Thomas Kramer Travel Blog 2013: Tokyo
At over 12 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, Tokyo is the core of the most populated urban area in the world, Greater Tokyo (which has a population of 35 million people). This huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.
OMG- I love Tokyo. I can’t say it enough, I love the place.
Tokyo is vast: it’s best thought of not as a single city, but a constellation of cities that have grown together. Tokyo’s districts vary wildly by character, from the electronic blare of Akihabara to the Imperial gardens and shrines of Chiyoda, from the hyperactive youth culture mecca of Shibuya to the pottery shops and temple markets of Asakusa. If you don’t like what you see, hop on the train and head to the next station, and you will find something entirely different.
GREAT FUN at ROBOT RESTAURANT in Tokyo with Mina Otsuka & Japanese POP IKON JOE INOUE!!
As the Huffington post wrote:”It feels like a sequence in a Sci Fi film or a bonus stage in a video game.The highlight of the show is the appearance — finally — of the big, broad and busty Fem Bots. Each robot consist of an upper torso and legs mounted on — pardon the pun – a metal, motor-driven chassis and dressed in classic kitschy video-game, warrior-princess style.”
[nggallery id=59]The brightly colored, neon-enhanced robots requires one or two girl operators who sing along to the song and dance routine as the robots glide around the dance floor. The robots move their arms, head, fingers, mouth and legs.
It feels like a sequence in a Sci Fi film or a bonus stage in a video game.
The sheer quantity and variety of food in Tokyo will amaze you. Department stores have food halls, typically in the basement, with food which surpasses top delicatessans in other world cities. Some basements of train stations have supermarkets with free taste testers. It’s a great way to sample some of the strange dishes they have for free.
Best food presentation in any restaurant of the world – I LOVE TOKYO!!
Robataya is located in Roppongi, the international gourmet center of Tokyo. Enjoy the ambience of a festive wholesale market in a traditional Japanese setting with a rustic wooden interior. The cuisine is as authentic as the atmosphere with our highly selected fresh fish, meats and vegetables grilled delicately on a open hearth.
[nggallery id=56]The chefs sit on a deck surrounded by carefully selected ingredients on display. The atmosphere is a recreation of a traditional farmhouse and one is seated around the open heart, counter seats. To order, just get the chef’s attention and point at what you want for him to scoop up your choice on a huge wooden paddle and cook it right before your eyes and is served back to you on the same paddle. Very lively setting and exciting once in a lifetime experience to come in contact with the Japanese staff as well as meeting others enjoying the evening.
OMG- The Kobe meat was unique- try it folks!
Kōbe is known worldwide for its Kobe beef, exquisitely marbled, very fatty and very expensive beef. Recommended for a splurge, but expect to pay close to ¥10,000 per head.
[nggallery id=58]At the opposite end of the culinary spectrum is sobameshi (そば飯), a concoction of fried rice and noodles mixed together, which is cheap, filling and pretty much unique to Kobe.
[nggallery id=57]Tokyo has a large number of restaurants, so see the main Japan guide for the types of food you will encounter and some popular chains. Menus are often posted outside, so you can check the prices. Some shops have the famous plastic food in their front windows. Don’t hesitate to drag the waiting staff out to the front to point at what you want. Always carry cash. Many restaurants will not accept credit cards.
Tokyo’s Chiyoda (千代田)- Ward is the center of the city and in many ways the center of all Japan. A mere 12 km² houses the Imperial Palace, the Diet, the ministries of Kasumigaseki, the corporate headquarters of Marunouchi, the controversial Yasukuni Shrine… and still has room left over for the shopping districts of Akihabara, Jimbocho and Kanda.
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Have you been to Japan? Do you love asian food? Leave a comment!
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THX ~ TK
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