There is more to Tsukiji in the morning that just the tuna auction.  In fact a stroll through the streets outside the market can be as invigorating experience as the market itself.  This is one early morning jaunt that I would recommend – while it is still a place of business, consumers are welcome to [...]

A visit to the Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market in Tokyo is much lauded in the tourist guidebooks to the city but after five years on living in Japan I still hadn’t been. That all changed when an enthusiastic friend arrived and wanted to make the trip.  I had read about controversy surrounding visits to the [...]

Dining in a  lantern lit alleyway that lies humbly within walking distance of Tokyo’s glitzy Ginza stores and neon lights is sure to have you saying “Oishikatta!” – that was delicious! As you enter Yakitori Alley you will be met with a chorus of irishaimase (welcome) from the staff of the many closet sized restaurants [...]

Taking the train in Japan is really quite easy but like doing anything for the first time it can be a bit intimidating at first. Which train line do I want?  Which track do I need to be on to go in the right direction?  These questions and more will be racing through your mind [...]

Amusement parks, theme parks will add a special something to your Japan trip, especially if you are traveling with kids, or the young at heart who would never dream of passing up an opportunity to act like kid. Game centers (video game arcades) can be found in almost every neighborhood and Ferris Wheels seem to [...]

Temaki at a sushi bar blocks from the Tsukiji Wholesale fish market in Tokyo.   The temaki (hand rolls) pictured below are natto (fermented soy beans) with shiso leaves, cod roe and kappa (cucumber) from left to right. The fish roe melts in your mouth, the nori is crisp and flavorful and sushi tastes great even [...]

All you can drink and a view of the sun setting over Tokyo for free! OK, this view is free but the drinks will cost you – Y2,900 for women and Y3,800 for men! The Fours Seasons Hotel in the heart of Tokyo’s bustling Marunouchi district is offering an “Ekki Summer Sunset” all-you-can-drink plan until [...]

Shrines in Japan offer up beautiful vignettes for visitors to enjoy at every turn.  The torii (entrance gate) can be impressive, large and wooden like that at Meiji Jingu, multiple smaller ones in a distinctive red, or a single simple torii that humbly announces the presence of the shrine. The path to the shrine itself [...]

It isn’t always necessary to travel far to have an outdoor adventure, even in the world’s most populated metropolis. For Tokyo area fisherman a unique angling opportunity can be just a couple of train stops or a short bicycle ride away. Tokyo’s Tama River spring run of Far Eastern dace is one of those opportunities. [...]

Once you have familiarized yourself with with the variety of options for getting around in Japan the next issue that you will need to tackle is how to find everything.  While finding English maps online is not impossible, it can be a challenge especially if you are nowt following a predetermined route from a guidebook [...]