tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61784187468667866982024-03-19T01:50:00.839-07:00Gaijins In Tokyo14 Days in Tokyo under S$3000YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-10189512903717753342009-12-17T06:09:00.000-08:002009-12-27T09:06:57.700-08:00神座拉面 - Best Ramen in Kamakura?Located near the Ikebukuro West exit is a ramen shop called 神座拉面<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/KEENFO%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />. We passed by this shop a few times while we were walking to the train station or getting back to the hotel.<br /><br />Being ramen lovers, we decided to try te ramen here one day. Outside the shop is this recorded broadcast that is played over and over again saying that this ramen is the best in Kamakura (I think). Well, if they are so bold to play this broadcast, they HAVE TO be good...<br /><br />The customers are free to add toppings to their noodles at extra charges shown below. We ordered 2 ramens, Oiishi Ramen with a soft boiled egg topping and a Tsukemen (dipping noodles).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8P2xFWxrR_Zn4VgjwjIvKExzEABPb_p2LYHwGLwgWidrpNhwpl_BoaNp7m8YSKyYMyxMmeHONmkqyw1wvSphpS8jmSKzmKCwyJjSrbUHzPlMqSfxgSfsJJJXNTgvdKTwTdQXtJ8khihK/s1600-h/DSC04652.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8P2xFWxrR_Zn4VgjwjIvKExzEABPb_p2LYHwGLwgWidrpNhwpl_BoaNp7m8YSKyYMyxMmeHONmkqyw1wvSphpS8jmSKzmKCwyJjSrbUHzPlMqSfxgSfsJJJXNTgvdKTwTdQXtJ8khihK/s400/DSC04652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416211029899382786" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of condiments to eat with your noodles: chilli, garlic and spring onions marinated in some kimchi sauce.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijso6fYAip7Ln9lCu3KRZhH4py7ZrqOT64dllzW7WZA2OKg5yb8o_EMZC6rTXMadINeLlhYIDCl6jOMab3O4kK0ZQHPX32fEdAFAY2Psj5AHCwK_KWoerwxlf4v2YrOpWI93NwxgbkNzaP/s1600-h/DSC04653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijso6fYAip7Ln9lCu3KRZhH4py7ZrqOT64dllzW7WZA2OKg5yb8o_EMZC6rTXMadINeLlhYIDCl6jOMab3O4kK0ZQHPX32fEdAFAY2Psj5AHCwK_KWoerwxlf4v2YrOpWI93NwxgbkNzaP/s400/DSC04653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416211021331670930" border="0" /></a><br />K's noodle: Oiishi Ramen with a soft boiled egg. Well, the truth is, on first look, the ramen doesn't look special to K. The soup looks rather thin although it smells special.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJHjIMCaZR-u1f7crHmB0KhWnNx1Cxg_Fqi59ggcYfoiBUDg2qDrjhmBVyxWR9OAlmOBHzb2y4tMGQMvUKwyR6c11GxxGqLj4weo-WdL4zGXJziBNwnN4iqqk2f0o_2KABwgFcZcO6ioJ/s1600-h/DSC04656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJHjIMCaZR-u1f7crHmB0KhWnNx1Cxg_Fqi59ggcYfoiBUDg2qDrjhmBVyxWR9OAlmOBHzb2y4tMGQMvUKwyR6c11GxxGqLj4weo-WdL4zGXJziBNwnN4iqqk2f0o_2KABwgFcZcO6ioJ/s400/DSC04656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416211016739100114" border="0" /></a><br />My noodle: Tsukemen. The noodles are separated from the soup so that the taste of the noodles can be enjoyed on its own. I got a shock when I saw the amount of noodles and quickly double checked with the menu, gosh thats 200g of noodles for my dinner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d-eig0eDa1ODhEntVookeU-WWkcNI2oFPxM-hEvMuf9Q1x-2MSAOTiP6hPOaDpSnMqhEeXWOWengulrTU-w_IU_leV2TdtBF27ja5rhqmuDqcrV3Ep-zmK_Yji_xQ02PGrdpi5iph8zY/s1600-h/Ramen-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d-eig0eDa1ODhEntVookeU-WWkcNI2oFPxM-hEvMuf9Q1x-2MSAOTiP6hPOaDpSnMqhEeXWOWengulrTU-w_IU_leV2TdtBF27ja5rhqmuDqcrV3Ep-zmK_Yji_xQ02PGrdpi5iph8zY/s400/Ramen-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416211008334174242" border="0" /></a><br />The noodles weighs a freaking 200g and I thought that I will not be able to finish it. I was so wrong. And so was K's first impression.<br /><br />This was the best ramen that me and K had for the entire Tokyo trip. So good that even till now, we can still remember the taste of the soup. Sweetness from the Chinese cabbage in the soup, saltiness from the soy sauce and fragrance from the bonito. OH SO GOOD. *SLURP*<br /><br />Adding the spring onions marinated in the chilli sauce will make the bowl of ramen taste different, like a new bowl of ramen. We can eat this over and over again!<br /><br />2nd trip to 神座拉面:<br />After a disheartening dinner at Piss Alley at Shinjuku, we had to come back here for ramen to satisfy our taste buds. We decided to share a bowl of ramen and some side orders as we were not very hungry. We ordered a plate of gyoza and a special menu item, a bowl of ramen that is only available during summer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUIMXgmTOB8RUKFKVv87WWn_pKx2nHk3c-hrnNboovF9rfHO29abP9Y4-79235f9rSfMwc5lX7ugU3KnRb7WwBM7CKJ2s2jUpeIgzmkw6462yBbpb2B1IpiXRtUbdWaBrnSLtpq7_zmzA/s1600-h/DSC05251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUIMXgmTOB8RUKFKVv87WWn_pKx2nHk3c-hrnNboovF9rfHO29abP9Y4-79235f9rSfMwc5lX7ugU3KnRb7WwBM7CKJ2s2jUpeIgzmkw6462yBbpb2B1IpiXRtUbdWaBrnSLtpq7_zmzA/s400/DSC05251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416211001140999746" border="0" /></a><br />Gyoza. Nothing to rave about, we'll have preferred the gyozas to be pan fried instead of deep fried.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb0pWg53mZa39VTLd6S5QlPJqjDP2D_q0rE2o5gChK4jOvzzEVYM4ohAFFr05z6CTHWsLHz5Agh6t6GsCmjwjTDnAGi5yZAKFMT4dQ7_YyI4UYttGqt_KwKAvd-wOIP07-7cyiIFpr0UN/s1600-h/DSC05252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb0pWg53mZa39VTLd6S5QlPJqjDP2D_q0rE2o5gChK4jOvzzEVYM4ohAFFr05z6CTHWsLHz5Agh6t6GsCmjwjTDnAGi5yZAKFMT4dQ7_YyI4UYttGqt_KwKAvd-wOIP07-7cyiIFpr0UN/s400/DSC05252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416213175846023042" border="0" /></a><br />Now here is the available-in-summer-only ramen. The soup is CLEAR, totally oiless, and is COLD. Yes, COLD to beat the heat of summer. The fresh slices of tomatoes, cucumbers, and grated white radish makes this bowl of ramen more refreshing! To top this all up, right in the centre of the bowl of ramen, is some mashed up preserved plum that will enable this bowl of ramen to be able to cool anyone from the heat of summer. <br /><br />OIISHI! WE WILL BE BACK FOR MORE~~<br /><br />*Tip - Do not mix in the plum into the soup as the soup will taste too sour and will ruin all the bonito flavour. Instead, put all the plum and some noodles as your first bite so that the soup won't get too sour.YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-81947022711344367642009-12-14T08:14:00.000-08:002009-12-17T08:25:56.264-08:00Hakone 大涌谷 - Owakudani Sky RestaurantThis was one of the main highlights in the Hakone day trip, Japanese Curry for lunch at Owakudani. K's friend, Mike told us that this is the best curry he has ever tasted and we MUST visit it when we get to Hakone.<br /><br />As the cable car landed in Owakudani, we scrambled out of the cabin and started our search for lunch. It was really cooling at 1044m above sea level =)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifLr6BG9LEXkUMWYvge9tA7FzQliXIgK2kN-ShONMraIWB6i41qMap_Zr9AHtD0p_-p-t0sNsIgBhGXRZw43c95q7hyphenhyphenYvF-a_sc4Ywig-h3S5Y20BUPShvg6Q4KNjgxC339_4STAakwIt/s1600-h/P8030087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifLr6BG9LEXkUMWYvge9tA7FzQliXIgK2kN-ShONMraIWB6i41qMap_Zr9AHtD0p_-p-t0sNsIgBhGXRZw43c95q7hyphenhyphenYvF-a_sc4Ywig-h3S5Y20BUPShvg6Q4KNjgxC339_4STAakwIt/s400/P8030087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415127772011153858" border="0" /></a><br />Inside this stopover station @ Owakudani, there is a secluded lift that takes you to the Sky Restaurant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjTBY_1nWaphFOOTePqssLVB3bbbuNCepNzbVUeyUlHJPqN3oT_oUGIOr9q8k1ZuVFr-sl9I6dgTnzVq1s500DwoyuHwNSAnDymcn2iBB9M674DMDSEiLvz4JL5XGpM2KMZY8pgd-_m0D/s1600-h/DSC04482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjTBY_1nWaphFOOTePqssLVB3bbbuNCepNzbVUeyUlHJPqN3oT_oUGIOr9q8k1ZuVFr-sl9I6dgTnzVq1s500DwoyuHwNSAnDymcn2iBB9M674DMDSEiLvz4JL5XGpM2KMZY8pgd-_m0D/s400/DSC04482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415127764335461682" border="0" /></a><br />One important tip when visiting touristy places: Always beat the main lunch crowd.<br />We arrived at 11:30am or so and were seated almost immediately, this was quite unexpected because we had queued for at least 10mins for the railway/cable car rides. Hakone is experiencing large crowds even on a Monday o.O<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiO1rv3deyXLdYrpCM2bV9ESWDqBMgr03Kbl0Xx1v0qaPS_SWJqs7tKOqRQzm_JCjpotVEf6fSEgoAdum5TJ24qoAo6wdbmRaz6GQZw5LVnZDQteXZr8avpKCAR-fwqGQvjCgc_4AzYl1/s1600-h/DSC04485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiO1rv3deyXLdYrpCM2bV9ESWDqBMgr03Kbl0Xx1v0qaPS_SWJqs7tKOqRQzm_JCjpotVEf6fSEgoAdum5TJ24qoAo6wdbmRaz6GQZw5LVnZDQteXZr8avpKCAR-fwqGQvjCgc_4AzYl1/s400/DSC04485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415127756820265586" border="0" /></a><br />As part of Odakyu Anniversary, we were given a booklet with some discount coupons. There's K trying to be uncle by tearing out this discount 10% for overall bill coupon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoqJcnOIIwuim5JwSsWNJUS5wuy-0nJL4wGeZlXgwzSOiUP1GV-tYa6CKj_O0D7n5M0brwy5Hm4KAnX7C1Z6IqzBEck6ccbduWECZ-c_zx_kTWXwJlHXUoB3T9D19R91k4KPpQ6pdxf7B/s1600-h/DSC04487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoqJcnOIIwuim5JwSsWNJUS5wuy-0nJL4wGeZlXgwzSOiUP1GV-tYa6CKj_O0D7n5M0brwy5Hm4KAnX7C1Z6IqzBEck6ccbduWECZ-c_zx_kTWXwJlHXUoB3T9D19R91k4KPpQ6pdxf7B/s400/DSC04487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415127751509117890" border="0" /></a><br />Hakone Beer? Interesting~let's order.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAnbgF9oL-hAiQmi2w7LbAFFR5_P43t9XCXO3PSKndAD_FDs71Sa5HsU2yrFAZ4bVE7tiBAXe9nWEWsxoptxRJhC_IaByqhGAefO1MZzC7Wt_ya1tF9UIvRiNyQqsrUqc-B6UkLH1byPq/s1600-h/P8030084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAnbgF9oL-hAiQmi2w7LbAFFR5_P43t9XCXO3PSKndAD_FDs71Sa5HsU2yrFAZ4bVE7tiBAXe9nWEWsxoptxRJhC_IaByqhGAefO1MZzC7Wt_ya1tF9UIvRiNyQqsrUqc-B6UkLH1byPq/s400/P8030084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415127740276357586" border="0" /></a><br />K's set, Owakudani Katsu curry, with a slab of pork katsu and comes with a black sulphur egg.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLusgpOAdLR4270YiUDGs-DyIVIpYmdpLcivEVAYCAyk-HA5tMHch2Q3-1yc_r9oVaQv_SawcVmcqUdMh77H981IacJH9RL6ojPgDIeSMWUeFEqW04meo1mw37IfEPOsoI9JIZpJ_yyl2/s1600-h/DSC04491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLusgpOAdLR4270YiUDGs-DyIVIpYmdpLcivEVAYCAyk-HA5tMHch2Q3-1yc_r9oVaQv_SawcVmcqUdMh77H981IacJH9RL6ojPgDIeSMWUeFEqW04meo1mw37IfEPOsoI9JIZpJ_yyl2/s400/DSC04491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415495651593015906" border="0" /></a><br />My beef curry rice set, Owakudani Curry.<br />The curry served here is actually abit sweet and addictive with every bite. By sweet, I mean the kind of sweetness you experience when you eat raisins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XihFzFfesjDTByWLRvhWdAEkgIqRMHqTgdurMOWDn5yjV_tOmrOHbH0lbLvFQFp_PIj2NCeuAi442pdJWBYturBZXMkV1gEYfPLPFfUZ_alFCZ5yn2TOxBD6mGnO2ZLHsl4lzyIyqHeE/s1600-h/DSC04496.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XihFzFfesjDTByWLRvhWdAEkgIqRMHqTgdurMOWDn5yjV_tOmrOHbH0lbLvFQFp_PIj2NCeuAi442pdJWBYturBZXMkV1gEYfPLPFfUZ_alFCZ5yn2TOxBD6mGnO2ZLHsl4lzyIyqHeE/s400/DSC04496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415130100715730482" border="0" /></a><br />O.o The inside of the black sulphur egg is actually white *haha*<br /><br />Half boiled egg with semi runny egg yolk combined with curry? I am beyond words when I tasted the smooth and creamy texture of this mixture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2qHMotEG6WybPW85KVirE-J5JVSzzaQfGoziVWmuPzJ6RfVtHuLjsQga0AsaCJ79RQsHlwwIPVzC1-EyhrGUHv7Fpt5kYi6cdix8y6uFqh-HDXdJcTKb4wrWna9M-zx02K0fST6Bz2L-/s1600-h/DSC04497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2qHMotEG6WybPW85KVirE-J5JVSzzaQfGoziVWmuPzJ6RfVtHuLjsQga0AsaCJ79RQsHlwwIPVzC1-EyhrGUHv7Fpt5kYi6cdix8y6uFqh-HDXdJcTKb4wrWna9M-zx02K0fST6Bz2L-/s400/DSC04497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415130096249810962" border="0" /></a><br />We finished every single grain of rice and curry sauce.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVnA2NLvCcFVYtX4joMB4r5egpPZ08TPArH8mNrFUkMpP7UNkl3QBKXzTUcaiPqd2aPK9RXfPOFP8UHEQYdPLFkIrsDx0T_9hCnKhxi5AeKmBsjpTLBKL1eThCqPXhUYeXEWEm7JIE6jB/s1600-h/DSC04499.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVnA2NLvCcFVYtX4joMB4r5egpPZ08TPArH8mNrFUkMpP7UNkl3QBKXzTUcaiPqd2aPK9RXfPOFP8UHEQYdPLFkIrsDx0T_9hCnKhxi5AeKmBsjpTLBKL1eThCqPXhUYeXEWEm7JIE6jB/s400/DSC04499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415130087883945858" border="0" /></a>Total bill came up to 3250yen which was expensive when comparing the cost with an average lunch like ramen, but hey this is your tourist spot restaurant serving quality Japanese curry so its still worth every penny *slurp*YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-27757643717969910532009-12-14T07:42:00.000-08:002009-12-15T09:11:56.917-08:00天下寿司 - 美味しいですよ!We were shopping at Shibuya 109 when it is time for lunch! Looking at the tour book, we walked around the region trying to find a place that the tour book recommended BUT the blur K was unable to find the place. -_-<br />Let's just say that the lesson learnt is to NOT follow the guidebook when:<br />1. Your topo skill is not good<br />2. You are damn hungry<br /><br />Anyway, while still scratching our head on where is the place, we chanced upon a small rotating sushi bar located at the basement of a building: 天下寿司.