February, 2016

２月



Meanwhile, somewhere in France. Yep, that's my book on the shelf of a soon-to-be-opened ramen shop in Paris. Amazing.

And speaking of my book . . .



I guess now is as good as anytime to announce that I was given an offer to write another one. While the last one was about Tokyo ramen shops, this next one will be more about ramen and travels around Japan. As you can see from above, I've been having trouble getting words onto paper.

Speaking of books about ramen . . .



My friend Amy Kimoto-Kahn published her first book! Even if you don't cook, check this one out for the amazing photos and stories. Buy it here!

Speaking of friends . . .



I took my friend and his daughter to Kawaii Monster Cafe. I kinda wanted to go, and this presented the perfect opportunity. While she had cake, we drank cocktails.

Speaking of sake . . .



Did you try it?



They actually contain 0.8% alcohol, and have a slight aroma of Japanese sake.

Speaking of real sake . . .



Craft Sake Week was fun.



Speaking of booze . . .



Speaking of Star Wars . . .



Speaking of stars . . .



Still shooting ramen videos for the show Tokyo Extra. We are on air every Sunday night on TBS in Japan, along with a YouTube livestream. Or you can just check out the individual ramen videos online. If you are into YouTube, I'd appreciate all the likes, comments, and subscribes that you can spare.



Speaking of  . . . extra . . .



How about some extra old steaks?

Speaking of extra old . . .



Had a nice haikyo hunt with the usual suspects. For about $20 in gas and food, we spent a day visiting real-life history that has been all but forgotten. Add to that some awesome roads and great ramen, and you have what life is all about.



I always wondered what I would do if I found some money at one of these modern ruins. Well, we hit pay dirt!



Speaking of dirt . .



Anything for that perfect shot!

Haikyo! Motochikozu Mine

Yo! Grab your cameras, it's more haikyo!



The entrance to the mine was totally locked, and a little slickness was in need to get in. I'll let you figure your own way if you ever make it out here.



The hillside mine / processing building was crazy.



All kinds of giant machinery. What kind of poisonous chemicals are we breathing in? Who cares!



We actually thought this was a gold mine, but a local we met at the onsen down the road said that it was used for mining and processing some kind of caustic minerals.



So, ummmm, don't drink any of the standing water.



And for god's sake, don't flip the place on.



Located somewhere in the middle of Izu.

Haikyo! ??? Hotel

Yo! More haikyo!



A good hotel with a nice view isn't hard to find in Izu. Sure, the internet is full of 5-star recommendations and discount websites, but sometimes it is fun to just find one on your own.



Better yet, one that will let you simply pitch your tent in the pool area.

Thank you management!



They even let us borrow some mahjong tiles for a bit of gaming. Domino mutha fucka!



And the onsen is open at all hours. 気持ちいいいいいいいい！



Feel free to borrow a comfy mattress for a night of blissful slumber.



View?



You bet. This seaside resort has it all! Hellllllllllloooooo Oshima.



Modern art adorns the walls. What famous artist did they commission for this? Someone call the MET!



A couple laps with the sunrise was the perfect way to start the day.



No time for sitting! We're on to the next spot!

Haikyo! Royal Hotel Atagawa

Yo! It's time for some haikyo!



Atagawa is one of many sleepy hamlets along Izu's southeastern coastline. All of these coves have a heavy flow of onsen water erupting from the ground, so it comes as no surprise that the bubble economy meant many new hotels opened. Gotta spend that dough!

The Royal Hotel Atagawa is a 5-story example, with probably just shy of 100 rooms.



I rode down with some biker friends, one of whom considered stealing the instrument panel from this old scooter, which would fit the same model he had at home.



Enter through one of the broken windows, and get ready. This place is big. Piles of giant carp flags lay strewn about the lobby. The newness of these flags makes me think that they use this haikyo as a storage for local festivals.



Ghost!



Entering the foyer, you'll find a piano,



and taiko drums. About 20 of them. At this point it was confirmed that the locals must be secretly keeping this place, this room at least, in use.



Some rooms aren't in such repair. The basement (are those support columns for the entire building above?) is burnt to a crisp.



Were these fires made before or after the closing? Were they the reason that the Royal Hotel Atagawa closed in the first place?





When did this place close, anyways?



An old newspaper suggests July, 1988.



The rooms are quite nice, looking out to the sea and the massive garden area.





I've heard of haikyo hunters sleeping in the upper rooms, but I wouldn't risk it. I don't think that hose is hooked up to the fire-sprinklers anymore.



Atagawa is a swell place, with a free foot bath by the beach, and a place to cook your own eggs and eat banana ice cream. And a fresh haikyo. What's not to love?