tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261368632024-02-16T13:33:58.300+09:00Japan BashI'm Brian. Living in Tokyo, let me tell you wonderful stories about my adventures in Japan.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.comBlogger567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-33232478222333697372021-02-11T23:47:00.002+09:002021-02-11T23:47:35.669+09:00Farewell, My Wonderful Japan Bash<p><b><span style="font-size: large;">So long, and farewell.</span></b></p><p>The last post was over three years ago. The last post that I actually put some thought into was even further back in time, in <a href="http://www.japanbash.com/2016/10/peru-lets-do-and-lets-dont.html" target="_blank">2016</a>. It's quite obvious that this blog is no longer something I think about. And though I will keep the domain name registered for shits and giggles, I have a feeling the site is about to implode.</p><p>You see, I hosted all the photos on a website called Flickr. In the past, it was around $10 a year for a pro account. Then they sold the company. The new owners raised the price. While I redesigned www.ramenadventures.com into a new, non-Flicker-using portal for all things ramen, Japan Bash remains tied to this service.</p><p>I canceled it in February 2021. There is a large possibility that the 21,000 photos stored on their servers will disappear. </p><p>I started Gaijin Bash (the original name) in 2006 when I moved from San Francisco, California, USA to Japan. I guess you could e-stalk me by starting at that <a href="http://www.japanbash.com/2006/04/goodbye-california_14.html" target="_blank">first post</a>.</p><p>So thank you for the views. In total 243,000 people viewed this site from the first post in 2006. I made around $500 in adsense revenue, though I think that is also including money from Ramen Adventures, which is kind of depressing considering that the site has many millions of views. Looking back, I think I did the blog thing incorrectly. I had friends who claimed their blogs were making real money. Blogs about things much less SEO friendly than ramen.</p><p>The most popular post was my <a href="http://www.japanbash.com/2010/04/teaching-english-in-japan.html" target="_blank">Teaching in Japan</a> writeup. I hope this post was genuinely useful to people. It was meant to be.</p><p>Keep in touch. I'm on every social media platform I can think of @ramenadventures. Look me up. YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, FaceBook, Twitch, Discord, Clubhouse. Sorry, no Mixi.</p><p>I'm Brian, and this was Japan Bash.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtNXyA42NWI/YCU8n82RVeI/AAAAAAAAQOY/Z434CM-5EaY3rZoyelytlCzVahNEXg9dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/DSCF7002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="547" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtNXyA42NWI/YCU8n82RVeI/AAAAAAAAQOY/Z434CM-5EaY3rZoyelytlCzVahNEXg9dQCLcBGAsYHQ/w821-h547/DSCF7002.jpg" width="821" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-60861048450492939642018-01-22T15:37:00.002+09:002018-01-22T15:37:20.610+09:00November, December, January 2017 - 2018<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">明けましておめでとう。</span></b><br />
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Happy New Years. Japan Bash will be back in the swing of things someday in the future.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-70199467760234185332017-11-13T14:43:00.000+09:002017-11-13T14:43:29.589+09:00October, 2017<b><span style="font-size: large;">This Year, Halloween Fell on a Weekday</span></b><br />
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Buy my new book if you want!<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/Ramen_At_Home">bit.ly/Ramen_At_Home</a><br />
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Halloween in Shibuya is nuts.<br />
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A mince mix of usual and unusual.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599692729/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF5538"><img alt="DSCF5538" height="682" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/26599692729_b92c571925_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I don't head over to Shibuya much these days.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599693029/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF5426"><img alt="DSCF5426" height="582" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4581/26599693029_ed62db649f_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Headed to Bali for a week.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599694569/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4829"><img alt="DSCF4829" height="720" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/26599694569_03ddc76a61_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599691909/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4842"><img alt="DSCF4842" height="358" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/26599691909_85d46e9d94_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599695359/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4966"><img alt="DSCF4966" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/26599695359_b9ec9622dc_b.jpg" width="682" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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My only advice is to download the app GO-JEK. It's Uber for Indonesia, and it takes out the factor of rip-off taxis everywhere.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599694119/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4981"><img alt="DSCF4981" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/26599694119_f0e45aef73_b.jpg" width="841" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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That, or just rent a scooter for a couple bucks a day.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599693949/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF5081"><img alt="DSCF5081" height="682" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4523/26599693949_bf7d53ec97_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599693649/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF5189"><img alt="DSCF5189" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4556/26599693649_27a767345b_b.jpg" width="682" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The volcano is supposed to blow any day, though, so you might not be heading there any time soon.<br />
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Back in Tokyo . . .<br />
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I'm not supposed to post the below photo, but no one reads this site anyways.<br />
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<ahref dateposted-public="" https:="" in="" macduckston="" photos="" title="DSCF4493" www.flickr.com=""><img alt="DSCF4493" height="536" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4558/26599692089_5412f13426_b.jpg" width="1024" /></ahref><br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
R.I.P. Hugh Hefner. I was lucky to work at the Playboy mansion back some 20 years ago when I live in Los Angeles. And I was lucky to work for the Japanese publication, <a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/2014/07/tokyos-best-ramen-according-to-weekly.html" target="_blank">Weekly Playboy</a>, out here.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599695289/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4413"><img alt="DSCF4413" height="682" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4560/26599695289_57c38fa166_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599695459/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4394"><img alt="DSCF4394" height="959" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4581/26599695459_1124e32ee0_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Kind of a liquid-heavy month.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/26599695669/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4378"><img alt="DSCF4378" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/26599695669_e21dd7bd15_b.jpg" width="682" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-11506009742223862462017-10-05T19:42:00.002+09:002017-10-05T19:42:51.852+09:00September, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Ninth Month</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/37168673950/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4171.jpg"><img alt="DSCF4171.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/37168673950_ddcd744859_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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A recap of the month.<br />
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That's Oshima, just south of Tokyo, on the way to Nishima.<br />
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Nishima was, according to legend, a weekend getaway for everyone in the 80s. A ferry ride from Shimoda or a plane from Chofu, thousands flocked here on the weekends. Now it is dead, and you'll have the whole beach to yourself.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36716187954/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF4071.jpg"><img alt="DSCF4071.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4455/36716187954_eaa6565706_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Kind of a trek, so you'd best have your friend fly you in a private plane for the day.<br />
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What an adventure, though I don't fit in the front seat of this Cessna without my knees blocking the controls.<br />
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Didn't make it to Detroit, just the next best thing.<br />
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Made it to Kyushu for some food, though.<br />
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If you follow my Instagram you can see all the stuff I ate:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ramenadventures/">https://www.instagram.com/ramenadventures/</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/37394962432/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF3574.jpg"><img alt="DSCF3574.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4496/37394962432_784413e4bc_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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There was a lot of ramen.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36716132574/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF3441.jpg"><img alt="DSCF3441.jpg" height="372" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4331/36716132574_cb3265a1d4_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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O hai!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/23573729858/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF3291.jpg"><img alt="DSCF3291.jpg" height="622" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/23573729858_fc197bb978_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Rode this amazing train!<br />
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Finally. Actually, there is no hype around it anymore, and you should have no problem getting a seat.<br />
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O hai!<br />
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Thank you Niigata!<br />
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What's Niigata, you ask?<br />
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Don't know, but it's a fun spot to visit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36716093324/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2886.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2886.jpg" height="917" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4455/36716093324_08037f652e_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The new computer. I asked a friend who works in tech if he had any spare video cards lying around that he could give me. Talk about a hookup! Nerds, I am fully aware that my power supply isn't ideal for a GeForce Titan GTX.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/37425673961/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2873.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2873.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/37425673961_233d7bd6d4_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Cork dork?<br />
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Ramen dork?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36755294523/in/dateposted-public/" title="_RYU2155.jpg"><img alt="_RYU2155.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/36755294523_91b446a2d0_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-18632518847095438922017-09-08T17:26:00.005+09:002017-09-08T17:26:41.230+09:00August, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">8-17</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36915780632/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_1508.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1508.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/36915780632_d6bea34f88_b.jpg" width="726" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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If you are in Japan, try out the September limited bowl at Ramen Kagetsu Arashi. There are 250 shops around the country. Be sure to post on social media. This shop does a monthly special, and each one is promoted by some TV celeb, ramen shop, or local ramen nerd. The dream is to have this be a regular thing.<br />