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaw-40d1nqqOX2TpdzX_jnvt-hnr5AJbjA6pMNy9Jj66w1B2K-X0iV_P6rWe2D431wtKqLr2IakSo_ery0JySUCE748gBt26ZvCXD3E1pvmW-GFckmLFeM1oO7c4nZkYiqsN-532ML9hW/s1600-h/DSC04576.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaw-40d1nqqOX2TpdzX_jnvt-hnr5AJbjA6pMNy9Jj66w1B2K-X0iV_P6rWe2D431wtKqLr2IakSo_ery0JySUCE748gBt26ZvCXD3E1pvmW-GFckmLFeM1oO7c4nZkYiqsN-532ML9hW/s400/DSC04576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415119714260225298" border="0" /></a>Seems like every plate costs only 130yen (~S$2) so we decided to give it a try.<br /><br />While waiting for our turn, a Japanese couple who were having their lunch turned to chat with us in English. They told us that this place is their favorite sushi place as the food tastes really good. Hearing this, we were relieved~ =D<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiT_NP-I-A8L04HZCqUl1g0XvT77wSMsLyz-Jo4Z5ADKd5a2SK9ZjxL0yvvHXFjVklNaIn2sBIdaHnfAa7GMW8JG1wD5DMS_ubf0gfEpmFuC4uyx559668bFINhpO-jsuDbGjG6IKfUnt/s1600-h/Tian+Xia+Sushi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiT_NP-I-A8L04HZCqUl1g0XvT77wSMsLyz-Jo4Z5ADKd5a2SK9ZjxL0yvvHXFjVklNaIn2sBIdaHnfAa7GMW8JG1wD5DMS_ubf0gfEpmFuC4uyx559668bFINhpO-jsuDbGjG6IKfUnt/s400/Tian+Xia+Sushi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415119708630812722" border="0" /></a>Some thoughts after trying the sushi, starting from top left, downwards:<br /><br />Slightly broiled salmon - Melts in your mouth. VERY fresh and delicious.<br /><br />Anago (congor eel) - ONE whole eel is served. Very very nice.<br /><br />Unagi - Wery soft and fresh. Sauce is just nice, not too salty.<br /><br />Tuna - Sweet and fresh. Do not have a slight trace of blood taste in it, unlike those we find here.<br /><br />Hokkigai (surf clam) - Crunchy and sweet. This is K's first time to try it.<br /><br />Slightly seared tuna - Sprinkled with yuzu salt (I think) to give it a refreshing taste.<br /><br />Egg - Look at the thickness of the egg. And compare it with the ones you get here. Notice any difference? The taste and texture is absolutely fantastic.<br /><br />Uni - Very fresh tasting, very creamy, sweet, and less the fishiness.<br /><br />Chu toro - Absolutely fresh, and melts in your mouth and full of flavour.<br /><br />We ended our lunch with a bowl of shijimi miso soup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UVXA-LlcPOGlhBN1UHme7yCxqUJULuIcWmZkdci6tHUXWWkgTZimYEyAbyR0dtSMF_KGjuhsTgeSHYq6mze9634rgubqkwPan4u_psNfTtpnIKR0qYK6xb_1Z68xrqdcxgMYgfHldUDl/s1600-h/DSC04566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UVXA-LlcPOGlhBN1UHme7yCxqUJULuIcWmZkdci6tHUXWWkgTZimYEyAbyR0dtSMF_KGjuhsTgeSHYq6mze9634rgubqkwPan4u_psNfTtpnIKR0qYK6xb_1Z68xrqdcxgMYgfHldUDl/s400/DSC04566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415119698404520834" border="0" /></a>Look at the amount of shijimi in the soup. SLURP~~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzHrOxXBnGiCgoqYQHDN1kC592AIhY7pvJeoHHS1MZc1a4NydU-MrDfLtuYhIgLfs7XPx-ROfs52pEXPWiHLn9UIbn0D1iFLXIDL75ygJ5-vsEjcC1K-QMyxzlBAdW6OYiU8tBEH27fUt/s1600-h/DSC04568.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzHrOxXBnGiCgoqYQHDN1kC592AIhY7pvJeoHHS1MZc1a4NydU-MrDfLtuYhIgLfs7XPx-ROfs52pEXPWiHLn9UIbn0D1iFLXIDL75ygJ5-vsEjcC1K-QMyxzlBAdW6OYiU8tBEH27fUt/s400/DSC04568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415119692017513682" border="0" /></a>Damage? All the above cost 130 yen per serving/bowl. Very worth it considering this can feed 2 people and the taste and freshness is well worth the price.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegcaIZ9laTGp0DnQvrBsZZgMgB7lAhLtBItwi5o6j3-Stvc-1Pi5JG0I9cueGgeNghoI1cKQjNkMrE5ChdXmPNmdlPg_9_yE7qQpH8-p1zokZp6rJRVnIFioNnP9YWPsx0jROkMtXNpY8/s1600-h/DSC04573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegcaIZ9laTGp0DnQvrBsZZgMgB7lAhLtBItwi5o6j3-Stvc-1Pi5JG0I9cueGgeNghoI1cKQjNkMrE5ChdXmPNmdlPg_9_yE7qQpH8-p1zokZp6rJRVnIFioNnP9YWPsx0jROkMtXNpY8/s400/DSC04573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415119678051721730" border="0" /></a>I can't really comment as I don't really take raw stuffs but to K, this has to be one of the BEST sushi he had ever tasted!<br /><br />Lastly, some tips from K:<br /><br />When eating sushi, DO NOT EVER dunk the sushi into a dish of wasabi-laden soy sauce, like how almost every SG ppl eat their sushi and sashimi! TOTAL waste! (I think the sushi chef will foam at their mouth if they see how SG ppl eat sushi/sashimi here...)<br /><br />The sushi rice already has flavour and some wasabi! Only lightly dip the sushi (with the rice facing up so that the rice will not soak up the soy sauce) into the soy sauce (with NO wasabi) if you want your sushi to be slightly salty.<br /><br />If you want more wasabi, just use your chopsticks to take a teeny weeny bit and NO MORE.<br /><br />The soy sauce and wasabi is to enhance the flavour of the sushi and sashimi, and NOT to cover their awesome flavour!YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-45114895730877799252009-11-14T04:46:00.000-08:002009-11-14T12:10:51.032-08:00Harajuku/Omotesando - Mai Sen (Pork Katsu Specialist)I got mesmerised by a Pork Katsu Sandwich picture I saw on a blog and I knew its my destiny..I MUST TRY IT!<br /><br />Maisen has a number of restaurants and outlets in major shopping centres selling their pork katsu products but what can be more fresh and piping hot than eating at the main restaurant itself? It was a humid and sunny day which was pretty rare although its mid summer season.<br /><br />We were supposed to shop at Harajuku, have lunch at Maisen and attend Tokyo Bay fireworks in the evening. Holding the google map in our hands, K and I trudged through the huge crowd at Takeshita Dori(from Harajuku Station) then walked upslope for at least 15mins and FINALLY we arrived at Maisen.<br /><br />It was pretty strange to us that a restaurant of this scale was located in such a "ulu place".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurVZk6MBpBcz-vN8DIrShE3k227xqF7o9x_ZKeD9HRAJdCQ1UPcmkoIM2-4FP_vLCp72BN3O_otSHKTIbcwd8HVLow-Fr8GC0mk2IgZhm6iKI5VU_lfDjAwK3r6YWckEbihcM-9S_pX_H/s1600-h/P8080243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurVZk6MBpBcz-vN8DIrShE3k227xqF7o9x_ZKeD9HRAJdCQ1UPcmkoIM2-4FP_vLCp72BN3O_otSHKTIbcwd8HVLow-Fr8GC0mk2IgZhm6iKI5VU_lfDjAwK3r6YWckEbihcM-9S_pX_H/s400/P8080243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403941153282296674" border="0" /></a><br />A waitress led us in to the main hall, by then we were wet with perspiration. We took a look around the restaurant and thought the crowd was so~so, about 60% filled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o7l2Ar3FBDKdRTrKWMb0TEHx-MBg9nfy2LOaujjFltfsawJOtYM93wamY-R7NcCW4a34neMSW7_qXM02CN9JmrX1XZUonFvav2LXZTSJ79yFMwGVYWwrBJakyvq7DNETyo5zDbr8dXCb/s1600-h/DSC04908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o7l2Ar3FBDKdRTrKWMb0TEHx-MBg9nfy2LOaujjFltfsawJOtYM93wamY-R7NcCW4a34neMSW7_qXM02CN9JmrX1XZUonFvav2LXZTSJ79yFMwGVYWwrBJakyvq7DNETyo5zDbr8dXCb/s400/DSC04908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403941142195550562" border="0" /></a><br />We placed our orders, my Pork Katsu Sandwich and K ordered a Katsudon set. A photo must be taken because we finally made it here after some 20mins of upslope walking *omg*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1anJrejGPH0uCt1tkO5OUveUNTurIY9NBlZniL2AI4AYaL-IheRpN0fhTx9dCQFEiAZcV5MTUn4mb6ydE6kayURp35aXpMB7-T633QMDTpytog_87_Cor8jN_v_gUIQ1z-COcJwIBv8B/s1600-h/DSC04911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1anJrejGPH0uCt1tkO5OUveUNTurIY9NBlZniL2AI4AYaL-IheRpN0fhTx9dCQFEiAZcV5MTUn4mb6ydE6kayURp35aXpMB7-T633QMDTpytog_87_Cor8jN_v_gUIQ1z-COcJwIBv8B/s400/DSC04911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403941137561876722" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the seasonings to go with the pork katsu.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDSlXJKrWXI5nuwdS-7YH7VsNhSR8pPUPEchI83aK0WWttB4BQA_sE9vKctervrKcHuijUPrBdAZl6ro6pAPYS0t2B4qdK-WBO2hR500vUt_UgWGceH27sx87GL3m5X8jHlRMm4ML_3Jd/s1600-h/DSC04912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDSlXJKrWXI5nuwdS-7YH7VsNhSR8pPUPEchI83aK0WWttB4BQA_sE9vKctervrKcHuijUPrBdAZl6ro6pAPYS0t2B4qdK-WBO2hR500vUt_UgWGceH27sx87GL3m5X8jHlRMm4ML_3Jd/s400/DSC04912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403941127587855906" border="0" /></a><br />Then we were served this small bowl of radish and bonito flakes. We took it as an appetiser and it was really cooling and refreshing for this weather. *Later I read that this radish was supposed to accompany your pork katsu sauce but oops we didn't know*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGbvalK3sA6WQaLsnkW5ch91AYfXrpptvENG-bAc8KjDPoSQpASeZAXh9Pf91eLbhsUtns7hca6feZ8hOC16ovCdgiyKmlwJX3MCFqI4p4a1GsCx72Mk5f3DNsFIzOzeGCdyL7ssKiFSd/s1600-h/DSC04909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGbvalK3sA6WQaLsnkW5ch91AYfXrpptvENG-bAc8KjDPoSQpASeZAXh9Pf91eLbhsUtns7hca6feZ8hOC16ovCdgiyKmlwJX3MCFqI4p4a1GsCx72Mk5f3DNsFIzOzeGCdyL7ssKiFSd/s400/DSC04909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403941124965935090" border="0" /></a><br />After 15mins later, my Pork Katsu Sandwich came together with an apple salad. 895yen for the sandwich is pretty pricey, considering this is just a sandwich.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BUoxqPe8wMx_qrDYL4hBMtpRNWHKriHmWwgFphh26e7Td7bRewYmBwwnFiTcoUfCUWS55lsiBUx4H2mn_tOQhAaRaOXuHBv9plTnS3zu11sFGAvjLMnFeFGbl_CJEytaay6SwnHTlRGl/s1600-h/DSC04914.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BUoxqPe8wMx_qrDYL4hBMtpRNWHKriHmWwgFphh26e7Td7bRewYmBwwnFiTcoUfCUWS55lsiBUx4H2mn_tOQhAaRaOXuHBv9plTnS3zu11sFGAvjLMnFeFGbl_CJEytaay6SwnHTlRGl/s400/DSC04914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403942075382395202" border="0" /></a><br />Close up~ The pork katsu was juicy and soft with no fats. A thin layer of plum sauce was spread onto both sides of the bread which was just enough to give it a nice tangy flavour, without soaking the bread.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdZ1bj4BlM_R4RxRvBI0KAglrH9fxZnhEWkFfiEMydXAyA4lZN_uY4EGjhTcZVHTkMheRLTXIT3NtwcPVidu6tINswgNQNuOP9pHDW2hpD18dhbAIjp7gMh4oVZT-hLv8DdRg4DLzWbGM/s1600-h/DSC04913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdZ1bj4BlM_R4RxRvBI0KAglrH9fxZnhEWkFfiEMydXAyA4lZN_uY4EGjhTcZVHTkMheRLTXIT3NtwcPVidu6tINswgNQNuOP9pHDW2hpD18dhbAIjp7gMh4oVZT-hLv8DdRg4DLzWbGM/s400/DSC04913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403942044234916050" border="0" /></a><br />And K's katsudon Set(1420 yen) came as well with a salad, miso soup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggLinSkeLu7l4QBvA5NuPLKj68OCqIKzrSAQfDjnreYQAT-8vgvflYIfqApRVcKHlXwq4T49S-3VQuCHKk_B8pzZT1Gt5WBKgPpq-WHLOiohSfuQWlTwvIyvOG_XmJtejdqSMvtKf_Z-X/s1600-h/DSC04915.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggLinSkeLu7l4QBvA5NuPLKj68OCqIKzrSAQfDjnreYQAT-8vgvflYIfqApRVcKHlXwq4T49S-3VQuCHKk_B8pzZT1Gt5WBKgPpq-WHLOiohSfuQWlTwvIyvOG_XmJtejdqSMvtKf_Z-X/s400/DSC04915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403942025450100418" border="0" /></a><br />Close up~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_sgzPDKV7GNTqXrbbyBx4IIKEooe6rGlapxAXltOF3Tj0PxJ6BqbKmS-MpndCHPF2AlspGa6IRaDzriuAcTh34PoK8dSwUftufBA-WuvtFR3492cAGuepk_omiA3iPzWNpmg_rxPWghZ/s1600-h/DSC04916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_sgzPDKV7GNTqXrbbyBx4IIKEooe6rGlapxAXltOF3Tj0PxJ6BqbKmS-MpndCHPF2AlspGa6IRaDzriuAcTh34PoK8dSwUftufBA-WuvtFR3492cAGuepk_omiA3iPzWNpmg_rxPWghZ/s400/DSC04916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403942022600228738" border="0" /></a><br />Pardon for the bad picture, this scoop was Yuzi ice cream was served at the end of the meal *presumably this came from K's set. After the meal, we sat there for the next 10mins chit chatting.<br /><br />Little did we know, that a long queue was forming at the reception area >_<" Phew~ we managed to beat the lunch crowd by arriving slightly before 12noon. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTLw_sjjaMWO4awxga8utHTjLyAkkMNXBC9LM7ABuXi5muNNsd8hyphenhyphenZ9DFDW9EcbunNblPiGjCNTxTY4h_7hsnUaPWQHebpQnLPCuFS83iOXZl4KyYvY4p_DBHJ0crlvw0c63zMUNfad5F/s1600-h/DSC04918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTLw_sjjaMWO4awxga8utHTjLyAkkMNXBC9LM7ABuXi5muNNsd8hyphenhyphenZ9DFDW9EcbunNblPiGjCNTxTY4h_7hsnUaPWQHebpQnLPCuFS83iOXZl4KyYvY4p_DBHJ0crlvw0c63zMUNfad5F/s400/DSC04918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403942020575998290" border="0" /></a><br />[Price]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUt3DSwg0OYzBwJM-bFSX_Y_3ISTzIde5ynHrA20QV9A4BCxlBDucNC3hlipx-jdegH-fJ5FnoP3CRDhmaYVkk-FPvDNVJY9tSC8tJFQQ2u-n3ivOP69jHraRC7u8A6-LWSyqh_bQmAEh-/s1600-h/DSC04975.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUt3DSwg0OYzBwJM-bFSX_Y_3ISTzIde5ynHrA20QV9A4BCxlBDucNC3hlipx-jdegH-fJ5FnoP3CRDhmaYVkk-FPvDNVJY9tSC8tJFQQ2u-n3ivOP69jHraRC7u8A6-LWSyqh_bQmAEh-/s400/DSC04975.