Proud Purchase...

Not to get all Crazy Japanese Slasher on you, but I bought a new toy in Japan. I happen to find a knife place near Tsukiji Market and needed to get my mom a Kuri cutter (chestnut cutter). Don't ask. Anyhow, I really wanted to buy a knife from Japan since I used to always favor using my mom's knives from Japan over all the other crap she had in her drawer.

I do realize that I know absolutely nothing about cooking and my knife skills are pretty much relegated to the skills of someone in the 3rd grade. Furthermore, the sales guy knew ZERO english except "Stainless steel" or "Carbon Steel". I told him "Carbon Steel" despite the fact that it'd be more of a pain in the butt to keep it rust free (that was another english word he used in describing the stainless steel). He also said something about a blue steel core but I wasn't sure I understood that correctly.

Anyhow, he showed me a line up (after I eplained to him that it'd be for HOME, NON PROFESSIONAL use). I ended up picking each one of the four and testing the feel of each one. I decided which one I liked best and asked Erin for her input. She chose the "pretty one" which just so happened to be the one that felt the best. Needless to say, it was also the most expensive out of the four knives.

I haven't used it yet but let's all hope I don't slice my fingers off! It's super sharp...

Dear Tsukiji Market...

Dear Tsukiji Fish Market:

I’m not quite sure how to begin…I’m still feeling a bit overwhelmed from my trip to Tsukiji. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a frenzy of activity, hustle, and bustle. I still feel a little un-nerved.

I think you need to build lanes and roads throughout the market. I nearly got killed several times just from cross traffic. Those crazy little carts that you drive like maniacs through the market are just a death hazard waiting to happen. I swear to you…the fact that more tourists aren’t killed there is shocking to me. Those on suicide missions should definitely visit here.

Furthermore, we tried to wait in line for Sushi Dai but were told that it would be a FOUR (4) hour wait. Who waits 4 hours for sushi?? I don’t care how good you think you are…you really aren’t that good. Thank goodness for Sushi Daiwa and the ONE (1) hour I had to wait for that. The service was great and as evidenced from the photos, the sushi was, too! PLUS, they actually said that my Japanese was good! (Unlike that Kyoto Lady who told me to speak proper Japanese and gave me an evil stink eye…that old bat!!)

Anyhow, I just thought you should know that since Tsukiji is a tourist destination (whether you like it or not), you really should try a little harder to make it a little safer for people like me.

Thank you for your kind consideration,

Jenny

Sushi Daiwa

Tsukiji Market Building

Tokyo, 13 Japan

03.3479.5820

5:30am - 1:30pm, Mon - Sat

Sushi Dai (next door)

5:00am - 2:00pm

coupons

Dear Oishii Eats...

Dear Oishii Eats:

Thank you so very much for your recommendation for Suteki Rando. http://oishiieats.blogspot.com/2006/06/loner-meal-2-kobe-beef-garlic-butter.html

Wow. I had no idea how dangerous this place would be for me. I had a set which included a salad (or soup), side of veggies, prime beef, dessert…oh and I did order the side of garlic butter rice as well.

Not to try to make you jealous (actually, I lie…I really am trying to make you jealous), I’ve enclosed some photos from my recent dinner at Suteki Rando. I hope it brings back many good memories for you. I can practically taste the buttery meat just looking at the photos again.

Your Friend,

Jenny

Dear Morizuya...

Dear Morizuya Ryokan (www.morizuya.com):

First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking such good care of me and my friends. Your hospitality and helpfulness provided us with such a positive experience that we can’t wait to come back!

Upon our arrival into the town, the lady from the Kinosaki tourist board greeted us and took our bags which they delivered to the hotel right at 3:05pm - only 5 minutes after our official check in!! Since we arrived at about 1:00pm it gave us about 2 hours to walk around the quaint village to do some scouting for our shopping trip the next day.

We enjoyed the opportunity to wear the yukata and the accoutrement which you so graciously provided for our stay. It was a bit of a challenge for a couple of us but I think we got the hang of it right away! We looked awfully sharp in our yukatas, don’t you think?

Thanks for the tip and for the passes to the different onsens. Experiencing more than one onsen helped us get just a taste of something new and different. Oh, and the outdoor hotspring was definitely something not to be missed. The crisp cool mountain air combined with the hot steamy onsen really helped to relax the muscles!

The meals that you provided for us was absolutely amazing!! I don’t know how I finished it. It was a never ending meal for us. As you can see from Christy’s photos, she was very enthusiastic at first…barely crossing over the finish line. Breakfast was just as delicious as dinner and plentiful as well. I don’t think I’ve ever had dessert for breakfast!!

Thank you again for your hospitality. I can’t wait to come back!

Sincerely,

Jenny

Dear Japan...

Dear Japan:

Upon my return home from your beautiful country, I was quite startled to discover that I can no longer fit into my pants. You see, it appears that although I felt like I walked through the entire length of Japan, I also ate my fair share of delicious foods which caused a rapid and massive weight gain.

I’m sure foods such as Okonomiyaki, pari pari (crispy) gyoza, takoyaki, kobe beef, kani kaiseki dinners, udon, ramen, tempura, warabi mochi, Unagi, Sushi, etc is not exactly considered low in calorie. Perhaps warning labels should be available for people like me who can not control themselves. Something along the lines of “you can’t stop once you start”.

I mean, it’s quite amazing to me that I did not have ONE bad meal my entire trip. Not one. I don’t know if that’s ever happened to me before. Anyhow, I just thought you should know that your food is dangerous. I don’t know how all those Japanese native women can stay so skinny…

Dear Japan...

During our time in Japan, we noticed a lot of things that we either:

a.) liked a LOT
b.) didn't understand the logic of
c.) thought of ways that things could be improved.

I was talking to Erin and said, "japan tourism board really needs to hire an american ad agency to streamline their informational availability to non japanese speakers," when she quips with a "Dear Japan...upon a recent visit to your beautiful country..."

So I decided when I returned home I would write up a series of letters that I'd like to share with you. Hope you enjoy!!