Sushi for Lunch

Sushi done right!

For the Japanese Sushi is a meal for any time of the day.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all acceptable times to have fresh sushi.  Accompanying sushi is usually an egg custard, miso soup and hot green tea.  The best part is that most sushi costs the equivalent to $9 USD for the entire entree.  …

The GOP fights it out...with themselves

The Japan Times

During my stay in Tokyo the hotel has delivered the English version of the Japan Times newspaper to my room daily. I find it interesting what topics are of top interest for the Japanese. I have taken photographs of many of the comic strips and other important messages I have seen throughout the week. On …

Awesome Balloon Sign

Streets of Tokyo

Today I wandered the streets of Tokyo with my friend Yukie-san. She took me to some famous shopping areas and streets and even helped me master the Tokyo train system. We visited the famous Hello Kitty “Kittyland”. Hello Kitty was created in Japan in 1974 and has remained a favorite for kids and adults all …

Hands and mouth must be washed before entering

Meiji Shrine

Today I visited the famous Meiji Shrine located in the heart of Tokyo on 175 acres of evergreen forests . The trees planted within the grounds of the shrine we all donated as a gift to the emperor. After the death of emperor Meiji in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his …

Baked fig with candied beans and mint

Tofu for you?

This evening I was treated to a restaurant specializing in Tofu dishes. Tofu is one of the healthiest dishes you can possibly eat but just the thoughs of soybean curd does not seem appetizing to most. My experience tonight changed my opinion on Tofu. The restaurant we visited is nearly 320 years old. All tofu …

Japanese Squatter Instructions

Squat, Sit or Stand?

The Japanese seem to have a fetish with toilets. They come in many varieties each with their very own personality. Today I found myself in a train station faced with the dreaded “squatter”. This is the most common toilet across Japan and for me the most intimidating. I found myself wondering what I should do …

Soba Noodles with Tempura

Japanese Noodle Adventure

Today was my first full day spent immersed in the Japanese culture. My day started with a short, and expensive, taxi ride to my place of work. I was meeting, for the first time, the Japan team I have been working with for months. They are such a terrific group. Though we do have language …

Tokyo View at Night

Konnichiwa Tokyo

Hello from Tokyo! After a very hard day of travel I have landed in the exciting and fast paced city of Tokyo. My flight from Singapore was cancelled due to an aircraft maintenance problem so I boarded a later flight which landed me in Haneda instead of Narita early in the morning. The drive in …

Oscar, the star of the show

Songs of the Sea

Tonight I attended the highly rated laser light and pyrotechnics show called “Songs of the Sea. The show is about a boy with a wonderful singing voice who can restore lost talents to creatures living in the sea. When the show first began it seemed very much geared towards small children. However, once the water, …

Palawan Beach

Palawan Beach

Today I visited Palawan beach. It is the southernmost point of continental Asia. This is every child’s dream! Palawan beach is protected from the waves of the sea by a string of barrier islands. There are swinging rope bridges connecting the mainland to the barrier islands. On the barriers are tall observation decks, sun chairs …