Japan: Takodanababa & Ramen 2012-06-28

Takodanababa is a neighbourhood of Tokyo with a bit of a more youthful vibe, catering primarily to high school and college aged kids. There are tons of affordable restaurants and an especially competitive ramen market in the area. Personally, I wasn't so much worried about the politics as the tastiness of a steaming hot bowl of noodle-y goodness. I happened upon a tiny ramenya off one of the many small, winding alleyways that fill Tokyo as a whole where ample personality bubbled out from not only the decor but my chef, all to be taken with a gratuitous grain of salt. If you can't get past the golden dong on the ticket machine, you may want to look elsewhere for your consumption. ;)

Japan: Shin-Okubo 2012-06-18

Shin-Okubo is Tokyo's epicentre for accessible Korean culture and food. Shortly upon stepping outside the station you'll find yourself in a vibrant and colourful neighbourhood full of restaurants, groceries, culture-stores plastered in images of the moment's most popular idols and lots of cosmetic shops. Korean cosmetics and skincare have been gaining in notoriety and for good reason!

Japan: Winter vibes 2011

Having recently acquired my beloved Mamachari, it was time to do some exploring!

Japan: Urayasu station & Indian grub

Urayasu station was about equidistant with Shin-Urayasu station from my residence, so I split my time between the two "local" stations quite a bit, while Maihama was heavily associated with work and more likely to be a stop on my way home as opposed to a day off venture. 

On this lovely winter day, my friend & coworker Zoltan and I decided to explore a bit together. His residence was closer to Urayasu station, so we agreed to have dinner there.

Japan: Daily grind 2012年10月

Clockwise from top left: Natto, mozuku (slippery vinegar seasoned seaweed), soy sauce, coffee with milk, mackerel sashimi with 2 umeboshi & shredded daikon, cooked white rice (from 711!) 

View from the bus window during my morning commute.

Flowers in front of Ikspiari during the walk to work from the bus stop.

Reading materials. The only books I haven't managed to read yet are Player Piano and Mr Rosewater by Vonnegut. I quite enjoyed The Grand Design and Cat's Cradle has long been a favorite of mine. I got The Science Delusion to help counterbalance the Dawkins, as both can be a bit dogmatic. Always best to gather as much information as you can before coming to any conclusions. 

"The Cat Returns" film Comics & Howl's Moving Castle art book.

Zaru soba with iwashi (sardines), umeboshi, mozuku and tare. 

Dessert sweet puffs and takoyaki from Gindako in Ikspiari.

Goofing off X3 We have exceptionally good balance or particularly flat heads…hm...

Touch screen vending machine with cute Halloween & fall themed animations that would float by from time to time until someone approached the machine.