<br />
This one will be around until late November.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36897603426/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1809.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1809.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/36897603426_ce03e1ee1c_b.jpg" width="818" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Gold-plated <i>kakigori</i> is definitely not a regular thing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36689758250/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1893.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1893.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/36689758250_f2d2cfe208_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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So many ramen shirts that I don't wear.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/37085951505/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1896.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1896.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/37085951505_4c6728187f_b.jpg" width="804" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Emoji menu from Gaggan x Den. Fun.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36944580401/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2155.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2155.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4418/36944580401_733527b8f4_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36272705553/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2163.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2163.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4356/36272705553_ca2e8651af_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
As always, August is spent out of Tokyo with the youth of Japan.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36944593601/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2229.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2229.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/36944593601_b1cd2b80fc_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Not those youth.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36897629956/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="DSCF2230.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2230.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/36897629956_b31f37cc6e_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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But there is plenty to celebrate about these days.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36944600651/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2376.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2376.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4410/36944600651_d497843a88_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Like some bomb eggs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36944602761/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2722.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2722.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4430/36944602761_fba89bb447_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Or just whatever.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36944605221/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2730.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2730.jpg" height="398" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36944605221_98fc7c8cfb_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-71066585047697114142017-08-01T09:48:00.000+09:002017-08-01T09:48:37.597+09:00July, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">なながつ</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36256998476/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1071.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1071.jpg" height="669" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/36256998476_030e12c4d1_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Summer is here.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36257000376/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1143.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1143.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/36257000376_0fbd872e32_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Watermelon, nigori sake, and sushi?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36257002006/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1257.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1257.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/36257002006_0f5c77e907_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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And ramen.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36165816091/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1408.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1408.jpg" height="1024" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/36165816091_4632e32f48_b.jpg" width="811" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Spotted!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36131763822/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1440.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1440.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/36131763822_6cff403240_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
New book coming soon? Yes, kind of. I'm working on a cookbook, which has proven to be a challenge. Not my own recipes, of course, and severely edited for an American audience. If you call me a sell-out, I won't hear you. I'll be sleeping on a big bed of cash.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36131766702/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1499.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1499.jpg" height="933" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4328/36131766702_6f19413439_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Wanna see something thing cheesy?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36131769382/in/dateposted-public/" title="20226391_10154848773172507_701162618_o.jpg"><img alt="20226391_10154848773172507_701162618_o.jpg" height="768" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4293/36131769382_8429d3c087_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I've got shirts. Official even. Grab one here:<br />
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<a href="https://shop.mactionplanet.com/collections/maction-planet-x-ramen-adventures">https://shop.mactionplanet.com/collections/maction-planet-x-ramen-adventures</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36131773252/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1616.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1616.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4324/36131773252_27fbdd4b47_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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You've still got a month to see the flower photos at Araki's latest exhibition.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36257013246/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1621.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1621.jpg" height="512" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4309/36257013246_f42588b1e4_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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And other stuff he is famous for. People don't believe me when I say I really like his flower works.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36257014656/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1661.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1661.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/36257014656_8b5210683d_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Scorpion pepper! (didn't eat)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36131780792/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1676.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1676.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4298/36131780792_9393178b49_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Blackberries! (did eat)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/36131783202/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1710.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1710.jpg" height="683" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4305/36131783202_78e1daa8c1_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-75461863042892265342017-06-28T18:05:00.003+09:002017-06-28T18:05:44.288+09:00June, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">梅雨</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743067334/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF8818.jpg"><img alt="DSCF8818.jpg" height="609" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4254/34743067334_43e4ba5295_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Summer jumps on you like a salaryman on some tasty <i>gyoza</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775294173/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF9048.jpg"><img alt="DSCF9048.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4261/34775294173_02747daa9c_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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But who can blame them, when less than $10 gets you an hour of all you can eat. Make it $20 and you can get drunk as well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775297263/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF9122.jpg"><img alt="DSCF9122.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4259/34775297263_4be79cc9d9_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Sorry, Tokyo, it's getting uncomfortable. I'm about to go missing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775299143/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF9124.jpg"><img alt="DSCF9124.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4253/34775299143_a6a5c22d7a_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Somewhere without such a risk of heatstroke.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775302143/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0006.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0006.jpg" height="955" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4208/34775302143_48fc2300d6_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Right after the 7th inning.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/35454168751/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0042.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0042.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4280/35454168751_3519dc1cf1_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Taipei.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/35454209381/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0949.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0949.jpg" height="659" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4282/35454209381_9c25774797_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Turns out mid-June is the "plum rain" season. Downpours for a week, with 1 day of relief.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/35454172301/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0093.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0093.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4257/35454172301_cdc1acdf01_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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No matter, I was just here to eat.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743087374/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0284.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0284.jpg" height="611" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4289/34743087374_e58d5544ca_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
