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!

January 2016

Happy New Years



Another year, same ol' Japan! Never change, Japan!



Never change.



I've been going a bit hard on the sushi scene lately.



As well as the fine-dining scene. Yes, I'm becoming one of those people.



So much so that I now have an opinion on truffles. Basically, I don't understand what all the hype is about. I mean the crazy, truffles-over-bitches mentality that people seem to have. Am I missing something? Good, but not that good. I have, though, had flavorless truffles, and others with a wonderful, strong scent, so maybe I'm just missing the next level, where it becomes some sort of ambrosia. Who knows.



I see a new food trend this year!



Cutlets . . .from an animal. What animal?



Mazesoba . . . from an animal. What animal?



Tokyo ramen school, coming soon.



Classy. They poured me a primo cup of cold sake in this beautiful ochoko, and then hit me with another cup of it hot.



Feeling good after this one, I had to hit up the Murakami exhibit.



So legit.



Go before it is gone (March something).





I have a sake guy at a sake shop. He knows me, and knows what I like. I want 2 or 3 bottles of dry daiginjo, and another bottle of something random. Well, my guy wasn't in, so someone else helped me out. So far, I've only tried the two on the right, and they were both pretty bad. About to dip into the next one.





Thanks, Mike, for the shoe delivery. #31cminJapan



A nishonshu vending machine. The top row all cost a dollar. A buck for a cup of booze.



Best sushi in Toyama at 鮨人. Amazing.



Also, this is thought of as the most beautiful Starbucks in Japan. Pretty stellar design, and the dog-friendly patio was a great place to sit for a couple hours.



In the cold months, vending machines have lots of hot choices. Let's see, do I want coffee, coffee, coffee, corn soup, or clam juice?

December 2015

明けましておめでとう。



Another year in Japan. This will be my 10th year blogging here at Japan Bash. If you've been following along, thank you. The effort has waned, with 2015 having only 21 posts. To put it in perceptive, 2008 has 5 times the amount of effort.



Another charity motorcycle run and another month of good food. If I get some heated motorcycle gear, you'll probably see more riding. If not, more eats.





While doing research on Japanese shaved ice, I accidentally ordered this one; affogato over Japanese red beans. Crazy combo.





Osaka is, as it always is, a strange and magical place. Years ago, before I moved to Tokyo, I was about 50/50 between taking the next step in Tokyo or Osaka. Frankly, opportunity abounds in Tokyo, so I know I made the right choice, but I always wonder.





One and done at Universal Studios Japan. Like every other amusement park, it is a lot of waiting around. But instead of implementing a fast-pass type of system, here you can just buy your way to the front. Seven express tickets cost an extra $100.

Might be worth it. The day I went was a cold, rainy weekday in the off season, and the Harry Potter ride had a 4 hour wait.



$100 for some tickets ain't nothing to a baller.



Not sure why, but I ended up with a bunch of Christmas present pate from restaurants. Hugo Desnoyer is a strange place. The clientele are your typical stuffy executive-looking dudes, but the speakers blast some kind of space disco soundtrack. The other pate is from Anis, which is one of my favorite places in the city. And another is from a friend who went to Paris. So, yeah, pate party at my place.



Camp-style spiced cider.



Camp-style spit-roasted sausages.



Fuji from the north and the south. I spent the 31st riding, was asleep by 10pm, and spent the 1st riding as well. The next day, Facebook had a bunch of posts from friends bragging that they had done the same (the going to bed early part at least).

Time to think about 2016. Two years ago I gave up a vice, and last year I gave up another. We subtract in order to add. Maybe I'll just get a haircut this year.



I hope everyone makes every year count.