Ueno Zoo

Over the winter holiday Aya and I spent a day at the Ueno Zoo, the oldest zoo in Japan.  Since the zoo was built in 1882, the animal enclosures tend to be more cage like than most modern zoos but the newer exhibits incorporate more modern "habitat" enclosures. 

With an entry fee of 600 yen for adults the Zoo is one of the best deals in town 

hoo-hoo you looking at (I can't help it)

 this guy was just lamping and seemed to be watching the people more closely than most people were watching him

I find watching gorillas fascinating.  This guy was obviously the dominant silverback.  At one point he charged straight towards the glass making many people take a step back... 

then he just sat in front of the window with his back to everyone and ate.  I have no doubt he knew exactly what he was doing.  It was awesome.

Watching this lion stretch reminded me of the way Willie stretches.  Of course the next thought in Willie's head isn't how do I get to that guy and eat him.  At least I hope not.

Aya likes the elephants.  It's funny that Elephant is 'Zo' in Japanese so it is one of the few animal names I can remember.

 I like watching the monkeys.  Aya says it is because I am one

Thank goodness Panda's are vegetarian 

This pagoda was originally built in 1631, and later rebuilt after being destroyed by fire.  In 1958 is was donated to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and became part of the Zoo grounds.

New Years & Snow

As is the tradition we celebrated New Years with a feast at the Miyakoda's

Everything is so beautiful it almost seems like you shouldn't eat it...until you taste it and then you can't stop. 

Panithi, our intern from Thailand, also joined us this year, and of course no meal is complete without special new year's sake

Everyone takes a few deep breaths before we begin round 2

 Last Sunday we got quite a bit of snow here in Tokyo.  At first it looked like it would not accumulate, but by mid morning it became clear that was not the case.

It was fun to get out and walk in the snow which lasted all day long

Main Street in Kugahara 

The less traveled streets were much prettier than the main roads

And yes there were a few reports of bigfoot sightings.

As long as the trains are running life is 'normal' in Tokyo. 

Kiri in Tokyo

Just before Christmas Aya's friend Kiri came home from New York and stayed with us in Tokyo for a few days before going to see her family in Kyoto.  We had the entire day Sunday to hang out and do whatever Kiri wanted...

...which was eat her favorite Japanese foods and walk around Japanese alleys.  Pretty much a typical Sunday for us, so we recommended Togoshi-ginza to begin our adventure. 

 Our first stop was Ramen for lunch to give us energy to explore all of the alleys we could find

One of Kiri's favorite foods is Kara-age, or fried chicken tenders, & Togoshi-ginza is making a name for itself with its many kara-age shops.  So we decided to verify the "expert" rankings by trying kara-age from as many of the top shops as we possibly could.

Our first stop was ranked #1 by a television food show, and did not disappoint.  Perfectly golden brown fried thigh tenders with an amazing spicy yuzu-kosho (citrus-pepper) dipping sauce.  DELICIOUS!!! and definitely deserving it ranking.

Stop #3 is a local favorite that Aya and I stop at often.  Very casual spot to grab a drink and enjoy all kinds of chicken.  Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture at the 2nd shop because they only have a window and it came fresh out of the fryer so we all ate it so fast no one had anytime to take pictures.  Maybe next time?

 Compai!  I guess they have never heard a southern US-Japanese drawl before.  It was fun talking with Kiri.  We spoke a type of Japaglish where we both reverted to our native language when we got to words we did not know in Japanese or English.

 Kiri wants to remember this when she gets home...to N.Y. City, where she said chicken is decent but people tend to throw the bones on the floors of the subway when they are finished, which made us all laugh

Kara-age + beer = double good

Finally a lite snack at home before Kiri had to leave to catch her bus to Osaka.  I know you are asking how we could eat and drink so much, and the truth is I have no idea.  We'll just call it talent and years of dedication and training.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 Aya and I were lucky enough to catch Santa while he was in our neighborhood

I learned that Santa is much smaller at the beginning of his journey before he bulks up on cookies and milk

Santa explains to Aya that she has to be twice as good as she was if she expects to get all of the things on her list 

Our Japanese Christmas tree.  Just like the real thing only smaller.  Much, much smaller.

And finally Christmas dinner at 'Osho' one of our favorite places for yaki-gyoza.  Nothing like living a scene straight out of A Christmas Story.

We hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Brian & Aya

Yuri & Yoshiko's Birthday Dinner

We celebrated both Yuri & Yoshiko's birthdays by going to a restaurant that specializes in tofu.  We did a party course that consisted of 13 courses built around tofu in all its forms and flavors.  It was delicious and a fun evening.  Looking back I should have been taking pictures of each course when it arrived but I simply did not have the willpower to wait the 5 seconds that would have taken before tasting each one  

 Yuri models the birthday top hat which seems destined to become a common theme for birthday celebrations going forward.

Now it is Yoshiko-sans turn 

 Kompai!

 I did manage to get a picture of the special desert for Yoshiko-san.  That is probably only because it was not in front of me.  It's was funny because the desert was only 1/2 of the size of the one pictured on the menu, literally (we held them side by side).  It was even funnier when Miyakoda-san pointed it out to the waitress who did not know how to respond.

Miyakoda-san wishes the desert goodbye and then take his turn 

 In case you were wondering once the birthday girls modeled the birthday hat it spent the majority of the evening on Miyakoda-san who was also celebrating his birthday...in August 

 Miyakoda-san shows off the fall treat that Aya & I gave to Yoshiko-san and told her she could share if Miyakoda-san was good.

I think he likes it...or maybe he is daring us to try to take it away.  

Yanaka Day Trippin

Aya and I enjoyed our "Health & Sports Day" national holiday by spending the day touring Yanaka.  The holiday is celebrated on the 2nd monday of October to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.  Its a shame they did not win the bid to host the 2016 games...I am sure no one would turn down another holiday.

Never thought I would see the dixie flag on a side street in Tokyo... 

...especially at an R&B bar, but I guess both are southern and go with Jack Daniels.

A long line for famous menchikatsu, think breaded and fried meatloaf and then immediately get in line

One of many temples located around Yanaka 

 A cool "sticker" on the gate to enter the temple

I am fascinated with the alleys in Tokyo 

Another alley that has been turned into an arcade and houses many small restaurants and food/snack shops 

 A Japanese senbei (rice cracker) shop 

 Aya and I both really like this house.  It is so simple yet has so much character.

 A modern wall made using tradition tiles to create patterns in the stucco...

 ...and a historic earth wall directly across the street

I am also fascinated with the old derelict buildings in Tokyo 

 Time to enjoy a beer and one of those world famous menchikatsu while we rest our feet after a long day of exploring

there is not a line in the world long enough to make me pass up fried meatloaf 

the view from the makeshift street 'bar' in front of the woman on the lefts alcohol store 

doesn't every dog need a pair of overalls?  Tokyo makes me realize how ridiculous American dogs must feel walking around 'naked' all the time.