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403945049509196594" border="0" /></a><br />[Link]<br /><a href="http://mai-sen.com/">http://mai-sen.com/</a><br /><br />[Location]<br />Click <a href="http://mai-sen.com/restaurant/">here</a> for other Maisen restaurant locations<br /><br />The one we went to:<br />とんかつまい泉|青山本店<br /><br />東京(表参道)<br />住所 渋谷区神宮前4-8-5<br />電話 0120-428-485 (10:30~22:00)<br />アクセス 地下鉄「表参道」駅 A2出口より徒歩3分<br />営業時間 11:00~22:45(LO/22:00)<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D4-8-5+&sll=35.682939,139.76429&sspn=0.008366,0.019312&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=%EF%BC%94%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%EF%BC%98+%EF%BC%95%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D,+Shibuya+Ward,+T%C5%8Dky%C5%8D+Metropolis,+Japan&ll=35.677867,139.71571&spn=0.024402,0.036478&z=14&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D4-8-5+&sll=35.682939,139.76429&sspn=0.008366,0.019312&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=%EF%BC%94%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%EF%BC%98+%EF%BC%95%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D,+Shibuya+Ward,+T%C5%8Dky%C5%8D+Metropolis,+Japan&ll=35.677867,139.71571&spn=0.024402,0.036478&z=14&iwloc=A" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />[How to get there]<br /><br />We went by a long way cos we went to Harajuku first and walked upslope via Takeshita Dori.<br />If you are going to Maisen via Harajuku JR Station, you can try taking a long walk like us for 15mins.<br /><br />First, walk through Takeshita Dori. Walk all the way straight, up the slope until you hit this stone wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmuiWjloWB6x4xpgsexESiPsDYUt3w2tL-sULZL7IpkLmLMzZbASmpUPPQV5SZmv7DO7muu83Ta5SoqmbKOgiLGYXeDGU9qXmxx1OC1NiT6Biias__S2gNoWN0hyw6d3ip4K2x8oNm3BO/s1600-h/P8080250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmuiWjloWB6x4xpgsexESiPsDYUt3w2tL-sULZL7IpkLmLMzZbASmpUPPQV5SZmv7DO7muu83Ta5SoqmbKOgiLGYXeDGU9qXmxx1OC1NiT6Biias__S2gNoWN0hyw6d3ip4K2x8oNm3BO/s400/P8080250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403945048080832738" border="0" /></a><br />Then turn to your left(facing the wall) and continue to walk upslope for about 10mins *not into the residential area*.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBAT4KfKyQNXBIz5-_hmQfhbwSSVL2A2YOTfe9DG5Dy0hb2j124SmXwtjWg8iI6rwPs20L2zopo4o7HRdVn_3CBvSap7htouUIiNAsiQEcXJTNb4JX00Kc0E4WP_N-yEb0I6Rm9wC3oQR/s1600-h/P8080252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBAT4KfKyQNXBIz5-_hmQfhbwSSVL2A2YOTfe9DG5Dy0hb2j124SmXwtjWg8iI6rwPs20L2zopo4o7HRdVn_3CBvSap7htouUIiNAsiQEcXJTNb4JX00Kc0E4WP_N-yEb0I6Rm9wC3oQR/s400/P8080252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403945036593066882" border="0" /></a><br />Turn right only when you see this 7-11, else you are lost *seriously*<br />When K and I walked for about 10mins under the hot sun, he told me that if there is no 7-11 when we turn right at the next junction..GG~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVr-Vakv-WZ0a8pmD0H4FgAIfn1lTm4ZGdfobLuhVo1yETes0xVzIBvpM7H44ePQVnGov1CnUsJE3mxdGnLzBFrY_8QGPcETkqJHAs_iby_JWcUcFoEA7IfYu1GhqYaUvTEZgx524wuWd/s1600-h/P8080249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVr-Vakv-WZ0a8pmD0H4FgAIfn1lTm4ZGdfobLuhVo1yETes0xVzIBvpM7H44ePQVnGov1CnUsJE3mxdGnLzBFrY_8QGPcETkqJHAs_iby_JWcUcFoEA7IfYu1GhqYaUvTEZgx524wuWd/s400/P8080249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403945029658126514" border="0" /></a><br />Walk along the street and you will see Maisen's signboard on the lamp post.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VUJfNMGcQ6-jSWA619CvWoCXo6fU_YVFeCBjIfSvnyGr2YYC3vUbwcgY3R3RnzRzjrjqk4f4xRJ0bDdKvBG1CyPwuimrmeEPMLYkp8AdpJVAoobGDdUkRSQIOCaEYrs4verp3qdeOyCW/s1600-h/P8080248.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VUJfNMGcQ6-jSWA619CvWoCXo6fU_YVFeCBjIfSvnyGr2YYC3vUbwcgY3R3RnzRzjrjqk4f4xRJ0bDdKvBG1CyPwuimrmeEPMLYkp8AdpJVAoobGDdUkRSQIOCaEYrs4verp3qdeOyCW/s400/P8080248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403945024514912130" border="0" /></a>YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-88912216009675246342009-11-14T02:42:00.000-08:002009-11-15T04:02:38.438-08:00Tsukiji - Appetizer before lunchOn the way to the Tsukiji fish market, there are a shops selling vegetable, food and even pizza. You'll get to see the below lane on your right after you enter the fish market and the lane leads to the main eatery shops and knife shops in the fish market.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZbSvpT8UspxQaj5nisAB046SaSljKdsV44ejfIyYOgDXadpQWMEv_Y7namOqED3mBMqF1j74FMkPsliz6G99jLeCOwEvZxeaxEaW9uhzkofJ9-aI352CMNeIMatXa-0j2xQZ-iSenm5v/s1600-h/DSC04762.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZbSvpT8UspxQaj5nisAB046SaSljKdsV44ejfIyYOgDXadpQWMEv_Y7namOqED3mBMqF1j74FMkPsliz6G99jLeCOwEvZxeaxEaW9uhzkofJ9-aI352CMNeIMatXa-0j2xQZ-iSenm5v/s400/DSC04762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403908908728898082" border="0" /></a><br />Just before we went outside of the fish market for our lunch, we chanced upon this small shop selling mainly tempura. In the shop, the main customers are the workers who will go there for a quick bite before resuming their busy schedule. (Well, there aren't any customers in the pictures as it is already pass their meal time...-_-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71fH8mdhAO9MIu-VnloVUkYxUF-YAQIWeAWLSEfYr21ZFVFa5nIRwx1p-LFnxv_KxAj_WWcaPC7qT2sQbQEwHb6um75qikg8PxsVBUr8qY29eDTXxN4DeoKDxEENLhXLroe6qhMyGyy5y/s1600-h/DSC04761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71fH8mdhAO9MIu-VnloVUkYxUF-YAQIWeAWLSEfYr21ZFVFa5nIRwx1p-LFnxv_KxAj_WWcaPC7qT2sQbQEwHb6um75qikg8PxsVBUr8qY29eDTXxN4DeoKDxEENLhXLroe6qhMyGyy5y/s400/DSC04761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403908900498662386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4j_nWMzawP_ied7FGMFvBO_b-8pgE_xTne38Iffk1GpLH24GOMb2LfzUUVkXb9xoND6Szn2YuOaApvVSVrQKbxNEQ9jXwL3yDXz5hdu-tQspQEv4NA8VyUwuT0cLh98fXcsYkGgJcYhy/s1600-h/DSC04760.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4j_nWMzawP_ied7FGMFvBO_b-8pgE_xTne38Iffk1GpLH24GOMb2LfzUUVkXb9xoND6Szn2YuOaApvVSVrQKbxNEQ9jXwL3yDXz5hdu-tQspQEv4NA8VyUwuT0cLh98fXcsYkGgJcYhy/s400/DSC04760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403908897525437762" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to try some of the stuffs here as something caught K's eyes. Something that he had been searching for ever since he landed in Japan: deep fried eel (bottom right picture). Although the eel is anago (congor eel) and not unagi, it is good enough.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneIWHUrLlslndn9p679ykp35r9T53TU612Ct6bwe5JwcVcDzQ9RhJHFj9f6skVFXtCLUWZm2NYNJ1_BTV_tCZwn5GCBK4FuD_VKs1GjohLliVw_GNEs3xKB_2-_pXqJB-y-P2gcUdniiv/s1600-h/DSC04758.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneIWHUrLlslndn9p679ykp35r9T53TU612Ct6bwe5JwcVcDzQ9RhJHFj9f6skVFXtCLUWZm2NYNJ1_BTV_tCZwn5GCBK4FuD_VKs1GjohLliVw_GNEs3xKB_2-_pXqJB-y-P2gcUdniiv/s400/DSC04758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403908888988143362" border="0" /></a><br />We placed an order for the anago fry and hotate (scallop) fry. The anago came about 10min later, with the oil still bubbling on the surface of the fish!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLLQ5QwoRhqm7QgtPNBhqx0N0wXBlvvox_iED5Ixm2OhbA89rTopc71wwKczd9Og7PBdjEpLUUuL27SAHejEpvyoFj1BJS4XRnF2n3a8kADqc7Rg3Bmc_coLCBFsf3gkFNcWl7Ln5nI5S/s1600-h/DSC04753.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLLQ5QwoRhqm7QgtPNBhqx0N0wXBlvvox_iED5Ixm2OhbA89rTopc71wwKczd9Og7PBdjEpLUUuL27SAHejEpvyoFj1BJS4XRnF2n3a8kADqc7Rg3Bmc_coLCBFsf3gkFNcWl7Ln5nI5S/s400/DSC04753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403908882655774770" border="0" /></a><br />Inside of the anago. Soft, juicy, and sweet. VERY fresh and delicious. NOM NOM~~<br />The texture was slightly chewy yet tender and the batter was evenly coated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Snj-NVMrM1Ldp_Sx3w33B3GWv-y7dNnWJKDThjOrJS0NBMpFSZtWtwuq4kAbxSPDpR6l2dGHA4mE8kvDJH8m8WQw0O3qlPjXnNfvcsO3kN9JbfcggeD2Z0iMjd_T3hMJQB8Bd_oCSW-/s1600-h/DSC04754.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Snj-NVMrM1Ldp_Sx3w33B3GWv-y7dNnWJKDThjOrJS0NBMpFSZtWtwuq4kAbxSPDpR6l2dGHA4mE8kvDJH8m8WQw0O3qlPjXnNfvcsO3kN9JbfcggeD2Z0iMjd_T3hMJQB8Bd_oCSW-/s400/DSC04754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403909694760939698" border="0" /></a><br />Next came the hotate fry. One big scallop divided into 2 slices and deep fried to perfection.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgxm6AvTJ8VnIpj7l3dUfXXeBvVvOj0fWkJnsWCQAbi_gYhKzsbiR1a2vcdz-vfaVbU-n7zHv5PV9vrhoo_DxOc1_LJcIDH-DpH-Y-fVxD0BCrbn6n00VF7Zt6_3ANlskx9JgVGbtUR8-/s1600-h/DSC04752.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgxm6AvTJ8VnIpj7l3dUfXXeBvVvOj0fWkJnsWCQAbi_gYhKzsbiR1a2vcdz-vfaVbU-n7zHv5PV9vrhoo_DxOc1_LJcIDH-DpH-Y-fVxD0BCrbn6n00VF7Zt6_3ANlskx9JgVGbtUR8-/s400/DSC04752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403909684936915122" border="0" /></a><br />The inside of the scallop. Cooked perfectly and thus the sweetness, tenderness and the juiciness of the scallop is retained. *Drools all over again*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8aqwbu47DRCuty7DDvoIig4to2JW7lD75hdgnEtQGrKIr0QmzCagL53-2Fc4C1Yr2YJsrbqYR2MG5aWJ8l_iQ4meBdHDBWnocO_6zpc7UPqFyIPfX97yUK8XEJJamhRgx-Ghfo8t6VBE/s1600-h/DSC04757.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8aqwbu47DRCuty7DDvoIig4to2JW7lD75hdgnEtQGrKIr0QmzCagL53-2Fc4C1Yr2YJsrbqYR2MG5aWJ8l_iQ4meBdHDBWnocO_6zpc7UPqFyIPfX97yUK8XEJJamhRgx-Ghfo8t6VBE/s400/DSC04757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403909683742377186" border="0" /></a><br />Although the price is a bit steep, we were willing to pay for them due to the quality and taste of the items. Very good appetizers to open up our appetite before our main lunch. =D<br /><br />[Price]<br />Hotate fry : 1050 yen<br />Anago : 1250 yenYYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-63255697858542763402009-11-10T08:42:00.001-08:002009-11-14T04:44:36.808-08:00Tsukiji Fish Market - Lunch at Tsukiji YaThis post is written by K mainly =D<br /><br />Time to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market! K made a very stupid mistake to change the train at Tokyo station as we have to walk a VERY long distance before reaching the next train station entrance as a change in rail line is required. This way was more expensive too! RAWR~~We could have actually changed the train at Ueno station, which was only a few stops away from Ikebukuro. -_- Well, this is a lesson learnt.<br /><br />We arrived at the station and saw a lot of food stalls outside the market but was too early for food so we decided to visit the market first. Bonito smell lingered in the air as we were walking towards the market. Finally we arrived in the market after some stops along the way to look at the food stalls. But since we reached not that early, the place is already closing for the day but it was still busy with activities. So busy and dangerous with vehicles moving all around that we decided to go for lunch instead.<br /><br />All the shops in the market were having a long queue (maybe from all the recommendations from the tourist books) that we decided to just find a shop outside the market for a bite.<br /><br />All shops were quite expensive until one shop gave us a pamphlet that showed a sushi set for an affordable price. Shop name is Tsukiji Ya, which means "A shop of Tsukiji"....well.....not a very innovative name...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiCwTpYT1ymiaBFBCgkfa0ejiRyu-mnNLMmz0pVFJ43PiIHO7OFaVNtFRkQa7nssHAZkvXFhbNdv5kInMCQcpqatMo1uemLeq_v5zLy5MFj16SNqXZi75LYbq-1mFfGcyX7hSx0C6gfS4/s1600-h/P8070203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiCwTpYT1ymiaBFBCgkfa0ejiRyu-mnNLMmz0pVFJ43PiIHO7OFaVNtFRkQa7nssHAZkvXFhbNdv5kInMCQcpqatMo1uemLeq_v5zLy5MFj16SNqXZi75LYbq-1mFfGcyX7hSx0C6gfS4/s400/P8070203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517260686531442" border="0" /></a>When we went inside, the place is almost empty except for a couple. "Are we about to be scammed???" was in K's mind.<br /><br />K ordered the sushi set which was on a special price to thank all customers for their support. K then spotted that this shop is also selling the braised kin me tai, so I decided to have that as I was not very hungry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9keAM402ikX8qXwrSbrB5IBcb3TLbWWFGAWbHLWCIevCSlCVTKmK1wr3ZGtIbNhL0ROjKv20jSgvUHoh5nnIQk1EvLD56QwC8qxsW4I7_PXP-ZgG3JW5jJuko95NN5RSU50bWQgvLN6z/s1600-h/DSC04775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9keAM402ikX8qXwrSbrB5IBcb3TLbWWFGAWbHLWCIevCSlCVTKmK1wr3ZGtIbNhL0ROjKv20jSgvUHoh5nnIQk1EvLD56QwC8qxsW4I7_PXP-ZgG3JW5jJuko95NN5RSU50bWQgvLN6z/s400/DSC04775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517243071914754" border="0" /></a>K's set, which came after about 10 min. Look at the quantity of sushi for only 2,100 yen!<br />K said that the seafood were very fresh and the set consists of expensive stuffs like scallop, sea urchin and tuna belly. Definitely worth the 2,100 yen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr5LQWIUNcJInIJgWBZgh_Pk-ofjB3MHhVtw3OBEUaIQuJAvNvz07KOXoNoPD5Y5PTNWeS6V0NWSpxqMXTXlnD0FmMIwaGzLG66oqr45vA9TnlZZVH7vvrr1t86h217e_FecVyLLlcF24/s1600-h/DSC04766.