Andrew and Judy came to visit Tokyo from South Korea where they are both teaching. We got to spend friday night and saturday with them mostly eating, drinking, and generally trying to stay out of the heat as much as possible.
Friday: All of our culinary tours of Tokyo begin at Toriki
After Toriki we got a bit off track from where we intended to go, but did find a place to cool down and get a few beers. This place attracted us with their beer special in english. However, the part that said it was tomorrow was in Japanese. But everything happens for a reason...
The woman on the right is the "owner" (turns out her sister is the actual owner). She was about the meanest, funniest, strangest person I have ever met. She was very much taken by Andrew and I, and kept grabbing our butts and flirting with us - in Japanese - and then getting mad when we didn't respond to her advances and even madder that we couldn't speak Japanese. Made for a VERY entertaining evening, and a few bruises on the backside the next morning.
Saturday: Togoshi-Ginza. Posing in front of a government test of 'mist fans.' The theory is that these devices will cool prominent shopping streets during the heat of summer - GENIUS! We found them very effective, but wonder how many it would take to cover an entire street.
Stopping for a beer and a bit of AC. Cabbage is always a nice snack. 
Powering up on a few Tai okonomi-yaki, and Tai-yaki. Basically, fish shaped (tai = red snapper) pancake with various fillings. Tai-yaki is custard or red bean filled. Tai okonomi-yaki has mayo, ham, ginger, cabbage, & vegetable sauce. Double Good! They also had a new curry flavored one, so each couple had to share one of each.
Bon Odori festival in Kugahara that night
Stopped for a drink and some light food at this really cool local sake bar. Aya and I have walked by here many times and I have always been intrigued by the pirate behind the bar. He more than lived up to expectations. He only serves 3 kinds of Sake, and chips chunks of ice from huge blocks for each drink. This place is not about quick service, but is about quality and tradition. 
It is like a Japanese 'Cheers.' Everyone in the bar (all 8 of the other people that could fit) knew each other, and have been customers of "The Master" for over 20 years. This is the 3rd location of his bar, yet these people still come from across town 2-3 times a week to have a drink and see him. Great experience.
One last midnight snack of curry chicken on a skillet. In Japan there is no such thing as just grabbing a few drinks.
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