March, 2016

MARCH!



March, 2016 means the Shinkansen now runs into Hokkaido! This is big news for people with cameras. I just happened to be working up north on the debut day. Such a beautiful train.



I had to celebrate with this sake. The label was designed by the same guy as the train. And the same guy who designed the Enzo Ferrari. And the same guy who designed the Batmobile (the shit one from Batman Forever).



Camping on the shore of Lake Biwa in March is amazing. It's considered the off-season, so no one goes. Why was I at Biwako?



To eat some 4 year old fermented fish. This was a big check for my culinary adventures.



Adventures that are greatly helped by effective tax deductions. If you live in Japan, print out and use this for your annual returns.



Is ramen considered entertainment or miscellaneous?



What about sushi?



Another on the checklist.



Check my Instagram for my initial comments on Sukiyabashi Jiro. I hope to launch Sushi Adventures sometime soon, and I'll have a lot to say about this place. One of the most interesting, stressful, delicious, expensive meals of my life.





No sweets, except for kakigori.



And . . . action! Do you love ramen?



I do, I really do.



How big of a ramen nerd are you? Do you paint your nails with mini ramen bowls?



Do you drag your friends into the wilderness for a bowl?





I do.

February, 2016

２月



Meanwhile, somewhere in France. Yep, that's my book on the shelf of a soon-to-be-opened ramen shop in Paris. Amazing.

And speaking of my book . . .



I guess now is as good as anytime to announce that I was given an offer to write another one. While the last one was about Tokyo ramen shops, this next one will be more about ramen and travels around Japan. As you can see from above, I've been having trouble getting words onto paper.

Speaking of books about ramen . . .



My friend Amy Kimoto-Kahn published her first book! Even if you don't cook, check this one out for the amazing photos and stories. Buy it here!

Speaking of friends . . .



I took my friend and his daughter to Kawaii Monster Cafe. I kinda wanted to go, and this presented the perfect opportunity. While she had cake, we drank cocktails.

Speaking of sake . . .



Did you try it?



They actually contain 0.8% alcohol, and have a slight aroma of Japanese sake.

Speaking of real sake . . .



Craft Sake Week was fun.



Speaking of booze . . .



Speaking of Star Wars . . .



Speaking of stars . . .



Still shooting ramen videos for the show Tokyo Extra. We are on air every Sunday night on TBS in Japan, along with a YouTube livestream. Or you can just check out the individual ramen videos online. If you are into YouTube, I'd appreciate all the likes, comments, and subscribes that you can spare.



Speaking of  . . . extra . . .



How about some extra old steaks?

Speaking of extra old . . .



Had a nice haikyo hunt with the usual suspects. For about $20 in gas and food, we spent a day visiting real-life history that has been all but forgotten. Add to that some awesome roads and great ramen, and you have what life is all about.



I always wondered what I would do if I found some money at one of these modern ruins. Well, we hit pay dirt!



Speaking of dirt . .



Anything for that perfect shot!