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr5LQWIUNcJInIJgWBZgh_Pk-ofjB3MHhVtw3OBEUaIQuJAvNvz07KOXoNoPD5Y5PTNWeS6V0NWSpxqMXTXlnD0FmMIwaGzLG66oqr45vA9TnlZZVH7vvrr1t86h217e_FecVyLLlcF24/s400/DSC04766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517238067467810" border="0" /></a>Next came the braised kin me tai at 1000yen. Looks normal, like a plate of steamed fish. But wait....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3IQe2EO8D4Wa7Y3B3s6r_b9Bbbbw4F46jD1YPhhdpYYyLp6amVkf4cmvFW7jnR4QyNUtfXkVGFEh_fECAkk4kyAD-FzCcinsbVeWpyxwZYuuxcGq9BRQGZEEUCeBBBP0bblLc-LfdFZ0/s1600-h/DSC04771.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3IQe2EO8D4Wa7Y3B3s6r_b9Bbbbw4F46jD1YPhhdpYYyLp6amVkf4cmvFW7jnR4QyNUtfXkVGFEh_fECAkk4kyAD-FzCcinsbVeWpyxwZYuuxcGq9BRQGZEEUCeBBBP0bblLc-LfdFZ0/s400/DSC04771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517231020841794" border="0" /></a>Look at its eyeball...how big is it?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ5XvTrl6QkfphcCRPxSQg0qmfoNj62vRXHP-VCdRW3WEwkHsa7dd7sfoI5y0d4iFXKAXrQNeTkWFoFRVMpZLGKvqNg5X6972pHgbji1Y7JHYBn4s_9Fe2agkpoaVBzPQA4u3jqYRb6UD/s1600-h/DSC04774.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ5XvTrl6QkfphcCRPxSQg0qmfoNj62vRXHP-VCdRW3WEwkHsa7dd7sfoI5y0d4iFXKAXrQNeTkWFoFRVMpZLGKvqNg5X6972pHgbji1Y7JHYBn4s_9Fe2agkpoaVBzPQA4u3jqYRb6UD/s400/DSC04774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517870690547922" border="0" /></a>Below is a comparison picture between the eyeball and K's thumb. NOW you know how big the eyeball and the fish head is. O.O<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUo9lHcolm6X23HFaHLRuw_Cth1Jk-XBE6zSCNCGqLtCsD6V_a8mB_Ag5SPx0KC-0oGyIQ8hY8RHw77qcYqUBEyq5a8YyxAWSCa87VHWCRLNWmyQNZFN-Xe5Ux_fQD681GlK0AIPJh5DA/s1600-h/DSC04778.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUo9lHcolm6X23HFaHLRuw_Cth1Jk-XBE6zSCNCGqLtCsD6V_a8mB_Ag5SPx0KC-0oGyIQ8hY8RHw77qcYqUBEyq5a8YyxAWSCa87VHWCRLNWmyQNZFN-Xe5Ux_fQD681GlK0AIPJh5DA/s400/DSC04778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517864151029314" border="0" /></a>See the size of the eye socket. GIGANTIC.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkI5zrH5q5obOp4JPESc__g_YDw-L4fmgmOQ_tIrZXULc8b1_LDziSB-8HsNYx2Tput8JuQ9vBiD1YiY3NLFsDRbXaknKyNg7TryVCEQcg7IIjEwY1stCs4KgKjCu8FOHlOM38n9PiIuY/s1600-h/DSC04779.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkI5zrH5q5obOp4JPESc__g_YDw-L4fmgmOQ_tIrZXULc8b1_LDziSB-8HsNYx2Tput8JuQ9vBiD1YiY3NLFsDRbXaknKyNg7TryVCEQcg7IIjEwY1stCs4KgKjCu8FOHlOM38n9PiIuY/s400/DSC04779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517860924350850" border="0" /></a>The braised fish is cooked slightly sweet and the meat was a bit tougher than we thought it will be, maybe due to the size of the fish and slightly overcooked but we find it quite nice. K loved the eye especially.<br /><br />Aftermath of the fish. NOTHING is wasted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu54Cu2gaYDhfcSBn1xVppVSvlUrXG_N4vDpGBRkoZs7bWKTo89GqgBwcZiEnPcQFq0i1W7sc1UbkK-MK0hD19c2fzQTa9NbVhFcfxnR18l69A7chD8DB0JHc-Nnbp9p-T3OaJnklP_62l/s1600-h/DSC04780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu54Cu2gaYDhfcSBn1xVppVSvlUrXG_N4vDpGBRkoZs7bWKTo89GqgBwcZiEnPcQFq0i1W7sc1UbkK-MK0hD19c2fzQTa9NbVhFcfxnR18l69A7chD8DB0JHc-Nnbp9p-T3OaJnklP_62l/s400/DSC04780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517846228388114" border="0" /></a>We were each given a bowl of miso soup which was cooked with prawn heads, giving the soup some prawn taste, which made it more delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zrzNvZZRbwOmlnXIy6-BZ9tBy-iLLKPEHZ-nHpqu4Cmr3AZRGCkPZea2UYLODTIPQEmj3jNxor0xcjhSwJUTcfRQFOVtVC3gMsuD9FWHyBQYJfUKaHgOkMwHwuurF5HwSBsiK96KgtuG/s1600-h/DSC04770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zrzNvZZRbwOmlnXIy6-BZ9tBy-iLLKPEHZ-nHpqu4Cmr3AZRGCkPZea2UYLODTIPQEmj3jNxor0xcjhSwJUTcfRQFOVtVC3gMsuD9FWHyBQYJfUKaHgOkMwHwuurF5HwSBsiK96KgtuG/s400/DSC04770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517854672640978" border="0" /></a><br />The restaurant is managed by 2 chefs and by the time we left, the whole place was full house. Did K think that we were scammed after all? Not at all~ =D<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8tlzxTi0DkVfiKRrK19GBW0QirgGqLjcLp49IdQhXRtpaxBQ83CUr-sDk_aIC-YPobqMjwskcvshT1JeJYjmRQFKBiDbLv_1nHw8dks80YJ77lSRsimdtH9TbDug4tDh01AaXSUb6AuP/s1600-h/P8070201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8tlzxTi0DkVfiKRrK19GBW0QirgGqLjcLp49IdQhXRtpaxBQ83CUr-sDk_aIC-YPobqMjwskcvshT1JeJYjmRQFKBiDbLv_1nHw8dks80YJ77lSRsimdtH9TbDug4tDh01AaXSUb6AuP/s400/P8070201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402517249415767186" border="0" /></a><br />[Location]<br />Quite far from the bidding area.<br /><br />[Cost]<br />2100yen for the sushi set<br />1000 yen for Kinme TaiYYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-29869415840282200162009-10-20T09:15:00.001-07:002009-11-08T03:38:35.149-08:00Kamakura - Tempura Lunch @ Ten AoiWe were walking along Kamakura, Shopping Town looking for a place to have lunch and saw this tempura shop but were reluctant to go in coz the price tag wasn't really within budget. So we decided to walk further down to see if there were more choices.<br /><br />Sad to say, none of the eateries really interested us. Since it was nearing the end of the trip and we haven't eaten any tempura, we decided to take a gamble and went into the tempura shop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUymrD3B42ptsxsitZWHrcKS9WKQenQ4DFxMEsZyXfsBGsVmSQGvf8HGuP61jXxKDUpf4-TaVU_wZ2IihWCiL2PQqJB12YKmGcWklM-WH0v-lbJopzeXBqoEE6YzRE7gnZNc7tlpYWqLYa/s1600-h/DSC05332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUymrD3B42ptsxsitZWHrcKS9WKQenQ4DFxMEsZyXfsBGsVmSQGvf8HGuP61jXxKDUpf4-TaVU_wZ2IihWCiL2PQqJB12YKmGcWklM-WH0v-lbJopzeXBqoEE6YzRE7gnZNc7tlpYWqLYa/s400/DSC05332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395832543020597634" border="0" /></a>Entrance of the shop. Shop name Ten Aoi.<br /><br />From the entrance, the place looks deserted right? WRONG. As soon as we stepped in, the place (can sit approximately 14 pax) was full house. We had to wait for about 15-20 min to get our seats. There were benches behind us to put our stuffs so that we can eat without obstruction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-Jtm3XiGchjO4AoXVveLmA2JK3sKMCovIE0dT9t7ryuJqPQ_fk20Pbn7hIkLy1-ZKjA8-wWdjn7VWAJ2DbCDxIJS6VoZdqGgPU8amvHtUhHj7DYLo0OfV2C3JVRBXUU3tIX85kkFcGWP/s1600-h/DSC05330.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-Jtm3XiGchjO4AoXVveLmA2JK3sKMCovIE0dT9t7ryuJqPQ_fk20Pbn7hIkLy1-ZKjA8-wWdjn7VWAJ2DbCDxIJS6VoZdqGgPU8amvHtUhHj7DYLo0OfV2C3JVRBXUU3tIX85kkFcGWP/s400/DSC05330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395832537050449874" border="0" /></a><br />The chef preparing the tempuras right in front of his customers. Serious business.<br /><br />I ordered the tempura tendon set (1,500yen) while K ordered a special set where the chef will serve up 7 different kinds of tempura at 2,000yen. Prices are a bit steep but we were hopeful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPU-DcSK0YwMGUpeNIyzYMVUFedRoCtnO9l3R6AMCY_PPCgvGOIHGUYF1K9pql1JHH4lomEE7zpto-T17plzfQXe8X-Y2OOImZzGtDLWpcd6akfzUPdqM1dnswT-QARkCBw8t5fUG_DSA/s1600-h/DSC05302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPU-DcSK0YwMGUpeNIyzYMVUFedRoCtnO9l3R6AMCY_PPCgvGOIHGUYF1K9pql1JHH4lomEE7zpto-T17plzfQXe8X-Y2OOImZzGtDLWpcd6akfzUPdqM1dnswT-QARkCBw8t5fUG_DSA/s400/DSC05302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395832533637920178" border="0" /></a><br />After placing our order, a tray consisting of the tempura dipping sauce and radish was place in front of K. the cylindrical ceramic cup is half-filled with grated white radish for you to eat with the tempura. OH THE RADISH TASTES SO DAMN SWEET! Totally different from the radish you'll find in SG.<br /><br />The dish on the right was filled with salt. Salt with tempura? Hmmmm...This is new to us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd5s_7HjR48549G76FwSpokaj5YIGKNO26fGlCqMWCO-lyvQJlTnjs2bWnKb3v4p07UKry-UaBhFKJ5jAsvwWHhZjs4XNhXih9tYnMb8sCLHq2sxx1_bKKpl5x-Wg2YB6xnqb421-EtXU/s1600-h/DSC05310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd5s_7HjR48549G76FwSpokaj5YIGKNO26fGlCqMWCO-lyvQJlTnjs2bWnKb3v4p07UKry-UaBhFKJ5jAsvwWHhZjs4XNhXih9tYnMb8sCLHq2sxx1_bKKpl5x-Wg2YB6xnqb421-EtXU/s400/DSC05310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395832524465587090" border="0" /></a><br />My set came first. Different kinds of tempura (prepared in the kitchen) covering almost all the rice and drizzled over with a sweet sauce. NOM NOM!<br />My set consists of:<br />- Shishito x 2<br />- Squid<br />- Prawn<br />- Kisu<br />- Brinjal<br />Needless to say, I finished every single grain of rice + tempura =D *slurp*<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4-FvZ_OfR6QNBhXSxUUpYt6L-K0Lo_1RSJdOGii9b6zlSnNLjRe8BoS09uBHiUHGnH-amXIBCu0ubcyqzXCDyKLjMNQ1D3Edm06-d00zV-iFFI41gsT6qNadXn8NGvWCWTYtYiWOcrXS/s1600-h/DSC05311.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4-FvZ_OfR6QNBhXSxUUpYt6L-K0Lo_1RSJdOGii9b6zlSnNLjRe8BoS09uBHiUHGnH-amXIBCu0ubcyqzXCDyKLjMNQ1D3Edm06-d00zV-iFFI41gsT6qNadXn8NGvWCWTYtYiWOcrXS/s400/DSC05311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395832519893486978" border="0" /></a><br />Here comes K's set. Look at the spread of tempura!<br /><br />From top to bottom, left to right:<br /><br />1. Salad and pickles<br />2. Ebi Tempura x 2<br />3. Myoga x 2 (Myoga is a kind of ginger flower bud. you can read more about it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoga">here</a>.<br />4. Kisu Tempura (a kind of fish). VERY different from the quality you get in SG. DAMN juicy and tender!<br />5. Lady's Finger - one of K's favourite veg~<br />6. A slice of squid. TENDER and not chewy at all!<br />7. Slices of brinjal - Another K's favourite veg. Sweet and not oily at all.<br />8. A mixed tempura consisting of TONS of scallops, shrimps and veg slices. WONDERFUL!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRadq7eMNOTtq2ysN_gkBIkO1pN3Z3x_ufoU7OidL59A3sWklsTOfeCLi2Eh-kR6qOXUxpqFIVB8vjSIALo3f_2CTlaxC_l2Cr-g-52noBrKQ4M_q12qNgcePdGJsDH96lpVW3IAh-mbJ/s1600-h/Enoshima-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRadq7eMNOTtq2ysN_gkBIkO1pN3Z3x_ufoU7OidL59A3sWklsTOfeCLi2Eh-kR6qOXUxpqFIVB8vjSIALo3f_2CTlaxC_l2Cr-g-52noBrKQ4M_q12qNgcePdGJsDH96lpVW3IAh-mbJ/s400/Enoshima-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395838806447097330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0blm_cYFCLKZEjce7bMCTV8WRaqlBJxJo69-nP5ESiPR66zeo1-5HTeOjMf8vNHO2iCHzgtqn6T4T-7DINKpLASstIeI2X7XQ8RJKEkio-NwjwQA3B7MVDosuWjiA5qtr5_hhuiJkFDrD/s1600-h/Enoshima-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0blm_cYFCLKZEjce7bMCTV8WRaqlBJxJo69-nP5ESiPR66zeo1-5HTeOjMf8vNHO2iCHzgtqn6T4T-7DINKpLASstIeI2X7XQ8RJKEkio-NwjwQA3B7MVDosuWjiA5qtr5_hhuiJkFDrD/s400/Enoshima-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395838809505662866" border="0" /></a><br />All the above tempura goes well with the sauce and even BETTER with salt! We've learnt a new way to eat tempura. But please don't attempt with table salt. Get sea salt or better grades (Fleur de sel comes into mind...)<br /><br />Initially we found the price steep but after tasting the quality, we found it really worth its price tag. Although my set was cooked in the kitchen instead of the Chef preparing item by item, the dish was served piping hot with quality ingredients.<br />I guess the difference in price of 500yen between mine and K's, was due to the effort and each item being served 1 by 1 => piping hot and the extra mixed tempura and myoga.<br /><br />Reason?<br />For the same quality of tempura, we predicted that it will cost twice as much here in SG. At the same price, you will not get the quality and quantity anywhere near this.<br /><br />Best of all?<br />Although the tempura were served and eaten PIPING HOT (YES...the oil is still bubbling on the tempura surface!), we both did NOT have any sore throat after that! We guessed that it is due to the oil being cleaned(by removing the leftover batter in the oil) and constantly being replaced to maintain the good standard tempura.YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-33592747785035843592009-10-14T09:18:00.000-07:002009-11-08T03:38:35.149-08:00Kawagoe - Yakitori DaiIt was our 2nd day in Japan and it was a rainy day *sigh*<br />There was supposed to be a bazaar in Kawagoe today but it seems like not much stalls are around due to the heavy rain.<br /><br />Kawagoe is famous for sweet potato and unagi, so I passed a unagi restaurant's address to K who printed this map. We walked in the rain for about 15mins trying to figure out NSEW -_-" and saw this 大 Yakitori place. K refused to believe that we can't find the unagi place cos its just supposed to be around the corner. But..its JUST NOT at the location indicated on the map!<br /><br />Cold and hungry, we decided to eat at 大 Yakitori cos the red signage was simply enticing in this rainy weather and the smell of BBQ meat lingering in the air. K was reluctant as he felt the shop looked deserted lol~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW4sOAanKSUJM45T0IU39gChVsoxM3I1oaYEn9-i4eeNBaNYdTN7TuNnED2F4rz_Oj85tk5j-VVbRG39ObzMfI__2qapU7RmfJ85m51AmdCAcjneppQv2IbLTblcbh3B9m0YVOR1VyQUS/s1600-h/DSC04429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW4sOAanKSUJM45T0IU39gChVsoxM3I1oaYEn9-i4eeNBaNYdTN7TuNnED2F4rz_Oj85tk5j-VVbRG39ObzMfI__2qapU7RmfJ85m51AmdCAcjneppQv2IbLTblcbh3B9m0YVOR1VyQUS/s400/DSC04429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492422744226578" border="0" /></a><br />As the doors opened, we saw the restaurant was at least 60% filled and we were offered the counter seats. Now..K was overwhelmed by the amount of Japanese words and Japanese(people) so much so that he got lost in confusion.