Happy Mother's Day!

Hi everybody,

One last post from my mother's visit.  I think I'm a little late getting this up in time for Mother's Day, but I wanted to post it regardless.  Here's the deal:  My mom is awesome

And while she loved going on our little adventures together, she also had a goal:  She wanted to help me out getting my apartment together.  She wanted to get me the little things to make my apartment more comfortable, more homey.  We walked around (which wasn't easy for her after foot surgery) Ikea and Costco, neighborhood places and big department stores.

I didn't take a picture of everything, because most of the great stuff she got me were just little things (a dish rack, a board to place over my washer for extra counter space, a hall tree).  But here are a few of the things that make me smile to look at them, because they came with thoughtfulness and love!

A lamp, because she wants me to be comfortable sitting on my couch reading a book

A car rug, because every damn apartment is better with a rug that allows you to pretend that your feet are cars

She even tracked down a table that's the *perfect* height for my couch!

Oh, and she actually dragged out two of my pots, a skillet, and a massive heavy pan *on the airplane*.  Because she is my mom

That's my mom, she's pretty amazing.  She outfitted my apartment, both with things she bought and things she brought over



This last one I wanted to post, however, isn't something my mother got me.  It's something she instructed me to purchase once I moved into my apartment (and actually, my friend Brittani beat me to it by getting it for me for my birthday!).  It's a toaster oven, and I have it for a very specific reason

"Do you have an oven?"
"No, just a stove"
"You should pick up a toaster oven"
"Nah I don't think I need one"
"No, you should pick up a toaster oven"
"How come?"
"Because at some point, you're going to want to make nachos"

. . . how do mothers get to be so wise????  It's amazing



This is a post about my mother, and how she worked to do the little things to turn my house into a home

Noah out

NoahandMominTokyo 2: The Sequel (Hatonomori Park, Sendagaya)

Hi all,

Continuing from my last post, another post featuring my mom!  I didn't take a lot of pictures, we were too busy running around for me to photo document it a lot.  But one more thing I wanted to share with you all

We headed on back to Sendagaya, the neighborhood our family lived in when she was born.  And we headed to Hatomori Park, which my mother remembers playing at when she was only 5 years old.  I know, I know, you guys are probably tired of seeing yet another little park in Tokyo, regardless of the emotional value for me and mine ;)

But this one is pretty cool.  It's famous for its Fuji-zaka hill, which is to say a miniature model of Mt. Fuji.  Complete with tiny models of some of the shrines on the mountain, it's a great little landmark that's popular with both tourists and the ubiquitous little kids running up and down it (my mother used to be one of those!)

Guide map and everything, so you don't get lost on the trek up.  Oxygen tanks not provided, sadly

Remind me to come back later in Spring and Summer, when the flowers are blooming!

Great view from the top, too!

A very nice little day hike, all things considered!

As for the rest of the park, I don't know if it would necessarily be a spot for every tourist coming to Tokyo, but it's a very pleasant way to spend a warm Spring afternoon.  There's a wonderful little shrine and even a stage for Noh performances on summer evenings.  Nice little spot, for sure

Wash your hands before paying respects, of course

A small donation is customary, I like to think of it as fee to get to ring the bell

A beautiful setting for a neighborhood park

Anyways, nothing major to say.  One of my favorite parts of living in Tokyo is participating in the generations of my family's history that have taken place here.  This one is a pretty recent bit of family history, but just as precious!

Noah out

NoahandMominTokyo (Coscto adventure!!!)

Hi everybody,

I would like to introduce the most special of special guests:  A wonderful lady, who has gone by many names in her life, from Your Honor to The Reverend Irene . . . but I prefer "Mom"

In order to celebrate the anniversary of her nativity, my mother flew out here to Tokyo.  Although she's visited many times, this was her first time celebrating her birthday in the city of her birth since her 5th.  A very special birthday, for a very special lady!



So what do Noah and Mom do in Tokyo?  Well certainly there are the standard touristy things, as well as taking her to meet my friends at all of my favorite eating establishments and watering holes.  But my family has another fun hobby whenever we have an opportunity while travelling:  Checking out Costco to see what different stuff they have (mostly food.  Let's be real, almost entirely food.  If this blog didn't give you a hint, food is pretty important in my family)

Hawaiian Costco sells all sorts of great Asian products that mainland ones don't.  Costco in the American South sell chicken coops (which totally counts as a food product, if you're patient).  And Japanese Costco?  Awesome

"Even the Hawaiian Costco doesn't have shoyu [soysauce-simmered] pork!"

