WHO'S CHARLES: part two: japan.

immediately after korea, we flew into HIROSHIMA japan
we decided to have these japanese pancakes for dinner!

and walking around the town to observe the nightlife, you can't help but notice these types of guys. the style is pretty crazy from the blonde styled hair to the clothes. all guys looked like this...

the next morning, we went for breakfast at the nearby bakery, which served some the most delicious hash browns ever.

then we took the train to the atomic bomb site

again, spotted some pretty crazy fashions

the dome

then went to the hiroshima peace memorial park

there were these groups of kids circling the park as part of a field trip. they were tasked with approaching foreigners and asking a series of questions in english. we thought they were harassing people for donations or to sign petitions, so we would tell them "no english".

but in fact they wanted to know where we were from, to write a message for peace, and to take a picture with us. ferris asked them some simple questions after they introduced themselves to us, but that seemed to throw them off their "script" and couldn't quite answer what school they attended or how old they were. nonetheless, cool kids.

following the park, was lunch at one of the main shopping arcades, complete with a daiso

interesting magazine selection

umbrellas are commonly used by asians for shade so that they won't tan. biking with one was a sight

those asians love their socks!

yup! a delicious big mac

typical engrish

and not the typical tullys. this one serves swirkles (a blended coconut drink with tapioca) and lattes with pearl

finally, off to MIYAJIMA island

and the torii!

also, it was quite surprising just how many deer there were in the island

maple leaf sponge cakes stuffed with red bean and custard among other fillings

it's beautiful. and it even inspired the gates exhibit in nyc's central park in 2005.

and then to the shrine

but first, you have to wash your hands

the pagoda on the island

off to hike on the island

caught the torii again at sunset

now we can finally eat again

but chicken sashimi?! no.

deep fried gyoza

and grilled chicken

off in the morning to KYOTO by bullet train

some more engrish? if this school if the only one, I'd hope that it'd be the number one!

after a long cab ride, we end up at our hotel in the mountains. such a nice view!

first stop, lunch

japanese curry

and now the sights!
the golden palace

making a wish before heading off

and then the train to japan's tallest pagoda

visiting some more shrines

next on the agenda: pre-game before a kobe steak dinner

here we go...

the appetizers

and the meat.

just check out the marbling

veggies

now the steak is done. rare of course. the options: salt, garlic chip and black pepper (my favorite), and finally mustard sauce

finally, the fat is rendered, and enjoyed with bean sprouts.

thanks, chef!

now to party...

heading to this downstairs restaurant to hang out with misty and nick!

a fun drink: popsicle in sparkling wine. who'd-a-thunk it?

(I actually liked the popsicle alone so much, I bought one to snack on while in tokyo)

then a dice game to win free food...

(we didn't win)

another game: rock-paper-scissors, restaurant vs. chef. the goal was to match the chef until one man was left standing.

and the party continued to a cuban bar
they actually ran out of mint, so we were left ordering caipirinhas

and then, we eat. again. ramen!

thanks for hosting a most memorable night in kobe, misty!

finally in TOKYO!

and dinner of course!

soba noodles: one chicken and one curry

some of the most delicious wings. tried to order 2 orders, but it was just too hard to communicate

crepes from a vending machine, with help.

after all the traveling, we decided that we'd take it easy the next day. simply just eat and shop and enjoy the city.

one of the best views was at the ritz. drank some japanese tea and soaked in the view. like total badasses, that were just too cool for this.

after a day in roppongi, we went for dipping ramen for dinner. dipping ramen to be exact.

some strong sake

back to roppongi...

wanted to go out. not many things were left open. and instead, we were harassed by these men to go to certain clubs, buy expensive drinks and hook up with prostitutes. it was one thing to pass out cards, but it was another to walk with us and cross streets while continuing to carry a very awkward conversation.

japanese guys wearing legit purses

the next morning, off to KAMAKURA for the day. but first, doughnuts!

(we basically came here every day)

Finally in KAMAKURA

went to see the giant buddah

and then a hike to the next shrine

it ended up being another mile of this treachery to the next shine, so we forfeited. to avoid the buzzing bees and additional mosquito bites, we took the main road on the way back down...

back to the usual, shop and eat.

green tea and sweet potato soft serve swirl

well deserved

chorizo

freshly toasted rice cracker

and soft serve again...sweet potato and vanilla swirl this time around

now back to tokyo for a sushi dinner

can you see that older man? he's looking at his camera -- at pictures he took of himself and his twenty-something "girlfriend" having sex. (it was confirmed it was his girlfriend when they were dining in the restaurant moments later.) looking at these photos in public...really?

our chef

california roll

a tuna platter: lean, fatty, extra fatty.

miso soup

no clue on why asians love to use the head as a garnish. not the most appetizing to be honest.

and ice cream for dessert. these workers loved to sing, regardless if you tip or not! tasty, but the portions were really small.

finally, shibuya crossing!

quite a few people for late on a monday night...

something is wrong with this display...

tsujiki fish market at 5am. and we were too late to see the tuna auctions. only 120 people are allowed per day, and those at 4am were admitted.

so we went to the famous sushi dai to grab a bite. at 5am, the wait was already an hour long...

and the line continued around the corner

it turned out to be cash only, and we only had $50 between us. we were left ordering a la carte, and subtracting the cost of each order from our calculator as we went on...

some very fresh tuna.

the best pick: mackerel nigiri

they gave us tamago (served hot), even though we didn't order it. maybe they were feeling sorry for us.

I wish I could say it was all worth it. But good sushi is good sushi. and not being an aficionado, I couldn't tell you the difference between this sushi, and the one from the night before...