winners (those who have succeeded socially, economically, etc.)
first departure (of the day); first train; first bus; departing from the starting station (of a bus, train, etc.)
pine tree (Pinus spp.); highest (of a three-tier ranking system)
wholesaler; manufacturer; capitalist; financier; investor
long distance; long haul; long-distance race
to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall); to let hang; to put on (e.g. a blanket); to put on top of; to put on (glasses, etc.); to wear (a necklace, etc.); to make (a call)
box seat; (restaurant) booth; box (theater, sports stadium, etc.)
old; aged; long; since long ago; of the distant past; long-ago
opposite side; other side; other party
composition (of painting); structural outline; compositional arrangement
simple; simplified; easy; plain
(divine) punishment; curse; retribution
sweets (desserts, candy, etc.)
all-you-can-eat; eating as much as one likes
day after day; day by day
to get tired of; to tire of; to lose interest in; to become sated; to become satiated; to have one's fill
chain store; retail chain; restaurant chain
to insert; to put in; to come in (of light); to shine in; to have a griping pain (in the stomach, chest, etc.)
store; shop; establishment; restaurant
gyoza; pot sticker; crescent-shaped pan-fried dumplings stuffed with minced pork and vegetables
making a funny face; amusing face
(in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of
to taste; to savor; to appreciate; to enjoy; to experience; to go through
in a daze; absent-mindedly; dimly; hazily; with a roar (of flames); with a whoosh
lodging; inn; house; home; home of a servant's parents (or guarantor, etc.)
Kansai (region comprising Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and surrounding prefectures); Kansai (western half of Japan; during the feudal era)
food review (on TV, social media, etc.); food reportage
program (e.g. TV); programme
seiza; kneeling with the tops of the feet flat on the floor, and sitting on the soles
to be mixed together; to be blended; to intermingle; to commingle
slim; slender; lithe; smoothly; without resistance; without trouble
shoulders; body; honour; honor; prestige
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
counter for nights of a stay; overnight stay; lodging
Yamanashi Prefecture (Chūbu area)
Shizuoka Prefecture (Chūbu area)
to compete; to contest; to quarrel; to argue; to deny (e.g. evidence)
every year; yearly; annually
dispute; conflict; trouble; unrest; strife
10,000; ten thousand; 10^4