"These prawns are amazing!  They're not even from Japan, they're from Argentina, why don't they have these in other Costcos???"

"Well it makes sense that they don't have shiokara [fermented squid] at other Costcos.  White people don't usually like this"

"Oh man, we need a picture of this.  Grandma pays like $10 for a tiny, tiny jar of this"

"Ochazuke no moto!  [Japanese comfort food, green tea poured over leftover rice and other seasonings.  Probably worth a post later, huh?]  This is it, I want this for my souvenir picture from this trip!"

Every family is different.  Every family has different things that are important to it.  My family?  My family is about the food--what to eat, how to prepare it, and of course where to get the ingredients.  That's how we roll :)

Noah out

Yuki kuni (NoahandLexiinTokyo)

Hi everybody,

Momentous occasion for me, but I got to see my first snow here in Tokyo!

Not a blizzard, certainly not compared to whatever's going on in the East Coast back in the States, but not messing around either

My friend Lexi and I had already planned to hit Harajuku and Meiji Shrine that day, and so I asked her if she was still down to go if there was snow.  She's a trooper, and she said it would be no problem.  Thus, Noah and Lexi (after getting some pretty fantastic gyoza) made our way to Meiji Jingu just in time to get some fantastic pictures of the snow

Our side trip to get lunch first allowed the snow to turn into a light rain, so the landscape had a few splashes of color rather than a pure greyscale

Lexi, undaunted by the weather and with a smile on her face!

I didn't let it slide too often for much of this trip, but I told Lex it was ok to go in to see the shrine without the traditional purifying wash of the hands.  I did wash mine, however, and it was so cold I almost wish I hadn't.  Ok not really, but seriously my hands hurt from the cold for a half an hour after that

I've said it before, I'll say it again.  Everybody gets presents of sake and other such treats for their birthdays (I did, that's for sure!).  But you gotta be a real baller to continue getting sake birthday presents even after you're dead

No profound commentary or other observations to add.  Meiji Jingu is a wonderful place, a really delightful juxtaposition to the bustle of Tokyo life (especially considering that Harajuku, with its crazy fashion and blasting music, is just around the corner).  It speaks a lot to the Japanese spirit to have such a large park honoring Emperor Meiji--and it's important to note that though Emperor Meiji is responsible for bringing Japan into the modern era, the shrine in his honor is pure old Japan style.  Accepting and embracing the old while style respecting and revering the past, that's pretty much a summary of Japan for the last century and a half

And it doesn't hurt that said park provides for some pretty wonderful photo ops

Noah

CURRY IS DELICIOUS, JOSH

Hi everybody,

So, a little bit ago, my good friend Josh checked his inbox to find the following message:

From: Noah T***
To: Josh K***
Subject: CURRY IS DELICIOUS JOSH

"Hey Josh,

What are you up to this weekend?  Oh, yeah, uh-huh, cool, whatever I don't care because this weekend is the KANDA CURRY GRAND PRIX and we are going

http://kanda-curry.com/

CURRY IS DELICIOUS, JOSH"



And thus began our curry adventure . . .

See, Kanda, an area in Central Tokyo, is known among other things for its curry.  Jinbocho, for instance, is in the heart of Kanda.  And it is in fact in Jinbocho that, once a year, the curry shops get together to hold the Curry Grand Prix.  Which is exactly what you're all hoping it is--the best curry shops in the area get together, set up booths in an empty lot, and compete to see who has the most delicious curry.  Wanna know who won?  Spoiler:  Everybody

Just one of many rows of curry shops, I want to say there were at least 20.  Sorry I didn't realize that I didn't take many pictures of the grounds as a whole, it was raining and it's hard to take pictures while holding an umbrella

Like I said, definitely a little sprinkly.  I actually thought this was a good thing since it kept the lines short as most people hung out under the canopy.  Josh was a little sad about the rain, he's lived away from Seattle for too many years (for shame, Josh)

This is serious business, these guys even bought a portable naan oven--and I say portable in the sense that it was moved at least once, not in the sense that it looked in any way small or compact or less than a few hundred pounds (18 megajoules)

Many of the shops had sides to help sway people to their cause, most notably some outstanding grilled chicken.  Which seems kinda like cheating in a curry competition, but you didn't hear me complaining

So yes, some of you might have been confused by the naan oven and bright orange chicken.  No, Japanese curry is not usually served with naan, nor is it a crazy new trend to color one's yakitori.  However, this is an all-inclusive curry festival, meaning both Japanese- and Indian-style curries are welcome.  And that's definitely a good thing, because some of those Indian curries were absolutely fantastic.  Josh and I split our time right down the middle between both Indian and Japanese, although we got excited and forgot to take pictures half the time (I'd like to say it was a "I thought you were gonna take a picture" "I thought you were gonna take a picture!" thing, but mostly it was both of us simultaneously getting so excited to try the next curry that thought never entered into the equation at all)