<br /><br />*Looking back, we understood why he was lost in that moment. Because it was just his 2nd day in Japan, he hadn't believe he was in Japan when we first landed.*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZEkXrC0NE2Xh1YATSX_fZGDViPxQjC0r6frF4N3sncfCrjEjWhxEf96TjzU7k1rWcvZBjglHe8ey2BfG8Bc1BflrZZUdpov7Jnfw6oeQT8FmKq_OKwB5Ew3uSI8PPv8XorPQPLliOVG8/s1600-h/DSC04433.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZEkXrC0NE2Xh1YATSX_fZGDViPxQjC0r6frF4N3sncfCrjEjWhxEf96TjzU7k1rWcvZBjglHe8ey2BfG8Bc1BflrZZUdpov7Jnfw6oeQT8FmKq_OKwB5Ew3uSI8PPv8XorPQPLliOVG8/s400/DSC04433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492411959957570" border="0" /></a><br />There is a charge of 260yen per person for sitting down and you will be offered this fantastic oden kind of stew as appetiser.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29veG4OHu1ZRDM6E5ijl_fP4dNJjWk4GFL40thqVhSqGz-Z4jAIjX3qkkp8Fs6A74giA7Sb1ffENN5tADBWYE2zTc2tyT9wZW5bDuO6LP5lzBjAMrEGk55BmZhA7e-lUAaWnLda20GK36/s1600-h/DSC04434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29veG4OHu1ZRDM6E5ijl_fP4dNJjWk4GFL40thqVhSqGz-Z4jAIjX3qkkp8Fs6A74giA7Sb1ffENN5tADBWYE2zTc2tyT9wZW5bDuO6LP5lzBjAMrEGk55BmZhA7e-lUAaWnLda20GK36/s400/DSC04434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492403052732786" border="0" /></a><br />A cute waitress came along and asked for our orders but being gaijins, we CAN'T READ THAT FAST ~_~ So K told the waitress, "Chotto Matte.." and the waitress looked pissed LOL~ cos I think she was about to recommend us some items but there was simply no way to communicate the ideas across using simple gestures/Japanese.<br /><br />As for me, I was still quite "sober"..although I can't read Japanese but I can always read chinese =D Later on, we went on to place our orders based our knowledge on chinese words and minimal Japanese.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVoWsu4J9-IVr6VUdFUYP5jU8G8jE3sMNGJMwFe0wi3lr6IZ39qyCg_20-etxG3GczCKNgT-90c0iWvjD443Rk4QpVMEq0RhGXY09MPYFSv3H3HbXj6DNzidClelf_nWn88Ils-Fssz0K/s1600-h/DSC04437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVoWsu4J9-IVr6VUdFUYP5jU8G8jE3sMNGJMwFe0wi3lr6IZ39qyCg_20-etxG3GczCKNgT-90c0iWvjD443Rk4QpVMEq0RhGXY09MPYFSv3H3HbXj6DNzidClelf_nWn88Ils-Fssz0K/s400/DSC04437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492396585185474" border="0" /></a><br />Another sitting area in the restaurant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBuDzJ4cdHw7pnzHdNoGiHG5vRBrpMj9H9sfCwlx6MCm4LcpAwUp447nmdHomhX6Cg5dF4zAbZ0YcKH0Hdw49hcahtEgxyUi3_0y9yF_GPtmhH1aM8e_vaMeJGa4s1_Jve8CMsy4lU7cw/s1600-h/DSC04438.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBuDzJ4cdHw7pnzHdNoGiHG5vRBrpMj9H9sfCwlx6MCm4LcpAwUp447nmdHomhX6Cg5dF4zAbZ0YcKH0Hdw49hcahtEgxyUi3_0y9yF_GPtmhH1aM8e_vaMeJGa4s1_Jve8CMsy4lU7cw/s400/DSC04438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492381355392450" border="0" /></a><br />The first dish to arrive, Horse Sashimi at 680yen(approx. S$10) . At first, K was thinking that the Horse Sashimi should be about 5pcs at most since its priced at 680yen. But hell no, it was freaking 10pcs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z8actbCjkd7mwVhJn1U3ro92UfaV5YQ-8VPvCS15gBG9F3Zsqj1rk70eEcTVQ7MMcQJCWDgq3XVC03sV-KP4HE-HDYFiATGQlSTrnQP6TyGVIjNfBCQA87DZxPoVx4MwQ8eqDaScQJa7/s1600-h/DSC04439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6z8actbCjkd7mwVhJn1U3ro92UfaV5YQ-8VPvCS15gBG9F3Zsqj1rk70eEcTVQ7MMcQJCWDgq3XVC03sV-KP4HE-HDYFiATGQlSTrnQP6TyGVIjNfBCQA87DZxPoVx4MwQ8eqDaScQJa7/s400/DSC04439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392493239674474002" border="0" /></a><br />Close-up on the Horse Sashimi. Before you think it must be bloody and chewy..let me tell you that this Horse Sashimi actually tastes like cooked meat. And the most surprising thing is that even someone like me who doesn't take sashimi, do not find this raw horse meat weird.<br /><br />In fact, it was quite tasty when eaten togther with some grated ginger and spring onions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UHhVC1txDDF2T_nfUEAvSH8uzdj18qO5dZEebfZPmxAks4POv4hlQRHw9aWpEajyuGxMfV0W1F9g_JxF31LrmYtrynHarxgRWDHX2sHGRjuWu07Z8kalGfuhN-pNpH9T86N4XlSE68l8/s1600-h/DSC04440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UHhVC1txDDF2T_nfUEAvSH8uzdj18qO5dZEebfZPmxAks4POv4hlQRHw9aWpEajyuGxMfV0W1F9g_JxF31LrmYtrynHarxgRWDHX2sHGRjuWu07Z8kalGfuhN-pNpH9T86N4XlSE68l8/s400/DSC04440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494830137346466" border="0" /></a><br />Our drinks arrived shortly. Kyoho wine for K and Calpis for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScZcXXVx62psNJ7kMqFb696wXIJD7RYmCUrYTEwwtNI5gHk5hmWJyZlmVid-0irAIqnWew7M5eMkKkyqVwPhRiMCjSbc4ppw4_u1TYdH0FngSgKmCRvv85baLb54kaWsOvK2nOdIzaVGP/s1600-h/DSC04441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScZcXXVx62psNJ7kMqFb696wXIJD7RYmCUrYTEwwtNI5gHk5hmWJyZlmVid-0irAIqnWew7M5eMkKkyqVwPhRiMCjSbc4ppw4_u1TYdH0FngSgKmCRvv85baLb54kaWsOvK2nOdIzaVGP/s400/DSC04441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494839947597602" border="0" /></a><br />Ordered Yakitori veggies as well. Shishito and Shitake Mushrooms. We were only expecting one stick per item but there were two!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwVxAyal7X8TRNhML1aVBfZMLiLRBb3jtDQezYIuID6ONAPhKPpTmhMrwxcAQOdgsvQzjBrMS738ggo2s3eG2Kj9VwxNGjkOXsaOBwlYmrP8xC5XMH4IWzzFt2uLd4cP3T6Fp9kw9OnlP/s1600-h/DSC04442.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwVxAyal7X8TRNhML1aVBfZMLiLRBb3jtDQezYIuID6ONAPhKPpTmhMrwxcAQOdgsvQzjBrMS738ggo2s3eG2Kj9VwxNGjkOXsaOBwlYmrP8xC5XMH4IWzzFt2uLd4cP3T6Fp9kw9OnlP/s400/DSC04442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494847212899986" border="0" /></a><br />Tsukune. These were the best meatballs we ever eaten NOM NOM! It was soft yet wholesome, full of flavour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nhTobWV6Ie4Z6WZTY9kQD1djjSHDdjwT1VwkuWaINZIyEGNEHWBsq09Ycu0d0ntcxmk4t6_Fu-sNDUJ6pGxgzn7B_LR6DvH-PdaHP1qzx136gQ6CshzKlzrc1QhGVqDf-fDnWZyoY-yi/s1600-h/DSC04443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nhTobWV6Ie4Z6WZTY9kQD1djjSHDdjwT1VwkuWaINZIyEGNEHWBsq09Ycu0d0ntcxmk4t6_Fu-sNDUJ6pGxgzn7B_LR6DvH-PdaHP1qzx136gQ6CshzKlzrc1QhGVqDf-fDnWZyoY-yi/s400/DSC04443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494855182269410" border="0" /></a><br />A yakitori meat set consisting of: Beef, Chicken Skin, Pork Belly, Chicken, Chicken Gizzard.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBhI6MYb378HSroQwldC1OoScP1-IQxU3LVEjSgsW9FZ2AMWSINW92BWeAlOuD3GnwxZu3a5LLRhUk8d1upzmofOJloYpTWbdC9gZGe_ymzVK9N3Vs4Uyt4Ij7-ATs_EwYNwmikwyXfaa/s1600-h/DSC04446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBhI6MYb378HSroQwldC1OoScP1-IQxU3LVEjSgsW9FZ2AMWSINW92BWeAlOuD3GnwxZu3a5LLRhUk8d1upzmofOJloYpTWbdC9gZGe_ymzVK9N3Vs4Uyt4Ij7-ATs_EwYNwmikwyXfaa/s400/DSC04446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494869807841330" border="0" /></a><br />Hokke(fish) came after we finished our yakitori stuffs and gosh it was juicy *slurp*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtOd5jz3diAxGra3WoKnJqzhpPZT_SafLwVjljOKXft0M_cfeeM-faNss0fwdvLlg3D7NQQLCtkvsRv_8kVWWF5UeuK7dOPo-W9wzwzH7ngA4lrSaV87E_m5WHE4CH-pY8Esc6g039TcZ/s1600-h/DSC04459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtOd5jz3diAxGra3WoKnJqzhpPZT_SafLwVjljOKXft0M_cfeeM-faNss0fwdvLlg3D7NQQLCtkvsRv_8kVWWF5UeuK7dOPo-W9wzwzH7ngA4lrSaV87E_m5WHE4CH-pY8Esc6g039TcZ/s400/DSC04459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392495583266982514" border="0" /></a><br />[Price]<br />Kyoho wine - 320 yen<br />Calpis - 200 yen<br />Horse Sashimi - 680 yen<br />Tsukune - 120 yen x 2<br />Shishito - 115 yen x 2<br />Shitake Mushroom - 115 yen x 2<br />Hokke - 580 yen<br />Yakitori meat set - 580 yen<br />Misc Charge - 260 yen x 2<br /><br />[Value]<br />As we sat thinking about the fantastic yakitori meal we just had, we realised how SG yakitori joints have been overcharging! And not to mention, how dry and salty the SGians made yakitori to be.<br /><br />Please visit Yakitori Dai for a satisfying and well priced yakitori experience. Must order exotic sashimi ~<br /><br />[Link]<br />Some gourmet link in Japanese:<br /><a href="http://gourmet.yahoo.co.jp/0000512783/">http://gourmet.yahoo.co.jp/0000512783/</a><br /><br />[Location]<br />About 10mins walk from Kawagoe JR Station, not located in main street but the red signage is sure to catch your attention.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112669810850852454139.0004760ef5052802f2a9f&ll=35.910569,139.484439&spn=0.006083,0.00912&z=16&output=embed" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112669810850852454139.0004760ef5052802f2a9f&ll=35.910569,139.484439&spn=0.006083,0.00912&z=16&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">My Saved Places</a> in a larger map</small>YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-5244159857202094682009-10-09T08:33:00.001-07:002009-11-08T03:38:35.149-08:00Ikebukuro - Unagi KabutoDisclaimer: This post is written by K as he has deep feelings about Unagi Kabuto<br /><br />I have always wanted to try live unagi prepared and BBQ right in front of me to compare the taste from the ready-made unagis we find here in SG. After a failed trip to Irokawa in Asakusa (sold out at 6pm!), we kinda ACCIDENTALLY found out that there is actually one such shop just 100m away from our hotel!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh7g2iUiiSxYe4rn05gYDoVODtiW-ekJHEzfHPQ2cKXyrX6qlfH2dubQPT0zeKpPhWqBuMumn22c51cCZiiJw4qeFXoJOxZk5c8bibfDLykOA75e1wlRhwlVwix-cJcZAQFvdG8LSXiu0/s1600-h/DSC04884.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh7g2iUiiSxYe4rn05gYDoVODtiW-ekJHEzfHPQ2cKXyrX6qlfH2dubQPT0zeKpPhWqBuMumn22c51cCZiiJw4qeFXoJOxZk5c8bibfDLykOA75e1wlRhwlVwix-cJcZAQFvdG8LSXiu0/s400/DSC04884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390632033492533666" border="0" /></a>Shop name: Unagi Kabuto<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w7vgzGbwx77liO6eg_PWgfjdxKsJC8jRN7jcN7AGp-WJVChiva6RXTyIDjh06y7A7V4C9e-jB4rcBx-xTVMvnUIdCY5gD3OJeX0069VMa4Mi1MMSjp5b-2Qrfd1qdqkZKcyuue7-Ecoz/s1600-h/DSC04882.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w7vgzGbwx77liO6eg_PWgfjdxKsJC8jRN7jcN7AGp-WJVChiva6RXTyIDjh06y7A7V4C9e-jB4rcBx-xTVMvnUIdCY5gD3OJeX0069VMa4Mi1MMSjp5b-2Qrfd1qdqkZKcyuue7-Ecoz/s400/DSC04882.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390632022786917570" border="0" /></a><br />The first time we went there was around 9pm and they were sold out! The shop owner told us that they close at around 10pm. On the second attempt (the day we went to Tsukiji for the Bon Dance Festival), we went there at around 8pm and the shop was almost full house. We were lucky to have 2 seats right in front of the grill and chopping board to see all the action going on.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_yu6Y7_yisQ__A0LAsorcjzg4eYwd12DEkGlTbCsMov_uwi3A26JiOeVj-VdVa2kfvH0FPCdDazLpsEliVOfeFtFzJk_Y_zVFs7ly-YUHkvLEA1HoX1qlJXn4XlGTRpwZGVS1_KUTftf/s1600-h/DSC04841.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_yu6Y7_yisQ__A0LAsorcjzg4eYwd12DEkGlTbCsMov_uwi3A26JiOeVj-VdVa2kfvH0FPCdDazLpsEliVOfeFtFzJk_Y_zVFs7ly-YUHkvLEA1HoX1qlJXn4XlGTRpwZGVS1_KUTftf/s400/DSC04841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390632012927085714" border="0" /></a><br />Wife of the owner, she is in charge of serving the customers everything except the unagi dishes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWHhnWvG9m_cXaXnjIY4l4QwDYZB8AoqQNOcubyNGN6osK5krI4sh2ag0NGU8eNoPWzfiRPKyOUrjQVVCu-f3RD-N8WC0UTm0r51ThmN5VWs_dstTfyitQI-iF4-BjoYPNADt7ZYsmlI9/s1600-h/DSC04862.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWHhnWvG9m_cXaXnjIY4l4QwDYZB8AoqQNOcubyNGN6osK5krI4sh2ag0NGU8eNoPWzfiRPKyOUrjQVVCu-f3RD-N8WC0UTm0r51ThmN5VWs_dstTfyitQI-iF4-BjoYPNADt7ZYsmlI9/s400/DSC04862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390632000849903666" border="0" /></a><br />Jovial boss at work! The boss jokes and talks with his customers, and even "scolds and curses" them like they were long time friends. At the same time, you can see his dedication and concentration in making the best unagi for his customers. This is why I like this place.<br /><br />As the menu was all in Japanese, we had some trouble ordering the food. Luckily there was a Japanese couple who was able to speak English. With their help, we were able to get our orders taken. Wee!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt7oCjdZOvgISLiJ8y4QC7GkJT1yrZqUT9Vl29DR7WcNw7OA1aKFtRTN8dSwNl1jcWI58xTOcF5hri0hkEL8YN0jaPUX32P9VnCbRyQUonGeaa7G-ao_vaeeYa4JPHJNEW6-LsKOD4aIt/s1600-h/DSC04846.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt7oCjdZOvgISLiJ8y4QC7GkJT1yrZqUT9Vl29DR7WcNw7OA1aKFtRTN8dSwNl1jcWI58xTOcF5hri0hkEL8YN0jaPUX32P9VnCbRyQUonGeaa7G-ao_vaeeYa4JPHJNEW6-LsKOD4aIt/s400/DSC04846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390633376818640402" border="0" /></a><br />First dish (Appetiser) - Fresh tomatoes with natural salt as a dip. Really juicy and sweet with a tinge of sourness, these tomato slices taste even better with some salt!