All the relevant gourmet photos reside over at Instagram:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ramenadventures/">https://www.instagram.com/ramenadventures/</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743088584/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0416.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0416.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4265/34743088584_dfcac1d72d_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Seriously, it dumped rain every day, with a few moments of respite.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743089644/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0586.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0586.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4257/34743089644_f48d5e0bab_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743090994/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0595.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0595.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4279/34743090994_1f8c011c25_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Taipei's street food scene is legit. Their gourmet scene is no joke either.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743091984/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0596.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0596.jpg" height="625" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4255/34743091984_e82be2fe62_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34743093374/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0647.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0647.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4288/34743093374_2821586a67_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I found a Ming dynasty era hipster-taking-food-shot painting. Tell me that isn't what this is!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775317583/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0739.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0739.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4213/34775317583_ed8ac42bcb_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I also found the famous piece of jade apparently. It looks like a piece of cabbage.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775318853/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0746.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0746.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4212/34775318853_5150d803ec_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775321133/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0768.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0768.jpg" height="742" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4218/34775321133_d3418f21dc_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Another view of another metropolis.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775320073/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="DSCF0760.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0760.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4230/34775320073_61441fb263_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775321683/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0861.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0861.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4213/34775321683_f7d4bd9852_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Went to nearby Wulai, a hot spring town a couple hours out of Taipei. The whole place was kind of destroyed when a typhoon ripped through in 2015, and the rebuilding efforts have been slow. I'm not saying to skip it, but keep that in mind if you are expecting a luxurious onsen experience.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/35197463800/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0865.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0865.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/35197463800_c700b5d416_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775324533/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0882.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0882.jpg" height="949" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4260/34775324533_4f23f24ab5_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Next time, road trip around Taiwan. By motorcycle or large scooter, it's something on my mind.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/34775325393/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF0935.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0935.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/34775325393_dc9e52461e_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-12111181739143731442017-06-01T02:33:00.001+09:002017-06-01T02:33:34.696+09:00April + May, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4+5</span></b><br />
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Oops, missed a month. Special double feature then.<br />
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Walked up a random hill and found this old timer flying his RC glider. Kind of neat. This is down in Izu, up in the Asama (浅間) highlands.<br />
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Ah, my gear. I bought this DJI gimbal camera with hopes of making rad YouTube videos. But it needed an external microphone. So I got one. And it needed more batteries. So I got them. And a stand. And an extension arm. And since all that gear is loose, I had to track down a bigger case. Finally got my compact vlogging setup in its not-so-compact final form.<br />
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Then, the motorcycle mount didn't work, so I stopped using it. Maybe I should just get a drone.<br />
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Newer videos are shot with a GoPro, which is a much more versatile camera. Don't ask how much I spent on all that Gimbal kit.<br />
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Well, at least my impulse buys aren't as drastic as other's.<br />
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Saw a decent amount of pink this year.<br />
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Sakura and Himeji castle. Bucket list? Not really, but I was in the area.<br />
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Also in the area, famous local food?<br />
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<i>Katsu meshi</i> is deep fried pork cutlets with sauce over rice. Basic stuff, but for some reason the small town of Furukawa (古川) is known for it, and you can get it everywhere. They even have two <i>ura</i> characters to promote it.<br />
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かっつん and デミーちゃん.<br />
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Pork boy and Demi glace girl. Keep in mind this is super middle-of-nowhere.<br />
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All this talk of new photography gear, video in particular, is in part due to my recent focus on the YouTube channel. I'm hoping to make an interesting series of videos that focus on motorcycle riding and ramen in the 47 prefectures of Japan. Well, over 12 days I shot footage in nine prefectures, though I'm not sure how to edit it together in a way I'm, happy with. Motorcycle footage can be a bit dull.<br />
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Stay tuned. By the way, Ramen Adventures hit 30,000 subscribers.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-L5M6JgPGAQ" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Camping at Hamanakako, a lake south of Nagoya. Camp here, then stay south and hop the ferry over to Mie, avoiding any city riding.<br />
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Mie is an amazing place. I had a bowl at my favorite local spot, shot a video, and dubbed it #1 in town. Then I hit a spot I hadn't been to, and it turned out to be one of the best bowls of the year.<br />
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Oh well.<br />
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Maps, maps, maps. Who makes these random maps. Fun fact, I almost took a career in GIS mapping about 15 years ago.<br />
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Camping at my secret Biwako spot. Free.<br />
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Camping in Tokushima. Also free.<br />
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Views are great.<br />
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Back in Tokyo . . . food.<br />
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I've gained some girth recently. When I commit to cutting out sugar someone shoves four concretes from Shack Shack in my face. Foodie problems.<br />
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But there is just too much stuff to eat.<br />
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Insane kobe beef sandwich from a place called Wagyu Mafia. Don't ask how much.<br />
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Oyakodon from an underground place that is half <i>sake</i> cellar, half charcoal grilled yakitori.<br />
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Best tacos in town. I mean it.<br />
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I miss the snow. Peace.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-14215612480847978872017-03-27T15:13:00.001+09:002017-03-27T15:13:29.186+09:00March, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March!</span></b><br />
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Almost!<br />
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I love this fleeting season.<br />
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Made it to this legendary spot. No photo policy means no photos, except for this one I managed to snap while waiting for a taxi. <a href="https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130103/13002887/" target="_blank">Kyoaji</a> is considered the best of the best kaiseki in Tokyo, if not Japan. Every dish is expertly matched with a Japanese dashi that enhances the natural flavors of whatever you are eating. The master is 89 years old I think, and he treats everyone with such care and attention.<br />
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Better start saving for the next reservation.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/32831744784/in/dateposted-public/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSCF7176.jpg"><img alt="DSCF7176.jpg" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3856/32831744784_c6b297f8ba_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><a href="http://www.aoyama-florilege.jp/en/" target="_blank">Florilege</a> is such a special place. Every time is a memory that will stay with me. This time was particular, but that will wait until another day.<br />
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My ramen world is odd. In no particular order, these things happened.<br />
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<b>I was blacklisted from a famous shop for not finishing my noodles.</b><br />
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I ate about 90% of the bowl and left. Soon after, I get a text from a friend. <i>Did you just go to xxx shop</i> he asked? The master was insulted, I guess, that I didn't crush everything, and told our mutual friend to tell me that I am not allowed back. Childish, in my opinion, but if that is the prerogative of some chef, I'm fine never slurping at his place again.<br />
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I won't name the shop. The above logo is <b>not</b> the shop.<br />
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<b>I walked out of a TV interview.</b><br />
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I've dealt with strange TV shootings before. The <a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/p/print-and-media.html" target="_blank">Print & Media</a> section on my site shows the extent of my work, and most have been with different production crews. One thing I've learned; give them a set-in-stone schedule. If you say you are free all day, they will work you all day. This time, I said I needed to leave at 5pm. The time comes about, and we had only shot about 10% of my interview, which was mostly them telling me to say things using different grammar. They wanted genius-level comments, while my Japanese food commentary ability is more fun-guy level. When I said I was out of time, the boss, a tiny guy with angry man syndrome barked that work is work, and you leave when the job is done. I looked him in the eye, said he had 5 minutes, and proceeded to finish he job. Then I stood and walked out.<br />
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I hope I get paid.<br />
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<b>I taught myself video editing.</b><br />
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For the past few years, my Ramen Adventures YouTube channel has been done by a media company. They shot and edited. Recently, I started shooting myself, and now I'm also editing. Check out my first, 100% by Brian video:<br />
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I'm grateful for their help, but it got to the point where I felt intrusive. We would shoot a bowl that essentially goes to waste, something I don't want to be associated with. Ramen lover first, media dude second. I'm not some corny gaijin who eats a bite for the camera, then pushes the food away when they cut. At least, I don't want to be like that. I've done some long full-day shoots where I just can't eat anymore.<br />
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<b>I was rejected from the <i>silly ramen sticker</i> club.</b><br />
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I have my own sticker in the Ramen Rally. Can you find it?<br />
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It's silly, even though some people take their collection very, very seriously. I don't. But when I roll into a shop that is part of the 100 or so in the collection, I feel a little bond. I rolled into the latest, asked the master if we could trade. His answer? <i>No! You buy!</i><br />
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Rejected!<br />
