JAPAN:

I have lived in Japan for 5 years and love it sooooo much. It’s my home away from home.

If you have any questions let me know at

namabeer@colosseum.com or namabeer@hotmail.com

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I will definitely periodically visit this fascinating place as it’s fast pace can’t compare to North America.
After visiting this country as a traveller in 1991 I knew this was a place where I wanted to live for a while. In
Japan, trends change everyday. They are always 3-5 years ahead of us for Technology. You can never keep up with the latest there. The obsolete there is the new elsewhere.

The last time i went there was in March 2001 to Tokyo. I was surprised as I thought Tokyo was a big city with no character compared to the rest of Japan. But I guess it’s like a NYC. There are just so many things to do there!!! It’s the heartbeat of Japan.

I’m obsessed with the people & their culture. Japanese people may be shy initially but once you break the ice, they are the kindest and most polite people on earth.

One of my favorite places is definitely the Tori Gate and hiking trails around Miyajima which is a ferry ride away from Hiroshima. The museum in Hiroshima gives you an erry feeling of how much it’s citizens suffered during the atomic bomb. The top small towns of Japan include Takayama in the Japan Alps and Kurashiki near Okayama. They are preserved just like how they were hundreds of years ago. Onimichi is also a nice little tourist town perched on top of a hill overlooking the Bay.

In the suburbs of Kyoto lies my favorite retreat from the big city, Arashaiyama. I visit there during the autumn foliage and the spring blossoming of the cherry trees. I love renting a bike there and visiting the country side. Kyoto, the city itself is a great city esp. the eastern part near Kiyamizu temple. Don’t miss the 1001 Buddas near JR Kyoto station in addition the colourful Heian Shrine. Also nearby is the Chion Temple ground and the Water Aquaduct. Sometimes the free temples/shrines are better than the ones you have to pay for. Silver Pavillion is a bit boring. Golden Pavillion is ok. The Nijo castle is ok also but not as spectacular as other castles in Japan. Gion Corner is where you might catch a glimpse at a Maiko or Geisha. Don’t fall for the fake ones. The current trend for tourist is to pay and dress up as one for 10,000 Yen.

In the Japan Alps, hiking around Kamikochi (3200m)was great as well as the hike on top of Hakuba/Happo One.(site of the Nagano Olympics). Skiing at Nowaza Onsen was good as was the famous hot spring and hotspring boiled egg!.

Mie prefecture is pretty cool. I liked Ise Shima. Mikimoto pearl museum is not to missed. This is where the finest and first pearl was cultured. You can watch old ladies dive for pearls too! Make sure you eat the seafood there.

If it’s a beach you’re looking for, Shirahama in Wakayama is great with imported Australian sand and crystal clear water.

Koya san in Wakayama prefecture is an excellent religious pilgrimage especially during Obon (in Aug). People light up candles and lateens all over the town and temples. If you get a chance, stay the night in a temple in Koya san -complete with meals!!

The great sand dunes await you at Tottori along the Japan sea.Yes I did say sand dunes. Great to slide
down them with a cardboard and then take a quick dip in the Japan sea. Make sure you bring water!!

Kanazawa is also a nice town which is noted for it’s samurai houses.

OSAKA:

Osaka is where I lived. It’s much more personal than Tokyo despite still being a big city. It's proximity to all major sites and cultural/recreational place make it ideal. It's 30 mins to Kyoto or Nara or Kobe. It's very easy to escape the big city to the nature of Nara or culture or Kyoto or the waterfront of Kobe.

What I miss most about Japan is wondering around Nipponbashi in Osaka (an endless area which bounds with electronics and gadgets-housed with the latest in technology). What more is walking around Namba and Shinsaibashi where all the girls are dressed to kill in the latest fashions, mini skirts and strange wears(if in American mura). Don’t forget to collect your endless packages of free tissue from all the strange people distributing them. The waterfront area of Osaka is really nice. The ATC complex has lots of good restaurants - try Brazilian (lunch buffet is cheap at 980 Yen - served by real Brazilians! The Kaiyukan (aquarium) and Tempozan area is nice too. If you are sushied out - try Shakey’s pizza lunch buffet for 600 YEN.

