Tokyo's Kabukicho in Shinjuku

At a loss for something to do in Tokyo? Head over to Kabukicho where the possibilities are endless. Personally, I’d head up to the fourth floor for some Shabu Shabu (しゃぶしゃぶうどんすき).

Posted on December 22nd, 2011 under Japan. Tags: night photography, shinjuku, signs. Comments Off on Kabukicho (歌舞伎町)

歌舞伎町

If you are looking for karaoke (カラオケ), all-you-can-eat yakiniku (焼肉食べ放題), a drink (居酒屋), or something a little seedier, you are sure to find it in Kabukicho. In fact, you can probably find what you are looking for at a dozen or more different establishments in Kabukicho. Today’s photo is of the approach to Kabukicho from the Shinjuku Station.

Posted on December 8th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: night photography, shinjuku, signs, Tokyo. Comments Off on Kabukicho after dark

I took today’s photo in Kamakura because of the cool-looking, old-style, Japanese building. This kind of architecture isn’t as common as it once was, but you can still find it, even in big cities.

Based on the sign in the lower left corner of the picture, you can buy specialty (microbrewery) beer here. Kamakura Beer (鎌倉ビール) appears to offer a variety of beers. I never saw Kamakura Beer, or other microbrews, for sale at most locations in Japan. Usually, stores offered a wide variety of beer that tasted pretty much the same (boring lagers). If this liquor store is closed when you visit Kamakura, you can buy from the vending machine out front (lower right part of pic). Now that is something you won’t find in most other parts of the world.

Posted on November 17th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: beer, buildings, jidohanbaiki, kamakura, signs. Comments Off on Japanese Liquor Store – Kamakura, Japan

A bicycle sits alone in Tokyo's Shakujii Park

If you like to people watch, head to one of Tokyo’s many parks on a weekend or holiday. For something more solitary, check ’em out on a weekday. Chances are pretty good that you won’t see anyone other than a few retired folk and/or some pre-schoolers. It may end up just being you, a parked bike, and a sign at Shakujii Park (石神井公園).

Posted on October 6th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: bikes, shakujii, signs, Tokyo, water walks in the suburbs of tokyo. Comments Off on Tokyo Metropolitan Shakujii Park

Takadanobaba's Ramen Jiro

A new grocery store opened up near our apartment while we were in Japan. I noticed this ramen shop in front of the grocery store frequently had a long line in front of it. One day, when the line wasn’t too long and the grocery shopping could wait, I decided to give it a try.

Ramen Jiro (ラーメン二郎)

It turns out that Ramen Jiro is like no other ramen I’ve had before or since. I ordered the regular version–even though you have the option of extra (or less) garlic, pork, pork fat, vegetables (mostly sprouts but also some cabbage), and spiciness. The amount of garlic, pork, and sprouts was incredible for a regular bowl. The taste was really good for the first dozen or so bites/slurps, but I was full less than halfway through. I labored on but still didn’t finish it all and felt rather sick after.

I would certainly go back (now that much time has passed) and hope to get something smaller. I would also go much lighter on the garlic. I love garlic (にんにく) but this amount was ridiculous. You’ll want lots of water in any case.

If you want to give this one a try, the address is 豊島区 高田 3-17-8. As the sign says, Ramen Jiro is only open for 4 hours a day (and closed two days a week), or until they run out of noodles–whichever comes first, so you have a very narrow window of opportunity.

Posted on August 24th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: food, ramen, signs, takadanobaba. Comments: 1