Monja-yaki in Tsukishima

Tsukishima is an old town in east Tokyo, which is famous for Monjayaki. Monjayaki is unique food in this area. Next to a monjayaki restaurant is another monjayaki restaurant through the street. This street is filled with the smell of monja.

I sometimes go to this monjayaki restaurant with friends. Monja is a very casual food, and we can enjoy conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.

In the restaurant. Paper on the wall is menu.

Monjayaki is served like this. Cooked by ourselves on the pan.

This is cooked monja. It looks bad. It tastes good. This is seafood noodle monja.

Mano

Asakusa

After I visited my friend's knit-work exhibition, I went around Asakusa. As I have not been there for a long time, I was excited that I felt like a tourist.

This is Kaminarimon, the gate of Sensouji temple. Sensoji is one of the most famous tourist spots in Tokyo. A big lantern is hung on the gate is symbol of Asakusa.

Nakamise, a long shopping street from 300 years ago is toward the main building of the temple from the gate. We can find a lot of things Japanese.

Lucky charms

Daruma: Draw one side of the eyes with making your wish. You can draw another side of the eyes with thanks, when the wish comes true.
Hagoita: It used to be one of the new year things for girls. We can play like badminton, but it is only for display these days.

As the sun went down, the lighting of Gojuno-tou (Five storied tower in buddhist temple) was getting bright.

Main building of the temple.
Unfortunately, the doors was closed. The statue is behind the door.

Omikuji (Fortune telling paper)

Pick one stick from the box and you can see a number on it. Ask to obtain a paper for the number, it tells your fortune.

Going to the Japanese sweets shop is true purpose of Asakusa visit. (＾0＾*

The food in this showcase is fake.

This is real food I had. Maccha (tea) -cream anmitsu!

Classic atmosphere around there.

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Japanese table ware shop. Tea cups, rice bowls...

Ningyo-yaki, typical snacks in Asakusa. Masks, Birds, lanterns, Towers, Kaminari-sama (Incarnation of thunder) ... Cute design. Anko (red-beans jam) inside.

Unagi : ell

Fancy Unagi (eel) restaurant.


Lunch set
Una-ju (Eel Japanese style on rice in the special japan ware) , aka-dashi misoshiru (red soybeans paste soup) and pickles.

Inside the restaurant.

One day trip to Kakunodate

I took a day off and went on a trip to Kakunodate and Dakikaeri-valley in Akita (North part of Japan).

Although the weather is not good, I could enjoy the beauty spot away from Tokyo.

Kakunodate is one of the famous Bukeyashiki (Samurai residence in 17 century) town in Japan.

Pokemon jet

Famous Japanese flies to the world.

Re-imported Sushi

This sushi is not Japanese style. Tuna is inside, rice and lettuces are rolled with Tuna, squid salmon and avocado. It might be modified to western style and re-imported. This style is becoming acceptable to Japanese and we can sometime enjoy this style. Of course it is edible and very nice, basically.

Uneatable Sushi

Look at the photo. Looks delicious!! But, these Sushi are not food. These are plastic Sushi. You can see mock food such as Sushi, Tempura, Ice cream even pizza in a sample case in front of restaurants everywhere in Japan. They are well made.

You would be aware that things are visualized not only in cartoons and "manga", but in towns in Japan. Please be careful not to put unedible food in your mouth, because they look like the real thing.

Prolog

Sushi is very popular in the world and a lot of people love it. But I wonder how many of them have ever tried original Sushi. If you have chance to try Sushi in Japan, you would be surprised to know the difference. You could say "This is not the Sushi I love."
I have talked about this topic with non-Japanese friend. My friend was very much curious about Japan and showed her interest in original sushi, another Japanese food, Japanese custom and so on .

Most of the Sushi out of Japan is modified. I think it is no problem except some bogus Sushi restaurants. On the other hand, I want to introduce what authentic Sushi is like. I will try to post my everyday food, ordinary event, and what is common practice in Japan.