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.

Okonomiyaki In Tokyo

Everyone I know wants to there Okonomiyaki when they are in Tokyo - I myself wasn’t any different when i first arrived.  Oknonomiyaki is like a pancake with all sorts of ingredient in it and an incredible sauce on top of it.  At the Shibuya district - you can find gret Okonimiyaki restaurant there. If you take a short walk from the Shibuya JR line,  you can find several there - i won’t say anyone is better than the other but it’s pretty good.

5 Must Sees & Do In Japan

Many of my friends would ask me each time they plan to go to Japan - on what they should see or do - or most importantly not missed because of the short trip that they are making.  Of course, they also asked what is the best time to visit Japan too.  But you see - Japan enjoys the 4 seasons too but a lot milder than most parts here in the West.  So here I was doing my dietpill reviews and a neighbor from another store came by and asked me the exact question - so i decided to just write it down and re-direct them to the blog instead.  Why?  because i get so long winded at times.. and I end up talking for so long and not getting my work done.

So here we go - instead of staying in a luxury hotel in Japan - i strongly suggest staying in a traditional Ryokan - what is it..?  A Ryokan is a traveler’s lodge - literally translated, the Ryokan is designed very traditionally and they usually have the tatami mats and traditional bedding.

Mount Fuji is a must not missed - afterall, it was considered one of the wonders in the world if i was not wrong.  If it wasn’t it was pretty wonderful to me.  I strongly suggest you go in August where it isn’t too hot but the weather is clear enough - going during the early spring -  can only disappoint because some of the stations are closed because of the weather.  The most easily accessible is the 5th station - it seems that most tour buses or private cars stop there just for a break.  And in the 5th station - there is also a place to visit -  whereby pregnant woman are advised not to visit - for the life of me - i cannot remember what is the name of the substance - but i will update once i remember.

While one can go to Disneyland just about anywhere in the world these days - you don’t have to waste a trip now to visit.  So if you are in Japan - i strongly suggest you do away with Disneyland but go for Sanrio Puroland instead.  Some may said that they might puke - but it’s a very interesting place especially for the kids and ladies in the family - so it’s not all about you - buddy!

If you are going to Japan - you have to try the sushi there - even if you don’t go to the restaurants near Tsukiji Fish Market - you still have to try something there.  You’ve NOT been to Japan if you don’t try the sushi eh.  I recommend Sushi Bun to anyone out there - you can’t beat Sushi Dai nor Daiwa Sushi - but if you wanna wait like for 2 hrs - you go right ahead eh.  I prefer Sushi Bun because it has a English menu and a good meal cost like only 3,500 - 4,000 yen.  I suggest you order the omakase (chef’s choice) - you let the chef decide for you - but if you are not adventurous enough  - then you order from the menu eh.

Visit a real geisha - many of you are mistaken that a geisha is a prostitute but it is not true because a real geisha is someone who is very talented in instruments, tea making and also in singing.  The present geisha i was told are still around because of the culture in Japan.  There you have it - the 5 things and places I would do and see if I was in Japan only for a few days.  But having said that I’m sure there is the Toyota showroom you want to see - and go take a ride around their newest car.  And the Fuji TV, Akibara, Pachinko and all the electronic stores in Shinbuya. Well, good luck !  i hope you enjoy them.

An Imperial Tour In Tokyo

I think one of the main reasons why i didn’t go for the imperial tour is because you need to apply to go for the tour.  No private tours from any tour agency can do it - you have to apply on the website of the imperial palace or call - but still you need to let them have your passport details to be checked out.  Security is quite strict - so make sure to allocate them for them to process your application.  Yes, quite a hassle that’s the reason why - most people don’t get to tour the Imperial Palace where the King still resides.  So I went on to www.adipexdietpills.org to check on how to lose weight for a girlfriend who was planning to visit and insisted on visiting the palace.

