January 2016

Happy New Years



Another year, same ol' Japan! Never change, Japan!



Never change.



I've been going a bit hard on the sushi scene lately.



As well as the fine-dining scene. Yes, I'm becoming one of those people.



So much so that I now have an opinion on truffles. Basically, I don't understand what all the hype is about. I mean the crazy, truffles-over-bitches mentality that people seem to have. Am I missing something? Good, but not that good. I have, though, had flavorless truffles, and others with a wonderful, strong scent, so maybe I'm just missing the next level, where it becomes some sort of ambrosia. Who knows.



I see a new food trend this year!



Cutlets . . .from an animal. What animal?



Mazesoba . . . from an animal. What animal?



Tokyo ramen school, coming soon.



Classy. They poured me a primo cup of cold sake in this beautiful ochoko, and then hit me with another cup of it hot.



Feeling good after this one, I had to hit up the Murakami exhibit.



So legit.



Go before it is gone (March something).





I have a sake guy at a sake shop. He knows me, and knows what I like. I want 2 or 3 bottles of dry daiginjo, and another bottle of something random. Well, my guy wasn't in, so someone else helped me out. So far, I've only tried the two on the right, and they were both pretty bad. About to dip into the next one.





Thanks, Mike, for the shoe delivery. #31cminJapan



A nishonshu vending machine. The top row all cost a dollar. A buck for a cup of booze.



Best sushi in Toyama at 鮨人. Amazing.



Also, this is thought of as the most beautiful Starbucks in Japan. Pretty stellar design, and the dog-friendly patio was a great place to sit for a couple hours.



In the cold months, vending machines have lots of hot choices. Let's see, do I want coffee, coffee, coffee, corn soup, or clam juice?