Potential forJapan food shortages--hording may begin soon
 

I'm concerned that there will be a shortage of decent food in Japan this fall. With the number of fodorites who have thus far indicated their intentions of visiting this island country in Oct-Dec, 2013 there might well prove to be shortages.

My understanding is that KimJapan has already started to lay in provisions and is experimenting with ways to preserve high quality fish products.

DonTopaz is taking reservations for use of his "bathrobe"...

Cheryl has already contacted Kodak to reserve sufficient film...

Kathie has ordered two extra copies of Dawn Rooney's Japan, with its best of tokyo restaurant listing and which japanese temples have food pantries.

HT is asking Congress to approve shipments of grain to Japan to create his favorite beverage..

Hanuman has sent Gaggan to Japan this week to start freeze drying items for us.

Most flights from Japan to Thailand are fully booked already for the next two years. I think aeroflot has a few seats left with connections thru Moscow (don't forget your tool kit).

if you can get tong on the horn she will arrange her special Japan food tour, but chances are all the fish and veggies will be quick dried and in short supply.

And filmwill is concerned about 2 nights in a glitzy guesthouse---ain't he from LA where glitz is the rule and money is no object?

ENJOY JAPAN...

Since I expect we will be there after you are, I figured we wouldn't be able to get Italian food anywhere...

I'm guessing that we will all survive somehow. Although there may well be a shortage of pool water...

maybe we can get chef boyardee to visit japan?

Beefaroni, our first planned Japanese meal. How did you guess?

potatoes not grain, but funny just the same.

speaking of lots of food, would you like to try chanko nabe one evening? google

Aloha!

Bob you know when you're in Japan and you want to have some peanut butter you will have to say it with a Japanese accent or they will not understand you. I am sure HT will teach you how the Japanese pronounce it.

sure... can you get extra fat on the meat please.. better order two helpings as i might be starved after all that climbing around temples and walking thru parks.. never mind digging the pots for your drinks..

i'm really looking forward to this portion of our trip and then to some slow time in Thailand..

i just hope there is no shortage of red meats for the sushi..

Bob, haven't you heard? We ended up going with the HoJo Hakone. Trying to keep it real as always.

The HoJo, Filmwill! You really are splurging on this trip!

i wonder if it will have an orange roof??

for your sake, i hope they are not out of chocolate sauce, it enhances raw tuna

And raw fish and chips!!!

HT, Cheryl is wondering whether you have ever eaten at Jiro Ono. She watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi and can't get it out of head.

Foreigners are not especially welcome at Jiro's joint. My understanding is that the only way a non-Japanese can eat there is to accompany someone who is Japanese.

Kathie just take Ken with you and problem solved! He's here right now and I will inform him..

Hey, Hanuman, it sounds like a plan! Give our best to Ken and tell him we'll see him in Tokyo.

Kathie,

I don't eat much fish so I do eat sushi but not the ones with raw fish. Linda loves fish so we do go to the occasional small sushi place but none of the magnitude of Jiro Ono's Michelin three star restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro on the Ginza. Cash only, no credit cards, suggested menu starts at ¥30,000 and if you don't speak the language or have a res in advance forget about it. If you can't get a res on the Ginza there is also a branch in the Roppongi Hills area only a 2-star Michelin rated restaurant run by his son.

http://www.sushi-jiro.jp/eng-index.html

Hanuman is right, kuranosuke would be the one to get you into Jiro's ;) and I know he has a few suggestions for toro sushi and the likes at his favorite haunts in Tokyo. I think Ken is becoming a resident of Bangkok though.....hopefully he will add personally to this thread soon ;)

Aloha!

My friends (who work at Apple and are in Japan quite often) were able to get a reservation at his son's place in Roppongi. Said it was the best meal of their lives -- but before you pick up the phone, consider how much you're willing to shill out for food.

It cost them $350/person and the meal lasted 22 minutes on the nose (he timed it.) For them, who are die-hard foodies, it was worth it. For me, I can't imagine having a 22 minute meal anywhere except Burger King.

Filmwill, thanks for the interesting story. I'm not serious about going there - this whole trip is blowing my budget - but I was interested in other's stories.