Sketches from Japan • Autumn 2013

December 06, 2013 by dan bransfield in Uncategorized

November 20th -November 27th

Packed pretty light—just the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and the Co-Pilot.

Tokyo>Osaka>Kyoto>Nara>Hiroshima>Miyajima>Tokyo

Going in style—on United. This is my view for 10+ hrs.

Oh, but "Grown Ups 2" should keep me entertained.

Nori was kind enough to let me charge my phone at the counter.

Time to check in to my capsule hotel and call it a night after a long day.

Good Morning! I better get down to the showers before it gets too busy.

GOOD NEWS: There's a shower open. BAD NEWS: See "Good News"

Tokyo's version of okonomiyaki.

GOOD NEWS: I didn't lose the second JR pass.

At 8:15AM the atomic bomb "Little Boy" detonated over Hiroshima.

Miyajima

Time to go home— at least I'm flying ANA on the way back. All in all, a great trip. I saw the koyo (fall colors) at their peak while covering a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Yet I didn't feel too rushed. It was too bad about losing the JR pass, but I didn't let that get in the way of enjoying my trip.

[contact-form][contact-field label='Name' type='name' required='1'/][contact-field label='Email' type='email' required='1'/][contact-field label='Website' type='url'/][contact-field label='Comment' type='textarea' required='1'/][/contact-form]

Japan

August 09, 2011 by dan bransfield in Uncategorized

I'm finally getting around to posting about my visit to Japan last October. Having never been there before, I really didn't know what to expect, but eagerly anticipated the adventure. I had, however, two slight concerns: #1— that I would get lost a lot, and #2—as an historically non adventurous eater—I would have a difficult time finding meals. Well, I'm happy to report only one of the fears came true. And that wasn't so bad, because the good people of Japan were very nice in helping me find my way again.

Kyoto—I wish I made better note of the location these restaurants. Off Shijo Dori, this place served up some very filling ramen. It took me forever to get halfway through, while the salarymen next to me slurped theirs down in minutes. I couldn't finish the bowl—but it was amazing.

Arashiyama — Looked like chicken. Smelled like fish. Tasted like pork. I'm still not sure what this was, but I sure ate it. And for 350 Yen not bad!

I think okonomiyaki is the most fun meals I've had. It's interactive, social, and if you don't like it, it's probably your own damned fault. It's also the closest thing I've done to cooking.

You'll never go thirsty in Japan. There's a vending machine of some kind every twenty feet ready to dispense a coke or a pocari sweat—my favorite.

Ginza—More Ramen! So good. I think I had chicken this time.

Tokyo— Taiyaki: A waffle filled with red bean, or in this case, custard. Once again, wish I made note of where I got this. Maybe somebody out there knows? Next time I will have have to be more diligent about the details. It's a great excuse to go back. I now know eating won't be a problem—in fact it'll be an absolute delight. I'll still get lost, probably. One issue at a time.