Favorites on Friday: Souvenirs

From time to time on Fridays, we feature various favorites from Disney Parks- favorite foods, favorite attractions, favorite spots, and more. This time, we're talking souvenirs...

Do you have favorite souvenir, something you get each time you go on vacation? For some it's a t-shirt, or maybe a new set of Mickey ears. Others swear by the snow globe, or maybe a keychain.

For my favorite souvenir, we once again visit the Japanese pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. This is the second visit back to Japan for Favorites on Friday, the first being the scrumptious Okonomiyaki.

Some of the best shopping in Epcot can be found in the Japanese pavilion. Mitsukoshi Department Store is home to one of the most varied arrays of souvenirs found anywhere. From Hello Kitty to traditional Japanese calligraphy brushes, fine jewelry to anime hair clips, authentic kimonos to books and toys- it can all be found in this spacious shop, stretching the length of the pavilion. A Pick-a-Pearl station is found near the front of the store, and the far end houses an assortment of packaged Japanese snacks and candy that I can only describe as... well, indescribable.

Just before you get to the snacks, you’ll find a room full of the souvenir I can never pass up: ceramic sushi bowls. Bowls and plates in all shapes and sizes, all colors and patterns, each one a beautiful piece of art. The bowls range in price, but most are from $4.00 to $9.00 each. At least a few of these come home with me, every time… 

Have you ever visited Mitsukoshi? Do you have a favorite WDW souvenir? 

Tell us about it in the comments...

Favorites on Friday

From time to time on Fridays, we feature various favorites from Disney Parks- favorite foods, favorite attractions, favorite spots, and more. This time, it's a combination: Favorite Spots and Favorite Foods...

Tucked away above the Japanese pavilion in Epcot is the Katsura Grill- one of my favorite places to head for a bite to eat. More than just a quick service eatery, this area is one of my favorite little getaway spots in all of Epcot. Many people pass right by, never looking up and beyond the koi pond. Follow the path upwards to find a semi-secluded oasis. It's not really hidden, but it just feels...different up here.

Often without a crowd, this vantage point offers some amazing views of the pavilion and of the people strolling the world showcase down below. (Shhh...there's even a bathroom that not many people seem to be aware of). There are tables tucked away in the back corner, tranquil streams and rock formations, and inside the Katura Grill...the delicious morsel known as okonomiyaki:

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake, made from a batter filled with cabbage and other vegetables. Preparation of okonomiyaki varies by region and by restaurant, and can often include some kind of meat or seafood. The okonomiyaki  at Katsura is vegetarian. The pancake is grilled on both sides, then topped with a rich  brown sauce. The sauce is hard to describe- somehow tangy, sweet, and savory all at the same time. And no, that's not icing- it's a mayonnaise-like condiment, decoratively finishing the dish. Rich, indeed.

This portion is a great size for sharing as a midday or late night snack. The pancake is thicker than it appears in this photo- it's probably over half an inch thick. It's quite filling- enough to share, unless you plan to make a meal out of it.

The next time you find yourself high above the Japanese Pavilion, I urge you to give okonomiyaki a try... and let me know what you think about this tasty morsel from Japan!