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Ramen rants over!Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-87810258748648810902017-03-08T16:02:00.000+09:002017-03-08T16:02:14.802+09:00February, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">フェブラリー</span></b><br />
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I've gotta get the hell out of Tokyo!<br />
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New levels of dumb everywhere I turn!<br />
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But first a fish burger made by a former Michelin 2-star sushi chef.<br />
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<a href="http://delifucious.com/" target="_blank">Delifucious</a>.<br />
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And some deep fried fish sperm.<br />
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And some mochi strawberries.<br />
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That's better. Honored to learn about the craft of assembling knives from this 89 year old master. Every aspect of knife making is done by a different person. The supply houses assemble the blade with a handle, straighten the metal, and do some engraving work before shipping the finished piece off to its new owner.<br />
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Then off to a little island. Three of them actually.<br />
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Inujima.<br />
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Teshima.<br />
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Naoshima.<br />
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Protip: Naoshima is essentially a ghost town on Mondays. Take the early ferry to Inujima and Teshima. Problem solved.<br />
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Shikoku is always random.<br />
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Always.<br />
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Go home, Kochi Prefecture, you're drunk.<br />
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Eating well these days. I made an unofficial resolution to eat out less, but broke it within hours.<br />
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Also made an unofficial resolution to drink less.<br />
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Zomething wrong?<br />
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But my unofficial resolution of one rad vacation a month hasn't been hard to keep.<br />
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More to come. By the way, the map at the top is the first thing I see everyday, and hopefully I'll be moving red pins to all 47 prefectures soon. Anyone know a good ramen shop in Yamaguchi-ken?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/33277325556/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF6985.jpg"><img alt="DSCF6985.jpg" height="514" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2859/33277325556_a3e14d67bf_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-16644332437237034062017-02-05T13:01:00.000+09:002017-02-05T13:01:06.894+09:00January, 2017<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">一月</span></b><br />
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Went to Copenhagen.<br />
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Food was good, real good, though it is tough to find food bloggers who don't feel sponsored by Michelin and San Pellegrino.<br />
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If you don't want to spend a ton of cash, almost all the fancy places in Copenhagen have sister shops nearby that impress.<br />
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2017 is going to be an interesting year for my food adventures. Getting deep into the local markets, and deeper into the Tokyo lunch scene. Does that make sense?<br />
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Maybe I'm just tired after staying up late to watch the latest reality show on TV.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/32639746896/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_0890.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0890.jpg" height="516" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/293/32639746896_70b238e3f1_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-77143656253287852082017-02-03T18:29:00.000+09:002017-02-03T18:29:24.264+09:00Back-Filing Your Taxes as an ExpatSemi-useful tax info with links for Americans living abroad.<br />
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Living abroad? <b>YES!</b><br />
Not earning much yet? <b>YES!</b><br />
Assume you don't have to pay US taxes on your measly income? <b>YES!</b><br />
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If you live and work abroad, you probably know that you are exempt from somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000.<br />
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Assume you don't have to file your 1040 if you meet this number? <b>YES!</b><br />
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Well, you are wrong, you still need to file.<br />
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If you haven't filed, and want to get on the good side of Uncle Sam before President Trump comes looking for money to build his wall, you're in luck. The IRS implemented a system back in 2009 called the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure. Here's their official site:<br />
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<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/u-s-taxpayers-residing-outside-the-united-states">https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/u-s-taxpayers-residing-outside-the-united-states</a><br />
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The gist is that you file the last 3 years of taxes, and 6 years of something called FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report).<br />
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First, do the FBAR thing. It's super easy because it is online (no idea why all this stuff isn't online). Cool thing is that if you had less than $10,000 in a foreign bank for a year, you don't need to file anything. Hooray for living check-to-check!<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1126231866"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.fincen.gov/resources/filing-information">https://www.fincen.gov/resources/filing-information</a><br />
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Filing the last 3 years of taxes requires printing out your 1040s (the normal tax form) and 2555-EZ (used for foreign earned income exemption).<br />
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Need old forms? Get them here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.usexpattaxhelp.com/us-expat-irs-tax-forms.php">http://www.usexpattaxhelp.com/us-expat-irs-tax-forms.php</a><br />
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Fill out 2555-EZ <b>before</b> you do the 1040, as the 2555 has one instruction at the very end that is important for the 1040.<br />
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Write "STREAMLINED FOREIGN OFFSHORE" on the top of everything and mail it to:<br />
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Internal Revenue Service<br />
3651 South I-H 35<br />
Stop 6063 AUSC<br />
Attn: Streamlined Foreign Offshore<br />
Austin, TX 78741<br />
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Pretty simple when you read it here. But I spent hours and hours scouring the net for the specifics. I guess there are all kinds of exceptions and rules for people with property, or wives, or shit like expensive gifts of which there are entire 8-page forms dedicated to.<br />
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Here's a site to look up how much your money was worth in the past:<br />
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<a href="http://www.x-rates.com/historical/">http://www.x-rates.com/historical/</a><br />
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Of course, your mileage may vary, but maybe someone, somewhere will find this useful. Tax company professionals will charge a lot to do this stuff for you.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-25382581069103331042016-12-31T20:26:00.002+09:002016-12-31T20:26:50.915+09:00December, 2016<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">忘年します</span></b><br />
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Everyone is complaining about 2016, but at least your weekly magazine will have random Trump dick comics from now on. メイクチンコグレートアゲイン.<br />
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Great road trip in Kyushu this month. Fukuoka to Beppu to Kurokawa Onsen to Kumamoto to Unzen Onsen to Nagasaki. Perfect balance of food, relaxing, booze, hiking, and random extras.<br />
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Ramen was legit. By the way, check out my best-of Tokyo list here:<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1547106005"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/2016/12/the-best-ramen-in-tokyo-2016.html">http://www.ramenadventures.com/2016/12/the-best-ramen-in-tokyo-2016.html</a><br />
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The local Oita winery makes a decent sparkling.<br />
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And their own custom Asahi.<br />
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Climbed a mountain. That's 10 or 11 of the 100 off my list. Will 2017 be the year I'm not lazy?<br />
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Kurokawa is neat. A bit touristy, but once you slip into the hot springs, it doesn't really matter.<br />
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Aso volcano is currently off limits, ever since the recent seismic activity.<br />
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Found a random deer pen on the side of the road.<br />
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日本一恥かしい露天風呂. The most embarrassing outdoor bath in Japan. You are literally naked in view of the whole town.<br />
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Famous, apparently.<br />
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Fat cat is the boss of the onsen egg shop.<br />
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Make a detour up along the Ariake Sea if you are in the area for crab and oysters.<br />
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One of the three famous night views of the world. I guess. Hong Kong and some other place are also famous.<br />
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Dude collects these stickers. He hit me up on twitter (which I don't use) just about daily until I would meet to give him my Ramen Rally sticker. I admire his dedication.<br />
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I've had this dish three times now. Once at Restaurant Central in Lima. Once in Tokyo at Restaurant Den with the chef from Restaurant Central. Once in Tokyo with the chef from Restaurant Den who visited Restaurant Central in Lima.<br />
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Onion family topped with uni and smoked shark meat.<br />
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Local duck with satay sauce.<br />
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Taiwanese herbal tea jelly and pink fruits sprinkled with organic rose. Who came up with these?<br />
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Chef Andre and Chef Kawate. See you in Taiwan.<br />
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With the sea I did abide.<br />
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I'm off. Off to smuggle expensive Japanese ingredients across the globe. Wish me luck.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/31962514146/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF5432.jpg"><img alt="DSCF5432.jpg" height="534" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/258/31962514146_39983abfa5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-3296665141789933912016-11-28T18:25:00.000+09:002016-11-28T18:25:10.337+09:00November, 2016<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nvmbr</span></b><br />
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Bikes! Bastards closed the road up Mt. Fuji because of snow and death, so this shot will have to do (I was planning on an epic shot halfway up the mountain).<br />
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Snow for the first time in November in Tokyo in something like 54 years. What to do on a cold day like this?<br />
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Eat Japanese shaved ice of course.<br />
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And rent bikes. My childhood buddy was in town, so he rented this 400cc Ducati and we drove up to Mt. Fuji. I took a quick spin on it. Love those 400cc bikes on twisty roads. We've talked about all getting 400cc project bikes out here, going all Mad Max on them, but I don't really have an extra place to keep another bike.<br />
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And if you think I'm moving somewhere bigger, guess again. Rejected from all the places I applied for. Either my whiteness of freelance status is to blame. Racist capitalist jerks.<br />
