A Postcard from Tokyo
Shinjuku, Tokyo
And now on to the final leg of my Japan trip, Tokyo. It makes me sad to type that.
Tokyo
I still manage to get lost near constantly. That is part of the Japan experience though. One restaurant that I really liked and that I want to recommend is down one of many tiny winding side alleys off a street. I asked for the street name and got the reply “there isn’t any!”.
Sushi sweets in a sweet shop in Asakusa, Tokyo
So, that is one of the challenges.
Kitchenware in Kappabashi, Tokyo
Tiny branding irons in Kappabashi, Tokyo
HAI!
Bright kettls, in Kappabashi, Tokyo
Plastic food shop in Kappabashi, Tokyo
Plastic beer is a lot more expensive than an actual beer, in Kappabashi, Tokyo
Plastic yakatori, in Kappabashi, Tokyo
Plastic meals and levitating forks, inKappabashi, Tokyo
Kappabashi is a must visit for passionate cooks, shops full of kitchenware line the streets and excellent knife shops. There are even a few shops that sell the plastic food you see in all restaurants here detailing the menu.
Things you might need for your restaurant, in Kappabashi, Tokyo
Cutters in Kappbashi, Tokyo
Knife engraving, inKappabashi, Tokyo
Gorgeous Japanese knives in Kappabashi, Tokyo
I have been moving around and staying in different parts to get a feel for the city. Starting with Shinjuku: buzzy, blurry, bright and intense, this was where Lost in Translation was set. It is enormous and there is so much there including Omoide Yokocho, a network of small narrow alleys groaning with yakitori bars, it is also known as “Piss Alley”.
Yakitori in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Tucked in the middle of Omoide Yokocho is a noodle bar on a corner that serves soba and udon. Everytime I pass it, it is packed. One lunchtime, I joined the queue with the salary men and ordered tempura udon, which I immediately regretted when I noticed everyone around me had soba. Nonetheless, it was very good, with a big cake of shrimp and vegetable tempura on top and an onsen tamago (slow cooked egg), it came to about £2.50. Tokyo can also be really bargainous.
Shinjuku noodle bar
Tempura udon with onsen tamago, in Shinjuku, Tokyo
The rest of my time here has been filled with seeking the best ramen, exploring the high end a little, finding tempura, monjayaki, tonkatsu, yakitori, gyoza and digging out where I had my first tempura meal here 6 years ago. I tried some Japanese merlot (which was very good).
Ingredients for mentaiko mochi monjayaki
The train stations are underground warrens of food shops. Calbee, the local crisp company, has started making fresh crisps under Tokyo station and serving them with hot chocolate sauce and ice cream. Actually really good. I have always loved matcha desserts but have really fallen head over heels this time. I am trying to stop myself buying this extraordinary chocolate matcha cake until I meet my friend and can share it with her.
Fresh crisps with hot chocolate sauce, at Tokyo station
Matcha chocolate cake
Lots of eating, and I will post more details on all of that soon.
For now, my postcard.
Comments
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Ooo I love the knives!! And the plastic food… And the kettles… And choc crisps. All of it!
This city is bubbling with interesting things.
Those engraved knives are beautiful!!!
Stunning! Ensuring I have a knife budget next time :-)
Can’t you find anyone who wants to buy you a present?????
Not really and not my style! :-)
Lol!
This is simply like my dream trip! Up there with Morocco and Egypt is Japan.
Those knives are seriously pretty, although still quite scary looking!
xxx
They are super sharp :-)
Love the regular posts, Niamh. And those kettles are so damn cute.
Thank you :-)
Thanks for sharing this! I hope to return to Japan one day and definitely would check out Kappabashi!
It is a must :-) My pleasure.
Kappabashi looks amazing! I’ve only ever been to Douguyasuji in Osaka, but that was quite small. I love how in Japan, they will carry almost all dessert molds, tart rings, and other funky gadgets for baking that you can only find online in the States.
I’ve never made it to Kappabashi on any of my trips, although seriously thinking of creating a legit reason to go (inspiration can strike anywhere tends to be my catch all). Looks like would need a spare suitcase. And an overdraft. And that’s just for the plastic food!
This post, even more than all the others has really given me a longing to go back to Tokyo, .Some day. Really, really enjoyed the your Japanese posts.
OMG the kitchenware shop!! Prop heaven. They would have had to remove me and my credit card from there with a crowbar…
These photos are amazing Niamh. Just stunning.
fresh crisps with chocolate, sushi sweets, and those fabulous knives! I want them all! Japan seems like a vivid place to visit!
It really is. So much to explore. Definitely going back to all places I visited and exploring further North & South :)
Are those dog wigs? Amazing!