi Nigiri @ Kura Sushi
After leaving the Queen Beetle, I walked to the front and looked for the taxi line. So I got in line and waited for a taxi. I already had the address of my hotel pulled up in Japanese on Google Maps. When it was my turn, a taxi pulled up. I said hello in Japanese, "こんにちは" (Konnichiwa), and showed the address to my taxi driver, and he responded with, "はい "(Hai). Then I said thank you, "ありがとう" (Arigatou), and bowed my head gently. Then, I got in the taxi. What I hadn't realized was that in Japan, they totally drive on the opposite side of the road! I honestly don't know why I didn't know that already! Hahah! Silly me. I took a video on the way to the hotel. As soon as I looked out my window, I felt different in Japan; it felt serene and clean. Everything was in its place.
The ride was about 18 minutes long. I paid with my credit card, once again said thank you, and bowed my head. I got out of the taxi and walked into my hotel. I approached the front desk, and a young man helped me. He walked me over to a computer Kiosk and told me to check in there. For some reason, I couldn't find my reservation. So he ended up helping me at the front desk, and the whole process was very smooth. He gave me my key, and I was so excited. I was on one of the top floors.
Honestly, I didn't pick the fanciest hotel or anything. I wasn't planning on staying long, and I just wanted to be comfortable at night when I slept in my room. It was the cutest tiny room with a great night view. When I walked in, I thought someone was already in my room because the TV was on, so it totally scared me… haha!
I put all my stuff down and freshened up, and the first thing I wanted to do was eat sushi. It was already really late because immigration kind of took a while. I already had a place in mind. I got on the bus and ate at this conveyor sushi place. It was called Kura Sushi.
Kura Sushi in Japan is a fantastic place to enjoy sushi in a fun and affordable way. They have a unique system where sushi plates travel around on a conveyor belt, and you can simply grab what you like as it passes by. If you have specific cravings, they also offer a touchscreen menu for ordering. What's really cool is that they've added a playful element to the dining experience, including games and prizes. Their menu is diverse, featuring everything from traditional sushi to creative rolls and sashimi
I literally didn't have to talk to anyone. Everything was on the computer. When you first get there, you walk straight to the iPad you, click how many people want to eat, and then it gives you a number ticket. Then I waited, on the TV screen it tells you if your number has been called or not.
Then, when your number is called, the computer prints out another ticket with your table number. This is where you will sit. So everything is super organized and impressive. I sat down at this big table all by myself. The table contains everything, from sauces, Matcha tea powder, wet napkins, and chopsticks. It even had a hot water dispenser. Then there's an iPad where you can order fresh sushi, or you can pick anything from the conveyor belt. There were two conveyor belts; it was like a two-story conveyor belt. The one on the bottom is just random sushi passing by, the sushi the chefs have prepared. Then the top one is for, like, anytime you order anything, it goes straight to your table; this includes drinks as well. It's genuinely so modern and tech! Ahh! I was obsessed. All of the mini sushi plates have different colors, so they all have different prices. Compared to the USA, these sushi prices were terrific.
The first thing I ordered was a salmon nigiri plate. I received the sushi so fast. It was a small plate with two pieces of sushi on it. I put the plate in front of me. I added fresh wasabi and two types of soy sauce: standard soy sauce & sweet soy sauce. I took my chopsticks and put a piece of sushi in my mouth. I instantly felt tears forming in my eyes because, honestly, as soon as I started chewing, the fish had almost immediately melted in my mouth. Combined with the rice, soy sauces, and wasabi, it was truly exhilarating. The fish was just so fresh and tender.
The wasabi was genuinely extraordinary. Typically, when I eat sushi, I'm not a big fan of the wasabi. However, this wasabi was a game-changer. It had a delightful freshness and a touch of sweetness, and it surprised me with different levels of spiciness every time I indulged in it.
“However, this wasabi was a game-changer. It had a delightful freshness and a touch of sweetness, and it surprised me with different levels of spiciness every time I indulged in it.”
Moreover, the texture of this wasabi was a revelation. In the USA, the wasabi often comes as a 'wasabi paste,' which doesn't quite compare to the real thing. It is usually made of European horseradish and is totally different from real Japanese wasabi. This experience was a first for me – I had never tried wasabi that fresh before.
I didn't cry, but I was less than a few seconds away from it. Never in my life have I tasted anything like this before. I've always loved sushi, but now I know why I loved it so much. Because I had been looking forward to this moment all my life, and I didn't even know it. Yes, I know I sound crazy, but this was my first experience eating sushi in Japan. I downed the second piece in seconds, grabbed the iPad, and started ordering more and more sushi. I still don't remember how many plates I ordered, but it was a fantastic experience. One that I'll never forget.
Please come back to read part 3 of my blog, where I continue my adventures the very next morning, discovering Fukuoka all on my own. Maybe I'll give you a bite of sushi, just so you can taste a little bit of it.