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3gZU1pp3-gytwnLfFQVxNBZINbCCiUXiF4ZUeIF9EE4vOt2X1UfQ9eBj9Dkx3jDYBUDUrGz1JSyk0LmcP4Juyi9FRM1qfzFF-aYnxdWteffMzG7lCQaHmu7Y6-40kqjN5Axrb5tYX-UK/s1600-h/Unagi+Kabuto+%28Ikebukuro%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3gZU1pp3-gytwnLfFQVxNBZINbCCiUXiF4ZUeIF9EE4vOt2X1UfQ9eBj9Dkx3jDYBUDUrGz1JSyk0LmcP4Juyi9FRM1qfzFF-aYnxdWteffMzG7lCQaHmu7Y6-40kqjN5Axrb5tYX-UK/s400/Unagi+Kabuto+%28Ikebukuro%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390632045118183330" border="0" /></a><br />Next - A set of 7 skewered Unagi parts BBQed to perfection that we think will NEVER be able to find in SG. From top left, going clockwise: Unagi neck, fins, unagi liver BBQed with salt, unagi entrails. There is one more skewer consisting of the meat from the unagi tail tip (not in picture).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0i_OcIUxrXV8w761Sro6_sq1D-w2FURrmgJLCJyvjvgnFMcwuEK9oGv0PPlRf9XCDRLcGHRqKiqPRNnAQb7s_6RW6Q78TuLBWZnw03M8GG45sPwyO2ip20s_hKLBH31gUxvSAmxekX2j/s1600-h/DSC04837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0i_OcIUxrXV8w761Sro6_sq1D-w2FURrmgJLCJyvjvgnFMcwuEK9oGv0PPlRf9XCDRLcGHRqKiqPRNnAQb7s_6RW6Q78TuLBWZnw03M8GG45sPwyO2ip20s_hKLBH31gUxvSAmxekX2j/s400/DSC04837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390634317638364914" border="0" /></a><br />Another look of the boss concentrating on BBQ-ing the unagi right in front of us.<br />As part of our order includes the Unagi Jyu(Unagi with rice), we were wondering if this is our order that is cooking in front of us...and if so, it means we don't get to see any live eel gutting action =(((<br /><br />But luckily it wasn't =D<br /><br />Only upon receiving orders from the customers will the boss take out live unagis from below the chopping board to gut them and BBQ them immediately.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohB2Se8BR4xjEaPkKE4jqaWDRd0mVLK0odsphe0HiBgzvHS3Dk5ZUIa5Rxfhl1XU2qEOb4uPe_aspxEp2yLqFYdWqADhHy9gHk_n_v14KGOIzVUHvgnUgV6rnvhdWLIVeZUdy9buFEwa0/s1600-h/DSC04867.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohB2Se8BR4xjEaPkKE4jqaWDRd0mVLK0odsphe0HiBgzvHS3Dk5ZUIa5Rxfhl1XU2qEOb4uPe_aspxEp2yLqFYdWqADhHy9gHk_n_v14KGOIzVUHvgnUgV6rnvhdWLIVeZUdy9buFEwa0/s400/DSC04867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392114120210142066" border="0" /></a><br />A tub of 2 unagis still alive. One of them will be our dinner =D.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sntmUtF51Z8&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sntmUtF51Z8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Look at the speed and precision of the boss in gutting the unagi. The bones are still moving after the unagi is gutted. YY was totally squeamish at the sight of this and you can actually hear her say "The bones are still moving! The bone the bone the bone the bone!" in the clip LOL~~YY is so cute!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Uyn3_AfAd24&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Uyn3_AfAd24&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />In this video, the boss offered me the still-beating heart of the unagi! Being adventurous and thinking to myself this should be the ONLY time I can try this, I accepted the challenge immediately. I put the heart on my tongue and swallowed it immediately. Strangely, I do not feel squeamish at all. The taste of the heart? NO TASTE. Not even fishy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwb7JU9giifexqTI6DtSbz2IwYED-p9PGcnQ27r1Wiu3wQ-wYdRLi1nWW1RSI9MNCBLSUXAQ4PJQ8VhpDiTAYzaeEP5cckYDeZqYrvzNXAeFySp7td-nbHEJPwkS-zJeeOx5Dr2Rq1mKx/s1600-h/P8070238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwb7JU9giifexqTI6DtSbz2IwYED-p9PGcnQ27r1Wiu3wQ-wYdRLi1nWW1RSI9MNCBLSUXAQ4PJQ8VhpDiTAYzaeEP5cckYDeZqYrvzNXAeFySp7td-nbHEJPwkS-zJeeOx5Dr2Rq1mKx/s400/P8070238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392115213757412738" border="0" /></a><br />Boss poking satay sticks across the meat to prepare them for BBQ.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBzuRro6nAC126_TKI5NqLAJ0xaGWxkmdK5bBIM6r74STKh1jvx5Lcq5lVZY2CNSQEiTwTgPV7STSU9EjnZziPq4lgbFs5ROXb1DN250oIhmOAvJ6PRIFMYYfNJyDJDvFAMQ01VlESp8e/s1600-h/DSC04875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBzuRro6nAC126_TKI5NqLAJ0xaGWxkmdK5bBIM6r74STKh1jvx5Lcq5lVZY2CNSQEiTwTgPV7STSU9EjnZziPq4lgbFs5ROXb1DN250oIhmOAvJ6PRIFMYYfNJyDJDvFAMQ01VlESp8e/s400/DSC04875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392114113939583570" border="0" /></a><br />See the colour difference of the unagis? The boss then told us that the more greenish ones are caught from natural waters and the grayish ones are farmed. SO MUCH difference in colour.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLJxnbVBlo0-hsw720phbKPGZMSeFWr27EzgjKb4W0wTytYTbpRWit1waVKESDjNlt1KwBfqq_8gYiO1ZiyzC6WGhoneYMPDgnQQ7XnvMg1kU5S98yIKQ2xoYr67jBnpG2m9Vnx6jxQwD/s1600-h/P8070234.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLJxnbVBlo0-hsw720phbKPGZMSeFWr27EzgjKb4W0wTytYTbpRWit1waVKESDjNlt1KwBfqq_8gYiO1ZiyzC6WGhoneYMPDgnQQ7XnvMg1kU5S98yIKQ2xoYr67jBnpG2m9Vnx6jxQwD/s400/P8070234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392115200420511682" border="0" /></a><br />Boss sets off to work again. He will BBQ the eel till about 70% cooked, then dip the eels into his self-made unagi gravy pot, BBQ again, dip, BBQ, dip, BBQ until the desired colour is obtained. Prior to serving us the rice, the boss uses a small scoop with 3 spouts and drizzles the same gravy from the pot into the rice and then lay the BBQed unagi on top of the rice.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaxDjdz9_B8o3eOvE0CzEXGGWvhSctb63_UvXwzvJg36OxN50UzgvQRI3qHwzBDpmyRqTLuwlZW5N1XLnad8BeM_T3keNwQs5gL3UbElxsUYw35x5UNo2kf3G92GST5RopH8oIq5MwV4t/s1600-h/DSC04878.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaxDjdz9_B8o3eOvE0CzEXGGWvhSctb63_UvXwzvJg36OxN50UzgvQRI3qHwzBDpmyRqTLuwlZW5N1XLnad8BeM_T3keNwQs5gL3UbElxsUYw35x5UNo2kf3G92GST5RopH8oIq5MwV4t/s400/DSC04878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392114104979264002" border="0" /></a><br />Finished product - Unagi Jyu.<br />The above meat consists of the body and tail area.(We didn't know at first -.-'')The gravy is not too salty and overwhelming as the sauce you find in SG. Instead, the sauce is light in flavour but able to bring out the falvour of the unagi and complements the rice perfectly. OH SO HEAVENLY.<br /><br />The boss taught us how to divide the unagi for fair sharing! You DO NOT take one piece and your partner take the other piece. The correct way is the split each piece into 2 lengthwise and each one take one piece of each. By doing so, each person will be able to get a piece of the tail part, which the boss said is more tasty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxnlJDkSeWmZ3RZwe-NjgqxLsA27Y0u4aV2qYyP0rIhni56hm2fOfHTmdgwiElNnio8YP9EG-cBsmuGyuc9XPySELn50hnrFkXdV7_isGJYCIrqOVDMnMMsD-C-8ePXoEJvBJ1T8j2ign/s1600-h/DSC04880.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxnlJDkSeWmZ3RZwe-NjgqxLsA27Y0u4aV2qYyP0rIhni56hm2fOfHTmdgwiElNnio8YP9EG-cBsmuGyuc9XPySELn50hnrFkXdV7_isGJYCIrqOVDMnMMsD-C-8ePXoEJvBJ1T8j2ign/s400/DSC04880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392116340968972626" border="0" /></a><br />We were served a portion of clear soup boiled with one portion of unagi intestine and some chopped shiso leaves.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKSKxuYYqVJsH-THVPZC06Pe-w6KZYC-y4QtiV-NDpyCwu3plESAhKHC8TNKAaB4qEahIqueJFuUbDMY-8fXjD3ZBhsXHHqy6H2j6dtfWtUD-2gVgbFC0GUMmdkSuIuQbHXB_SJNttdqq/s1600-h/DSC04881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKSKxuYYqVJsH-THVPZC06Pe-w6KZYC-y4QtiV-NDpyCwu3plESAhKHC8TNKAaB4qEahIqueJFuUbDMY-8fXjD3ZBhsXHHqy6H2j6dtfWtUD-2gVgbFC0GUMmdkSuIuQbHXB_SJNttdqq/s400/DSC04881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392116331535502210" border="0" /></a><br />After the dinner, the lady boss served each of us a cup of damn tasty and fragrant roasted green tea (煎绿茶) to make this dinner even more perfect.<br /><br />The dinner ended at 9.30pm (took a total of 1.5 hours) for a seemingly simple but yet so special dinner.<br /><br />Total damage? When we called for the bill, the boss actually took out an abacus and calculated the total and showed me the abacus. Hahaha~ he thought I won't be able to read the abacus, but I did and took out 3000 yen. After the dinner, I regretted not ordering the Shiroyaki (白焼) meaning BBQ unagi without any sauces and eating the unagi with two different kinds of salt at this place. I will definitely be back to order this!<br /><br />[Price]<br />Only 2,970 yen, which is about S$46. Most of the Unagi specialty shops were selling just the Unagi Jyu for no less than 3000yen, so this shop is considered quite cheap already.<br /><br />[Value]<br />Totally worth it considering the quality and quantity! We will be back~<br /><br />[Note]<br />The menu is only available in Japanese and the couple speaks almost no english.<br /><br />[Location]<br />It's actually diagonally opposite Sakura Hostel(Ikebukuro) and there's this shop named Nippondo near it.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/sv?cbp=12,59.22,,0,19.25&cbll=35.733692,139.708981&panoid=&v=1&hl=en&gl=" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="240" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117224511979860061960.00044a2355af83c847d91&ll=30.457983,130.543075&spn=10.901062,18.5041&layer=c&cbll=35.733692,139.708981&panoid=YyARzktqqKbjseGEf_HXJw&cbp=12,59.22,,0,19.25&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Unagi Kabuto</a> in a larger map</small>YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-51464931924749116182009-09-26T09:15:00.000-07:002009-09-26T09:20:15.353-07:00Getting around Tokyo - Tokyo Railway SystemI can't agree more with everyone else about how complicated the railway network is in Tokyo.<br />
When K first took a look at the map, he was totally confused and it didn't help that he paid S$10 for the maps *HAHA*<br />
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<b>The railway system</b><br />
<a href="http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/service/pdf/routemap_en.pdf">Full Railway Map for Tokyo (pdf)</a><br />
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But if you use the <a href="http://world.jorudan.co.jp/norikae/cgi-bin/engkeyin.cgi">Train Route Finder</a> , you are going to plan your supposed route in a breeze cos you will know which line to take, where to change trains. But there is a twist to it, *pardon me for the pun* Tokyo railway stations are huge with lots of stairs, signs, twists and turns. One of the largest stations is the Shinjuku Station with 60 exits. <br />
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What I can tell you is, once you exit by the wrong exit, you are unlikely to find your destination..so note down the exit name on your google map. And should you be confused about which line you are taking, look for the color representing that railway service. <br />
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For example, Green is for Yamanote and Blue for Chuo Line.<br />
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<b><br />
Buying tickets</b><br />
Cash is accepted at the machines. If you want to specify the number of tickets to buy, press the necessary button on the side of the ticket machine. Else the machine is gonna take it that you are buying 1 ticket.<br />
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<b>Behaviour in trains</b><br />
Eating and drinking is allowed in the trains but the Japanese are very civic minded. They do not litter in the trains. This is pretty interesting considering SG needs to impose fines to deter people from eating in the trains. The Japanese needs none of these. What a fine city we are~<br />
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From what we observed, the Japanese normally keep themselves occupied with their handheld devices during the train ride, no loud chats, no noisy pesky kids running around. <br />
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K drinking Meiji Milk in the train(below). The only downside is that there are no bins around, so you gotta hold on to your garbage for the entire ride.<br />
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<b>Different types of train</b><br />
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There are different train types in Japan. Some of those we saw:<br />
<ul><li>Local Trains, 各停</li>
<li>Limited Express, 急行</li>
<li>Rapid Limited Express,快速急行</li>
<li>Express, 特急</li>
</ul>Other than 各停 trains which stops at EVERY station, the rest of the trains may not stop at your destination. By checking up before hand, you can also check out which type of train brings you to your destination faster.<br />
For Express Trains, there is a premium price to pay. But seriously, at times the journey time differs by 10-15mins(say between Limited Express and Rapid Limited Express) or so...why spend the extra cost? <br />
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The picture below(left board) shows the various trains arriving, their train types, destination and arrival time. The board on the right shows the stops at which that particular train will stop.<br />