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My favorite restaurant teamed up with Shake Shack.<br />
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And the, a few days later, at that same restaurant . . .<br />
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This was the <a href="http://gelinaz.com/" target="_blank">Gelinaz</a> Shuffle, an event where 40 top chefs from around the world get mixed up and sent to other restaurants. Above is none other than Virgilio Martínez Véliz, the chef from Central in Lima. I had just been to his restaurant <a href="http://www.japanbash.com/2016/10/peru-lets-do-and-lets-dont.html" target="_blank">two months prior</a>. Super random. My only criticism from the spot in Peru was that the chef didn't come by to meet the guests, and now I'm sitting in front of the guy.<br />
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The food was fun, and I was the only one there who isn't a full time foodie <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ramenadventures/" target="_blank">Instagrammer</a>.<br />
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One of the dishes had poor man's caviar; Peruvian grains colored with squid ink.<br />
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Then, an hour later, my friend invited me to have some real caviar. Wish you could get these at the local 7-11.<br />
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Full-scale replica of a <i>kaiten</i> suicide submarine from WWII.<br />
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Now that I have my own sticker, I can stop dreaming.<br />
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But Daruma has other things in mind.<br />
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New Years resolution: less food shots, lest I become one of those aforementioned full time food <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ramenadventures/" target="_blank">Instagrammers</a>.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-81459551793619002042016-11-01T00:11:00.002+09:002016-11-01T00:11:40.880+09:00October, 2016<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">10月</span></b><br />
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Original ramen rally sticker. Only available in person.<br />
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I didn't get busted this time.<br />
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Cause <i>wagyu</i> fillet isn't rich enough, we need to top it with copious amounts of <i>uni</i>.<br />
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Meanwhile, while Tokyo people are stuffing their faces, the countryside continues to provide.<br />
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Can't say I mind being woken for this.<br />
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Clam diggers.<br />
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The raddest sushi dude in Japan. Taihei in Ishikawa-ken.<br />
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Yummy. After the parade, he cracked the brain out and made a dish.<br />
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Not sure why, but the local tax board loves to send the entire year's worth of tax stuff at once. Pay up sucka.<br />
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One of the best <i>sake</i> I've had in a while. Tastes like pure <i>koji</i>, the mold that makes Japanese sake what it is. Very happy to discover this one.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/30601029261/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF3424.jpg"><img alt="DSCF3424.jpg" height="626" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5503/30601029261_f006c749f5_h.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-61919296727823484082016-10-31T18:19:00.000+09:002016-10-31T18:19:10.820+09:00Should I Stay or Should I Go?I'm not talking about leaving Japan here, I'm talking about moving from my apartment.<br />
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I've heard of a 7 year itch, but I've got a 5.5 year itch to move somewhere a bit nicer. Nicer how? Well, my spot now is pretty legit, the size is good, and it is near a few stations. But there are a few things that suck.<br />
<ul>
<li>The bathroom is ancient, a tiny thing meant for a little old lady at best. The tub just takes up space. It is impossible to keep clean.</li>
<li>There is no view. Not only that, the window is frosted, so during the cold months I get nothing to look at.</li>
</ul>
For reference, here is a video I took a long time ago:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8LDw4Jk-aCc" width="640"></iframe><br />
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I'd like to move toward the Shimokitazawa area, which isn't too far from here. A real estate guy at a bar I frequent is helping me out this time. We found a few places that fit my criteria. The first one looked great on paper. A modern building, designer style. The layout is a bit like my current place, without the separate kitchen room, something I don't really feel I need. Japanese kitchens are never nice, and an unventilated room with no windows that takes up 1/3 of the apartment is a waste of space. I'd rather have a smaller kitchen, counter style.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/stkmnW8MPCU" width="640"></iframe><br />
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This one is on the 1st floor, but it is actually a sub basement. So no natural light. And the size is just small enough to not work. Not seen in the video was a walk-in closet, which was neat. Cost for this place is around 130,000 yen ($1240)<br />
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Next!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwNd944eycI" width="640"></iframe><br />
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This one has a decent layout, but nothing inside was that special. The awesome point being the rooftop balcony. If I really put my mind to it, I could turn that into an amazing deck / chillout space. I don't really have parties out here, so the idea of hosting barbecues and what not would probably never see the light of day. Cost is 150,000 yen ($1430). It's also next to a major road, so noisy AF.<br />
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Keep lookin!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yL4lU00nci0" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Vertical filming, ごめん!I'm digging this spot. Up on the 9th floor of a 15 story building. The view is nice, looking north. You can see a bit of the Shinjuku skyline, but I just like being able to see the sky for once. A bit concerned about the layout, as it has strange diagonal geometry going on. How to visualize a bed?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TLdqFegtWaU" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Lay down some paper! Hmmmm, this might work. I'll probably never close that door, so if I change my current dark sheets for something light it would blend in nicely. Cost is 153,000 yen ($1457).<br />
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But wait, there's more!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xkXPSE5vSVs" width="640"></iframe><br />
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The same apartment up on the 14th floor. Baller! The price goes up 7000 yen ($66) a month, but you don't have to pay the <i>reikin</i>, which is essentially a gift to the landowner of 1 month rent. So if you do the math, it is almost the same cost over a 2-year period.<br />
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Of course, none of these spots have a place for my motorcycle, so that is an extra 5000 - 10,000 yen a month for a spot at a local parking garage.<br />
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Time to spend some of that hard-earned ramen money on a life upgrade?Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-1582118061224238432016-10-15T14:42:00.000+09:002016-10-16T22:26:54.562+09:00September, 2016<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sept.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/29701923454/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_0582.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0582.jpg" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7520/29701923454_b1c61d902d_h.jpg" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-19030665247357915982016-10-03T15:34:00.002+09:002016-10-03T15:34:48.183+09:00Peru . . . Let's Do and Let's Don't<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Peru - ペル</span></b><br />
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Welcome to another in the Japan Bash travel series, Let's <b>DO </b>and Let's <b>DON'T</b>. I'm in no way an accomplished travel writer, but I think a quick run-down of my experiences could be helpful to some. This time around . . Peru!<br />
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I realize that no one reads this stuff (My <a href="http://www.japanbash.com/2014/08/istanbul-lets-do-and-lets-dont.html" target="_blank">Dos and Don't of Istanbul</a>, for example, has a total of 74 page views). So thanks for reading, even though this post is super long and kind of TL;DR status.<br />
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You'll undoubtedly fly into Lima. I only spent one day here, so I can't say much. The city is super bipolar, as you'll see from the drive from the airport. Rundown slums become uber-luxurious oceanfront developments. So <b>DO</b> stay in the nice part of town.<br />
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The only activity I did was rent a bicycle and cycle along the waterfront. <b>DO</b> it! The cliff-side park stretches about five miles in any direction, with dedicated cycling lanes for your enjoyment. <b>DON'T</b> crash into any of the Pokemon Go players who, for some reason, tend to walk in the cycling lanes, eyes fixed to their phones.<br />
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You can rent a bike next to the big shopping mall in Miraflores. Ten bucks or so for a few hours.<br />
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Lima is considered South America's gourmet capitol. <b>DO</b> get involved with all the food. Above, Maido fuses Japanese and Peruvian. It's legit. I'll post some food shots at the end to the post.<br />
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The goal, like most goals in Peru, was Machu Picchu. So that takes us to Cusco, the gateway to the Incan heartland.<br />
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I wanted to hike the Inca Trail, a task that takes about 4 days. But, even with 9 month advance notice, the permits were all gone. Because of that, we had a lot of free time in the area. What is there to <b>DO</b> in Cusco?<br />
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There's a bit, but not as much as you would think.<br />
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We actually had a pretty good itinerary set out, an itinerary that was destroyed by a planned labor strike at the base of Machu Picchu. So instead of a gradual move towards the ancient Incan site, we had to backtrack, then go forward, then back again, followed by a 2am, 2-hour taxi to make it to the only train still left with any seats. Which brings me to another point. <b>DON'T</b> take private car tours. One of our drivers was the craziest dude I've seen in a while, a guy who insisted on driving on the wrong side of the cliff road around blind turns at high speeds, only moving out of oncoming traffic when lives depended on it. The other driver we were with drove below the speed limit (posted at 35 km/h) and tailgated a diesel bus for about 20 minutes at one point. I saw plenty of comfortable looking group tours whose drivers found a healthy medium of speed and safety.<br />
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How much time to spend in each place? I'd say 1 full day in Cusco to get used to the altitude, then a day of touring and sightseeing with a night spent in Ollantaytambo. Then take a late start for the train up to Machupicchu Pueblo, aka Aguas Calientes, which is the city at the base of Machu Picchu. Next day, up to the site at sunrise, then back to Cusco.<br />
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If you arrive on a day ending with "Y", someone will be celebrating Jesus. Enjoy.<br />
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Got a spare day in Cusco? <b>DO</b> rent a motorcycle. I saw a place somewhere online where you could rent KTM or BMW adventure bikes for around $200 a day. If you get a big bike like this, <b>DON'T</b> crash, I'm sure the deductible is huge. Or go with my pick.<br />
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A busted-up Honda NX4. Kind of a piece of shit, but lightweight, only $65 for the day, and the type of bike you could really thrash around. Top speed was only about 100 kilometers and hour, but that isn't important.<br />
