Tokyo Skytree view from my room

Tokyo - I can see the Tokyo Skytree from my room and this is the hottest tourist spot now in Tokyo. 

Day time view

Night view of the Tokyo SkyTree

Raining in Tokyo

Tokyo - I arrived @ 5.30pm and looking out of the plane cabin; it has been raining.   The plane that I arrived on was a big jumbo A380 and it was put at the far end of the terminal.   It was a long walk to the immigration and by the time I arrive there, there was a long queue and it was snaking around with about 20 per row and 10 rows.   There were only 2 counters serving these amount of people very unlike the prior trips I made. 

By the time I finished and took my limo bus it was at 6.35pm to reach T-CAT and then a taxi to the hotel; it was already very late.   All the time I was thinking should I have sushi or cutsi (pork chop).   I would think that dinner with Terry will be a good sushi or sushi so I opt for my cutsi restaurant.

Quickly put my lugguage down, and walk to the restaurant and saw the sign that Subway is here.   I was thinking 'please don't take my pork chop restaurant; I love the tender and juicy pork chop and it was there.  Free flow of green tea, miso soup and salad - price Yen1,700

Japan and fascination with Good food

Tokyo - There is no country more gastronomic and passionate about food as Japan. Tea-making is a semi-religious ritual, pastry chefs can gain rock star status and people can queue for hours to buy courgette-flavoured macaroons or the first special mushrooms of the season.

According to Michelin guides - in 2007 Japan restaurants was awarded an unprecedented 191, more than they have bestowed on any other city. And now the new guide, Michelin Guide Tokyo 2008.

Japan's food obsession runs deeper than the huge array of top quality of restaurants. More than one third of Japanese commerical television is devoted to food-related themes, from wacky eating competitions to earnest cooking programmes. On a per-capita basis, inner Tokyo (pop. 8.5m) boasts the highest concentration fo eateries among the world's major cities - just under 200,000 according to the Japanese government, compared with about 20,000 restaurants for Paris and 23,000 restaurants for New York City.

Japan now draws more Michelin-starred chefs than any country apart from France.

This simple reason for this dine-out culture is Tokyo's population density: People tend ot live in small places, entertain rarely at home and eat out frequently. Entertainment expenses are still generous in Japanese business and Tokyo's vast financial industry.

Ref: Financial Times "However you slice it, Tokyo has taste" - 24 Nov 2007

Tsukiji again

Tokyo - Tim and Tony has never been to Tsukiji (the largest fish market in the world), so we met @ 4.30am at the lobby and reach Tsukiji around 5pm. We arrived early and had to wait because the auction of the Tunas did not start until 5.40am. The auction area was crowded with many people inspecting the tunas.

Later I was told by Terry that these bidders check the fat and quality of the Tunas by inspecting the tail. The higher the fat content the more expensive the Tuna cost. Maybe similiar to beef - which in this case they called 'marble' - the streaking fat on a piece of steak that when cooked just melts in your mouth.

All the Tuna's tail portion has been cut off leaving the red meat of the fish - some bidders were poking their fingers into the flesh of the Tuna. There are 2 section of the auction - the fresh Tunas and the frozen Tunas. The fresh Tuna auction is much more expensive - each Tuna can cost US$2,000 to US$ 20,000.

Old 747

Tokyo - This trip to Tokyo I booked my seats way at the back because it was a full flight on this 'red eye' and there are not many aisle seats left. But it was marred with 3 out of 4 toilets spoilt. I think this Boeing 747 is due for retirement but had to be dragged on because of the A380 delays. Whilst most airlines are using past 7-8 years. On this aircraft, knowing that SQ does a good job you can still see the discolouration on the decoration, breakdown on the toilets, and inflight entertainment screen is no longer sharp.

Took 1hr from Narita to reach Hotel East 21 @ 9.20am. I like this hotel because of the warm toilet seats - it is winter and can you imagine seating on a cold toilet seat...ouch! Furthermore, Japanese toilet seats has bidet.

I had breakfast at a Japanese burger fast food restaurant - Lotteria.

Lunch and dinner was at a soba tempura restaurant.
These restaurants are within 10 minutes walking distance from Hotel East 21.

The largest fish market in the world

TOKYO - I was determined to see this fish market which I understood is the larget in the world. Told the front desk to wake me up at 4.30am - had to repeat to her several times before she understood it was 4.30am. Got the morning call as expected..to be even "kiasu" - I set the alarm on my hand phone and the bed-side clock too.