KOBE:

Kobe is a nice getaway especially on top of Mt. Rokko and in the new waterfront development of Harbourland. Harbourland is a great date spot for young couples. The Hotel there has some good dinner buffets with a great harbour view. There's a Chinatown there and lots of foreign expats living there. Therefore a very expat friendly place. The list goes on with boutiques and snobbish people. (Rumor has it that Osakans are friendly, Kobeans snobs and Kyotoites cold). I like Kobe as it's nice and compact and can be explored everywhere by foot.

TOKYO:

Tokyo is actually a great place. I didn’t realize that until my third/fouth visit. Shibuya is lively but Harujuku/Omote Sando area are very trendy now. Boutiques and cafes everywhere. People sitting as if they were in Paris - both facing out. It’s a very different crowd from the laid back feeling of Osaka! The Osaka and Tokyo wars continue. Check out O Daiba a new island of entertainment complexes & malls that will blow you away! La Pallete mall is like shopping & eating in the streets of Europe. A replica of Italy complete with fountains and blue skies!!

If you are looking for bargains and real Japanese souveniers go to a flea mkt. The best is the Harajuku Flea mkt in the Temple grounds. On every month on the first Sunday of the month. You can get used Kimonos for 1000Yen ($8) but the more elaborate ones go up to 20,000 Yen. If new they would cost a fortune. Many people like Obi (Japanese belt - but foreigners use it for a runner for a table). You can get them for about 1000 Yen and up. There's lots of good deals and antiques in japanese flea mkts. See you local listings for a list of flea mkts going on. If it's ceramics you're looking for, go to the Oriental Bazaar in Omotesando/Harajuku. Lots of good new Japanese plates/cups/etc..... Don't buy the junkie tourist souvenier stuff there. Or if you want an endless aray of ceramics - go to the restaurant equip area (near Ueno). Endless stores of ceramics.

Ginza is full of department stores and lots of materialistic girls with their designer wears and purses. Don’t try to understand what Japanese wear. There is no one fashion but 20 different trends. That’s why it’s a fashion capital.

Shinjuku is where shopping occurs -dept stores, Time Square mall and of course hostess bars at night and the seedy red light district.

Don’t forget Akihabara for electronics - it's endless and everything starts looking the same. But it’s usually cheaper in your homecountry if you're buying the export models. Bargain for about 10% off the price.

Shibuya is the lifeline of Tokyo. Amazing place with the busiest pedestrian crosswalk in the world. Lots of shopping, lots of restaurants, and dept stores. Check out the giant 5 level 100 YEN SHOP. An amazing place and everything is dirt cheap at 100 Yen!!!!

Akasuka is where Tokyo's only famous temple/shrine is. This is old downtown for Tokyo. Explore the shopping arcades. This is the real Japan unlike the rest of Tokyo.

Kamakura is a great daytrip from Tokyo. The Daibutsu (big buddah is the main attaction). The shrine is also a good place to rest.

Yokohama is a good new extention of Tokyo. The waterfront is amazing. The chinatown is huge and the food is not bad.

FOOD IN JAPAN:

Oh yeah, learn the word "tabehodai" (all you can eat places). Make sure in the summer to stop by a beer gardens to watch everyone try to get drunk! Also check out Maguro ten in Osaka for all you can eat sushi on a conveyor belt for $10 in Umeda/Namba. Who says Japan is expensive!! My favorite Italian restaurant is a chain called Cappricciosa. It’s a chain and can be found all over. One pasta feeds 3!!! My favorite is salmon cream linguini. Another not to be missed place is the Ume no Hana Tofu kaiseki restaurant in Kobe/Osaka. You get 15 dishes in all different forms and tastes but all made of tofu. It’s a real treat and a
way to sample real Japanese food. Cheap alternative & fun is to go to an Izakaya (Japanese pub). Lots of small fun appetizer dishes to share & cheap beer. A good chain is Tengu. Other things you must try esp in the Kansai area is Takoyaki (octopus ball) - best is in Osaka near Dotonburi bridge. Other musts are Okonomiyaki (cabbage pancake) and Tonkatsu (pork cutlet). If you miss western food go to the Hard Rock cafe for 1/2 price wings/nachos etc... from 4-7pm everyday.