Imperial Palace Tokyo is built over the site of the former Edo Castle, which dates to the mid-fifteenth century as the residence of the ruling Tokugawa shogun during the end of the Kamakura Shogunate. Imperial Palace history begins when the original Edo Castle was largely destroyed in an 1873 fire, and all that remain of it today are some ramparts, outlying buildings, and elaborate stone walls and foundations. Some lovely traditional Japanese bridges also remain, and several beautiful gardens  are part of the entire park complex. Today the palace complex is a beautiful and tranquil place to visit in the huge metropolis of Tokyo.

Enoshima Aquarium

If you wanna see some really cool stuff in Japan that your tour guide wouldn’t include in your tour while you are in Japan - it’s the Enoshima Aquarium that you shouldn’t missed. I recommend it everytime - someone come to visit me when i was in Japan.  Enoshima Aquarium is located at the Enoshima island of course and it’s got some of the most wonderful and colorful marine creatures there.

Actually the aquarium is not on the island but just before the bridge into the island.  The entrance fee is like 2000 yen for an adult - so about $20 USD - pretty ex eh..?? but for kids - they are like only 600 yen.  They have some dolphin shows there but they are all in Japanese and it’s always crowded but if you have been to the one in Hong Kong - then you didn’t miss anything.

You can also get to touch some small sharks and some really huge turtles - and it’s really an amazing sight.  Love the huge tank !

The funny thing is - i always go to the aquarium whenever i go to the island - i never seems to get enough of the exhibits.

Summer Resort In Tokyo

Japan is a shopping paradise for just about anything and everything including Blancpain but when you lived in Japan for more than a month - you want to look for other things to do - like go out to the beach or a resort and the nearest one in Enoshima about an hour or two by train.

Swimming and surfing are what most people do - but there are shopping to be done there and of course there are beach houses that you an use as well.  There is a shrine that one can visit while you are at the resort and of course try the local speciality there - Shirasu Don in a small cafe.  I don’t know if it is still there - but i’m sure - you can find some there.

Love the view from the top of Enoshima Island

Harujuku Fancy

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

Dolphin Watching In Japan

Someone asked me the other day if one can go dolphin watching in Japan while we were out shopping for rustic furniture for the summer.   And that reminded me of a trip i had gone in Mikurajima Island - a very small island in Tokyo but on the south side of Tokyo if I remember correctly.   There are a few island surround the Mikurajima island and if you ask your concierge - I’m sure - he or she would be able to book you a tour for Dolphin watching.

You won’t be disappointed because I remember I’ve seen as many has 20 swimming around us.  Getting to the island is by ferry but if you like and is adventurous - you can use fishing boats to get to the island from its neighbouring islands.  I would write more about our dolphin trip if i had more pictures or if i can still find them - but the island has lots to offer but the only think i hated was the ferry right and having to sleep in the ferry.  If you have the money - or a choice then - i would have taken the day trip.

Seasons In Japan

Japan does enjoy the 4 seasons - like we do here in the West but when it comes to the weather - I’ll have to say that mother nature is a lot kinder with Japan than they are with us here.  My girlfriend who wanted  prenatal vitamins asked me when was the best time for her to visit Japan - and I told her that I’m biased when it comes to Autumn in Japan while the spouse loves spring time in Japan.

Look at how awesome Japan looked during Autumn.

The changing colors of the trees

The houses, the scenery, the temples - everything looks really peaceful during autumn.

Square Enix, Japan

For the geeks going to Japan and thinking of visiting Square Enixin Hatsudai - don’t be too disappointed because i found that it was way too expensive for my liking - even though the engineers that was with me did buy some very expensive t-shirt.   But it was a good trip as far as I can remember - and if anything - the life size statue of Sephiroth was pretty impressive. And then we went on a eating spree of course and I was like thinking to myself - i need to find some  diets that work because even though you can get the healthiest food in Japan - one tends to overeat while you are there… and I was there for 6 months.  Next - food in Japan - I promise.