Had the thick-cut pork loin cutlet set at Iwai Tonkatsu , near Daimon Station in Tokyo

In the morning, we spent several hours exploring Asahiyama Zoo and finally got to see the enormous polar bears up close. With that, our six-day journey through Hokkaido came to an end. After returning our rental car at the ORIX Rent a Car Asahikawa Ekimae Branch near Asahikawa Airport, we boarded a Japan Airlines flight back to Tokyo in the afternoon.

That evening, we headed to Iwai Tonkatsu (とんかつ屋いわい大門), a restaurant near Daimon Station that is famous for its tonkatsu made with Kagoshima Roppaku Kurobuta (Six-White Black Pork).

While waiting for our Japan Airlines flight to arrive from Tokyo, we walked around Asahikawa Airport. We discovered an observation deck on the third floor of the terminal, which offered a great place to watch aircraft take off and land. It was a pleasant surprise, and we spent some time enjoying the view before reluctantly saying goodbye to beautiful Hokkaido.

After arriving in Tokyo, we first checked in at the Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, dropped off our luggage, and then took the train to Daimon Station for dinner before heading to Tokyo Tower later that evening.

↑ Our six-day, five-night self-drive trip around Hokkaido came to an end as we flew back to Tokyo Haneda Airport on Japan Airlines to continue our journey.

After getting off at Daimon Station, we walked to Iwai Tonkatsu (とんかつ屋いわい大門). Looking over the menu, we decided to order the Thick-Cut Pork Loin Cutlet Set to find out what makes Kagoshima Roppaku Kurobuta tonkatsu so special.

Our meal arrived shortly afterward. The set included shredded cabbage salad, pickled daikon with yuzu, and a flavorful Kurobuta pork miso soup. The pork cutlet was perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender inside. Several different dipping sauces were provided, allowing us to enjoy a variety of flavors.

Of course, I had to cut the pork cutlet open for a photo to show its thick cross-section. The texture and flavor were noticeably different from ordinary tonkatsu, with richer pork flavor and excellent tenderness. Paired with a bowl of steamed rice, it made for a satisfying meal that disappeared quickly.