Where do I stay when I go to Japan - Tokyo

I have been getting a few requests to post about where I have stayed in during my travels through Japan.

In this blog I will talk about Tokyo.

I have stayed in 3 different hotels in Tokyo, however our absolute favourite is the Park Hotel.

Here is a link to their website : http://en.parkhoteltokyo.com/

The hotel itself is really nice with a boutique and sophisticated feel to it. The hotel itself sits atop of a commercial building and occupies levels 25 to 34. The staff are really friendly and the concierge service is one of the best I have experienced. I have stayed at this hotel 6 times and the level of service is of a very high standard each time.

The hotel is located a 5 minute walk from Shimbashi station on the Yamanote line (the inner city loop) which is only 2 stops (approximately 5 minutes) from Tokyo station. The hotel is also located a 5 minute walk to Ginza which is home to all of the high end fashion shops and several department stores.

I just love this hotel and I doubt I will stay anywhere else when I am in Tokyo.

G

Did you know that originally all Geishas were men?

Yakisoba

My favourite festival food in Japan is without a doubt Yakisoba. It is cooked to order right infront of you and fills you up on a cold winters day while you explore Japan. A whole container of food will cost between $5 - $10.

I have since made my own version with authentic noodles and special yakisoba sauce from Tokyo Mart in Northbridge (Sydney). If I have some left over chicken from the night before, I will throw that in and make it an even heartier meal.

Here is my creation!

Complete with pickled ginger and nori (seaweed) garnishes. My chopsticks are fromTakayama and are shunkei laquerware. The gunmetal coloured plate is also from Takayama.

Individual serving with miso soup as well.

I am hungry just looking at these photos!

G

Algorithm March!

If you have ever been to Japan, you have no doubt watched some Japanese TV.
We all know the crazy Japanese TV shows but I would like to show you something which I just love. This is called the 'Algorithm March'. It is actually from a children's TV show. It has caught on around the world and you can see lots of people posting their own versions on you tube.
I just love the simplicity of the algorithm march. I used to look forward to watching it of an evening before I would go out for dinner.
Each episode would have the hosts doing the march in a different environment.

This time it's with Ninja!!!  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwme5_algorithm-march-ninja_fun

Algorithm march with airline workers! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1diah_algorithm-march-airline-s-workers_fun

So simple and fun!! Only in Japan!!!

G

[Photo of the day]

As the sakura petals fall to the ground they form a pink blanket which is just beautiful.

Photo of the day - Serene Sakura

One of my favourite photos of a branch of a Sakura tree hanging over the water. Taken at Shinjuku Gyoen.

J-Pop!

If you are interested in the music scene in Japan or Asia in general and are in Australia, then check out channel SBS at 8.30am on Sunday's for PopAsia. This features the latest video clips from Japan, Korea and China.

I have watched it for a few weeks and it's a lot of fun and they all take their pop music very seriously!

Give it a chance and immerse yourself into Asian pop and keep up with the latest J-Pop for your next trip to Japan!

G