I'm Going To Japan

bmwracer wrote:The Kyoto Experience: http://www.hoshinoyakyoto.jp/en/info/

Thanks to Enna for the link. :victory:

Wow. That ryokan looks amazing. It must be a real treat to stay there.

Tu_triky wrote:It must be a real treat to stay there.

Until you get the bill. :beaten:

bmwracer wrote:
Until you get the bill. :beaten:

:hehe:

True, but you only live once! When my buddy and I went to Kyoto a couple of years back we stayed at a really nice ryokan as well. It was mad expensive but I can honestly say it was one of the most memorable places I've ever had the pleasure of staying, in Japan or any where else for that matter.

bmwracer wrote:
Did you get a chance to survey the Fukushima area?

Anybody wants to, here's your chance:http://www.destination-japan.com/YourTrip/OnYourOwn/Volunteer_Recovery_Support_TOHOKU2012/tabid/410/Default.aspx

^ No mention of Geiger counters or radiation protective gear...

bmwracer wrote:^ No mention of Geiger counters or radiation protective gear...

They're not going anywhere near Fukushima Daiichi or the restricted zone. :shakehead:

Greetings from Tokyo. I arrived several hours ago earlier this morning, local time.

On my first train ride out of Haneda Airport on the way to my hotel I was greeted by the following sight, at 6am no less.

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TIJ. This Is Japan.

^ She appears to be a gaijin. Although she does have Japanese fashion sense. :crazy:

Have a good time! :woot:

And if you see that North Korean rocket go by, try and knock it down, okay?!! :shoot:

gaijinmark wrote:^ She appears to be a gaijin. Although she does have Japanese fashion sense. :crazy:

:hehe: You are correct on both counts.

Have a good time! :woot:

Thank you very much. The weather was a bit dreary today but I was able to do a little hanami (cherry blossom viewing). My first time seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom. It was glorious! Incredibly beautiful to behold. I can see how the sight has inspired so many of the Japanese throughout the ages.

And if you see that North Korean rocket go by, try and knock it down, okay?!! :shoot:

:hehe: Will do!

Tu_triky wrote:TIJ. This Is Japan.

I could tell by how immaculate the interior of the train was. :)

Have a great time out there, dude. :victory:

bmwracer wrote:
I could tell by how immaculate the interior of the train was. :)

Have a great time out there, dude. :victory:

Thank you very much. Hopefully I'll have lots of cool pictures to share soon. :)

Cherry blossoms at Ueno Koen <Ueno Park>

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Weeping cherry blossoms variety @ Kiyomizu Kanno-do, Ueno Koen
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My first meal @ Ippudo Ramen in Ebisu, Tokyo

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Chashu Ramen
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Self-explantory
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^ I couldn't see any ramen because of all that wonderful chashu. :drooling:

Tu_triky wrote:Greetings from Tokyo. I arrived several hours ago earlier this morning, local time.

On my first train ride out of Haneda Airport on the way to my hotel I was greeted by the following sight, at 6am no less.

[image]

TIJ. This Is Japan.

Have a wonderful time in Japan!!! And I know you'll be eating really delicious meals!!

How long will you be there?

Tu_triky wrote:My first meal @ Ippudo Ramen in Ebisu, Tokyo

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Chashu Ramen
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Self-explantory
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Was that a shallow bowl? I couldn't see much ramen noodles. Looks delicious, though!!!

bmwracer wrote:^ I couldn't see any ramen because of all that wonderful chashu. :drooling:

The noodles were of the hosomen (thin noodle) variety...very thin in fact...I hadn't touched the bowl yet so that's why you can't see the noodles underneath. :)

Sengo wrote:

Was that a shallow bowl? I couldn't see much ramen noodles. Looks delicious, though!!!

Yeah the noodles were underneath the toppings. The bowl wasn't so much shallow as it was wide-rimmed. It wasn't a very large bowl of noodles but it was pretty tasty nonetheless. I had a side of gyoza that I forgot to take a picture of. ^_^

The total length of my trip is 2 weeks so I still got some time left. Still in Tokyo at the moment.

Tu_triky wrote:I had a side of gyoza that I forgot to take a picture of. ^_^

Awwww.... :puppydog:

bmwracer wrote:
Awwww.... :puppydog:

Sorry, man!

To make it up to you here are a few of pics from my lunch yesterday at Maisen in Omotesando. It's the second most famous tonkatsu-ya in Tokyo. This, their flagship store, occupies an old sento (public bath house).

I had the rosu katsu teishoku (loin cutlet set meal)

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Perfectly fried. Perfectly golden brown. Perfectly crisp. Perfectly juicy. Perfectly delicious!

More important than the food is the fact that I actually met our fellow board member, EstherM, to have this meal together. It was the first time I've ever met anyone from this message board despite my years of posting here.

It was her idea to have lunch here, in fact. It was great meeting her. She's a very cool & funny person, of which of I had little doubt. :D

Thanks, Esther!