5 things I love about Japan
Konichiwa
If you noticed the banner on the right hand side of the site, you may have realised that I (and Teresa) have been in Japan for the past few weeks. I never intended to visit Japan so soon, considering I have been there four years ago. But when I found out that the Australian Socceroos team were due to play a World Cup qualifier match Tokyo in February, I had to get myself to Japan to be part of the experience. Fortunately, Jetstar also had a sale during that time and I managed to snap up a return ticket for $600 ish. Despite the shocking exchange rate, we still had a fantastic time and the trip just re-inforced my love for all things Japan.
What I love about Japan is the abundance of randomness in the country that is intertwined with a culture that is full of respect and tradition. They are leaps and bounds ahead of us in terms of technology that benefits all citizens (vending machines, a reliable train system!) , yet all this hasn’t changed the way they treat people and each other.
Over the next few weeks I will be blogging about what I ate throughout Osaka, Tokyo, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Iya Valley, Nozawa Onsen, Hirayu Onsen and Kanazawa. In the mean time, here is my list of five things I loved about Japan over the last few weeks.
Oh and one more thing I noticed. Only in Japan can you find Beer vending machines in a burger joint (Mos Burger) without having to worry about bogans starting fights because of drunken shenanigans.
Sleeping in public
They love their sleeping, especially on trains. They also love having a snooze on the train after a few too many Sake’s even on a week night. What amazed me even more was that alot of these people were still in their Office attire. After a few long nights having a few too many drinks, we found ourselves seeking refuge in a 24 hour McDonalds. There are actually more people sleeping in the restaurant than eating once everyone misses their last train home. Here are a few sleepy heads catching up on some shut eye while waiting for the trains to start again at 5am.
This girl was goneski's
Her friends had to come back and get her. They were walking together when they realised she had fallen asleep behind them on the foot path.
McDonalds (24 hr) in Shibuya at 4am
Snacks
Japan possibly have the best snack availability I have encountered anywhere. The humble vending machine is everywhere in Japan. You cannot walk a few metres without seeing one, it is amazing. Japanese convenience stores also put Australian one’s to shame, their sandwhiches are so fresh and tasty. Food stalls on the side of the road are also widely available, the takoyaki balls give our beef kebabs a run for their money as a midnight snack.
Takoyaki balls
McPork (120 yen)
Not only did they have McPork, they had an Ebi burger (prawn) and they serve fillet o fish for breakfast!
Corn soup from a vending machine
This warm can of corn soup was a life saver at the snow where it was bloody cold.
French fries
Sandwhich from 7-11 (Chicken + Mayo and egg)
Fashion
Taken at Tsukiji fish market
I have no idea why this guy was wearing his number plate on his head. Judging by his facial expression, he was about as confused as I was.
Ayoyama
Only in Japan can you find Chanel and Dior stores on one side, and guys wearing random outfits in 5 degrees celcius weather on the other.
Small bars
Beat Cafe in Shibuya (http://www.beatcafe.info)
Due to reduced liquor licensing costs and ‘red tape’ in the liquor license process, Sydney recently has jumped onto the small bar scene. They should take a look at how the Jap’s do it because they do it very well. I can only speak for Shibuya and it’s surrounding suburbs, but there is no shortage of small bars which fit around 10 people in it. Staffed with only 1 bar tender (usually), there is a great intimate chilled out feel when you enter one of these bars. Most bars I frequent are just way too packed and you lose the sense of being able to relax in your own zone with a few mates over a few drinks.
Most small bars in Japan also serve basic food such as fries, curries and pasta. Beat Cafe was one which we randomly found on the 5th floor of a building. They also played some cool music, predominately punk and indy type bands.
Izakaya
Izakaya’s are similiar to tapas bars, where small portions of food can be ordered along with copious amounts of drinks. It is a communal dining experience, where food is meant to be shared. We spent most our time in Tokyo eating at various Izakaya’s, with Doma Doma as one of my favourites despite being a franchise. Most Izakaya have booths which allow a more intimate dining experience with your mates. I loved being able to order dish after dish, with the food often coming to our table in a matter of minutes. Wagaya in Sydney (Haymarket) has a similiar experience to the Izakayas which I frequented in Tokyo.
