MADOKA'S FLAT, FUCHU SHI, TOKYO, JAPAN / Photos from Aug 17-20

Warning, lotsa photos coming up! Mouse-over to read comments.

Shimokitazawa: My first Japan photo! Shimokitazawa is very cool, not in the central part of Tokyo

Shibuya　渋谷:

Daikanyama: One of the most expensive places to live in Tokyo. This is an underground-ish traditional izakaya style (like Kazu in Wellington) restaurant. It's very popular, attracting many celebrities. It had AMAZINGLY scrummy food and is open until 4am. Its many stairs and very low ceilings make for interesting adventures after too much sake, shouchuu and/or beer.

Madoka's dog Columbus/Koro-chan: コロはごろだ。　That's my attempt at a Japanese pun Katie!!!

Asakusa　浅草: Old-skool Japan, north of Central Tokyo.

Harajuku　原宿: Wandering the streets in the evening. Lotsa interesting people and places. The Condomania shop had hilarious things including condoms in nut-shaped containers and products called Small Prick Condoms - I can't see those selling very well.

Shinjuku　新宿: Lights, camera, no flash!

Hachioji 八王字: ここは本当に田舎だ！私がどうして東京のお好み焼きの写真を取ったでしょう。本物のお好み焼きが大阪の料理ということはみんなが知っているね。でも実は、東京のもんじゃの写真をあんまりおいしくなさそうに取ったので、見せてあげたくないんですが。ちょっとゲロに似てしまった。An extremely country-side place. We even went past a rice field getting to it. These photos show the preparation of fried veges, seafood and okonomiyaki. PROPER Okonomiyaki hails from Osaka, but the photo I took of mokuja (a TOkyo style dish) made it look like poos even though it smelled and tasted incredible. Some people find the idea of paying to cook one's food kind of silly but it's a cultural and social thing. Plus it's fun!