The Food Pursuit
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After learning that Asakusa’s Sanja Matsuri is cancelled this year as a result of Tohoku’s earthquake and tsunami, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. It normally takes place during the third weekend of May and crowds flock to the temples for a good time. Not this year. And while I respect one’s decision to Jishuku, or voluntary (and ironically involuntary) self-restraint, and admire their sense of community and respect nationwide, I hope this won’t be taken into extreme. Too much Jishuku can be unhealthy for the mind or well-being. We balance diets, why not everything else? I believe at times like this, it’s more important than ever to push forward and dig for a lighted path. So when the Sanja Matsuri was cancelled, meaning all the goodies will not be where I usually find them, I dug for my own.
Eat, explore, eat, and explore some more. That’s always been the gist of this website. So today, we’re going to take a look at the ever popular Ginza. Popular in that Ginza is arguably the root cause of foreigners taking shopping vacations in Tokyo. Flagship stores left and right, there’s no denying it’s the center of materialism. Not a big shopper? That’s okay. There are plenty of other reasons why one would visit Ginza. This post will reveal what you can expect from a day in the area.
Yasukuni is one of many shrines in Japan. What makes this shrine special is that it’s dedicated to those who lost their lives in wars and other struggles serving Japan (or the Emperor). Ironically, the shrine is located near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo where the Imperial Family lives. Another unique fact is there are numerous controversies that stem from conflicts that happened in history surrounding this shrine. In mid July, there’s a festival called Mitama Matsuri that commemorates the lives lost and attracts a huge crowd. I’m thinking they’re going to have some sort of vigil for the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week. The weekend following the disaster, areas surrounding shrines smell largely of incense as people prayed.
Located in the popular Shinjuku district, Shinokubo houses a large Korean community in Tokyo. As with other Koreatowns in the world, you can expect to find a number of restaurants, grocery stores, and products from Korea. Say you’ve landed in Tokyo but a part of you wants to feel some Korean vibe. No problem. This post will introduce what you can expect to see at Shinokubo’s Koreatown in Tokyo, including a restaurant visit.
This post has nothing to do with food, though I might be able to classify as travel information. If I still have your attention after saying that, great. What’s up with that? Well, there are a few things. One, I’m a spontaneous person, enough to get me writing about the most random yet somewhat related topics that come to mind. Spontaneity and curiosity are probably what gets me so pumped about traveling. Two, to appreciate food is to appreciate culture. In a country like Japan, that goes beyond sushi or ramen. If you read the title, you might have already figured out what I’m referring to is anime. I’m going to say right off the bat that I’m not and never was a fan of anime, even though Japan is one of my favorite places. If you are, that’s cool and you might enjoy this post more than others. Generally speaking, I write this not only as information but an appreciation of culture that I’m sure foodies and travelers can grasp. (Three, just for pure entertainment)
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