Grilled rice balls
Beef patties with egg yolk
These were delish once you mixed the egg and beef with the sauce, beeflicious.
Fried tofy with bonito flakes
So there you have it, a handful of things which I loved about my recent trip of Japan. Stay tuned during the next couple of weeks as we’ll be posting about all the food we ate during our 17 day trip.
Domo arigato!
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By Howard
We started eatshowandtell in 2008, it was meant to be just a journal of where we ate. The first thing I usually do when I'm looking for a restaurant is check out eatability and the restaurant website. But what is usually missing is pictures of the food, how do I know I'm getting what I expect? This blog hopefully plugs that gap.
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This article was written on 20 Feb 2009, and is filed under Food Chat, Japanese.
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WAHHH so jealoouuusss wanna go Jaapppaann againnnn! Haha I am sure you got heaps more fashion ones right? esp at Harajuku? MMmmm snacks… *jeallloouuss*
FFichiban’s last blog post..Kobe Jones – King St Wharf, Sydney.
gorgeous photos. i’m itching to get to Japan but can’t quite figure out how or when! will be v. looking forward to the rest of your series
shez’s last blog post..taste of sydney
Funny photos of sleeping people! I like the idea of the small bars, it seems so personal.
Arwen from Hoglet K’s last blog post..Blackberry Jaffle-pie
Fascinating!! What a great post and the photos are wonderful. I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, it looks like an amazing and surprising place to holiday.
Beautiful photos! I’m looking forward to seeing even more of them. Makes me pine for a return visit to Japan!
Y’s last blog post..An ode : Green tea and white chocolate cake, summer fruits, sesame nougatine
Welcome back! Cant wait to see what you are up to in Japan!
billy@ATFT’s last blog post..Lantern Palace – Wamberal
good work howie and co
ffichiban : I didn’t see much of Harajuku this time around, only had 3 days in Tokyo!
shez : I think Japan is great all year around, but summer can get a little hot like it is here. It was pretty cold over the past few weeks, temps would get as low as 2c and in the day would hover between 6 to 12c!
Arwen : The sleeping people are everywhere, I could do a whole series on them. The small bars are fantastic, I wish we had them here in abundance.
Chuck : Keep Japan on your radar! Despite the lack of people speaking English, their politeness and willingness to help makes up for it. Their bakeries/cakes are also fantastic!
Billy : Cheers! One thing I missed out on doing was visiting the Henri Carpentier(spelling?) dessert place you went to :/
David CC : Thanks, you missed out on the Adidas Futsal rooftop park. It was amazing.
HAHA @ the sequence of snoozing photo’s – I think I may have been one of those when i was there a few years back (ok more like the passed out girl =P)
I see you mentioned the MOS Burger place.. their on-the-small-side, yet VERY tasty burgers are quite something!
also can’t agree more with the abundance of vending machines with quality items in them… nothing like a can of hot coffee or chocolate to ease the pain of the subzero temps at the snow.. not to mention the sushi/sandwiches/fried rice dishes you can buy from the convenient store (which are also everywhere you turn your head)
officially missing japan…
awww man I’ve studied Japanese for 5yrs already and i still haven’t been to Japan =[ No one believes me when I tell them I haven’t been there! I’m so jealous!
K’s last blog post..Gelato in Melbourne
Love the photos!
I just got back from Tokyo. I love Japan! I want to go back already =(
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ive been to those small bars, its like someones lounge room!!
And i didnt know they had a mc pork, that must be new, didnt see it when iw as there 2 years ago!!
You been to the KFC? they got tomato soup and cheese and macaroni, something a little different………
In japan look out for the Lock Up jail restaurant, its a great experience, i just cant remember where in tokyo it is……….
God I miss the Tokyo and the Beat Cafe, that is the best bar I’ve ever been to in my life…why oh why can’t we do that in Sydney
@Darn : I have to agree with ya, it was amazing in there despite being so small. The array of drinks, the music and the decor was just amazing. I went to a few other ones such as whiskey bars, they are so cool because of how small they are.
Fried tofy with bonito flakes
^
Is that a typo?
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