Japan April 2012 - Day 11 Tsukiji / Asakusa / Odaiba

This is our last full day in Japan =( Trying to put that thought out of our heads, we set out early in the morning to maximize our day.

Sushi Dai CLOSED!

Some random other sushi restaurant

A BIG disappointment awaited us when we reached at 6am at Tsujiki market. It was closed! that meant that most of the restaurants were closed too, including our favorite Sushi Dai! We ended up choosing this restaurant out of the three that were left open. My conclusion is, if Sushi Dai is not open, just leave. I might try Sushi Daiwa but Sushi Dai is Number One.

Tokyo SkyTree

Sensoji Temple

Entrance

Sakura Trees along the path

Sakura "Rain"

Next we went to Senoji Temple in Asakusa, the concept was kinda like Kiyomizu Temple, where there was a big entrance and the path to the temple actual was lined with shops. This path had plenty of Sakura trees though. There was quite a strong wind blowing and everytime it blew, the Sakura petals came cascading down, resulting in a Sakura "Rain". Beautiful.

Riverside Park

Boat rides from Asakusa

The Asakusa Tourist Information Center told us that we could take a boat to Odaiba - a man-made island where various shopping malls and outlets were located. Unfortunately, there were no tickets left. The counter girl's english wasn't so good, so we weren't able to find out whether the rides were closed for the day itself or they were sold out. Next to the ticket center was Sumida Park, another popular spot for Sakura viewing.

I can't really describe the feeling but walking under the pink Sakura Trees really gives one a sense of peace and serenity, no worries or cares. Everyone was smiling and laughing. I really miss those times.

Tonkatsu Restaurant

Menu

Cha-Shu Ramen

This Tonkatusu Restaurant is also next to the ticket office. The Tonkatsu here is crispy and not too oily. The Cha-Shu ramen is one of the best I've eaten in Tokyo. The Cha-Shu is tender and not chwey like those in Singapore.

Yurikamome line to Odaiba

One of the shopping malls

Statue of Liberty Replica

Linkway across the two sides of Odaiba

18m tall Gundam

Inside of Venus Fort

Car Museum

 

Hello Kitty Cafe

Car Simulator in Toyota showroom

The way to Odaiba is to take the Asakusa Lina and change to the Yurikamome Line. this is a new monorail to Odaiba. We took some pictures at the Statue of Liberty Replica and headed straight for outlet shopping at Venus Fort. There was a new uncompleted shopping mall with a 18m tall Gundam outside.

There were lots of things in Venus Fort besides outlet shopping, we spent some time at a big pet megastore, Hello Kitty Cafe and a Vintage Car Museum. My favourite, however, was the Toyota showroom where you got to sit in the various models without any pesky salespeople around. There were  models not yet released in Singapore and two free car simulators.

Live Fugu Restaurant

Genpin Fugu Restaurant Menu

Fugu skin salad

Fugu Sashimi

Fugu Kaarage

Grilled Fugu

Fugu chunks for Shabu Shabu

Fugu Shabu Shabu

Fugu porridge

For our last diner in Tokyo, we had Fugu at Genpin Fugu, a live fugu restaurant near our hotel in Ikebukuro. Fugu is actually quite safe to eat as long as it's detoxified properly. The sets are not cheap though, since it takes skill and lots of practice, as well as a license to serve fugu. We had two of the 5000 yen sets.

First dish - Fugu skin. Chewy, just like jellyfish.

Second dish - Fugu Sashimi. The fugu meat is sliced very thin because it's actually quite tough. Very light taste, has to be dipped in sauce.

Third dish - Fugu Karaage. Tastes and looks exactly like chicken.

Fourth dish - Grilled Fugu. Again. Like chicken.

Fifth dish - Fugu Shabu Shabu. The texture was more tender than chicken once boiled.

Sixth dish - Fugu porridge. The soup left after we had the Shabu Shabu was used to make porridge. An egg was beaten into the soup along with rice. The porridge was then scooped into a bowl and topped with spring onions and seaweed. Seasoning was added to taste.

After the meal we took a long walk around. Sadly, this was the last night we were to spend in Tokyo. Our flight is to be in the morning tomorrow and we won't have any more time for sight seeing. Sayonara Japan!

Japan April 2012 - Day 10 Naruto / Kichioji

Today we will be going to Naruto, a place famous for beaches and the Naruto whirlpools. But our agenda is for strawberries picking that one of our group members is interested in. The Naruto station is about 90 mins ride and costs 5000 yen per person.

Soup Stock Tokyo

Breakfast was at Soup Stock Tokyo, kinda like our Soup Spoon, but with much better ingredients like ginseng and lobster.

Naruto Station

Kawatsura Strawberry Farm

Big and red strawberries

Rows of strawberries

Upon reaching Naruto we took a taxi to Kawatusura Strawberry Farm. The entrance fee is 1000 yen and there is no time limit. However, they do not allow strawberries to be brought back.

Steak House Satou

Matsuzuka beef

Chef preparing the steak

Sizzling!

10,000 yen Matsuzuka Beef set

After the strawberry farm, we just walked around Shibuya for the afternoon as we were to have dinner at Kichioji in the evening. I read on the internet that we could get A5 Matsuzuka beef at a cheaper price than usual at this place called Steak House Satou in Kichioji. We took some time to locate it as the map wasn't very clear. It turns out that it was only about 3 min walk. If you think you've gone too far, you probably have. Luckily, even though this was a sub-urb, the locals spoke english pretty well and directed us to the place.

We ordered the A5 Matsuzuka steak, which at 10,000 yen (roughly 155 SGD), would not be considered cheap. However, the prices outside were sure to be in the 200+ SGD region, so i had no hesitation in ordering this once in a lifetime steak.

The steak itself was more fat than meat, after it was cooked, it was very tender and dripping with flavor. Although I must admit i enjoyed the A4 Kobe beef i had in Hokkaido better. I must make a trip to Kobe one of these days.