Once the menu is presented, the strange and often thrilling journey outside the comfort zone begins. Though Japanese cuisine is based on the familiar — rice, noodles, soups, tofu, fish, livestock — it also appears to embrace most of the other creatures that inhabit the region, with the exception of Hello Kitty. About 450 types of seafood are sold at the city’s Tsukiji fish market, the main restaurant supplier, and chefs aren’t shy about serving up their odder parts, such as abalone liver, fugu fins and those squid guts.

“One of the interesting things about living in Japan is that you end up eating things you have no idea what it is, so you just have to go with it,” Spreckley says. “As long as you view it as a constant adventure, it can be fun. Things change all the time.”

Of course, for more enlightenment and ideas on what you should look out for and which you should better not dare try, head on for more Tokyo eats at the Tokyo Traveler.

Photo Credit: Gustty

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Photo Credit: KnOizKi via Flickr

Grab a dinner at the The Modern Toilet Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan. or at the Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. Both guaranteed to give you a unique dining experience!

And if you think wine belongs to the dining table alone, check out the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Wine Spa in Hakone, Japan, where you get to sink into a red wine pool in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. I bet this is wine lovers’ ultimate dream!

Hat Tip: The Tokyo Traveler

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Designed exclusively for Andrew Harper members, Andrew Harper Signature Tours present the opportunity to experience exotic destinations in VIP comfort and style. As would be expected, each sophisticated one-of-a-kind tour is with groups no larger than 20 like-minded luxury travelers, ensuring an intimate travel experience. Each tour includes the very best guides, accommodations and transport. And thanks to Andrew Harper’s worldwide contacts, guests will personally meet many prominent local figures along the way, providing fascinating cultural insights, and unprecedented insider access to places seen by few foreigners. Add in colorful surprise events at private venues, the exclusivity of only one departure per year, memorable luxury touches, and you’ll explore the world in Andrew Harper style.

For Asian destinations, check out The Essence of Japan tour, slated for October 25 – November 7, 2008.

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This 80-page guide contains regularly updated information on shopping and dining in Tokyo, plus sightseeing recommendations, a Tokyo subway map, as well as useful area and walking maps. The guide also has sections on Tokyo cuisine, sake and shochu – Japan’s national drinks – and tips on manners and etiquette when eating out.

The JAL Guide Tokyo will be available in first and business classes on all Americas routes, and on flights from Amsterdam, Brisbane, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Paris, Singapore and Sydney.

Image: JAL

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Been to Japan? Care to share your experiences and memories? Here’s a place for you.

Welcome to ReviewJapan, a place to share your experiences and memories of Japan, and review restaurants, places, products, activities, movies, and all things Japanese. We hope that you will post your thoughts and tell us what you think is interesting about Japan.

You can start your own blog, or post comments in their community forum.

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Shane offers tips on getting around the busy metropole– where to go, what to do, and handy tips on how to make the best out of your stay in Tokyo.

Welcome to the b5media Travel Channel, Shane!

Post from: Let's Visit Asia

Every year the Japanese Meteorological Agency and the public track the sakura zensen (cherry-blossom front) as it moves northward up the archipelago with the approach of warmer weather via nightly forecasts following the weather segment of news programs. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March or the beginning of April. It proceeds into areas at the higher altitudes and northward, arriving in Hokkaidō a few weeks later.

Join the locals as they hold “hanami” at the parks and marvel at sights such as these:

If you are a novice to cherry blossoms viewing in Japan, make sure you check out when the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom where!

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The first A380 flight to London will leave Singapore on Tuesday, 18 March 2008, and from then on, there will be daily flights between Singapore and London. A schedule of the flight times can be found here.

As for Tokyo, flights to this destination will start on May 20, 2008. You can find the schedule of A380 flights to Tokyo from Singapore here.

Where to next ? New York? Frankfurt? Being based in Singapore myself, I find these developments very exciting. It ups my chances of being able to experience the A380 soon!

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Starting from ¥33,950 per person, the package includes an original 60 minutes aromatherapy treatment and healthy gourmet dinner in a Deluxe or Executive guestroom or suite, overlooking the impressive Shinjuku skyline. This room package also includes luxurious bath amenities from ‘Korres’ of Greece and a seasonal Hilton Tokyo special gift of LOLA cosmetics to take home.

The perfect get-away for the young female execs!

Source

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Wanting a taste of traditional Japanese lifestyle, my recent trip to Japan included booking several nights at a ryokan in Kyoto. A ryokan is a Japanese-style inn, an experience that must not be missed when in Japan, according to my Japanese friends.

The first sight that greeted us at the ryokan was a sea of brown slippers, neatly arranged at the entrance. You are required to remove your shoes and use a pair of slippers within the premises.

Ryokans usually have curfews, so it’s best to ask the front desk what time the door closes. Usually, you are required to leave your key with them whenever you leave the ryokan for the day.

After check-in, our hostess showed us our room. She opened the shoji (sliding paper door) to reveal two futons, a low table, cushions for sitting (called Zabuton), and a tea set.

I stepped on to the tatami mats with my slippers, to the horror of my hostess, who bowed politely and informed me that I would need to remove them before stepping on to the tatamis. Lesson learned.

We were provided with yukata, a robe that you can wear while walking around the ryokan. Since it was winter, we were also given a Tanzen (a heavier outer robe) to be worn over the yukata.

Outside our window was a view of the ryokan’s Japanese garden. The sound of the tiny waterfall made us relax and forget about the day’s whirlwind tour.

While there are some expensive ryokans, you will be surprised to find ones that are within the traveler’s budget. It is also advised that you book a room well in advance, as popular ryokans tend to be fully booked especially during the Cherry Blossom season, or in the fall.

A helpful site you can use is Japanese Guests Houses, where you can reserve a room at a ryokan based on your budget and destination. The Japanese Inn Group also gives you a list of ryokans, as well as ryokan descriptions, photos and comments from guests.

Since there are a number of family-run ryokans, check beforehand if the establishment accepts credit cards, or if payment must be made in cash.

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