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Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Thursday, July 23, 2015

8 MOST DISTURBING JAPANESE CUISINES THAT WILL MAKE YOU PUKE

Japanese can be the people with the most delicate taste in the world. Their untiring zeal for new and better flavor turned Japanese cuisines into a work of art. But as not all arts are beautiful, there are some disturbing foods or maybe they're just too advanced and ahead of our time.     



1. Pink Colored Curry
Jalan.net
At first glance, it seems like some sort of cosmetics, or, at best, curry made of strawberry. But do not judge it too soon. It is made of sugar beet so it's rich in iron, and, surprisingly, it actually taste not bad. FYI, there is a blue curry as well.          



2. Black Hamburger
kukinews.com
Seemingly seriously rotten patty and bun will surely make you not want to have a bite. As it's named, this burger is completely black from buns to even cheese. How do they make it? Japanese use bamboo charcoal powder and squids’ ink for buns and sauce.



3. Penis shaped snacks
Wikimedia
Japanese has got this folk beliefs on the penis. Some people actually pray to penis shaped sculptures, and there are even festivals dedicated to the penis. If you've got some appetite for some penis, Japan is the place to go. 



4. Blowfish
Wikimedia
Despite blowfish’s deadly poison, Japanese just can't stop eating this delicacy. Only restaurants with official license from the government can offer blowfish cuisines, but more than 20 people were poisoned to death since 2000. Why don't you try your luck? 



5. Frog Sashimi 


Warning! It's freaking disturbing!

There is one famous restaurant notorious for offering weird and disturbing foods in Tokyo. Frog sashimi is served in this mysterious restaurant. The the way frogs are cut and sliced is shockingly brutal. Cooks cut poor little frogs alive. 



6. Tuna Eyeball
flickr/myfwcmedia
A giant tuna eyeball is packed in a tube and sold in department stores. I will not go into any details.   



7. Bug topped Sushi
xxxkikimimixxx.blog.fc2.com
Sushi is not only made with fish. Japanese people love Sushi too much they started making Sushi with all sorts of bugs. You could even try cockroach Udon in Japan. It's too gross I don't want to mention any more on this exotic cuisine.  



8. Shiokara
wikimedia
How about salted fish guts? Don't get go Yuck too soon! Japanese even ferment (actually it's more like rot) the enchanting delicacy to make it even more gross. Mainly mackerel and sardine are used, but it varies depending on regions.




Shibasaki Tabong


Oversized Shibasaki Tabong is an epicure who loves to eat all sorts of Asian foods. He used to own a restaurant in Osaka, but his great passion for Asian food made him leave his homeland and travel around Asia.  

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

10 TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY IN JAPAN

There is a pre-conception floating around that Japan is really expensive. I'm not out to challenge that view head-on and say that it's a budgeter's paradise, but it does seem that ideas about Japan's average prices come from people who've never stepped foot outside Tokyo's business districts. The cost of living in Japan is probably one of the highest in the world (close to Australia, Euro-using European countries or the UK), but the money that you can make here is pretty good, too. If you're careful and wise (and take on some private English lessons on the side), you could put away around $1000 a month in savings! "HOW?" I hear you cry. Well, let me give you some suggestions... 

Japanexperterna.se
1) Chill out, stay in, invest in some home entertainment

2) Nomi and Tabe-hodai!

3) Learn to cook!

4) Special Offers

5) Karaoke – free time!

6) On your Bike!

7) Buy Second Hand

8) Supermarkets over Combinis

9) Cheap Food Recommendations

10) Avoid Traps 


Just by reading through the list of things, you will never know a thing. If you really want to save some, you gotta visit Gwynnei blog. Having lived in Japan many years, she's got much to explain.





Wednesday, May 20, 2015

8 MOST EXOTIC, BIZARRE AND WACKIEST BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN TOKYO

Enough of Sushi and shrines! Sushi places are all over the world like the one in your town, and you've seen enough shrines and temples from TV. What you really got to do this time in Japan is to enjoy the island’s exotic night life. The birth place of AVs and Karaoke has exceptionally exotic night culture. Here are 8 wackiest bars and restaurants you really gotta go. 



