Weather: 11 degrees + cloudy
Author: Amy
Looking back, I realised that we did a lot today!
TSUKIJI-HONGANJI TEMPLE
We made our way to Tsukiji in Chuo-ku in the morning and had a short walkaround. Tsukiji Market was closed cause as it was a Sunday so we missed out on that. However, we stumbled across Tsukiji-Honganji temple.
A kind security guard offered to take our picturesWe didn't go into the temple as we were supposed to meet Jeannie and we wanted to go to Kabukiza first. So we just strolled around the front of the temple.
Look, Danny! Giant Onimusha safe point!
Chrissie's zen spot. She said she felt very zen just listening to the water trickle...KABUKIZA
We heard from some other friends that the famous Kabukiza is closing down this March 2009 so we went there to have a look and take final pictures before it was too late. I think it will be torn down. So this month, this Kabuki theater is showing all the famous plays before its final curtain.
After taking numerous shots of Kabukiza (last chance, you know!), we met up with Jean and went to Sushizanmai as shown in Part 1.
After lunch, with very happy tummies, we walked to Jeannie and Rob's apartment, which was only maybe 15 minutes away. The reason? To see Baby Zak of course!
BABY ZAK!!! oh... and mom and dad...
Little Zak was actually asleep when we got there. We decided to sneak a peek at the sleeping (and snoring) baby but accidentally woke him up instead. So we played with a tired and grumpy (but still very cute!!!) baby.
Dance with me, Daddy!
Yes, Daddy?
Mom! Mom! Look at me!!! I'm Japanese! (see his right hand)
And BLEH to you, Auntie Chrissie....
Hmm... doesn't smell like Mommy... should I spew?KARAOKE + IZAKAYA
We met up with some other friends after that. As the title suggested, we went to karaoke!!! This karaoke place in Ikebukuro is very cheap. Because we went in the afternoon, we only paid 700 yen each for 2.5 hours (including free drinks). We must go back there again!
Out of the 5 of us, 4 are Tohoshinki fans so there was a lot of Tohoshinki songs. It is very interesting hearing beautiful, fluent Japanese coming from the 2 non-Japs in the group... Chris and I vow to polish up on our Jap karaoke skills!!!After karaoke, we met up with a couple of new friends and had dinner at a nearby izakaya.
Chris ordered umeboshi (Japanese apricot wine + soda). The apricot was very sour... but then again, Chris loves sour stuff so right up her alley!
An izakaya is sort of like a hangout place where you can drink, chat and eat snack foods that compliment whatever drinks you have. It is a very informal, casual place, good for groups as there are usually sectioned-off tables or sometimes, rooms.
I guess that's something we're missing in Perth: a nice place to just hang out, drink and eat. Without dealing with loud, loud music in the background (pubs), or ordering lots of coffee (cafes) or feeling guilty about occupying a table for so long (restaurant).
We had all sorts of side dishes:
This is pickled bedok, a root that is very good for you.Bedok root is a common food for Japanese people and is very good for your health. Mom, you'll be happy to hear I ate some. ^_^ Chrissie liked this dish.
Sashimi salad. The nori went very well with the salad. I was surprised...
Cheesy egg. Very yummy! Chris will cook this for me.
Deep fried chicken cartilage. Another surprisingly yummy dish.
Daikon salad. Refreshing but not as tasty as the rest. Very healthy though...All in all, today was a good day. We had wonderful company, great food and we didn't get home too late so we didn't over-tire ourselves...
The next posts will be on what we did in February. Sorry for skipping ahead. Until next time!
Great pics!!!
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