FESTIVALS in JAPAN:

Festivals never stop in Japan. There are always tons of festival every month. My favorites include the Hanami and hanabi seasons. The PL fireworks in Aug in south Osaka is the greatest in the world. The cherry blossom parties along Sakuronomiya in Osaka is great as is around Himeji Castle. Nara’s burning of the mountain is spectacular as is Osaka’s Danjiri festival in Sept. Don’t get carried away as some are pretty boring esp in Kyoto.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

If it’s your first time definitely try a Ryokan. It’s a Japanese inn and can cost anywhere from 4,000 Yen to
20,000 Yen per person. This will depend on the type of food you are served (usually breakfast and dinner is included). Great food but watch out for the raw egg and natto beans for breakfast!! Gross.

Love hotels are great alternatives. These are hotels rented by the hour about 2,500 to 4,500 per hour. But if you go after 10pm you get to stay all night for about 7,000 to 9,000 Yen for a gorgeous suite-like room complete with all the toys, jacuzzi, karaoke, vibrating bed, nintendo, dill dos etc.., - Unless you are busy doing other things!!!
Many rooms have themes and are very gaudy. Some are like disney land!!

Go discover Japan yourself, You won’t be disappointed!!!!

HERE"S A LIST OF RESTAURANT (MY FAVORITES). THEY'RE GOOD AND CHEAP-REASONABLE

OSAKA:

Umeda Area:

1. Victoria Station - Good steak, reasonable price esp
lunch, good salad bar (2,500Yen)
2. Maguro Ten conveyor sushi - huge pieces, buffet, Men 1,500 and women 1,000 Yen
3. Bali Hi - normal izakaya with jungle atmosphere(2,500 Y)
4. Jungle Da - funkier version of Bali Hi - pricier too. (3,000 Y)
5. Cappriciaosa - my favorite Italian place - one bowl of pasta enough for 2 - 1,500Yen/bowl - best is linguini with salmon creame sauce. Free coffee too. In Namba/Kobe too

Namba Area:

1. Fantasy - Sapporro - 3 levels - All you can drink, all you can eat. One floor is sushi bar, next is yakiniku, last is tempura and a oden area. You move from place to place (2,999 Yen)
2. Oriental Buffet - great curries (Thai, India, Japanese) and other foods. Lunch only 900 Yen
3. Tittacana Chiraschico - Bargain for great beef/chicken buffet at lunch - only 1,000 Yen
4. Origami - very trendy Japanese restaurant. Good lunch course meal with dessert (850Y)
5. Ume no Hana - Tofu keiseki . Not to be missed. 10 course of diff tofu styles (5,000 Y)
6. Kamokura Ramen - extremely popular (line ups) ramen place - good & garlicy (650 Y)
7. Ganko - Lunch buffet - very good variety for only 880 Yen
8. Ole Spanish buffet - Spanish wall paintings - fun place for lunch buffet - (880 Yen)
9. Suikoen - good izakaya (pub) chain - cheap food and beer (look for tiger logo) (2,000 Yen)
10. Tengu - same as suikoen (look for a pic of a long nose character) (2,000 Yen)
11. 12.6 - a funkier izakaya but still reasonable. good Spinach salad (2,000 Yen)
12. Karapana - funky art deco izakaya. Less variety and pricier but nice atmosphere (3,000Y)
13. Grand Cafe - American Mura - great atmosphere for drink or snack (drinks from 500 Y)
14. Kinryu Ramen - can’t miss it with big dragon - buffet kimchee but noodle is fair (600Y)
15. Takoyaki - 2 stands by dotonburi bridge - 500 Yen for huge octopus flour balls. Yum Yum
16. Shakey’s Pizza - best deal for 600 Yen - all you can eat pizza & spahgetti (many locations)
17. Hard Rock Cafe - great Happy hrs. 4-7pm 1/2price drinks and 1/2 price appetizers !!!!!

Tennoji Area:

1. Akiyoshi Yakitori - excellent & cheap yakitori. Lively atmosphere. (1,500 Yen)
2. Saizeriya Italian Restaurant - Cheapest wine (300Y) pasta & pizzas (500 Y) in Japan
3. Mio Mall - Shiki Kaiseki Restaurant - 2,900 Yen for a 10 course kaiseiki meal - it’s a deal

ATC- Nanko Area

1. Chiraschico - great view of water and tons of food. Served on a skewer and by real Brazilians- all you can eat beef, chicken, ribs , sausages etc...... Lunch is only 1200 Yen

Other areas of Osaka:

