Starting with… eating, of course!
My parents came to visit in October, and we spend some time in Tokyo with them. My parents are as much into food as I am, so we took them on an eating and drinking tour. We tried something I had never done before: Okonomiyaki. This is another form of communal cooking/eating in Japan. The Japanese love cooking together, especially in the winter when a hot meal with friends warms you up from the inside. Tokyo has its own special version of Okonomiyaki. It is called Monjayaki, and there is an entire street (called Monja Street, naturally) with nothing but these types of restaurants.
You start with a large, hot griddle at your table. Then you are given a bowl of a batter with whatever ingredients you choose, and you go to town. Apparently, the difference between the Tokyo version and the other one (famous in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima) is that the other version is dryer and crispier. (Side note: I think I would have liked that better than the Monjayaki, which is kind of "wetter" for lack of a better term.) But both versions are fun, group activities where you get to cook at your table, which provides entertainment, a conversation focus, and fun.
Monja Street in Tokyo:
You start with this:
It ends up like this:
Full and happy after our Monjayaki!
There is SO much more about food here that is wonderful. I have so many more posts to fill just about food. But since I am on the food AND shopping route tonight, I will save the other food info for another day…
Now about shopping… as I've mentioned, the "100 yen" stores are pretty spectacular. It is crazy how much you can get for $1 here. Another really great thing here are the thrift stores. Japanese people take exceptionally great care of their things, so when they decide to donate something to a thrift store, it is always in amazing condition. Sometimes I have to wonder how in the world they got rid of these things.
Anyway, there is actually a chain of thrift stores here called "Book Off" - discovering new Book Offs is always fun because each has its own personality. Some have more clothes than others, some have electronics, etc. So many great finds to be had. Adam has been scoping out some guitars at one, and here I am with a leather bag ($8) and a water heater (also $8) I scored a month ago. I had been looking at $40 water heaters for months, so finding that one pretty much made my day!
Bottom line: there are certain things here that are really after my own heart: a good deal and a good meal? Can't beat that!