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<b>Must try Milk Station in Ikebukuro<br />
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We chanced upon this fantastic Milk Station near the Ikebukuro North Exit while walking towards the JR gantry. They sell local made dairy products like yogurt, milk(coffee and plain flavour), pudding and Morinaga products. For bottled items that are more than 200ml, you have to drink and return the glass bottle on the spot, for other sizes you can take away.<br />
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Every morning, I look forward to getting my drink here after munching my 100yen breakfast on my way to the station. We have tried their plain/coffee milk, yogurt..mmmm satisfying!<br />
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They even indicate the Fat Percentage for the milk for each day.<br />
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Some of the products they sell. Not really cheap I would say..but the milk products sold are really creamy and fresh.<br />
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</div>YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-18020449880390487662009-09-20T10:03:00.000-07:002009-09-21T23:31:45.772-07:00Planning the Tokyo Trip - Planning the itinerary<strong>Day trips around Tokyo outskirts</strong><br />Staying in Tokyo itself for the entire 2 weeks can get really really mundane.<br />There are many railway companies in Japan itself, do a google/wiki search for Japan Railway Companies, visit their site and look for information under welcome/free/day passes. Before purchasing any passes, you may want to check if its worth the value. This is because for some passes it only worth it if you are planning to get down at several stops.<br /><br />For those who are budget conscious like us, you can consider making use of the free passes provided by the following railway companies:<br /><br /><ol><li><a href="http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/index.html">Odakyu Line</a><br />We took the Enoshima Freepass(¥1430) and Hakone Freepass(¥5000) during our trip so that we can break away from all the urban concrete. To save some costs, we did a day trip as staying at a decent ryokan will cost at least ¥10,000 per person.<br /><br />Both passes can be purchased from Shinjuku Station and you can choose to reserve a seat by paying ¥870 extra. We took a reserved seat from Shinjuku -> Hakone only and for the rest of the trips when we did not, we had seats too. Hakone itself has alot of visitors, so it would be prudent to get a reserved seat when going there cos you will not want to stand for 2hours.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pass/index.html">Tobu Line<br /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.seibu-group.co.jp/railways/tourist/english/ticket/index.html">Seibu Line</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/ticket/valueticket.html">Metro Line</a> </li></ol><br /><strong>Day Trips/ Hotel Reservation </strong><br />It is normal that the Japanese Language site often has more information and promotions than the English version *shrugs*<br /><br /><ol><li><a href="http://www.jalan.net/">Jalan.net - Reservation site in Japanese Language</a><br />Comprehensive site with special promotions on and off, however its only available in Japanese.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.odakyu-travel.co.jp/english/e-index.html">Odakyu Travel (English Site)</a><br />Odakyu specialises in Hakone mainly and the places that their railway line covers.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.odakyu-travel.co.jp/">Odakyu Travel (Japanese Site)<br /></a></li><li><a href="http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/">Rakuten Travel (English Site)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/">Rakuten Travel (Japanese Site)</a><br />Another great site just like Jalan.net </li></ol><p><strong>Other blog links:</strong><br />If you can read chinese...do a google search for keywords like 东京漫游,东京自助 and lots of Taiwan blogs will turn up in the search results. The taiwanese are really good at F&E Japan planning/reviews.<br /><br />Some of the links I referenced to while planning my trip:<br /><ol><li><a href="http://wrongsideofthirty.blogspot.com/search/label/Tokyo%202008">Wrong Side of Thirty</a><br />A Singaporean Blog on her Tokyo trip in 2008.<br /></li><li><a href="http://japan.fjordaan.net/index.html">http://japan.fjordaan.net/index.html</a><br />Japan 2003 trip review<br /></li><li><a href="http://paulstravelpics.blogspot.com/search/label/West%20Central%20Japan">http://paulstravelpics.blogspot.com/search/label/West%20Central%20Japan</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.dannychoo.com/">Danny Choo</a><br />For general information on Japan.<br /></li><li><a href="http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/icare-earth/archive?l=f&id=9">掉入东京的海客</a><br />Information on mainly Tokyo area.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.protopage.com/kunghc7">RSS Feeds of Japan Reviews by Taiwanese</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://kunghc.pixnet.net/blog">林氏璧和美狐团三狐的小天地</a><br />Very comprehensive guides for first timers in Japan, must read!<br /></li><li><a href="http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/pace-japan/index?l=f&id=31">pACE</a><br />Japan guides by a HongKong traveller<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.backpackers.com.tw/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=43">Backpacker forum</a><br />Lots of information here~</li></ol><br /><br /><strong>Event Dates</strong><br />During the summer season around July till August, the whole of Japan is filled with fireworks and Bon Odori/Bon Bance events. This is part of the reason why we stayed in Tokyo for 2 weeks, because we were just in time to attend a bon dance event at Tsukiji Hong Wan Ji Temple and Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival.<br /><br />One thing to note is that the weather plays a big part in determining if the event will be cancelled or postponed.<br /><ol><li><a href="http://tsukijihongwanji.jp/tsukiji/nenkan.html">Tsukiji Hong Wan Ji Temple</a><br />Check here for Bon Dance event date.<br />Bon Dance is actually a fun fair like event with a centre stage, where everyone participating will follow a main dancer. If you are not dancing, you can also go for the fun fair and most importantly, admire the beautiful lanterns.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/english/festival/index.html">Kanagawa-Kanto Event Dates</a><br />Event calendar for all year round events.<br /></li><li><a href="http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/pace-japan/article?mid=8686">Hanabi Calendar for 2009</a> (for reference on events available)<br />There are also pamphlets/posters stating the various venues with Fireworks event going on. The posters are mainly displayed in trains and train stations, which I think is due to different railway lines covering a particular event location.<br /><br />During our trip, we had the chance to participate in Fujisawa and Shinjuku fireworks event but did not go due to cloudy weather. We finally decided to take the plunge for the Tokyo Bay Fireworks event(on 8th Aug) whereby 12,000 fireworks will be displayed. Initially, we were afraid of getting stuck when people evacuate from the event site but it seems our worries were unfounded.<br /><br />Shall write on this later...<br /></li></ol>YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-33188414855966346202009-09-20T03:08:00.000-07:002009-09-20T09:41:50.122-07:00Planning the Tokyo Trip - FAQHere are some of the common questions that first timers may ask, hopefully this FAQ will help you in planning your trip:<br /><ol><li>Should I get the JR Pass?<br />Unless you are going outside Tokyo, else I think one day passes to outskirts of Tokyo and buying tickets whenever required is sufficient. We spend about ¥1000 for topup(Suica card) every 2 days or so, our travels are mainly along the Yamanote Line.<br /></li><br /><li>Is it expensive to eat in Tokyo?<br /><br /><ul><li>In Tokyo, a bowl of ramen should cost around ¥700 - ¥900 or so.<br />Typical Tsukemen in Tokyo:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIU4Yqyb3iggXXg8qaM55zF5Q0sQ-wAZ1dwUxgzlMXRliql6ejjFrmSXUEFTwhp4X1jirIcLXDJEkwHTabCdGSVX6dROp2Vk0tKJaPtHSRdpmEPf56IWNfNBCDzlMM3HDwY_l_erYDOlJ/s1600-h/DSC05414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIU4Yqyb3iggXXg8qaM55zF5Q0sQ-wAZ1dwUxgzlMXRliql6ejjFrmSXUEFTwhp4X1jirIcLXDJEkwHTabCdGSVX6dROp2Vk0tKJaPtHSRdpmEPf56IWNfNBCDzlMM3HDwY_l_erYDOlJ/s400/DSC05414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383515141841277682" border="0" /></a><br /></li><li>If you visit those standing food joints(whereby you stand and eat), a bowl of soba can cost as little as ¥220.<br />Yasai Karage Soba from Standing Soba Bar at JR Shinjuku Station:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq_y8ujxRrW4UNVRGM3daFjEQaz6AlOXCKU8f8m6l01cJhNZJ3vG2mAr4wZWOc4EKPymlIS3aRjjRdJCuGtQ8qRMb1YShp63uhGz2p4dBLdPkFVV-XCtbDUQgF4ZqPFbEEjPXMspMbimU/s1600-h/DSC05214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq_y8ujxRrW4UNVRGM3daFjEQaz6AlOXCKU8f8m6l01cJhNZJ3vG2mAr4wZWOc4EKPymlIS3aRjjRdJCuGtQ8qRMb1YShp63uhGz2p4dBLdPkFVV-XCtbDUQgF4ZqPFbEEjPXMspMbimU/s400/DSC05214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383515132853050674" border="0" /></a></li><br /><li>For conveyor belt sushi, its roughly ¥130 per plate at sushi joints like 天下寿司.More expensive stuffs are those like unagi, teppanyaki, tempura can hit above ¥1000.<br />Uni Sushi from 天下寿司:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ4ar6epxVuP1U4mNTtw0AD3sjBoY34xQSE6IhtYuJ4rukyDcMgHg3LuTYwoxUoYMyvrQxvwu9WeathB0yTQlEIqeoXeSheA4GNxikGbOtxrHHA2Lu2-hm4pclIiAt7bFycKWiG1SdSRk/s1600-h/DSC04564.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ4ar6epxVuP1U4mNTtw0AD3sjBoY34xQSE6IhtYuJ4rukyDcMgHg3LuTYwoxUoYMyvrQxvwu9WeathB0yTQlEIqeoXeSheA4GNxikGbOtxrHHA2Lu2-hm4pclIiAt7bFycKWiG1SdSRk/s400/DSC04564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383515124692918866" border="0" /></a><br /></li><li>Drinks and Onigiri(rice ball) can be bought from ¥100 shops(after tax its ¥105), which includes fantastic Caffe Latte that sells for about S$3.30 in Singapore. NOM NOM~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ3VIcbIOeXQgUgZ_O4bXaGUJVxqVaNbgetzwLK3iT5AdV_DGCPOuH-_hB19_dMmVQVRSDafn3QVm4rscJ-yomfuDLFbWM9VDuRgkMpxUeNcwyeXVRhSWdMsfBM50WIZbhQ5t_JLeZyRG/s1600-h/DSC05425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ3VIcbIOeXQgUgZ_O4bXaGUJVxqVaNbgetzwLK3iT5AdV_DGCPOuH-_hB19_dMmVQVRSDafn3QVm4rscJ-yomfuDLFbWM9VDuRgkMpxUeNcwyeXVRhSWdMsfBM50WIZbhQ5t_JLeZyRG/s400/DSC05425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383531936608680946" border="0" /></a><br /></li><li>MacDonald's has got ¥100~ ¥120 offer for some burgers and drinks like milkshake, roasted ice coffee. These are great venues for some light snacks, plus they have a wifi area for NDS downloads.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-rDKeWixVahdyVFNGJbeRZaXfLiZjq0IGTby7-kv8hNIHBR8shMKsBWq6qIcY36nDwOg5malxGXvGsOKKWujwZkDj_DzMh_4VzRGeabOd6KK4fmwO91zJgE88QvZEiRsH0znj1jZzaE9/s1600-h/DSC05134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-rDKeWixVahdyVFNGJbeRZaXfLiZjq0IGTby7-kv8hNIHBR8shMKsBWq6qIcY36nDwOg5malxGXvGsOKKWujwZkDj_DzMh_4VzRGeabOd6KK4fmwO91zJgE88QvZEiRsH0znj1jZzaE9/s400/DSC05134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383527325451128402" border="0" /></a><br /></li></ul></li><li>Must I speak Japanese to be able to go free and easy?<br />Not really, as there are English signage all over Japan now.<br />K can speak very basic Japanese and read some katagana characters so that made things slightly easier especially when we had to place orders in Japanese. But if you can read chinese 繁体 characters, you should be able to get around quite easily too.<br /><br />For most of the ramen shops, you can order via a vending machine, pay up and then give your coupons to the counter staff who will then process your orders. No Japanese knowledge required unless the staffs ask you about size or side orders for your order.<br /><br /></li><li>Should I get some maps before going to Japan?<br />Basically, there are alot of railway maps to get at the train stations so please do not spend S$10 to get these maps in Singapore.<br /><br />Using the google map functions and marking out landmarks along the way will help you alot, trust me!<br /><br /></li><li>Are there any more summer sales during August period?<br />Yes, there were summer sales although most shops were slowly uploading more Autumn wear. Most of the discounts for shops in Shibuya 109 comes in the form of top wear + bottom wear for a discounted price.<br /><br />Other than that, there were also many tops going for ¥1050 in Harajuku and Shibuya. You can find more of such offers from shops that are located outside shopping centres, i.e. off along small alleys.<br /><br /></li></ol>Are there any other questions that you is bothering you? Leave me a message and I will try my best to answer you.YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-2465335136283890822009-09-18T11:16:00.001-07:002009-09-20T09:30:48.931-07:00Getting around Tokyo - Narita to Tokyo areaThe first question that popped up during planning was : Do we need a JR Pass?