1. Kayabukiya Tavern: Perfect service from the monkey staffs



Though it looks like a perfectly normal pub from outside, it's is way cooler. Here, the mascot monkey staffs take your order and get you what you want, and they even join your table and entertain you when they feel like it. Monkey staffs also perform shows at the pub, and it's super Kawaii



2. Icebar


This below zero temperature bar has everything made with ice from bar and walls to glasses. It’s freezing but since 3,500 Yen cover charge includes not only a complimentary drink but also thermal jacket rental, don't worry about being frozen to death.


  
3. Penguin bar


It’s not surprising see cafes with dogs and cats these days, but you can't have heard of a bar with penguins. It's indeed exotic and worth a visit if you are penguin lovers. However those cuddly friends are just kept in an aquarium placed at one corner and it's not like penguins joining your table and drinking with you.



4. Vowz: Run by serious Buddhist monks 


Buddhist monks opened a bar to meet and relieve mankind living in a secular world in the belief that patrons feel less constrained in a place like bar. Bartenders are serious monks, not just costumed ones, and they serve religious chants and sermons and good cocktails. So why don’t you take a spiritual short break and have your soul cleansed here while in Tokyo?



5. Vibe Bar: The essence of sex toys  


In terms of adult industry, no country is a match for Japan, and the Vibe Bar is the one example. Located at the center of Tokyo, this adult toy themed bar with hundreds of sex toys is an absolute must-visit. Unfortunately, this perfect place for horny souls doesn't welcome one with penis unless he doesn't bring their girl friends with. 



6. Lock up: Drinks in a prison!


I guess this jail-themed bar has been introduced numerous times by various media. Though I have no experience of imprisonment, everything from the jail cells where you will be sitting to cocktails seemed very realistic and spooky. We see more and more horror-themed bars in Tokyo such as Vampire, but Lock up is the classic.




7. Robot Restaurant: Not much of robots but girls


How about a robot show with lots of sexy babes in leather bikinis? You will not see anything like this outside of Tokyo. Though, in this show, sexy babes take much important roles than robots, robots are pretty sexy too. Can't quite catch what it is? Just click and check out the video. 



8. Ninja Akasaka: Experience Ninja tricks




Wednesday, May 6, 2015

AMAZING VEGAN RESTAURANT IN TOKYO, THE HEAVEN FOR VEGETARIAN TRAVELERS.

Are you a devout vegetarian wanting to have vegan dishes while in Japan? Then mark my words: it will not be easy to find one in Japan. But on the bright side, wherever you find, the quality and taste are pretty much guaranteed. Here is a beautiful article from a altruistic Jesse determined to help out fellow vegetarians. He is so kind he himself picked decent vegan restaurants in Tokyo after having long pilgrimage with the great love for mankind. You could find his full article on this link.



1. Loving Hut: Best Value for money Vegan buffet




2. T's Tantan: Japanese cuisine for vegans 

                                                      Find our more on Japan Vegan



3. Nagi Shokudo: Best vegan set meals in Tokyo

                                      Find our more on Japan Vegan


4. Pure Cafe: Only place for vegan breakfast

                                       Find our more on Japan Vegan



5. Rejuve:  Unforgettable raw vegan food

                                             Find our more on Japan Vegan



6. Komaki Syokudo: Japanese temple food for vegans

                                      Find our more on Japan Vegan



7. Chien Fu: Taiwanese vegan restaurants 

                                       Find our more on Japan Vegan


Japan could be a hell for the unprepared vegetarians,  but with a bit of the guide and information, it wouldn't take that long to make you realize its fame of being the island of culinary pleasure is no exception for vegetarians. It was very pleasing to find Jesse's blog for the first time, and I started to admire his passion and altruism to help out fellow vegetarians. Though this short summary of his article only covers vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo, you could find tons more information on Jesse's blog.   




More Japan

6. YUMMY OR SEXY TOP 12 JAPANESE SOUVENIRS / By Shibasaki Tabong
10. COMPLETE GUIDE FOR YOUR NAGASAKI TRIP / By Mira

Thursday, April 30, 2015

7 KYOTO RESTAURANTS ON AN EPICURE'S LIST (INCLUDING CAFES AND BARS)

1. Yuki: Best Sushi and Sake in Kyoto

Karly

Sorry if you are a big fan of Tripadvisor, but it's utterly useless if you wanna find this Kyoto's best sake bar. You'll be embarrassed to find yourself here overwhelmed by a pure Japanese crowd because this place rarely gets on international travel websites. But, trust me. The long waiting queue before the bar proves its fame in Kyoto. What's more, it was on TV many times, so it's totally legit. When you step into the door, guard your wallet as best as you can, not because of pickpockets but because of insanely delicious sushi that will open your wallet.