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Here's my quick rundown of how to enjoy a day of motorcycle touring. I rented from a place called <a href="http://www.cuscomototourperu.com/" target="_blank">Cusco Moto Tour Peru</a>. <b>DO </b>go with a rental place that is in their general area. If you look at a Google Map you might understand better, but you want to avoid anywhere in Cusco that isn't very close to the road to Pisac. <b>DON'T</b> get stuck in Cusco traffic. Take the 28G to Pisac, then go from there. <b>DO</b> return the same way you came. <b>DON'T</b> return along the 3S highway, it is full of trucks that will kill you. Driving habits aren't as bad as, say, China, but they aren't so safe for someone on two wheels.<br />
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North, and especially northeast, is super remote and full of fun roads. This bike cost me $65 for the day, and I spent about $5 for gas, which is like $12 a gallon out here. I probably could have haggled down to $50, but I don't really care for that nonsense.<br />
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<b>DO </b>stop for a photo now and then.<br />
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I'm a big fan of <b>DON'T</b> take medication for the altitude, but please <b>DO</b> take care. Anything above 3000 meters and you won't be able to catch your breath after walking a flight of stairs.<br />
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<b>DON'T </b>get stuck on this mountain after 5:00pm, they literally lock the gate on you. If you <b>DO </b>get stuck, they come by once an hour to let people out. FYI, this is in Ollantaytambo, a place you should stay a night.<br />
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Ollantaytambo from said mountain.<br />
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<b>DO </b>your shopping once and be done with it. Protip, most of the alpaca stuff at the markets is fake, wool at best woven with rayon to give a smooth texture. The boutique shops, like <a href="http://kuna.com.pe/en/" target="_blank">Kuna</a> or <a href="http://www.solalpaca.com/store/" target="_blank">Sol Alpaca</a> all have shops at the Lima airport, so you can just buy it on your way home. Or just buy from their online store and pay an extra couple bucks; you're not getting any great deals that I know about by being at the source.<br />
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On your Cusco-Ollantaytambo journey, this salt farm was super rad.<br />
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As was Moray.<br />
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Chinchero has a neat church (cathedral?) built on top of an Incan temple. As an added bonus, there was some sort of Jesus festival going on. Fun!<br />
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After the salt farm and Jesus place, I suffered from a bit of heat exhaustion. Lack of sunscreen and hydration, or personal proximity to religious icons? <b>DO</b> stay super hydrated and out of the sun.<br />
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<b>DO </b>go to Machu Picchu, duh!<br />
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<b>DON'T</b> bother with the hike up the mountain to Machu Picchu. Take the bus like everyone else. It actually took the same amount of time as the $12 bus ride, because of the huge bus line wait, but the hike was essentially a boring stair climb.<br />
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Wow!<br />
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Neat!<br />
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I've got nothing to say about Machu Picchu. Just walk around and enjoy the shit out of it. Find some shade and take a nap. There are hella tourists, but you can find some spots up high to chill.<br />
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One more thing about Cusco, <b>DON'T</b> get a massage. What I'm about to write is kind of fucked. Trigger warnings include prostitution and child endangerment. Anyways, there are these massage girls all around the main square. My feet were royally jacked after a few weeks of walking 12 miles a day (according to my iPhone health monitor) in the dry altitude. I figured a pedicure would fix things up (I had some cracking on my heels that was getting painful). Sure enough, about $5 will get you a mediocre pedi. While my massage lady was doing her thing, her 3 year old daughter came in. Super cute, and while the industrial strength pumice stone was sanding away at my granite-like calluses, we played kitchen and "discussed" which Disney princess was the best. So far, so good. No problems. Then, at some point, another customer comes in, goes behind one of the curtains, and proceeds to get an obvious handjob. I don't want to tell people how to live their life, but maybe don't expose your toddler to that aspect of this cruel, cruel world. Anyways, kind of something I wish I hadn't seen.<br />
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<b>DO </b>drink.<br />
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Pisco, Peru's local drink, is everywhere. The ubiquitous Pisco Sour is often too sweet, so go with it in your cocktail of choice.<br />
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<b>DO </b>go to the Pisco Museum in Cusco, place was lit. After a night there I now have new friends in Columbia and Miami. Hangover was messed up though.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">FOOOOOOOOOOOD</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://centralrestaurante.com.pe/en/" target="_blank">Central</a> in Lima - <b>DO!</b><br />
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Ranked the #1 restaurant in South America, and it fully lives up to the hype. Each course highlights a certain elevation in the country's diverse topography. Tubers from 4000 meters. Uni from -5 meters. Each <i>elevation</i> had at least two things I'd never heard of, like edible medicinal clay for desert.<br />
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<a href="http://www.maido.pe/en/" target="_blank">Maido</a> in Lima - <b>DO!</b><br />
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Mix of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. A few of the dishes were solid 10s, while almost everything else was up there as well. They just got ranked #2 in South America for all you checklist people.<br />
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Cuy (guinea pig) - <b>DON'T!</b><br />
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I couldn't figure out how to eat it, and there isn't much meat on that body. Said meat tasted like oily duck, which was actually kind of nice. This was at a shitty roadside spot in the middle of nowhere, so maybe I should have gone with a more respectable place.<br />
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<a href="http://www.astridygaston.com/" target="_blank">Astrid y Gaston</a> in Lima - <b>DON'T!</b><br />
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Wow, one of the worst meals I've had in a while. The only part of the course I really enjoyed was the bread. Photo below.<br />
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I should justify my opinion, as this spot is very well regarded in the gastronomy community. Essentially, this was a course meal that couldn't be eaten without the wine pairing, which I didn't go for. Each dish was overly fatty or overly seasoned. Fine if you are washing it down with alcohol, not so much with water.<br />
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Another point, the service wasn't informed about the food at all. One dish, Cuy Pekinese (Peking guinea pig) caught my attention. I tried asking how it was cooked, and the waiter, annoyed at my bothersome inquiries, replies, "It is very good." Then he walked away. I was genuinely interested if they cook it in the way one would cook Peking Duck, which is a complicated process of blowing hot air, rinsing in water, braising, hanging, etc. When I asked again, all I got was a, "Yes, Peking."<br />
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One more along the same thread was this sea urchin dish. Uni on Japanese soba. Besides the uni being some of the worst I've had in my life (didn't know uni could have sinewy threads in it), once again the server dropped some gems. I asked about the urchin, if there was a particular part of Peru that harvests more of the stuff. He replied with, "Chinese spaghetti." Not even an answer to my question, but did he just call soba Chinese spaghetti?<br />
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A food photographer friend of mine in Japan was shocked that I didn't speak with the management after this, but I make a rule of never complaining about food in the presence of said food.<br />
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That bread course was really nice.<br />
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Gaston is a famous chef in Peru, credited with bringing Peruvian cuisine into the light. He now has an entire empire of branded shops and TV shows under his belt. From chocolate shops to ceviche shops to burgers. So my impression of him is an Emeril Lagasse or Guy Fieri sort of thing.<br />
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Anyways, the dude's burger shop was legit. <b>DO</b> go there.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/29901448226/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF2608.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2608.jpg" height="683" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8032/29901448226_5ff50643b3_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-33427841424754155332016-09-17T18:01:00.000+09:002016-09-17T18:01:13.878+09:00August, 2016<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Aug.</span></b><br />
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It's August! Let's pop some Rose and do all sorts of shit!<br />
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Well, I pretty much worked the entire month at kid's camps, so not a lot of photos to show.<br />
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And, to be frank, after this night in Osaka, I don't remember much.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cnac.jp/wall/" target="_blank">Wall</a>, a hidden bar in Fukuoka.<br />
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Super famous designer designed Starbucks.<br />
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If you're in Fukuoka, be sure to try the <i>ikizukuri</i> squid. It is killed a minute before being served, and the poor animal is still twitching. I was told it isn't alive, and that the twitch is just an automatic reaction to the soy sauce. If you were still alive, watching me eat your tender flesh in horror, I apologize.<br />
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Fried eel bones. So good. Any legit eel restaurant will have these on the menu as a snack.<br />
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See ya Japan, I'll be back.<br />
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I guess this is technically part of my August. In all honesty, I kind of hate Vegas, and said I'd never go back. That was six years ago, and now I'm back.<br />
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At least they have bacon. Really damn good bacon.<br />
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And cocktails with bacon.<br />
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This guy knows what I'm talking about.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-22320921844341713422016-08-03T18:59:00.000+09:002016-08-03T18:59:28.706+09:00July, 2016<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">北海道</span></b><br />
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Ugh, even with some heavy editing these iPhone photos look terrible.<br />
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Hey, everyone! The bulk of July was spent in Hokkaido, where the trade-off for less Pokestops is the fine weather and amazing food.<br />
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Like <i>zangi</i>, Hokkaido's version of fried chicken. The meat is seasoned before breading and frying, though most good shops nationwide do that anyways.<br />
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Anyways, I drove north for a few days, taking the coastal roads through the tsunami-damaged cities of Tohoku. Ishinomaki in particular was more or less wiped out back in 2011, but now any sign of damage is gone. As a result, the coast is a sea of cement, ready for more cement buildings to be placed upon it. It is pretty ugly, but in general modern Japanese "normal" architecture is all pre-fab and unemotional.<br />
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The ocean is still breathtaking,<br />
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so long as you go past the concrete tetrapods that make up 80% of Japan's coast.<br />
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From there it was up to Aomori.<br />
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The peak of Otake (大岳) is looking pretty clear in this shot. I could have summited it at this time, around 4 in the afternoon, and made it back down as the sun was setting. Instead, I camped and did the hike early the next day. In a brutal, horizontal rainstorm. I posted a video on my Instagram if you are curious. Well, checked another off the famous 100 mountains of Japan at least.<br />
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No ferries left for the day meant a night in Aomori.<br />
