Tokyo Theme Dining

Ever wonder what it's like to dine in the dark while ninjas slink about to and fro?

Come with us and enter the world of the ninja past at a very unique theme restaurant in Tokyo...

For more information about this wacky place and reservations, check out their website. 

Make reservations well in advance, and be prepared for an expensive bill! Warning: Drinks are about two gulps each, but they cost around $10... expect tiny Japanese portions too.

Despite the cost, this was a very fun experience!

Travel and Foodie Friday: What was your favorite meal this week?

Attention all food and travel lovers! "What was your favorite meal this week?"  

Let's face it, whether it's homemade, fine dining, or simply hole in the wall, so much of the travel and living abroad experience involves nothing other than food, glorious food!

I'm starting a weekly post and invite you all to collaborate! I want to share all your wonderful stories and photos.

Here's the deal: Send me a link of your favorite meal this week, or lately if there was nothing to get excited about in the last 7 days.  It doesn't have to be anything beautiful or life-changing, either... just something that hit that spot.

This week's lineup:

For us at the Mary and Sean household, it was sizzling spicy juicy shrimp with huge hunks of garlic in oil with a baguette. Simple and wonderful, the way it should be!

Abi at Inside The Travel Lab had this wonderful gazpacho...

Ms Traveling Pants ate a fabulous meal at the exclusive Momofuku Ko in NYC

Marina, the Travel Experta  in Costa Rica had one of my favorites, rice and beans...

George from My Hotel Life describes heaven on a plate...

Prepare to salivate over this one... Kevin's favorite from Closet Cooking this week is Taco Burger...

Got a great meal to share? Tell us about it or Post a link in the comments section...

Get the Poop (oops, I mean Scoop) on Nightingale Dropping Facial

In my hand, I hold the secret to pasty white skin known only to Geishas for hundreds of years. 

That's right, none other than nightingale droppings, known as uguisu no fun to the Japanese and bird poop to Americans.

We found an old cosmetics store in Tokyo here that sells the stuff, and believe me, people were buying it. Why do you ask? Apparently, it has some lightening and purifying skin agent in it, not substantiated by any real scientific research, but since when does that matter?

It comes out of the bottle in a dried powder form. Thank goodness for that- I don't know if I could stand it the other way. Also, since I know you're wondering-- no, it does not have that familiar smell at all.  

Here's the deal: You lather it up with water, apply, and then rinse off. To be honest, the ritual was somewhat anti-climatic. I didn't feel grossed out or disturbed in the least, though I have to admit I was very careful not to get any of it in my mouth.

So I did it and you know what? 

I think it actually worked! My skin was glowing the whole day... I'm 75% convinced those geishas were on to something...

Come to think of it, however, it could have been the 10 hours of sleep I got, all the salmon and blueberries I've been eating, pregnancy, or even just self-delusion....

In any case, I've got a whole bottle of the stuff, so if anyone out there is interested...you know where to find me.

 

Food Love in Tokyo

On our recent trip to Tokyo, we enjoyed so much delicious food. We're in the process of making a video of our food adventures, but here are some of the highlights.

Berry Baked Mochi Donut from Nevyn Handmade in Akasaka, Tokyo

Crispy Duck Fat Fries from the Park Hyatt Tower Hotel Bar (this was the site of the famous meeting between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanssen in Lost in Translation. 

The most delicious Prawn Tempura I've had in my life from a small tempura house in Asukusa, Tokyo

Blocks of Japanese style Potato Salad from Ninja in Akasaka

Vegetable hotpot with Miso Paste from Ninja in Akasaka

Duck, Sweet Potato, and Mushroom Tagliatelle from PCA in Akasaka

The most well-deserved Melon Pan Fuji Cake after our 10 hour climb in rain and wind!

There's lots more to show including our visit to the Ninja themed restaurant where we ate in near darkness as Ninjas slunk around serving food and performing Ninja tricks. We also have to show our drinks at the swanky Park Hyatt Hotel Bar on the 52 floor with stunning views of the city.  

Rickshaws and Temples

Our first full day in Tokyo, we spent walking around the Asakusa District. 

This section of the city is representative of the Edo period in Japanese history. Here, there are traditional old stores, crowds of people around temples, winding narrow roads, craftsman, kabuki, and rickshaws.

There was loads to see here and we captured it all on video. Hop on the rickshaw with us!

There's lots more to say about this day. Of course, now I also have to do a product review of the nightingale droppings, so stay tuned for that. But alas, other duties call...

In any case, I absolutely love the festive atmosphere in this part of Tokyo. What's your favorite part of any big city wherever you are?

Into Thin Japanese Air

The big question of the day: Did we make it to the Mt Fuji summit?

Watch our video travelogue and find out. Lucky you... you don't even have to experience the joy of altitude sickness...  

Post Vacation Blues

You know that sad feeling you get when you come back from a cool trip? I got it bad today. Anybody relate? 

Just got in late last night after 4 days of excitement and food and adventure in Tokyo. So much fun and a few surprises! As promised in our little teaser from last week, we managed to hit EVERYTHING on our agenda of sights to see.  

Are you wondering if we made it to the top of Mount Fuji? It will be revealed soon...

We've got loads of pictures and video to share, but also unfortunately, practical boring duties pending like groceries and laundry and work. However, we are in the process of editing it all.  

Please sit tight... here's what's up ahead this week:

George Clooney and $25 cocktails

Rickshaws and Ninjas

Nightingale droppings and more Japanese ancient beauty secrets

Special "shopping" in Tokyo 

The first order of business, however, is a video travelogue of our Mount Fuji hike. We'll post it as soon as we can.

 

In the meantime, here's a glimpse of some of our Tokyo adventures... 

Does anyone out there in blogosphere have any strategies for beating the post-vacation slump?