<br /><br />I searched through the forums and realised that JR Passes are only useful if you are planning to travel out of Tokyo to places like Kyoto. Otherwise, buying tickets/using suica as you go along is pretty ok too.<br /><br />The most useful tool for planning your travel route:<br /><a href="http://world.jorudan.co.jp/norikae/cgi-bin/engkeyin.cgi">Train Route Finder</a><br /><br />As long as you know your starting point and end point station names, this route finder will provide you with the various combinations using different train services. Most importantly, it also lists the duration and prices for each combination.<br /><br />From the airport towards Tokyo area, we took the <a href="http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html">Nex + Suica</a>(¥1500 value + ¥500 deposit for card) Package for ¥3500. Normally, NEX itself will cost you a bomb already so with this package, you are effectively paying ¥1500 for your train ride from Narita to Tokyo area.<br /><br />If the NEX + Suica package seems to much for you pay at one go, you can also consider taking the Keisei line which goes like this:<br />Narita to Nippori for ¥1000 then from Nippori, you can take another train to other areas in the city. Please refer to <a href="http://gutereise09.blogspot.com/2008/07/keisei-line-to-nippori-and-ueno.html">Bon Voyage blog</a> for detailed explanation on getting to Tokyo area using Keisei Line.<br /><br />You can also use the train route planner above to find out which train services to take.<br /><br />This guide is for arrival at Narita Airport, Terminal 1.<br />We arrived after 0930, which means that the JR service counter is closed so we need to go to the<br />Once you exit the customs, look out for this escalator that goes down to the Keisei Line, JR Line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Fx76sfnPfKO1mCrvSKFR1fAa4lUYslJ5QA7-pT9hl0vQV2YVDo1wR4PdCGIzYARw-vbDRsWlcbegm_-5j-_Zve3MNPY7V-DLf00wj_wyvR_bwJc2RobYDJePw2KS0aZM4eZBIf_qKZf/s1600-h/DSC04306.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Fx76sfnPfKO1mCrvSKFR1fAa4lUYslJ5QA7-pT9hl0vQV2YVDo1wR4PdCGIzYARw-vbDRsWlcbegm_-5j-_Zve3MNPY7V-DLf00wj_wyvR_bwJc2RobYDJePw2KS0aZM4eZBIf_qKZf/s400/DSC04306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383430954595930770" border="0" /></a><br />Look for the following green signboard:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKhpVyjVMjNN4VHWyN_t8_yf84IA2ppP0RPl-t7H7CtoskY67ayroBYxrwpZrLvAImjWFpefIa66QmYegxpo96CaTniokGOp1o1bzVaSZepBAC4pbxb7gbJMo8UwEDN58j4mXHHkHBXxs/s1600-h/DSC04307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKhpVyjVMjNN4VHWyN_t8_yf84IA2ppP0RPl-t7H7CtoskY67ayroBYxrwpZrLvAImjWFpefIa66QmYegxpo96CaTniokGOp1o1bzVaSZepBAC4pbxb7gbJMo8UwEDN58j4mXHHkHBXxs/s400/DSC04307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383434932956518434" border="0" /></a>It can take quite some time to queue, get your tickets and make your seat reservations. Do factor in 15-20mins for that.<br /><br />Take note that NEX goes to several places directly, be sure to check up this <a href="http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/pc/english/common/timetable/e_nex_u/index.html">timetable</a> before your departure so that you can estimate if you are able to make it for the direct train to your destination.<br /><br />We took the NEX that went straight to Ikebukuro and that makes our lives much easier cos we didn't have to change to another railway line at Shinjuku. After getting our NEX tickets, we realised that we only have 10-15mins to reach the platform O_O<br /><br />To take NEX, go to the Narita Airport Station gantry and remember to use your NEX ticket, not the Suica card. It takes around 5-6mins walk at least.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhUIRBqo7GnYBavDe4ULxYTfiFzQYeA9qeUz6ja5kfS78CbgcXjmYcCdFLdOqWowtZ99WEXs1j6DMIDX9ARxVnakaVmJ-EpaBI1afHv7slAiNIUScp6idH3481aGWYSICcL_X8cvjuBRr/s1600-h/DSC04308.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhUIRBqo7GnYBavDe4ULxYTfiFzQYeA9qeUz6ja5kfS78CbgcXjmYcCdFLdOqWowtZ99WEXs1j6DMIDX9ARxVnakaVmJ-EpaBI1afHv7slAiNIUScp6idH3481aGWYSICcL_X8cvjuBRr/s400/DSC04308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383443592022024402" border="0" /></a><br />This is how the NEX + Suica package looks like. NEX mentioned in this package is only meant for one way trip from Narita to Tokyo area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWOG87SC8FXok4GV0CHVUfD6vcvsjTI-qvYSweSngVzQzvRePG9KBUye2k8asvL5Cwbhxn8i7nJVYCWiV6OrbFYPrcIX7p7HCCxQZhQtqU7ClCbfHzUXpvHC7H3pkTOyUJpKGhM0ueBOK/s1600-h/DSC04318.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWOG87SC8FXok4GV0CHVUfD6vcvsjTI-qvYSweSngVzQzvRePG9KBUye2k8asvL5Cwbhxn8i7nJVYCWiV6OrbFYPrcIX7p7HCCxQZhQtqU7ClCbfHzUXpvHC7H3pkTOyUJpKGhM0ueBOK/s400/DSC04318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383462465570817714" border="0" /></a><br />Inside the NEX train, this board shows the destination and stops in between.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjY_uBMmRe2UsL4QX1HjpJEVt_Onu2FEkIZMEXo07dt1hzoOZRQ5F0lOaTXv562TI1IBIVWOw2EhFIcgnysdBEZPzcG_QLshvTpHFshx2j_2snBvxoNx8GfSKuIXBM7mHEPikOQZNsiKW/s1600-h/DSC04314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjY_uBMmRe2UsL4QX1HjpJEVt_Onu2FEkIZMEXo07dt1hzoOZRQ5F0lOaTXv562TI1IBIVWOw2EhFIcgnysdBEZPzcG_QLshvTpHFshx2j_2snBvxoNx8GfSKuIXBM7mHEPikOQZNsiKW/s400/DSC04314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383462477662177634" border="0" /></a><br />The whole ride takes about 1.5hours from Narita to Ikebukuro. There is a lady pushing a trolley full of drinks and snacks along the train ride, the items are not very expensive but do get some snacks if you know you are gonna get hungry along the way.<br /><br />Recommended read: Very detailed account by <a href="http://gutereise09.blogspot.com/2008/07/narita-express-to-tokyo-proper-japan.htm">Bon Voyage Blog</a> on how to get to Tokyo area from Narita.YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-88999671791826320442009-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:002009-09-20T09:31:04.617-07:00Planning the Toyko Trip - Accomodation<strong>Hotel Hanamiya @ Ikebukuro</strong><br /><br />Link: <a href="http://www.hnmy.jp/english/index.htm">http://www.hnmy.jp/english/index.htm</a><br />- Email them to reserve rooms<br />- Room rate at Hanamiya is ¥7350 (incl. 5% tax applicable) per night for double room.<br />- Please note that they only accept cash.<br />- Hanamiya is located about 8-10mins walk from JR Ikebukuro station, exit the train station from North/West Exit.<br /><br />On our first day, we exited the Ikebukuro JR Station West Exit and didn't know where we should go cos it was all buildings -_-'. After dragging our luggages for 30 mins, we finally spotted a signboard saying 华宫旅馆, there is no sign of the words Hanamiya(English) on that signboard.<br /><br />Actually, I would have booked either SuperHotel/Toyoko Hotel if they had a vacant room for me for all 14days. Hanamiya is operated by a Chinese National, so if you can speak Chinese there is no language barrier here. We checked in and paid for our 14 days of stay in cash and chose a room at the highest level, 4th floor. To our suprise, the room was pretty good considering the low price.<br /><br />If you have problems with hard mattresses, please do not stay here. I mean the bed is seriously hard but its fine for me =) The walls aren't really that thin cos I didn't hear what the other occupants were doing in their rooms hehe~<br /><br />Simple amenities provided: Fridge, bath tub, TV, LAN wire are available in the room. Other items like clothes iron, internet pc and washing machine are available for loan.<br /><br />The cold drinks from vending machines costs at least ¥100, and you know this is going to be costly. The fridge came in handy as we stocked up some 2litre barley tea(¥168) and 1 litre calpis(¥198 ONLY!! Compared to 330ml for S$3 at least) purchased from nearby grocery stores.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAvwn-mT2pIhGENWf7Si_LKIYpjTlATsGlq4JPPu7gSk_Mn1yIKJMt3SwBemHlT1wHMOvxayhYSoFeteu5XIgo8teY_Zbe7LwD2xv_CFUdFcMYFRSckjcQU9qtoPw9YkdFOotqgX8saNp/s1600-h/DSC04342-horz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382462519681408706" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 450px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAvwn-mT2pIhGENWf7Si_LKIYpjTlATsGlq4JPPu7gSk_Mn1yIKJMt3SwBemHlT1wHMOvxayhYSoFeteu5XIgo8teY_Zbe7LwD2xv_CFUdFcMYFRSckjcQU9qtoPw9YkdFOotqgX8saNp/s1600/DSC04342-horz.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The weather at night during our stay wasn't too hot, it was about 25~28 degrees on the average so there were a few nights where we slept with the windows opened. On the 2nd day, K actually woke up laughing cos the crows were going "Ah HOCK! Ah HOCK!"..just like the crows in the anime.<br /><br />It was fantastic staying here because of its location, being in the heart of Ikebukuro. There's 100yen shop, supermarket, local grocery store, ramen joints, izakayas within 10mins walk.<br /><br />Shall cover some of the good food located around Ikebukuro later.<br /><br /><strong>Other accomodation:</strong><br />While researching for the trip, I read a few Taiwanese blogs recommending these 2 hotels:<br /><br /><strong>- Super Hotel </strong>: <a href="http://www.superhotel.co.jp/">http://www.superhotel.co.jp/</a><br />This hotel is located all over Japan and the rates are really reasonable considering the facilities that are provided(internet terminal, printing, 3 mins international call)<br />* Booking can be done on the Japanese language page.<br />* A <a href="http://www.wretch.cc/blog/shebw/26163632">review</a> on Super Hotel.<br /><br /><strong>- Toyoko Hotel</strong> : <a href="http://www.toyoko-inn.com/index.html">http://www.toyoko-inn.com/index.html</a><br />This is another chain business hotel providing similar accomodation like Super Hotel.<br /><br /><strong>Some considerations:<br /></strong>* How convenient is it to move from your hotel to the nearest train station<br />* Is there any eateries nearby?<br /><br />* Is there any 100 yen shops/Super marts around?<br />This is very important cos it determines if you have to spend more money to have a simple breakfast or late night snack.<br />For example, a simple onigiri(rice ball)+ Caffe Latte(coffee drink that's really fantastic even to non coffee drinkers like myself) will only cost you ¥208 (5% taxes incl) if you get it from the 100yen shop. This is also one of the reasons why I didn't feel hotels with breakfast provided were worth paying more for.<br /><br />* How expensive is it for you to transit from one line to another to move around in Tokyo<br />* Is the accomodation costs deducted at the point of reservation via your credit card? Do take note of this as lousy exchange rates charged by your credit card company will increase your costs significantly.YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6178418746866786698.post-59513045634192669892009-09-14T22:30:00.000-07:002009-09-16T09:34:56.049-07:00Planning the Tokyo Trip - Airline Options1. Air Tickets<br /><br />We took the NWA offer, GV2 for $490 per person to Tokyo (14days travel restriction). Actually, we were taking a gamble when we took up the NWA offer because NWA had countless bad reviews online.<br /><br />To our surprise, it was pretty good when we boarded the flight(A330) because it had ample leg space, which was essential for the 7hr flight from SG -> Tokyo. Food wise, it was decent meaning it was edible. The service was not too bad, except the stewardess got impatient when I was thinking about my drink order *haha*<br /><br />But if you have a choice, I will recommend that you consider the following options instead:<ul><br /><li><a href="http://www.airfares.com.sg/">http://www.airfares.com.sg</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.jal.com/">http://www.jal.com</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/sg/e/">http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/sg/e/</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.singaporeair.com/">http://www.singaporeair.com</a></li></ul><br /><br />I have not tried this yet but if you are interested in travelling to other parts of Japan, you can consider taking ANA's offer which offers better prices if you book early enough e.g. 45 days before travel date:<br /><a href="https://www.ana.co.jp/eng/dms/fare/promotion/chowari/">https://www.ana.co.jp/eng/dms/fare/promotion/chowari/</a><br /><br />If you did not take ANA flight to Japan:<br /><a href="http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/general/e/travelservice/reservations/special/visit.html">http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/general/e/travelservice/reservations/special/visit.html</a><br /><br />If you took ANA / Star Alliance Carriers Group, you can get the air pass at a slightly better price:<br /><a href="http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/general/e/travelservice/reservations/special/airpass.html">http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/general/e/travelservice/reservations/special/airpass.html</a>YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17946508650619753992noreply@blogger.com0