Hara Donuts & A Saturday Walk in the Park

by Tokyo Terrace on May 24, 2010

When you live in a place for a certain amount of time, it can become difficult to find those hidden places that keep life exciting. And yes, this even happens when you live in a place like Tokyo. Routines bring you down the same streets, past the same buildings, into the same stores…and before you know it, you’re missing out on hidden treasures that are only a few steps off the beaten path. This past weekend, hubs and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. I’m so glad we did, because the discoveries we made reminded me why I am so lucky to have the opportunity to live in a place like Tokyo. These photos are just a few of the enchanting scenes we found in a park that is, at the most, a 2 minute walk from our front door.



After our walk (while scratching a few monster mosquito bites) we decided to head down the hill to Hara Donuts. Hara Donuts is a chain in Japan specializing donuts made with okara, a by-product of soy milk or tofu. Before you chuckle and say, “Tofu by-product donuts? Those aren’t donuts!” I must tell you that these are, hands down, the best donuts I have ever tasted. With a texture that can best be described as light and cakey on the inside with a delicate crispiness on the outside. The balanced flavor and texture are enough to make me as obsessed with donuts as Homer Simpson. D-o-o-o-nuts….

To make things even better, these donuts are preservative free and use products made with local soy beans from Hokkaido. To read more about these fabulous donuts (since the official site is only in Japanese) check out this great article. One (or two) of these donuts along with a steaming hot latte make for a fantastic weekend breakfast. With Krispy Kreme invading Tokyo like a disease, Hara Donuts is a ray of sunshine in the world of donuts.

Just looking at the pictures from this weekend makes me feel the same serenity and complete happiness I experienced on Saturday. It was one of those mornings I often dream about but can rarely make happen because there are so many things to do. Letting loose and doing some exploring was the perfect way to spend my last weekend in Tokyo before leaving for Minnesota on Wednesday.

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  • http://fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.blogspot.com Julia

    Whaa gorgeous walk and some tasty looking donuts!! How sad that Krispy Kreme is invading…Hopefully it won't last…it invaded here and then almost all of them shut down :)

  • http://sophisticatedgourmet.com kamran siddiqi

    Oh my! Great post, as always! The photos look spectacular! Oh how I'd love to visit Tokyo!

    And those donuts look spectacular!

  • http://www.hkmenus.com laura

    yes!! I love my hara donuts bag… i love when places deliver a good product, and do it with so much style.

  • http://www.matchachocolat.com Matcha Chocolat

    I really enjoyed your post. Very beautiful! What a nice surprise to find that just next door!

  • http://kitchen-em.blogspot.com Kitchen M

    I've never heard of Hara donuts before. Next time I'm there, I'll definitely look for it. That sounds fantastic!
    You live in the nice area of Tokyo. I love the fun and excitement in the city, but having nature close to home is very comforting. Have fun in MN!

  • http://www.youtube.com/linnlar Linn @ Swedish Home Cooking

    Donuts and Saturday walk sounds like the ultimate Saturday!

  • thelacquerspoon

    Thank you for the beautiful photos. We do need such a place in the bustling city and the doughnuts look so comforting as well as bamboos! Glad doughnuts are turning into healthy sweets :)

  • TokyoTerrace

    It does help to have a little piece of nature to retreat to in the middle of a city like Tokyo. It was a fun discovery to make!

  • TokyoTerrace

    It was perfect!

  • TokyoTerrace

    I should have thought to take you there when we met up! Next time for sure :)

  • TokyoTerrace

    Glad you liked the post!

  • TokyoTerrace

    I thought of you guys when I wrote this post!

  • TokyoTerrace

    Thanks, Kam! I hope you can visit someday- I'd love to show you around!

  • TokyoTerrace

    I'm hoping it will be just a novelty, but Krispy Kreme seems to be right up the alley of many Tokyoites…

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