I have a new love and it is called melonpan. This sweet
bread is everywhere in Japan, and when it’s fresh out of the oven, nothing can
beat it. It is a light, sweet bread with a crisp top and can be recognised by
the distinctive crosses etched onto it. The name comes from the fact that it apparently looks like a cantaloupe melon, rarely is the bread actually melon flavoured. As for 'pan', that is the japanese word for bread, which originates from Portuguese.
On my quest to eat as much melonpan as possible, I found
myself at Asakusa Kagetsudo Honten. This tiny little shop near the Asakusa
Temple in Tokyo is famous for its jumbo melonpan.
Asakusa (Senso-jiin) is one of the most famous sights in Tokyo. This Buddhist temple was built in the seventh century. The big gate of thunder opens the way to a path lined by little huts selling Japanese souvenirs and snacks. Once you arrive at the temple, you can get good luck by wafting incense over yourself. You can even find out your fortune by drawing a numbered stick from a special box and taking a piece of paper from the corresponding drawer. Fortunately, it appears I have good luck coming my way.
Afterwards it made sense to escape the crowds and go look
for some melonpan. The queue that stretched all the way round the exterior of
the building was testimony to the popularity of the bread. Thankfully, it moved
fast and we were soon the proud owner of three jumbo melonpan for only 500 yen
(£2.50). They even offered to take a commemorative photo of us as we left,
which led to this picture of us looking ridiculously pleased with ourselves.
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