rcw

Fantastic trip report. Thank you so much for sharing in such an entertaining, detailed, foodcentric way. My husband and I travel to Japan at the end of March and you have provided so much useful information - our mouths are watering in anticipation!

hawaiiantraveler

seemaskt,

Thank you for this fabulous report! It's always nice to experience Japan from another perspective. We missed going to Japan this year and you made me home sick with your descriptive writing so can't wait for next fall when we get to baptize a few Japan newbies.
Let us know if you post Ajit's pictures when ever.

Aloha!

seemaskt

Hi Mara - I would have loved to stay Iin the Yanaka area and explore it some more...lucky you! Not sure if/when we'll return...there are so many countries to visit and so little time! But, it's definitely a place I would go back to if I had the opportunity. It looks like you have been back several times. What keeps drawing you back to Japan?

Thanks rcw! Have a lovely trip!

Peter, thanks! I'm sure you have a lot of pressure to show Bob, Craig and their families a good time!! Hope you have another wonderful trip to your favorite destination!

Bob - we used to go to Queens for Indian food when we first moved to NYC and there were fewer options in the city. Now, with a lot of great options here, we don't wander too far anymore. Sorry!

rhkkmk

i love the nyc places around madison or park at 25th st..

seemaskt

Yup, that's the Murray hill area I am referring to, on Lex between 28th and 26th streets. The 3 restaurants I listed above are our favorite in that area. There are also a couple of others we like, but not always reliable.

Mara

lol...that area on Lexington gets one hungry just walking down the street. ;-)

seemaskt, I decided to go the first time to Tokyo just to get out of my usual European trip comfort zone - also an extremely cheap fare - I enjoyed Tokyo - it was fairly easy to get around, people were so helpful - it was clean and I guess I got the bug....since then I have gotten to know Japanese people from NYC who have moved back as well as others I met online so when I go there I can meet them sometimes....Plus at heart I am a solo budget traveler and Japan is easy to get around with public transport as you know. If it wasn't such a long trip I would go more than once a year... Also I have been studying Japanese so now I can converse a bit and read signs etc which does help and the Japanese people seems to like when one makes an effort.
Happy Travels in 2013 everyone!

Sue_xx_yy

seemaskt, thanks for the tips, including the ones about bigger lockers available in Hikone.

I have just learned, by the way, that decongestants used commonly in North America (e.g. Sudafed, Tylenol Cold) etc. cannot be brought into Japan.) Major bore, I shall have to think hard about how to be prepared if I end up flying with a cold.

rhkkmk

send me an e mail so we can keep in touch.

[email protected]

craig and i might come to nyc in the spring and we could have dinner.

seemaskt

Mara - those are good reasons to travel to Japan. I'm sure your interactions are so much more rewarding now that you speak the language.

Sue - I didn't know that you couldn't take Tylenol etc. into Japan and in fact had some on me which weren't confiscated. Not sure if the rules are relaxed or if I just got lucky.

Bob - will send you an email. Hope to see you in the spring.

Safe travels in 2013 to all!!

Sue_xx_yy

Hi Seemaskt

It's only meds with phenylephrine in them that are potentially problematic. Could be you had stuff without that ingredient, or maybe as you say you were lucky, who knows.

I'm sorry your report is over. Can't you just invent more trip to report about?

seemaskt

Hi everyone! I'm finally back with Ajit's pictures. Phew! It took awhile.

http://culturesconnected.smugmug.com...7696599_9q4JRq

Hope you enjoy! See you all around...

rhkkmk

bravo, he is a master of textures and colors...

he does like thos angled pictures..

kmkrnn

FABULOUS pictures. Thank you for sharing!

hawaiiantraveler

Finally got to view Ajit's pictures and have to say the man has a good camera eye. Beautiful foliage shots. Love the angles and the contrasts. Worth the wait.

Aloha!

seemaskt

Bob, Karen, Peter - Thanks for the lovely comments. You have just made Ajit's day!

Mara

What wonderful photos Ajit took - wow....very impressive - love the details.....thank him for sharing!

seemaskt

Will do, Mara. Thanks! Wow, hasn't it been awfully cold here the last week? Saying indoors as much as I can...and reliving memories from past trips.

Kavey

Just found your report today and have read the whole lot, savoured it all. My husband and I went to Japan for the first time, in October. Like you, I did a lot of reading and research in advance, and like you, food was a major theme of the trip. Indeed, I've been writing up my experiences too (for my food blog) and smiled several times as I noted how similar our reactions were, what delighted us, and even what we chose to share in the reports. Some of mine are up but some are sitting in a queue of posts scheduled to be shared in the coming month.

What a pleasure to read...