LaQua

it is free to enter the La Qua at Tokyo Dome city – but you have to pay for the rides and the attractions. Opens from 11am – 9pm daily- the LaQua has many good food places to eat and the largest natural hot spring spa in Tokyo.   You have to check out their specialty stores and many games and rides to go on.  Move aside Disney Land – move aside Sanrio Land – this place is great for both adults and kids.

Tokyo Dome

Never heard of? don’t blame you – neither did i till i lived in Japan for 6 months for work.  Tokyo Dome seats 55,000 people max and home of the Yomiuri Giants.  The NBA, NFL games and other pro wrestling games are held here.  But what one should be interested in is the amusement park LaQua – that will be for another post.  But to get to Tokyo Dome – take the JR line and get off at Suidobashi station.

People’s Bar aka Izakaya

My girlfriends in Tokyo calls it a People’s bar but this well known Izakaya is featured on tv – the internet and all sorts of tourist books and books too find good food in Japan.  I haven’t been in Japan for too long – yet I know this place.  But like all non- Japanese i would have preferred some contemporary coffee tables and don’t let my co-workers hear it because they loved the authentic Izakaya so much – nothing could deter them from coming here every evening.

The one that we so often go to is the one near the Shinjuku line at the Morishita Station – it`s very near to our office and anyone taking the subway – is only 2 mins away.  3 storey high as you can see in this picture – there isn`t very much seating in the entire house.

One of the very famous food we like to order are these skewers – chicken -  Yaki -ton – it goes so well with beer – or any cold drinks – we just can`t stop eating.  But it`s not only the Yaki ton that is good – Yamariki has a huge menu but like any izakaya – you could expect the freshest here.  I heard that because the owner had worked in some good french restaurants before – therefore – one can find some pretty good eats that are not Japanese here.

You see why I say i prefer the contemporary coffee tables?  Yes ! not as cozy eh as one would expect – when these Japanese spends hours after work here.  They also have a loud intercom – that they use to communicate between floors – it gets annoying after an hour.

This dish is called Nikomi – i heard it was cooked with some special sauce aged for 40 yrs – and they also have bbq pick intestines – i didn’t try it but a co – worker who did loved it.   Overall, if you are looking for a authentic japanese dining experience – a Izakaya – or a People’s Bar is the place to be and the Yamariki is well known – try that out yourself.

Yokohama Cosmo World Night Ride

If you are in Yokohoma which is 45mins by train from Tokyo – one have to try out their Super Ride at Yokohama Cosmo World.  We went there in the night because we figured the lights are  a lot cooler and it’s not as hot in the night as well.   If you are also wondering how Japanese get their thrills – I’m guessing it is these rides that keeps them happy.  But if you want a quick trim, lose some calories or get that heart pumping – try the Cosmo ride – if the ride doesn’t do it – the screaming would at least give your lungs a good workout.  When we were queuing for our turn – everywhere we turned were Japanese and  not as much Westerners as I had predicted.

Cosmo World is located near the harbor and the ferris wheel is once upon a time the largest in the world.  You are gonna be blinded by the thousand lights in different patterns – pretty overwhelming if you asked me.   The diving roller-coaster is not as scarey as it sounds – it passes thru’ an underground thru’ a pond and then back to the surface – it’s just an illusion that there is water coming straight at you.  There are several other rides you can choose to go on – like the new addition of a family ride i heard.  There is no entry fee to Cosmo World but you pay from 100 yen – 700 yen depending on what you care to do when you are there.   I know you will have fun – check out the cool arcade there too and have some popcorn cooked in a arcade machine right in front of you.

Doll Festival

I was checking out on blac label clothing when i was reminded of a doll show in Tokyo a year ago in Tokyo Trade Center.  Unfortunately for me – i wasn’t able to go – but my best friend in Tokyo was there and i saw the pictures on her Facebook.  I know my daughter would have loved these life-size doll if she was there and maybe – scream to buy one.

