Old Meets New In Japan

I’ve always loved the new part of Japan but loved the old ones as well.  The old buildings in Japan fascinates me immensely - my mom used to say that I should have been an architect but I can’t even draw a straight line - so not good being an architect - but I do have an eye for nice and unique things and Japan’s architectural like Spain unique by itself - but yet different.

You will never see this in the West - there isn’t anyone who does work like this anymore around.  I’ve always called these old Japan builders an artist.

The detailed on the roof is amazing.

A magnificent looking temple in Osaka.

And here is the somewhat new but not modern like in Tokyo yet.

Another beautiful looking piece of artwork in Osaka.

Spooky Tours In Tokyo

Remember the movie - The Grudge?  yup that one !  if you are into that kinda movie - then you have to go for the spooky tours in Tokyo - or was it called the haunted tours?   Entrance is at 3000 Yen and you have to take off your shoes before going in and seriously if you are timid - don’t even think about going for that tour.  You get to listen to all kinds of tales and visit graveyards and temples - and the guide was pretty knowledgeable and the tour was a easy paced.  Great to visit with your teenagers and it gives you a variety of insight on all kinds of scarey tales.  Lilly Fields is the person to contact for this tour.

Choya - Japanese Green Plum

One of the desserts I missed a lot from Japan is the Japanese green plum dessert - also known as the Auome.  Found in most confectionery or cake shop in Japan - these are just exquisite.  Made from Japanese green plum of course - it’s very tasty and not too sweet nor sourish.

I was actually introduced to these Japanese green plum thru’ these choya drinks and fell in love with it.  If I ever go back to Japan for a vacation - I would buy a dozen of these  to share with people here.

Soba Bread

I’ve had soba bread (sobapan) with red beans and sometimes with veggies or squash in them.  Where can you find it?  - in a little town known for Soba food - Jindai - ji - in Tokyo.  Jindaiji - has some of the oldest temple and gardens.    I’ve always like Jindaiji - not only because it’s very closed to Tokyo - and a quite getaway for the day - one can find very good soba and soba related food here.  Plus there are touristy streets that you can walk safely and not worry about getting rip off here. I have a thing for soba cold noodles and there are quite a few soba restaurants in Jindaiji - while I’ve heard that in the olden days - they used the spring water to cook the noodles and prepare the sauces - these days - they are only for decoration purpose.

Super Hitachi

I love riding on the train when I was living in Japan - one of the train - that I loved riding on is the Super Hitachi - which runs a long the Ueno station to Mito station.  Usually the Super Hitachi takes about 70 mins and you can buy your lunch or snacks in the train station itself. While we are at Mito - don’t you forget to visit one of the best gardens in Japan - the Kairakuen.   If you are on vacation - buy the bus pass.

A little kiosk like this reminds me of Hong Kong - where you can buy your food and drinks here.

These are the comfy seat for the train ride - not bad eh.

Prada In Japan

Prada at Omotesando is a very unique building as you can see but I’m sure you wouldn’t expect anything less in Japan  - plus this is Prada you are talking about.  Look at the bubbles on the building - you cannot mistaken it as any other brand right?

I didn’t go in the day I took the pictures because I wasn’t dressed appropriately.  I just didn’t feel right - as the Japanese thinks that you don’t respect them or their establishment if you walked in with your bermuda.

Hakone Train & Adventures

Hakone is part of a national park and one can take this train up to Mt Fuji - but like most tourists - you won’t get to see Mt Fuji clearly unless you are really lucky because Mt Fuji is known for being a shy mountain.  Many like to take the train because they can get to view the scenery around them - and this is the best time of the year to be taking this train up to Mt Fuji because of the fall foliage.  Of course, people visit Hakone also for its hot spring or onsen.

Some omiyage shops in Hakone

Awesome scenery !

Tokyo Subway

Unfortunately, I haven’t been on the Tokyo subway on my own - I always travel with someone who have been in Japan for a long time.  The subway in Tokyo is like a huge maze - looking at the maps in the train station can be very mind boggling and intimidating if you ask me.  Even if you approach anyone - they hardly speak in English.  I have never seen a cramp train before - maybe I was lucky - but it can be very crowded at the Tokyo subway - at all times of the day.  But given that there are so many people living in Tokyo alone - it’s not hard to understand that the subway is open till late at night.  But if you are ever in Tokyo - you have to take the subway at least once and experience it yourself.

Cookie Boy In Japan

Cookie as an art in Japan is not new - in fact everyone loves this place so much and when I was there - I go there everyday because I needed some sweets.  But Japanese do make their food so much more interesting - that I sometimes feel bad eating them.  Nevertheless, when one is in Japan - I’m sure we would just about eat anything and everything.  Even the street food looks so good - and I can’t get enough of them.  So the best ways to suppress your appetite when in Japan is bringing your supplement along else you will end up like me - coming home with at least and extra baggage of 5Kg - I kid you not.

Strange Food In Japan

Japan has many wonderful eateries but there are some food combination that i cannot fathom myself - but when you are living in Japan, you kinda gotta try the food at least once right ?  after all, my girlfriends were all slurping them down like they were the most interesting thing they’ve ever come across.  This is one with red bean paste at the bottom of some green tea spaghetti with whipped cream and some fruits - tell me that’s not a strange combination for you? How did it taste?  pretty sweet if you asked me  - and pretty expensive too!   It wasn’t bad but I don’t think I would like a sweet spaghetti anytime soon.