Then there is a machine that generates the flakes. Fascinating!!
Our first food station was grilled eel with a hoisin sauce.
One of the best preparations I have had. That was followed by some wagyu beef cubes. Such amazing flavor from such small cubes of beef. And only 700 JYP (~$4.25 USD). Then it was a couple of Japanese oysters that were freshly shucked in front of us.
These were large like gulf coast oysters which made me think they would be tough and chewy. Just the opposite. These were delicate and mild with just a bit of brininess. We then tried some tuna sashimi.
So fresh and tasty and only 500 JPY (~$3.75 USD) for about eight pieces. Can't even compare to any I've had anywhere else. And at a fraction of the price.
It was then time for a proper lunch. Our guide suggested a place which looked closed to me because their door was closed. But as long as the banner is hung, she said that means they are open.
You ordered before you entered the restaurant. The whole place sat about twenty five people and we had a small booth for three. We got the tuna maguro which was seven pieces of sushi showing all the different grades and preparation.
Never had I had it like this. The one on the far left was by far my favorite. It was a piece of fatty tuna that just melted in your mouth. So tasty!! All the others were amazing as well including the grilled version.
Our tour was wrapping up and we also saw one restaurant where you ordered with a vending machine before you went to sit down. You make your selections, pay for them and receive a ticket which you give the sushi chef inside. After the tour we went to have a matcha tea ceremony with some matcha desserts.
Yesterday we decided we'd go to the Imperial Palace. After investigating further, we found out you needed reservations and the last ones for today had already passed. So that would be happening. Instead we went to the Tokyo National Museum. It was a beautiful walk through a tree lined park and walkway.
We saw so many vending machines. Japan really has a strong soft drink game. So many types of teas and other beverages. And reasonable prices at 180 JPY or less.
The museum has a varied collection of Japanese painted screens, kimonos, archeological artifacts and original shogun uniforms from the 16th century. Plus some more "modern" art. But not what you might be thinking. There was a push after WWII to have Japanese artists move away from painted screens since many were labelling them as decorative furniture. They forced these artists into doing more traditional oil paintings on canvas. Very sad to see that some felt that the screens weren't art.
The museum also had an exhibit where you could make your own layered stamp of an artwork. There were about seven stations and you moved your paper from one to the next. Very fun to see that come together.
We headed out of the museum and stopped at a vending machine for a peach tea and ginger ale. On the way to the train station we saw the most glorious cherry blossoms in prime form!! Up until now, the trees we had seen were a bit past peak. This tree was amazing and in full bloom!!
The train took us to Shinjuku station. We got off there and walked towards the hotel. We found a great ramen restaurant. We were hungry from all the walking (over 13K steps)so we each got a ramen combo. It also came with fried rice and gyoza. And we ordered some Japanese fried chicken.
This was very similar to a dish I have made called Hawaiian chicken!! So crunchy outside and moist and flavorful inside. All such good comfort food. And such reasonable prices. All that food plus two large beers was 4610 JPY (~$34.50 USD).
Tomorrow we don't have any scheduled tours. There are a couple of areas of Tokyo we want to explore. We have two more nights here. We will take a train to Osaka on Thursday morning at 10AM and get in around 1PM.
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