I wanted to tell you about Japan from my perspective. I have been there often, as an invited teacher and lecture of Plastic Surgery and just for fun. Other times I have passed through on the way to another part of Asia and stayed just one or two nights like on this trip.
Japan is one of the most interesting places to visit as its people and its culture are far different than any other culture I have known. The Koreans and even the Chinese are somewhat less confusing to the western mind I think. I have had friends from Vietnam , Thailand , Cambodia both Korea’s as well as Taiwan. These were not casual acquaintances but people I have known for years and very well and at least to my thinking I believe these cultures are very close to the American way of thinking. I am sure many of you will disagree but it will take a lot of convincing for me to change my mind. I will simply say that the Japanese are the most detailed and type A personalities I have ever known. If you study the Japanese tea ceremony and understand that , you will agree and understand what I am saying.
Now back to the trip, as we can discuss Japan as a culture forever and write an entire book on the smallest aspect of that. Once we arrive in Shinjuku station we have to find the Hotel. It was the Hotel Star (Hoteru Star). A pleasant but inexpensive place only 122 US dollars per night for a large room by Japanese standards. I have stayed at the Southern Tower a much nicer hotel but at over twice the price but since I am only there as a stop over why waste the money? The reason i like Shinjuku area is its central to many things and easy to get around Tokyo. There are trains leaving Shinjuku station to everywhere.
The first thing to do in Japan is for me to find the most hole in the wall ramen place I can. There I have found the best ramen noodles as opposed to a fancy looking place. You have to listen to slurps of Japanese men sucking up these noodles. The louder the sounds the better the noodles I suppose.
Ramen at Hole in wall
There are many of these places around Tokyo and they are great eats. Probably some secret recipe that has been in the family for years or maybe not. Yet i like to pretend it is so it taste more exotic. There is the type where you buy a ticket from a machine and then hand it to the staff or the other type and which you simply pay the cashier. I am not sure why the difference. Yet its interesting when you try to figure out by comparing Japanese written language to picture of the food so you get what you want. The machine you order does not have a picture and the only way is to compare written language which I cant read or write yet. So I say to myself, ok this first character is the same as this one on the machine, then down the line comapring characters from the menu with pictures to the machine buttons with only written japanese. So far I have always been right. I cant wait until I actually can read Japanese so I dont have to do that anymore. Then it will be a simple , Ok this says beef with ramen noodles–very simple right?
Now remember I said you have to look for a hole in the wall type place and there you will find the best I think. You can see the alley I found which has good ramen. This alley looks like it has been there about 100 years but the building surrounding it are all modern which is one reason I like Japan , it mixes the old and the new very well.
A great alley with Ramen hole in the wall
This alley like I said, looks like it has not changed in 100 years. Right next to it is a very modern building which I will show you in a picture as well.
Notice the suitcase with wheels where they store their city equipment
Atom Club In Shinbuya great electronic music
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