The show was a pretty interesting and an extensive one covering all 4 floors of the trade center and since my other friends were heading to Japan this year – i went to check if there was anything similar – so that they can go for the exhibition.  Anyhow – we did miss one that was held in March – the Hina Matsuri Dance Show – not the same – but should be pretty interesting as well.  It is  the Doll & Peach Blossom festival -   an occasion to pray for young girls’ growth & happiness.

Harujuku Fancy

Check out this ninja looking fella in Harujuku and lots of summer festivities coming up.

Famous Theater In Ginza

The girlfriend wrote to me after a trip to Japan that the Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza Japan is no longer there – apparently it was torn down in April this year. I went on a search for some pictures that I had taken of the famous theater that I had visited several times when i lived in Japan and even bought some  personalized gifts for family and friends from the theater to bring home.

The Kabukiza was located in Higashi and it’s a traditional kind of theater for art shows for many, many years.  The girlfriend said that they had planned this move since 2008 and staged their last performance for about a year now entitled Kabukiza Sayonara Koen.   But one can watch their matinees at about 11am and also in the evenings at 4.30pm.  The performances usually last for about 5hrs – tickets are sold between 600 – 1200 yen and are usually sold out a day before the acts. If you have been for any performance at the Kabuki, you will know that it is an unique experience.  The reason for the demolition is a new place is needed to within earthquakes – structural safety.

Karaoke Kings Is Japan

I know ! I know !  who goes to Japan for Karaoke right?  but – but Japan is Karaoke town – not only because they have the most high tech joint I’ve seen in Asia – but they are the most expensive.  But if you go in a group – and making sure you go during happy hours – then that is a different story – that was what my Japanese co-workers told me.   But when you go Karaoke with the Japanese – be prepared to stay till the morning – yes – they are crazy – i had joint pain when we were done at 6am the next day.

But I’ll have to say that the private rooms were decorated so well and the service staff were attentive and everyone very cute looking – you would think that this was some kind of exclusive club.

Forget about those 13 inch tv with songs playing on it – these joints are high tech and have little pads – that controls the songs and the volume and even let you order food. They not only have extensive selection of songs but food and desserts as well – one of the Karaoke that we went to – had the calories recording – that tells you how much calories you lost while singing a particular son – or how many songs you need to sing – in order to eat a sunday – totally hilarious!  Karaokes are everywhere in Japan – whether you are in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka – so make sure you visit one – you will probably be looking at $50 for 2 person for 6 hrs worth of singing – and don’t forget there are food and drinks charges too.

Tokyo By Evening

If you’ve ever been to Tokyo – you would agree with me that Tokyo by night has gotta be the most interesting place you can be in.  It’s vibrant and one of the most colorful cities I’ve been too.  The first nite i was in Tokyo – i was kinda in awe – not that Singapore wasn’t bright and colorful but it’s very crowded and conjested.  There are eateries and shopping centers everywhere – one can spend the nite in Tokyo without sleeping for nites – no wonder we all go back from vacation with dark circles because there are just way too much things to see, do and eat.

Japanese Sitcoms

It is not only the japanese who loves the Japanese sitcom but my girlfriends who are permanent residence in Japan who are more fixated with them than any of her Japanese co-workers.  So fixated with catching the sitcoms on time and everyday – she had even forgotten that she had an appointment to take care of that acne on neck problem – she have had for weeks.

It was like two years ago – this sitcom was up for watching – the last friend i think it was.  So what was the fascination you might be asking right about now.  Well, like any sitcoms – it has it draws on certain people and Last Friends was one of the best drama I’ve watched made in Japan toady.   The story addresses issues which exist in modern society – Michiru is a young woman who starts getting bullied at work, but unfortunately after she decides to move into her boyfriend’s apartment she also becomes the victim of domestic violence. Ruka is Michiru’s friend since high school, but Ruka starts to become worried about her parents finding out about the truth of her sexuality as feelings for Michiru grow stronger. Takeru is also a friend of Ruka’s, however he also has stronger feelings for her but he has a phobia of sex as a result of a past trauma. The 3 eventually end up living together but how will their friendships end up? So if you are into Japanese sitcoms – check Last Friend out.