Blogs from Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 6

Blog 4_Japan_2023 March 24 Weather – the fog & storm clouds have parted giving us a partly sunny morning: Forecast is an 80% chance of rain: Temperature high of 21°C. Our body clocks seem to be re-adjusting and as a result we had a relaxing sleep even though we awoke early again this morning. Today we decided to tackle the overhead train and subway system and head off to the inner regions of Tokyo. There is a station for the overhead train system connected to the hotel so that part was easy; the bigger challenge came with the transfer at the final station on this line to one of the multiple branches of the Tokyo subway. Our destination was Asakusa Temple and grounds. This is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most colourful Buddhist Temple, dating back ... read more

Blog 6_Japan_2023 March 26 Can we say it’s all the same again: fog, overcast & rain? – Temperature 14°C Today we were required to conduct our self-administered COVID test and submit the results to the VeriFLY website. So, this morning we did the test, photographed the results on our phones and uploaded the results to VeriFLY. We both had negative results, YEAH and have now been cleared to at least enter the cruise terminal. VeriFLY accepted my documentation, but Brooke’s is still pending, who knows what new wrinkle will appear tomorrow in Yokohama. Went back to watch the giant Gundam robot, Unicorn go through his motions. He has minimal animation of his shoulder armour, face, and horn along with some panels displaying red lighting. Recorded the show on my iPhone in the rain over the tops ... read more

24 hours in Japan and I'm so glad to share its been lovely. I am traveling with a colleague/ friend and we were able to book a direct flight from Dallas to Tokyo. After a brief stint hunkered down in the DFW bathroom to hide from a possible tornado, we made it on flight and over here. These long flights are getting tougher and tougher! We have been using the monorail to get around the city and have visited the Shibuya scramble - apparently the biggest crossing in the world, walked around the city a bit and had Ichiban style Ramen. Many restaurants here run on a vending machine type system which makes it all very easy. The Ichiban style was interesting because you go into these small cramped spaces and sit up against a partition ... read more

After a strenuous outing yesterday, my bum knees are killing me today. So I opted for a lighter excursion today in preparation for the big day tomorrow. My colleague recommended Kikanbo for my ramen craving. The restaurant has 3 locations in Tokyo but fortunately there's 1 just a 15 minute trek from my hotel. Yasu & I arrived there shortly after noon and as expected there was a line outside. Yasu volunteered to stay in line while I roamed around the vicinity of what I think is part of Sunshine City. The area was filled of young men and women (but mostly women) dressed as anime characters! My first thought was that my teen daughter would have loved to see this! She's a huge anime & Manga fan. I miss you dearly! We finally got sat ... read more

Most North Americans would shudder at the thought of themselves or others loudly slurping while eating, but in Japan, it’s not only expected, but encouraged. It’s believed that the practice originated as an url=https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nippon.com%2Fen%2Fviews%2Fb07501%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C3162a11af5934607449408d9cec29ae4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637768157493118079%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ZzYa81Yt2SCZR1a9Gtlzvb%2BN2AuX7o7EiJRmd3pijYQ%3D&reserved=0olfactory experience — slurping soba noodles simply augmented the aromatic flavors when air was taken in through the mouth at the same time. From there, as other dishes such as ramen proliferated, the practice did too. The custom, which is relegated to noodles only, does spark some url=https://na... read more