Dear Food Diary:
As if Panda donuts weren’t a cuteness overload all in itself, the amount of Panda sweets & eats all around Ueno Zoo is countless. From panda bread loafs, cakes, cookies to rice balls and even panda iced hot chocolate.

If you’re in love with these cuddly cuties as I am, this one’s for you…

Dear Food Diary:
While looking for my Panda Donuts, I discovered Ecute at the JR Ueno Station. Bright lights, spotless displays and the friendly hellos welcomed me along with tons and tons of eats! Sweet & savory goodies.*big smile*.

Found a great rice bento spot, elaborate Japanese whole grape jelly and even picked some side dishes for dinner…

Dear Food Diary:
After finding the Panda Donuts, my plan was to walk around Ueno Park. But it started pouring, I bought a new umbrella and braved the cold, but after a while, I was defeated. Walking back to the subway station, I see this beautiful old house, close to the Ueno Zoo. Its green surroundings prevented a clear view, so I took a couple steps to investigate.

As I got closer, a lovely Japanese lady greeted me. She invited me in and I happily obliged.

It turned out to be a traditional Japanese sweets shop (wagashi). I had some warm matcha tea and japanese dumplings (mochi)  to help me hide from the cold rain…

Dear Food Diary:
New York is all crazy about Cronuts, in Tokyo however, they’ve gone wild with these cute Panda Donuts from Siretoco Donuts.

I went in search of them in the rain. Sold right by the Ueno Zoo station, where there’s Panda everything! They come in a variety of flavors and are definitely too cute to eat, but I still managed to sink my teeth into their moist fluffiness.

Dear Food Diary:
For my first couple days, I had StalkerBoy aka guide. Today was my first day exploring the city on my own. The last time I was here, I basically followed my friend C and her guidebook everywhere. But Google Maps really is a lifesaver.

Because I’ve seen most of the sights in Tokyo, I’m leaving them to revisit with StalkerBoy on weekends. So aside from shopping and eating on my own, I’m planning to explore the less visited spots. Case in point, the Kite Museum.

It was lunch time when I got out the subway, the colorful photo of Mentaiko Pasta (Spicy Cod Roe) lured me into Pronto Caffe & Bar. They are all over town and I saw a lot of local office workers go in, so I followed…