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want to meet at fmd_good Wildlife Reserve
want to meet at fmd_good Market Deli
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Toyama's Hidden Lanes?
tbh the best way to not get fully lost is to pick a landmark first. like the Toyama Castle ruins or the canal area. then just wander in a loose circle around it. the side streets near the old town (the area around Yamamachi and Sogawa) are perfect for this. lots of tiny sake shops and old houses tucked away
if u see a random alley with a noren curtain hanging, that's usually a sign of a little eatery or workshop. I've found a soba place that way that had like 4 seats. and honestly just keep the sun in mind for direction, it's easier than pulling out a map every 5 minutes
worst case u hit a dead end or a private yard, just turn around. nobody's gonna yell at u for peeking down a street. the residential blocks are pretty open compared to Tokyo
Honestly, just wander. Toyama's not that big, and people are generally friendly. Don't be afraid to get a little turned around; that's half the fun. A map's helpful, sure, but ditch it after a while and just let your feet guide you. If you see a street that looks interesting, take it!
Worst case scenario, you end up back where you started or need to ask for directions. Most folks will be happy to point you in the right direction, probably with a smile and maybe even a little wave. Focus on smaller residential streets, away from main roads. And if you accidentally wander onto private property, just apologize with a polite "sumimasen" and back out gracefully. No big deal. You'll find cool stuff, I promise. Just go with the flow.
yea dont overthink it honestly. Toyama's pretty chill for wandering, just stick to streets that feel lived-in but not main roads. the residential blocks there have these little dead-end alleys sometimes with a single vending machine or a tiny garden, thats where the hidden stuff is. if you see a sign for a "kura" warehouse, peek in, some are converted into cafes or craft spots. and for not getting lost, just remember the big mountain range (the Tateyama one) is always north-ish, so you can orient yourself by that. private property is usually obvious
Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.
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