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Hokkaido, if it is down in Hakodate, always starts with the most famous restaurant in town.<br />
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Lucky Pierrot. Never heard of it? Now you have.<br />
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Ahhhh, Hokkaido.<br />
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A place with ice cream and fresh milk on every street, and history everywhere you look.<br />
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And uni. Summer means that the <i>bafun</i> uni in the region, considered the best in the world, is at its peak.<br />
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So get your grub on!<br />
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Love this shot.<br />
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Love this shot.<br />
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I ate a lot of melon.<br />
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Even though Furano is a bit touristy for me, it ended up becoming a base-camp of sorts. There are a few of the famous mountains nearby, plenty of fast roads, and a rider's hotel that is 500 yen a night. That charge comes with a free melon, by the way.<br />
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The top of Mt. Asahidake (旭岳). I brought a bottle of my friend's wine from France, drank it on the top, and ran back down the mountain drunk. Kind of the perfect day.<br />
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Spent a considerable amount of time searching for some premium cheese, as Hokkaido is famous for dairy. Many hours and many kilometers later, I had a nice aged cheddar and a fantastic smoked Camembert. Why aren't they in the shot? I left the in the fridge at the hotel.<br />
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What you can't see are the thousands of Chinese tourists. Seriously, Hokkaido has become a huge destination for mainland China lately. Funny thing was that none of them were at the good ramen shops I went to, they were all the head shops of shops that have branches in China. I went to both, cause ramen.<br />
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Dude was up in Hokkaido with a surfboard strapped to his 80cc bike. His starting point was a little island in Okinawa. Live life, people!<br />
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Mt. Tokachidake (十勝岳) was amazing. Sure, the skies weren't clear, but hiking up this simmering mountain felt so good. It is rated at 8 to 9 hours. I did it in less than 4, and could have been at 3:15 if I had started the hike at the correct parking area.<br />
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I look down at the surgery scars on my leg and remember, just a few years ago, a doctor telling me I may never walk properly again. I was prepared for the worst, or maybe just life with a limp, but I stayed positive, kept exercising, and now I'm running up and down 3000 meter peaks.<br />
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I wasn't drunk this time.<br />
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Lake Toya. Beautiful campground. And with the money I saved, I went to Michelin 3-star Michel Bras Toya, at the nearby Windsor Hotel.<br />
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The signature Gargouillou, a vegetable dish with 40 to 60 local ingredients.<br />
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The signature coulant. Michel Bras invented the "chocolate lava cake" essentially. The version here was filled with chocolate and raspberry. Decadent.<br />
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More uni. I made it a point to eat a ton of uni this trip. What I discovered was that I don't care for massive amounts of it. A little goes a long way, and a single piece, served with perfect sushi rice and a light seasoning is way beyond a massive bowl of the stuff, even if it is considered the best in the country.<br />
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Hakodate. Uni and ramen. Check.<br />
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With my time coming to a close in the northern island, I visited 3-star Sushi Tanabe in Sapporo, only to be told that a new no-photo policy was in place. Shame, as some of the pieces were quite nice.<br />
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Back in Tokyo, at an elaborate invite-only sake pairing dinner.<br />
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The craziest part of the meal was probably the mushrooms bathed in whale fat. Or maybe the deer with avocado. Or the goat cheese with caviar.<br />
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I won't review much of it here, but I'm starting to learn how different classes of people define gourmet cuisine. The old image was that the ultra-rich had better taste, and that may hold water when you consider that they have more of a sample to go off of. But times have changed, and time and effort play a bigger role in accessibility to good food. Someone with a weekend job can visit all the hot spots during the week, and then watch as VIPs with private cars swirl their $15-a-bottle sake in expensive glasses, acting like it's their jam.<br />
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I shouldn't say anything negative, I like being invited to 1% foodie affairs.<br />
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I also like that I roll into the Osaka branch of one of the best ramen shops in Japan, and they immediately give me <i>their</i> VIP sticker.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macduckston/28631299042/in/dateposted-public/" title="DSCF1792.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1792.jpg" height="420" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8761/28631299042_1b556eaa5b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-44274786649307564162016-07-02T18:43:00.000+09:002016-07-02T18:43:06.469+09:00June, 2016<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Month were my Time Turned 10</span></b><br />
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Shinjuku Station is starting to look pretty amazing. With a branch of my favorite cost/performance sushi restaurant and a Blue Bottle Coffee, it's a shame I'm feeling like I need to move soon. Not far, maybe Shimokitazawa or Ebisu, but move nonetheless.<br />
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In preparations for the move that probably won't happen for a year, I threw out my 4-year collection of Weekly Playboy. Even though <a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/2014/07/tokyos-best-ramen-according-to-weekly.html" target="_blank">my work with them</a> ended a while ago, I still get this magazine every week. I was beginning to look like a bit of a creep with an entire bookshelf full of underage bikini porn.<br />
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Did some riding and did some hiking.<br />
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Nagano has 3 of the 100 famous mountains of Japan, and I did them all before 3pm. Well, Utsukushi-ga-hara and Kirigamine you can pretty much drive to. Tateshina, on the other hand, is not a place I'd like to hike with others. It is essentially a steep runoff of boulders.<br />
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This kid was screaming at his family to hurry up the whole way. He's a bad ass.<br />
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The world's most radium-rich hot spring. Yes, please. Nothing like a little radioactive bath after a hike.<br />
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Not much in the way of adventures in Japan this month. The reason is that I was invited by the tourism board of Qinghai, China to travel and promote the remote corner of China. Keep an eye on www.ramenadventures.com for my posts. I've gotta get content up asap!Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-26311700886884285522016-06-23T00:01:00.000+09:002016-06-23T00:01:00.139+09:0010 Years in JapanI wanted to write something big, something epic. I'll do as I've done more and more on this blog lately, post up a nice photo. A thousand words, right?<br />
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On June 23rd, 2006, Japan Bash was born.<br />
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Ten years in this country.<br />
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Want to know more? <a href="http://www.japanbash.com/2006/07/japan-flight-over.html" target="_blank">I've been blogging since day 1</a>. Around 50 posts a year, though that number dropped significantly when I started getting serious about my <a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/" target="_blank">Ramen Adventures</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ありがとうございます。</span></b>Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-9254090090202454782016-06-03T00:19:00.002+09:002016-06-03T00:19:36.629+09:00May, 2016<b><span style="font-size: large;">May, 2016</span></b><br />
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Nerd alert! I was a contestant on a Japanese game show that tested our deep knowledge of stuff. How did I do? Tune in to find out. On air later in June. I'll announce more on the Ramen Adventures Facebook page. I'm not even supposed to say anything, but no one reads this site, so it's all good.<br />
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Kwakisurpineku! Kwakisurpineku!<br />
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Tis the season to make <i>umeshu</i>.<br />
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Met these old drunk guys on the top of a mountain. They were up there picking mountain vegetables.<br />
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Actually, I spent half of the month in France, which I will try to write about later.<br />
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Back in Japan . . .<br />
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I hate it when my photos of Japanese sweets are photobombed by an AKB48 member.<br />
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Finally made it to a "meat"ing at my favorite local French spot, <a href="http://restaurant-anis.jp/" target="_blank">Anis</a>. Course after course of meat. Sure, the Kyoto duck and Kyushu horse were good, but what about the deer?<br />
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Have you ever had <i>fetal </i>deer meat before? Yup, from the unborn fawn of a hunted doe.<br />
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Kind of makes the lamb brains seem less special.<br />
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Naw, brains are always special.<br />
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Meanwhile, on TV.<br />
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<a href="http://www.takazawa-y.co.jp/en/" target="_blank">Takazawa</a> uses onsen water from a remote spring in Niigata to make his bread. He even gives you a little vial of the stuff to shoot.<br />
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Pretty amazing restaurant, though I'd only go back for a super special occasion, like landing a job that pays enough to eat here.<br />
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Out!Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-57314297674026201172016-05-23T01:47:00.001+09:002016-05-23T01:47:37.883+09:00Robots!Pretty interesting video about the state of robots in Japan these days:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ppPLDEi82lg" width="640"></iframe><br />
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When I first came to Japan, I expected robots to be everywhere. But once I finished binge watching Evangelion, I realized that the robots weren't as prevalent as expected. Time went on, and the search for robots waned. Over the years, as I've become a bit accustomed to what is considered normal here, I may have overlooked a few.<br />
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Alas, the <a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/2009/11/robot-ramen-in-nagoya.html" target="_blank">robot ramen shop</a> in Nagoya is long gone. Sure, it was a gimmick, but it brought alternative robot technology into the light. It is this, the alternative robot tech, that you start to see more and more in Japan.<br />
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Of course, everyone knows about the famous Robot Restaurant.<br />
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I'm always curious about people's reaction to this. It got a huge boost with American media, thanks to Anthony Bourdain among others, and the spike was enough for them to bump the price up. It is something like 7000 yen now. I've heard they dialed back the sexy nature of the show as well.<br />
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I'm looking forward to seeing new robot tech. Perhaps we will see more before the 2020 Olympics, and not just of the nature I'm expecting.<br />