1. Lion’s Hotel (Kitahama)- best authentic Cantonese food in Japan. Cheap buffet 1,500 Y
2. Moca Yakiniku - Cheapest BBQ at 1,000 Yen for dinner. Chicken, beef. etc.. buffet
3. Osho Chinese food - Great Gyozas (garlicy) and cheap beer. Fried rice is good too.
4. 551 Chain - good and huge buta ma (steam pork buns) for only 120 Yen
5. Friendly’s Family restaurant - Cheap lunch buffet for only 880 Yen - Not a great variety


KOBE:

Sannomiya Area:

Samurai Yakitori - amazing yakitori esp chicken with cheese & shiso (3,000 Y)
Harbourland:
Shabu Shabu - all you can eat beef 1,980 Yen - add another 1,000 Y for all you can drink
Jamacian Pit - in Oriental Hotel - Best Seafood buffet in winter. JUMBO shrimp, Crab, beef etc.
- at 3,500 Yen per person it’s worth the spluge. Great view too esp at night
Sizzler Steakhouse - Good steak place esp with huge salad bar buffet. (2,000 Yen with salad bar)


TOKYO

Shibuya Area:

Moumouya Shabu Shabu or Yakiniku: Located on the second floor in the midst of all the restaurants
in Shibuya. 1980 Yen all you can eat beef, shrimp, yakitori, scallops, a la carte beef cuts and dishes.
Cheap and ok
In another building near the Loft you will find same chain but Shabu Shabu (boiled beef) Same price.

Kaiten sushi. - look for line up. 100 Yen sushi on conveyor belt. They have a sign eat quickly so that
other customers can eat - higher turnover = lower price for customer.

Harujuku/Omotesando
Bannana Mamma - California Asian cuisine. Great food and large quantities at reasonable prices. Try
the calimare 900 Y but huge plate or the huge bowl of rossotto 1500 Y

El Torito Mexican (above Tatusya video) - good cheap lunch deals for only 600-800 Yen . Even has
LUNCH BEER @ 250 Yen a glass!!

Pietro Pasta - amazing pastas and cheap lunch sets with soup, pasta, bread & coffee for 800Yen (B1)
across from Kinokuniya supermarket

Torimasa - best yakitori don & ramen set in Tokyo. You can’t finish it. It’s on a side street just off the
main street. Huge line ups but only open weekdays. Watch out fo rht eraw chicken which they claim
you can eat! Only 1300 Yen for the set!

Braissare (2fl) - an amazing 4 course for 1000 Yen! Smoke salmon, pasta, dessert & coffee.

O Dai Ba Area:

Toribito 6fl of Mediage Building - great viking for 1000 yen at lunch. Nice setting and good
croquettes & chicken wings.

Lots of food places in the Deck including a Hong Kong theme floor with even conveyor belt dimsum !!
Also in la Pallette mall you can eat till you drop!

Shinjuku Area:

Seriya Tappanyaki - Posh place for real Japanese Tenpanyaki - not Bennihana sytle but real japanese
way. With Matsuzaka beef (like Kobe beef) - melts in your mouth not in your hands. Scallops, shrimp,
amazing bonito sashimi, dessert & coffee for 8,000 Yen. The experience is not only the Beef but the
unforgettable view of Tokyo at night from the 53rd fl or the Triangle Municipal Building.

Kazana Indian buffet - B1 near shakey’s & Mitsukoshi dept. on main st. Great curries but best is their
saffron rice . Only 980 Yen for lunch.


Ginza Area:

Risootii Italian - B1 Cree Bldg. -Amazing, trendy. Great 5 Course (lunch) Antipasto, salad, Pasta , and
a main course, 3 type dessert and Coffee for the amazing price of 1800 Yen

Ropponggi Area: (bars & clubs)

Your regular favorite places - Tengu izakaiya, Capricciasa, Hard Rock Cafe (1500Yen for a burger),
Tony Roma’s Ribs (pricey), and some foreigner bars (Mowtown, Gaspanic, Hideout).
Watch out for cover charge at bars. Hideout has 300 Yen Henekins!!!


Akasaka Mitsuke Area:

If you are on an expense account try traditional Japanese breakfast at the Nadman Restaurant in The
New Otani restarant. Nice view of the japanese garden (2,500 yen)

Other favorites is any TONKATSU (deep fried pork cutlet - yum yum)Restaurant or Kaiten (conveyor) Sushi place - good & cheap

HAPPY EATINGS!!!!!! Itadakimasu!!!!!! Gochisosama!!!!!!




Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Sep - Nov