2. efish: Great view with cheese cake

Karly
I don't know who named it, but it has nothing to do with computer nerds and fish. Instead, this modern style cafe boasts the great combination of coffee with the nice view looking out the Kamo River though the window. Many good-looking cafes are along the river, but none of them stand for challenge against this one and its unbeatable cheese cake.



3. Daiich-Asahi Noodle: Master of Ramen

flickr/tsaiid

This ramen noodle restaurant looks a little too small for the ceaseless inflow of noodle hunters. Here, you can witness its special way of making ramen noodle and eventually will respect the noodle master's skill. After this, you'd better not use "instant noodle" as a synonym for ramen noodle.



4. Manzo: Good value for money Japanese meal 

naver/wowhwany

This is the one you should definitely go for if you're looking for Sushi, fritters, and Udon of decent quality yet reasonably priced. From here, Kyoto National Museum and Gion are only at 10 minutes and 20 minutes walk. 



5. YOJIYA CAFE Ginkakujiten: Latte art

flickr/saidemian

Although originally a middle class cosmetic brand, Yojiya also owns a cafe on the Philosophers path near Ginkakuji temple (Silver Pavilion). If you're a female traveler, the latte art will be the ace of this place to open your purse. But, for the worse for your purse, there is a cosmetic shop too. It's fine even if you're not into any of these, you can take some rest in the nice-looking Japanese style garden.



6. % Arabica Kyoto: Unbearable coffee aroma after temple

flickr/lukechanchan

Anyone planning to visit Kiyomizu-dera temple? I'm sure that you will walk Nene-no-Michi and Ishibei-koji Lane around the temple. Please don't say you're going straight to your car right after the temple, because that's no different from a package tour. Anyways, if you walk down Ishibei-koji Lane, you will naturally led by the pleasant coffee smell, and that's going to be % Arabica Kyoto. 



7. Zen Cafe & Bar @ K's house: For lonely travelers

mcha-jp

Tired of eating and drinking alone? Come to Zen cafe on the first floor of a Japanese guesthouse chain K's house. Thank to the huge guesthouse, you can meet lots of lonely travelers just like you. FYI, the guesthouse is also pretty decent to have a fun night with new friends. Don't get me wrong! I didn't get a penny from them. 




More Japan

8. YUMMY OR SEXY TOP 12 JAPANESE SOUVENIRS / By Shibasaki Tabong


Written by Karly

She graduated in a university in Korea double majoring in social studies and political science. After graduation, she worked for a while at the Nation of Assembly of Republic of Korea, but now she is working as a reporter. Having a life goal of being a Asia-specialized travel reporter, she travels around the world in her spare time.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

7 BEST FAST FOOD CHAINS IN JAPAN YOU WOULD ACTUALLY GO WOW!

We all love Japanese food don't we? Wherever you go in Japan, the land of culinary pleasure, you will never be disappointed with the food, and even fast food is no exception. For budget travelers not sure what to eat, Koichi from Tofugu.com beautifully rounded up  7 cheap food chains in Japan. I am sure it could be a good introduction to the world of Japanese food. You could find more information on Japanese fast food here.

Let's take a brief look!


1. MOS Burger: The symbol of Japanese burger
wikipedia / Terence Ong


2. Sukiya: Gyudon chain opens for 24 hours
wikipedia


3. First Kitchen: Another burger place in and around Tokyo



4. Yoshinoya: Another Gyudon chain as good as Sukiya
wikipedia


5. Coco Ichiban Curry: Japanese style curry place
flickr / Guilhem Vellut


6. Pizza-La: Pride of Japanese pizza




7. Ichiran Ramen: Ramen chain best in Japan

flickr / Guilhem Vellut


Written by Koichi

Tries too hard to be a hoopy frood who knows where his towel's at. Wants to change the way people think about learning. Makes: TofuguTextFugu, and WaniKani




More Japan
8. YUMMY OR SEXY TOP 12 JAPANESE SOUVENIRS / By Shibasaki Tabong