Hotels in Asia almost always present a quality breakfast experience to guests. On our travels, we generally take our first breakfast in house, to get a feel for the level of service and hospitality we may expect (also to decompress from the travel).
I’ll start with our current trip.
SAPPORO: HOLIDAY INN
Power Salad
Root Vegetables
Chirashi
Build your own Mixed Seafood Rice Bowl.
Dried Hokke
Grilled Atka Mackerel.
Fried Chicken and Potatoes
Stir Fried Squid and String Beans
Pastries, Breads/Jams, Fruits, Yogurt, Breakfast Meats and more were also available.
Chef’s Whimsical Treats 
Trying a bit of this, some of that, tasty way to start the day.
Next: Sendai
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My 3 star hotel in Hakuba had Japanese beef curry every morning, as well as fruit gratins, in addition to the omelette station and other standard Western options.
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Breakfast: SENDAI - Holiday Inn
Our server started us off with a shot of Kurozu,a pre meal vinegar Shrub like drink. Not familiar to us, quite tasty.
Most buffets offer a selection of local specialties, nice way to sample without a full on commitment.
- Sasa Kamaboko - Grilled leaf shaped Fish Paste.
- Zunda - Boiled Edamame crushed into a sweet paste.
- Shisho Maki - Shisho wrapped Miso Paste, deep fried.
- Other non region specific goodies.
Sendai Rice with Mentaiko (cured Pollack Roe)
With Pickles and Kombu (seaweed). I could eat this every day, and did indulge at every opportunity.
Fresh steamed Seafood Siu Mai
We’re in Sendai. Must have Gyutan Curry
A good hearty breakfast to sustain us for our day trip to Fox Village and Ginzan Onsen.
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Here is the really nice breakfast buffet at Hotel La Vigne in Hakuba, Japan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGmkZ94TTmS/
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NIIGATA: CROWNE PLAZA
Niigata is renowned for beautiful rice fields and best in class koshihikan Rice.
Each variety was fragrant and luscious. Our impromptu Rice Flight Tasting paired well with Noppe, a regional treat: Taro, konjac, scallions and seaweed simmered in a soy stock.
Good rice with Mentaiko and Pickles, a simple breakfast that totally works for me.
With some Curry. We’re on holiday.
Niigata is also known for SEAFOOD and SAKE. (Sake brewery tasting, to follow after breakfast)
Grilled Salmon marinated in Miso, Saikyo pickled Red Fish
Niigata Rice Congee with Tochio Fried Tofu
Pain au Chocolat, Lemon Pastry and Hokkaido soft Serve.
Just Because
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I never eat breakfast in hotels in Japan because I want to save room for a one dish lunch and a long dinner and I can’t add breakfast to the mix. These posts arr making me question this strategy….
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My 3 star hotel in Kyoto included a traditional breakfast.
I wish I visited Japan before my last visit in 2020, and I wish I visited more places than I visited on my one 13 night trip.
I seek out Japanese breakfast and brunch where I live, in Toronto.
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My wife and I have been lucky to visit many many times since our first trip where we picked Tokyo based a cheap flight deal way back in the 2000s. If someone told me I’d have to limit myself to one country as a holiday destination for the rest of my life (as in you can go as many times as you want but only to one place) I’d choose Japan.
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KOBE: CROWNE PLAZA
Fresh made RICE BALLS
- Salmon Cabbage
- Prosciutto Bonito
- Plum Avocado Chicken
- Kobe Beef Shigureni
The Salmon and Prosciutto balls were GREAT!! Crispy toasty Nori and fresh packed ingredients. Will order the entire range next time!
Gotta have her Eggs!! and Tots!!
Not a whole lot of Regional Must Haves. Special Spice Curry. Fresh steamed Koshihikari Rice and Jook available.
Local Wild BOAR & Vegetable Miso Soup
Escabeche (huh??) Fish marinated/pickled with vinegar and onions
Shabu Shabu Pork with Okra/Tomato
Hyogo Pumpkin with Honey Sauce
Smoked Salmon, Smoked Duck, Other Charcuterie and Cheeses
Kitchen Sink Plates
Wife says the Poke was some of best she’s had. I really enjoyed the Jams: Yuzu, Fig and Apple.
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Me thinks that wasn’t the Kyoto Crowne Plaza, given the photos. Although…the prefecture does eventually border water.
However, on the topic of the onigiri, my stay a few days ago at the Kanazawa ANA Crowne Plaza had the same darn things. Tried 'em all…meh.
High point for me were the Japanese appetizers such as mashed mackerel and Welsh onion, and of course, za tamagoyaki.****
@moderator-team
FFF is correct, good eye. Please revise to Kobe, not Kyoto. Thanks.
Wow! Smoked duck & salmon. I’d be hoovering the duck 
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