At 4.30am, I did not want to wake up but I dragged myself out of bed and took the taxi (about Yen 17,000) from Hotel East 21 to Tsukiji about 20 minutes away by taxi.

Tokyo Central Wholesale Market handled 787,782 tons (2,888 tons a day) of marine products, 748 billion yen (2.8 billion yen a day). Some 450 kinds of fish are received; this figure is unparalleled in the world. Marine products sections are set up in three markets: Tsukiji, Ohta and Adachi. Above all Tsukiji Market, handling 87% of the total amount, is one of the biggest markets in the world.

There are plans by the Japanese Government to relocate Tsukiji fish market to another location about 3km away at Toyosu on Tokyo Bay - probably by 2012 - but are facing strong protest.

The taxi dropped me at the fish market retail end, so I had to walk quite a distance towards the wholesale part of Tsukiji market. I was looking around and it was so quiet, wondering whether I am at Tsukiji fish market. I realize I was very early and the Tuna bidding is still going on.

I reached the end of the Tsukiji market after navigating the dark alleys of this monstrous size fish market and was not disappointed after a long walk. Here I find 2 big rooms which are gathered many bidders and auctioneers. There is a sign warning against unauthorized entry into the TUNA Room. You can hear the loud auction going on with the shouting of the bid prices. I have never seen so many tunas all in one place and the tunas are huge! The auction was held in an air-conditioned environment. They have system of shouting and hand signals, cannot make out what they are doing. The bidding for Tuna was so exciting - middlemen were bidding it higher and higher. After the bid was won, the Tuna was tow away and put on wooded hand carriages pulled by the middlemen back to their store to be cut and sold to retailers and restaurant owners.

For a large fish market - the place looks decently well-kept but you have to be extra careful of the fork-lifts, one-man motorized cargo movers, and numerous small vehicles moving around the market.

Before going back to the hotel, I treat myself to a good sashimi and sushi breakfast - it was really good and fresh - costing about Yen21,000 for the set meal. There are only 39 restaurants that are allowed within Tsukiji market. Many of these restaurants are family business and I understand taht many of these dates back more than 3 generations. That is also one of the reason why these restaurants are so popular.

There are many simple restaurants around Hotel East 21.

• Had lunch at Lotteria - a burger joint - their burgers taste delicious - the set I had for lunch cost Yen570
• Dinner @Yamagoya - a fast food noodle shop - still will cost you Yen1,310 for a bowl of noodles. Below is what I had for my dinner meal.

Mukashi

French restaurant in Tokyo

TOKYO - After a day of meetings, Terry brought us to a French restaurant - this is really high class fine dinning. The restaurant is Ochanomizu Ogawaken and has 2 floors - 1st and basement. 1st floor is used only for Lunch and the basement is only used for dinner. The basement has only less than 10 tables.

The food is excellent and came in minute portions. They served 5 rounds of apetitisers, and then the main course. It is the ambience that made this place very cosy and classy. I understood the bill for 3 persons came up to over US$400 - wow!

Okonomiyaki

TOKYO - Arrived today from Seoul and stayed at Hotel East 21. The good news is that there is a direct Limo Bus to the Hotel but only twice a day from Narita to Hotel East 21. My first trip to Tokyo was on 7 Aug 2000, thus making this trip my 21st trip to Tokyo.

Leaving @ 10:25am and 5.25pm. I caught the 5.25pm Limo bus that took me directly to the Hotel - this is much more convenient. Next time, I will time my SQ flight to catch this Limo bus transfer.

Hotel East 21 rooms are much smaller but for the price I am paying - it's ok. This Hotel is also popular for families going to the Tokyo disneyland as there are shuttle to and fro provided by the Hotel.

This time I travelled with Mahboud and he wants to try Okonomiyaki (I tried it once before) and the concierge told us that it is around Kiba station, could not give us an exact location. It was quite a distance to Kiba station and we manage to find the restaurant with the help of a convenience store boss.

I was not disappointed with the food as it was really good and especially the chef. He looks like the master in Karate kid - always smiling. I like this restaurant and will come back again.

It is pronounced as O-ko-no-mi-ya-ki. Okonomi means "your choice" and Yaki means "grill" - so literally it means grill it yourself...LOL. But it was the chef that did it for us. Okonomiyaki is found in the Hiroshima and Osaka region. It is a pancake layered with cabbage and toppings of your choice. Toppings may include beef, chicken, bacon, squid, octopus and mushrooms. Sometimes called "Japanese Pizza".