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Would you rather see useful robot tech, like the ones helping with dementia? Or more giant robots fighting magic humans? A serious question we should pose to our future robot creators.Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26136863.post-60435275877071728832016-05-19T16:20:00.000+09:002016-05-24T19:47:02.619+09:00The Adventures of Homie DaveMy best friend from America had planned to visit in March 2011. Disaster hit just before his trip (the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear accident), and all was cancelled. Well, the homie Dave made it out finally, and I tried to plan 10 days of random radness that would be entertaining for the both of us.<br />
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<b>Day 1:</b> Kanpai! My day was fairly booked with ramen tours, so we stayed local and tried to check out the fading cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen. Not to self, that park closes at like 4pm for some dumb reason.<br />
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Shinjuku is a good spot to wander, but I'm always surprised by the lack of daytime drinking spots. You can always just grab a bottle of sake at the <a href="http://isetan.mistore.jp/store/shinjuku/foreign_customer/index.html" target="_blank">Isetan</a> in their massive basement food area.<br />
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Apparently, the brand new <a href="https://www.newoman.jp/en/" target="_blank">NEWoMan</a> (!!!)building on top of Shinjuku Station has some places to chill.<br />
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Gotta go to work! Six bowls of bomb tsukemen at <a href="http://www.ramenadventures.com/2010/11/fuunji-in-shinuku.html" target="_blank">Fuunji</a>!<br />
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<b>Day 2:</b> Homie Dave is a big time video game nerd. How big? Does he spend his days playing Battlefield? Nope, he spends his days <i>making </i>Battlefield.<br />
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Enjoying the Japanese version of Cat Fancy?<br />
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We did the touristy Shibuya-Harajuku-Meiji walk. Nothing wrong with generic touristy stuff.<br />
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Kakigori was enjoyed. This spot had massive lines when they opened last year, in the neighborhood of 2 hours. Now you can just walk in. Good stuff. Definitely not worth a 2 hour wait.<br />
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Even after all these years, Meiji Shrine is a pretty sick place. An oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle.<br />
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We had some prayers for safe travel, followed by a beer at the new non-Mikkeller spot. I say non-Mikkeller, because this used to be the <a href="http://mikkeller.jp/" target="_blank">Mikkeller</a> bar, then they dropped the Mikkeller name after some drama, and now they reopened, without any of that amazing Mikkeller beer.<br />
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Off to my go-to sushi spot. No matter where you go for sushi in Japan, as long as it is an <i>omakase</i> type place, you are going to be happy.<br />
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As I've been delving deeper and deeper in the sushi scene, this is one big point I've taken away. It's fun to check Michelin stars off your list, but as long as you have a couple great places, the foodie checklist isn't that important.<br />
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The new batch of <i>katsuo </i>was amazing.<br />
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I'm more of a winter sushi fan, but spring ain't bad.<br />
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The direct-to-hand uni is a crowd pleaser.<br />
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<b>Day 3:</b> Head north! Homie Dave could take advantage of the <a href="http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/" target="_blank">JR East train pass</a>. Basically, for $200 you get 5 days of travel. That is nuts. The 1-way trip to Akita alone was like $180. Foreigners living in Japan are ineligible. I've heard that you can kind of scam your way, but wasn't about to risk it.<br />
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Three hours on the bright red E6.<br />
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Train food. Fried pork sandwiches at 310 km/hr.<br />
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Our destination was 田沢湖, Lake Tazawa. I'd heard of an awesome hidden hot spring in the mountains, with a rustic, secluded inn. This had been on my list for about 6 or 7 years.<br />
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I forced homie Dave to walk around the lake with me. It was far, but there is something amazing about walking in the countryside. Not a lot to see, apart from the trees, water, and mountains.<br />
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But at least you can find some free roadside water. Neither of us got sick the entire trip, and I thank this magical forest water for it's healing effects.<br />
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After this we hitch-hiked the rest of the lake. Hitching in Japan is of questionable legality, but in the 4 or 5 times I've tried it, it was always a success.<br />
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Well, the onsen was pretty legit, though it's status as a secret onsen (the name has 秘 in it) was not the case at all. About 3/4 of the guests were from overseas.<br />
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They are part of the <a href="http://www.hitou.or.jp/" target="_blank">日本の秘湯</a> (Japanese secret onsen) association. Yes, there is an official organization. For secrets.<br />
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Turns out that the average temperature of onsen in Japan, 42 degrees, is a bit hot. I looked into it, and most hotel spas keep their Jacuzzi at 38. Hommie Dave was having very little of the indoor bath, while the outdoor one was bearable. Sorry homie Dave!<br />
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For me, 42 or 43 and I'm good for hours.<br />
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<b>Day 4: </b>Back in Tokyo for a Swallows game. Homie Dave was about to ditch me when I mentioned a baseball game, but the minute we stepped in it was all good. J-baseball is nuts.<br />
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<b>Day 5:</b> Foooooood! I had to go teach English to high school girls, so Dave went off and walked around Akihabara for a few hours.<br />
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Then to <a href="http://www.aoyama-florilege.jp/en/" target="_blank">Florilege</a>, one of my 2 or 3 favorite fancy spots. If you like this sort of thing, French cuisine using a lot of innovation and local ingredients, paired with a solid wine list, Florilege is for you.<br />
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Course after course of the good stuff.<br />
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Pricey, but so is any food of this caliber.<br />
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<b>Day 6:</b> I kind of forgot what we did during the day, but then we ended up at Den for dinner.<br />
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Everyone's favorite spot.<br />
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Doing it wrong!<br />
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Den ends up being most foodie's highlight restaurant. With good reason.<br />
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<b>Day 7:</b> I didn't bring my camera, so here is a shot of us at the top of a mountain.<br />
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The plan was to hike from Okutama to Mitake, eat some soba on the mountaintop, then head down to the Sawanoi sake brewery for a tour and drinks.<br />
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I'd done this hike before, and it took me about 3-4 hours. As a group this time, it took more like 7 hours, and we got a late start, as someone missed their train. Someone <i>always</i> misses their train. Though the photo below looks like a beautiful spring day, most of the hike was spent in typhoon level winds and horizontal rain.<br />
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This is an amazing mountain in Tokyo to hike, but if you aren't down with a 10km uphill battle, start from Mitake Station, take the cable car, do a little hike, then come back down.<br />
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One of those hikes where I have a feeling that most people were miserable, but happy to have done it the next day.<br />
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<b>Day 8:</b> More train nerding out.<br />
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This is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odoriko" target="_blank">Super View Odoriku</a>, an express train that goes from Tokyo Station down the Izu Peninsula. If you plan it, you can sit right in the front. And by plan it, I mean get up early exactly 1 month before your trip, go down to the nearest JR station, and reserve your seats.<br />
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I always ride my motorcycle down south, but I'm not about to ride 2-up on the bike with homie Dave!<br />
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Izu is full of fun, if you count sitting around in hot springs fun.<br />
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Or going to the famous <a href="http://www4.i-younet.ne.jp/~wanien/" target="_blank">Banana Alligator Park</a> fun.<br />
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And, yep, these hot springs were also 42 degrees. Sorry homie Dave!<br />
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<b>Day 9:</b> Homie Dave wanted Japanese curry. <a href="http://tabelog.com/kanagawa/A1410/A141001/14021129/" target="_blank">Kokoro (ー 心) </a>was just far enough from touristy Hakone-Yumoto station that there were no white folk. The ranking was high, and I felt very happy in my ability to use Japanese food sites to search out good stuff.<br />
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Mad tasty.<br />
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My first time to the Hakone Open Air museum. Neat place, though getting around Hakone using trains and cable cars and buses is slow and annoying. Like I've said, I'm always on a bike, and this tiny part of Japan is easy to navigate.<br />
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After the art, we stayed at the <a href="http://www.hgp.co.jp/language/english/sp/" target="_blank">Green Plaza Hakone</a>. I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone. It was very touristy, the food was weak, and there was nothing around the hotel. The reason I booked it was for the view. Mt. Fuji in all its glory.<br />
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Might be a good spot to stay with a family. There were screaming Chinese kids running around everywhere.<br />
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<b>Day 10:</b> Back in Tokyo, another quick sushi lunch.<br />
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<a href="http://www.manten-sushi.com/" target="_blank">Manten Sushi</a> has probably the highest cost-performance of any sushi shop in Tokyo. For 3000 yen at lunch, or 5000 yen at dinner, you get a full-on course.<br />
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Then off to the marina. I've got a membership, so we rented a boat for a few hours to cruise around the harbor and Tokyo Bay. Yeah, you can pretty much pull up alongside Haneda and watch the planes land.<br />
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Mad fun.<br />
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The whole boating thing is a recent development in my life. I'll post more, as cruising around the canals and Tokyo Bay is amazing. Amazing, yet there is no one pleasure boating.<br />
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<b>Day 11 and 12: </b>There were a couple more days, but I didn't take any pictures, so who knows what happened. Memory loss! I remember I made homie Dave come to some sort of local drinking party where no one spoke English.<br />
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For reference here is a shot of us almost exactly 10 years ago.<br />
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I had some weight / hair / teeth issues, but I'm better now.<br />
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Not a bad week and a half. I didn't take homie Dave to the Robot Restaurant, or jail-themed izakaya, or ninja village, because that is shit I have no interest in.<br />
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A couple things fell through / didn't happen:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I had a driving lesson booked at a drift racing circuit, but the teacher had to cancel.</li>
<li>Sake brewery tour. We missed the tour time.</li>
<li>I almost had a big ramen PR gig in Osaka. Would have been rad to go there for a night.</li>
<li>We were going to fly to Fukuoka for a day to hang out with geisha, but the Kumamoto earthquake put an end to that.</li>
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Ramen Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05600258330653254834noreply@blogger.com3