Mandala Curry, both of our favorites--creamy, rich curry just barely on this side of too spicy--a bold choice given the Japanese palette

Although we agreed that, if you were going to give strong points to the grilled chicken, this one came close to the crown as well

Not to be outdone, the Japanese shops put out some fantastic offerings, including this one topped with an onsen egg (soft-boiled inside the shell)

All in all, I gotta say this was almost the best possible way I could imagine spending a Saturday (because afterwards of course we walked over to check out the used bookstores in Jinbocho)

Cheers!

Noah (and Josh!) out

Hawaiian and Tahitian Festival in Odaiba!

Hi guys,

K, fully recovered and ready to get back to adventuring!  In this case, said adventure took place out on the man-made island of Odaiba out in Tokyo Bay.  And what a gorgeous day it was for the trip . . .

Haven't been back in years.  Last time I was here, we rode on a red Ferris Wheel car ;)

Now just cuz I'm here in Japan doesn't mean I'm limiting myself to Japanese culture alone.  So when my friend Eris suggested that we check out a Hawaiian and Tahitian Festival, I was all manner of down.  Awesome way to spend a sunny Saturday!

Music!  Best duo I've seen live since Elephant Gazebo

Crafts!  All handmade, by the way, which is awesome

Pretty dancing ladies!  Who are also, really, really good dancers!

Awesome performances, combined with the sunshine and Japan's legality of drinking in public, meant that this was just about the perfect way to spend a day



"Ok Noah, we applaud you for your restraint in waiting this long to start talking about the food.  You may tell us what you ate"

. . . thanks, I'm glad you appreciate the effort that took.  Yes, food trucks all over!  I love food trucks!  I was happy to see all of the Hawaiian food available, but considering that I was just there I gravitated quickly to the Tahitian food stands (Eris ended up getting a Loco Moco from one of the Hawaiian places, and yeah . . . it looked pretty amazing).  Tahitian food, like much Polynesian cuisine, revolves around grilled meats and fish.  So I knew from the beginning I was gonna be happy.  Although the skewers looked delicious, I opted on the grilled shrimp sandwich--and was not at all disappointed

Very delicious food comes out of dudes in vans so tiny they sit hunched over while grilling.  I have always known this to be true

Also, they brew beer in Tahiti! Pretty solid amber ale, actually.  Although at this point I get enthusiastic about anything not a lager

Oh, and before you jump in and say, "how can that be Tahitian if it's on French bread?" let me remind you that French-style bread isn't native to Vietnam either but that doesn't stop them from enjoying banh mi.  Oh, and tomatoes aren't native to Italy, potatoes aren't native to Ireland, and peppers aren't native to Hungary.  So if an island in *French Polynesia* wants to put their food into baguettes, they have as much right as that Italian pouring tomato sauce on his pasta (which was also not invented in Italy!)



Anyways, more music!  The final stage of the night was a very cool band from Tahiti--a band called Pepena, totally check them out. Island music, with enough Rock (and, to my ear, a touch of late Santana) to keep me very interested

. . . who it just so happens had been sitting next to us drinking all afternoon.  They were awesome, awesome guys, we hung out chatting for a while.  They've been in Japan all week, did all the tourist stuff.  I asked them some about Tahiti (yet another place I wanna go, how exhausting).  Totally rad dudes, liked them ever before we saw them play

We got a picture with the band, because we are awesome

The show was small, certainly way smaller than they're used to, at least.  But dude, a ton of fun, perfect way to end the day

(as a side note, that synchronized waving was completely uncoached by the band.  Either they've all been to a show together before, which is unlikely cuz this was Pepena's first trip to Japan, or it's yet another product of the Japanese hivemind.  You decide)

Great day of sunshine, performance, and food.  Plus, I took home a signed CD as a souvenir.  Great day

Noah out

NoahandMasonandXiaoandCheinTokyo Resurrection (Ginza and Yurakucho)

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Hi everybody,

Part 4!  The final installment of our quartet, in which Our Heroes took the subway on down to Ginza, "The Fifth Avenue of Tokyo".  Burberry and Tiffany's, Hermes and Armani and Cartier, you'll find them in Ginza.  Glitz and glamour, in every direction (including up)

UniQlo's flagship store, twelve (!!!) stories tall

Of course, amidst the high fashion and French cafes, there's all sorts of cool unexpected stuff as well!  The surprising fan favorite was a shop specializing in traditional paper crafts: Mason picked up a ton of origami paper, Xiao bought a set of brushes for his younger sister (who, like mine, got the whole share of artistic talent), and Che found a very cool paper sphere desk ornament--prompting the other two to spend the rest of the evening looking at trinkets in every shop, "because I want something cool to put on my desk too!"