Restaurant: Hai Sen Bon - contact: 3644-5956 (located near Kiba subway station and bridge)
The Okonomiyaki each cost about 650yen to 800yen. A can of coke cost about 300yen each.

So hot....

When you come out of the air-conditioned building or hotel, you will feel the sweltering heat - it's hot here in Tokyo. I was soak in perspiration when I reach my partners office in a business suit. Unlike in Singapore, many of the roads are lined with trees so the heat gets dissipated but it is the humidity in Singapore that really gets to you. I am used to the humidity of course without the business suit.

So, the alternative of another route from Narita airport to East 21 Hotel takes 1 1/2 hrs but lots of walking and changing of trains. I would have to take "Narita Express" to Tokyo station, walk 15 minutes to "Otemachi" station, get off at "Toyocho" station and then walk about 20 minutes to the hotel. A bit troublesome after a 61/2 hrs flight - nah! I will take the Limo bus and taxi the next time too..

Lunch was a quaint and quiet Sushi restaurant - and there are many dotted around Tokyo - seating around 15-20 people in the restaurant. Japanese like these types of restaurant because it offers good food and personalized service, sometimes the chef will come and talk to you.

Terry and I had dinner at an interesting restaurant - the door is half the size of a normal door, you would have to bent way down below the door frame to get inside. It was packed with lots of diners - the food according to Internet reviews is good. This is a Yakitori (means grilled chicken) restaurant and the name is "ToriTon" (Chicken & Pork). This small restaurant located off the main road in some dingy lane - took a while to find this place via map. The skewers used were standard Yakitori bamboo sticks. The food was very delicious and we had 2 types of Soju (one made from Wheat and the other from Potato). Thank you, Terry for your hospitality.

Soju gives you a good night-cap....zzzzz

Summer in Tokyo

As far as catching up on my movies - this flight was very productive. I manage to watch 3 movies - the hilarious Shrek 3, Next (starring Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore) and Perfect Stranger (starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis). I like Shrek 3 for the laughs and Perfect Stranger for an outstanding plot.



Took the Limousine Bus from Narita Airport to TCAT because the Limo Bus does not go directly to my hotel. The Limo Bus arrives punctually @ 6.05pm and I only reach Hotel East 21 @ 8.00pm (nearly 2 hrs of travelling). There was a heavy traffic jam coming into Tokyo. Maybe, next time I will try coming via the train - I will ask my partner whether that will be faster.

I had dinner @ Inaba Wako restaurant serving Tonkatsu (Breaded Pork cutlet) located walking distance from the Hotel. This is what my meal looks like with additional soup and rice. The set meal cost 1,450 Yen - a simple meal.

Today, marks the 62nd anniversary of the bombing that ushered in the atomic age, as 40,000 people gathered in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima for a solemn ceremony to mark the occassion and to observe a minute of silence at 8.45am, the moment the bomb was dropped on this western city on August 6, 1945.

Feelling cold in Tokyo - 16 Jan 2007

On 16 Jan 2007, I arrive Tokyo from Singapore and it was freezing. On top of that, I was not feeling too well - coughing and a cold. A good friend, Phill was waiting for me at Narita Airport - we both took the Limousine bus to the hotel because we have big luggages. Otherwise, take the Narita Express (train) direct to Tokyo, from there it is easy to get to your hotel.

As always the Limousine bus arrives on time, our bags are taken and put into the under carriage of the bus. The bus driver will rattle someting in Japanese and bow to all the passengers - that is really cool. It just shows that Japanese takes their job with pride.

My 1st trip to Japan was to Osaka on business in Oct 1999.

Hotel Review:
Hotel: Hotel East 21
Pros: Price is reasonable @ Yen 18,000 includes breakfast and broadband internet access
Cons: about 45 minutes via subway to Shinjuku and not much buzz around the hotel
Recommendation: I would recommend this hotel if you are looking at a reasonably priced hotel

SURGICAL MASK

The next day, I was feeling much worse and was advise to use the "surgical face mask", which I had it in my luggage everytime since the SARS. I took it out and it was great - the mask traps the mositure and it gives relief to the nassal passage.

I first saw the use of surgical face mask in public was in Tokyo. I think the reason is hygiene and also stop the spread of contagious cold and flu from one person to another. People who are not feeling well and have to travel on buses and train will put on surgical mask.

It is a good practice to have a surgical mask handy - you will not know when you will need it. Other ways to protect yourself from germs: Practice good hygiene. Scrub your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer such as Purell.