Thoughts and Treats from 9A on the Tokyo to Aomori Shinkansen

On my way to Aomori. We’re on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Aomori — writing this from the 9A window seat. I shifted here after the guy sitting there got off at the previous station. We’re cutting through the mountains now. But I feel safe. I feel good.

I find myself becoming a different version of myself in Japan. This one is more curious, more observant, more appreciative—and far more indulgent in cute, kawaii things. More relaxed, too.

Well, not entirely different—more like the same parts of me turned up and given room to breathe.

I like this version of myself, and maybe that’s why I keep coming back to Japan.

To celebrate and nurture her, I think of it as refilling the oil in the lamp—making sure the fire is still burning even when I’m far from it. Even when I detach from it. Even when this version of me takes a back seat and waits patiently, without making any demands.

Tohoku Shinkansen Tokyo Aomori Ekiben

The first snack we shared on this ride was a box of Meika Hiyoko—a baby chick–shaped cake. It has a soft sponge-cake look and is filled with smooth white bean paste. Not too sweet, it feels like the perfect Japanese equivalent of a Swedish Fika cake.

I moved on to my main Ekiben, the award-winning Sendai Meibutsu Gyutan.

First, I heated it up by pulling the self-heating starter string and waited five minutes as the aroma of the food filled the air—hopefully only within our row. It was so good, especially with the Shichimi Togarashi I had tucked into my backpack. That said, I do think it would have tasted even better if I’d brought sachets of Indonesian chilli paste (don’t come at me or my taste buds—we’re Indonesian).

Fafa also let me try his Chicken Bento, which was good (but I like mine better :P).

In between snacking, I wrote New Year postcards to some of you.

Aomori Awaits

What am I most looking forward to seeing in Aomori? What does Aomori have waiting for me?

I’ve added a few items to my Aomori wish list: the squid train, an apple onsen, and Aomori nokkedon. I’d love to try them all.

I also wonder whether Nigel Slater (I am currently reading his Winter Chronicles) has ever been to Aomori. And if he has—what did he do? Did he like Aomori?

We ran to catch the Shin-Aomori train and ended up standing in the connecting compartment area—thankfully, it was only for six minutes.

Hello, snowy Aomori!

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