We thought we were pretty much done with spending money for the day, until Mason found the stationary supplies store.  High School Noah would be so proud, I remember I stocked up on pens and pencils every single time I came out to Japan.  Japan has the best office supplies

He started out by just writing his name and suchlike, but then realized "wait, this is how I should test it out"

Sadly, Our Hero is not perfect.  He is human, and fallible.  And after telling the three guys that I was going to take them to Sony's flagship showroom, letting them see a glimpse of the products that are going to hit US shores a few months from now.  Alas, the entire shop is closed for renovations all week long!



I thought about taking the honorable way out, but sadly they wouldn't let me.  Instead, we moved on to the final stage of our exciting, awesome day:  Yakitori with the salarymen.  This quintessential after-work bar didn't seem like the place to pull out my camera and take a bunch of pictures, as much as I would have liked to.  You'll have to close your eyes and imagine the hustle and bustle of a restaurant that is absolutely empty at 7pm but gets packed to the rafters with Japanese people in light shirts and dark suits as soon as they get off of work at around 8.  The beer and sake flow freely, and every few minutes your next order of skewered meat shows up at your table

I stole one shot, a nice idea of the detritus left in our wake.  Empty glasses, bare remnants of meat (and they didn't last long either), and a bunch of empty skewers

Conversation topics included but were not limited to the following:

• Online dating (and the societal implications that can be drawn from them)
• Whether or not the US should just allow Ukraine to fall in order to wake up Europe (Xiao's idea, the rest of us are all just worried about what could go wrong)
• Which animal you would be most willing to let go of if we had to get rid of chickens, pigs, or cows (Xiao: Chickens because they've been domesticated the most recently; Che: Cows, because they are the least depended on in poorer countries; Mason: Chickens, because that flavor is the most easily replaceable; Noah: Pigs, because eggs are useful and cows are way too delicious to give up)

Now that's how you end a day of sightseeing


In case it wasn't abundantly clear, I had an absolutely fantastic day; of course, I'd like to thank Mason, Xiao, and Chun Che for letting me show them around one of my favorite cities in the world.  Not everyone can make it through my entire day-in-Tokyo itinerary, these guys were absolutely a blast.  They were the brave guinea pigs to be my first guests, but if you're reading this blog you're welcome to be next!

Noah out

NoahandMasonandXiaoandChe and the Last Crusade (Sensoji Temple)

Part 1
Part 2

Hi everyone,

Part 3!  We last left our heroes on a boat trip up the Sumida River, where was their destination?  Possibly the most famous sight in all of Tokyo, Sensoji Temple.  The walk up went something like this:

Che:  "Where's this temple?"
Noah:  "You'll know it when you see it . . ."

"I think I found it!"

Although, technically speaking, Chun Che was incorrect--that's not the temple itself, merely the gate to the walkway up to the temple.  In order to get to the temple, we had to brave about a half a kilometer of souvenir shops.  It's amazing, I love it

We have our shop of postcards and keychains next to a shop of traditional woodblock prints next to a shop of plastic action figures next to a shop of kimonos.  A personal favorite of my mother's is the little shop specializing in miniatures  See, I figured out a rule for my mom (which is actually pretty effective with most girls) that if something is smaller than a normal version of that thing, then it is "cute":

That said, I probably could have figured out even without the rule that a tiny statue of kittens fighting is pretty cute

Hopefully you'll be able to make it to the temple itself (without buying too much stuff), and you'll be rewarded.  Hundreds of thousands of people come every year to pay their respects.  I recommend you do as well, it's not hard!

Walk through the second gate, flanked by the gods of wind and thunder

Wash your hands at the spring

Purchase a stick of incense for 100yen

And place it in the burner, letting the smoke wash over you

And then, not technically part of paying your respect, but I think that going to have some nice soba noodles is an indispensable part of the experience as well.  But maybe that's just me.  I recommend Namiki Yabu Soba, which has been hand-making their noodles for generations

I don't want to perpetuate racial stereotypes, but it's worth noting that Mason, upper-right, was the only one that started eating right away because the three Asian boys stopped to take pictures of their food

Not a bad day so far for three Pageboys!

Next up:  Ginza!

Noah out

Part 4