Japanorama

The last leg of my trip was in Japan. So after skipping from San Francisco to Johannesburg back to San Francisco then to New York and back to SF AGAIN, I finally made it to the land of the rising sun. I was actually here 2 years ago but my brother and his wife moved to Tokyo in March so this was a great opportunity to see what life would be out there! Without the pressure of sightseeing I could just enjoy the Tokyian experience and focus on the best part - the food!

My brother's place was fantastic! Very centrally located and a whole lot bigger than I would ever have guessed. My brother and sister-in-law were working during the day and I spent my time visiting places around Tokyo and eating as many delicious things as possible. We would meet in the evenings for dinner and merriment so it was a great, relaxing 10 days.

Check the time on the clock behind the sushi chef - that's right, sushi before 7am. Jetlag is a pain but at least it makes for a perfect way to visit the Tsujiki fish market. YUM.

See how the fat glistens on that toro? Yeah, awesome.

Fish market comes with all sorts of hazards.

I did make 1 (half-hearted) effort to do some sightseeing. I went to Kamakura, which is about an hour outside of Tokyo and features either the oldest or biggest buddha in Japan (I don't remember which. I've seen a lot of buddhas in my time). The best part was the sheer amount of old people and young kids - insights into the shaping demographics of Japan I guess. Either that, or they really like fieldtrips in Japan.

There was a ramen festival outside my brother's building - YES.

A $100 melon!

We went to a baseball game - Giants vs Dragons - though it might as well have been the Giants vs the Dodgers with the same colors and fonts. At least the mascots were different and way cuter. Baseball in Japan was definitely a different experience. All the chants were organized with bands and chants that were all sung in unison. It was incredible.

Me and my bro!

I came across the most systemic and organized beer festival in my life. There was a hug system with wristbands, tickets, renting mugs, returning mugs, eating spatzle and best of all there was actually a Bavarian band in full leiderhosen. I can't even explain it.


THANK GOD for the plastic food in the windows. I would never be able to order without pointing at what I wanted. And they were so realistic! Can you tell which one is the real deal?

I don't know, maybe they were shooting a commercial? I came across a camera crew filming these dudes in Sailor Moon outfits. Yeah, I don't get it either.