--- title: "Trip to Japan (2017)" date: "2024-06-10" --- In August 2017, my friends and I went to Japan! ![View of Tokyo Tower from the Mori building.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-06-33-07_DSC02003_14f781cd1496a1c9205fdc4491f1f0be3bcfe0d6_d8a37a3c885dad89.jpg) As always, these pictures are available in full resolution and are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0 license. # 2017-08-11: arrival in Tokyo ![Arrival at Haneda airport.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-11-19-58-49_DSC08117_9681abb1be0d3e4028696670b90e619833ee743e_dc0f851369b4eba3.jpg) Upon arriving, we grabbed a quick meal at Yoshinoya. It was delicious! We stayed in an AirBnB on Odaiba. ![Statue of Liberty on Odaiba.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-11-23-24-54_DSC08175_dde65f6330abbdc5c857aa069281986a3e91f537_db5e8da07c415a87.jpg) ![Taking the Yurikamome.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-01-59-25_DSC08203_63f02e3dcb7533a52f41db9caf4c028b3ebdf557_2bcf4d66b7805e2c.jpg) # 2017-08-12: Tokyo sightseeing ## Asakusa ![Asakuksa visitor's center.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-02-43-00_DSC08248_d390a581609b8a445a672eec9885ee20d7683e21_eec78f28921dd834.jpg) ![Senso-ji in Asakusa.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-02-52-16_DSC08256_2f4e17ea8a74b5b309175c64a20c8fadac976f26_1f28929d5c2d38c7.jpg) ## Tokyo University Then we went to Tokyo University. One of my friends was interning there. ![Yasuda Auditorium in Tokyo University.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-06-35-26_DSC08336_ac9298b6664afb42a2dc153cb86d43401a32099a_99e7ca2918e66d2d.jpg) ![Another building in Tokyo University.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-04-54-19_DSC08316_eada602e006698c36034e5f71f222286f9e5ed4a_7e6db19925ecb303.jpg) ## Shinjuku We walked around Kabukicho. ![The ubiquitous (at the time) Toyota Crown Comfort cabs.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-07-27-09_DSC08362_9a05a883e40775bc97a1640d388dee849cd5730f_46f15bd551bc6646.jpg) ![Amazing colorful lights of Shinjuku.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-08-57-01_DSC08393_c95190cb792606d5c15712f951658b87c3a8b6ad_1124469d885cf452.jpg) ![More cool buildings in Shinjuku.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-09-18-24_DSC08416_3e3ece3d4dfbc93fa8ef92efa5aeb488ecc03ef6_c4d4ea3d4fa77075.jpg) ![A nice alley.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-09-21-35_DSC08421_8d608a1e7ecd7634d3edaca201464859178044dc_b1005f2f13ab9389.jpg) ## Dinner: Izakaya For dinner we went to [Kaikaya](https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13003345/). ![Exterior of the restaurant.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-09-28-26_DSC08427_cfa3710ac03486d8fd4cf325e1f1858548b3a53a_96e368adfebf9131.jpg) ![Sashimi Moriawase.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-10-08-35_DSC08428_c1cd58502835724c125115027ca3006e1061faf7_05a457ac35530468.jpg) ![Toro nigiri.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-12-10-26-35_DSC08435_c381f8caa9382a53a5d76e961c23f6bb2c325790_b898dae1b316df71.jpg) # 2017-08-13: More Tokyo Honestly I just followed my friends around and have no idea where we went. My only suggestion was to check out the soon-to-be demolished Nakagin Capsule Tower. ![Detail of the [Nakagin Capsule Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakagin_Capsule_Tower)](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-03-47-46_DSC08487_a5ed3d576fc0f9598159b662e74c470068a2da33_e25e3dfddd302007.jpg) I bought the legendary Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 65mm f/2 at Yodobashi Camera. It was just released at the time. This lens is truly amazing and remained my favourite lens for many years until I had to sell it upon switching to the Fujifilm GFX system (which the lens is not physically compatible with). This lens is notable for its wonderful sharpness across the frame and complete absence of chromatic aberrations. As it is a 0.5x macro lens, it is also suitable for food photography. ![A random photographer guy.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-07-16-47_DSC08579_b1c2b1b4e4f039d130cf1053a6eb60da0eb0f1b4_193a67c4b632e677.jpg) ![Somewhere near Akihabara.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-07-40-48_DSC08593_662411bd17e66a9bc069a93b59c982755b557678_3c9d391797319670.jpg) ![Rainbow bridge.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-08-33-08_DSC08601_3dfe5e32ed417b6858e6ffc180c01a4b0d70873a_84047ef58ba91661.jpg) ## Dinner: Loach We went to [Komakata dojou](https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13001789/) to eat loach. I had never eaten loach before. ![Loach.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-10-32-13_DSC08639_39663a26b5a2643a0fe2239563d1132c9a992aea_89dc3cd297799fa3.jpg) ![Sardine sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-10-50-35_DSC08646_388d0ad5726240a2080e6a11cdb631f602d61fe9_e7bcf0e30022b300.jpg) ![Rainbow bridge again at night. Look at the beautiful sunstars from the Apo Lanthar.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-13-13-07-27_DSC08673_2b00e7df7ad07b1409235e1dbace1ee352cab0f8_fefcf0bd6fac3564.jpg) # 2017-08-14: Sapporo We flew to Sapporo! ![Some cute cars.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-06-05-47_DSC08724_0e0dcf7e8d0804129a7f8bda2e8dde468864414a_6fd35ce92675092c.jpg) For lunch we had a delicious ramen at a random spot that we didn't plan on visiting. Unfortunately I forgot what it was called. ![Intersection viewed from the Sapporo TV Tower.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-08-34-25_DSC08784_17c74c692ae60c024497a39d5271616f3445cb0e_7cc52034cc05e58d.jpg) ![Vintage Type 250 tram.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-09-42-59_DSC08807_64657d0107c52b6d196913ef9ddf553251bc8b5c_eff6f954400ecd32.jpg) ## Dinner: Traditional We went to [Oga traditional](https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/A0101/A010103/1002392/), which makes traditional Hokkaido food. ![Hokkaido fried chicken.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-10-40-56_DSC08823_0f762642167457828a129d87f0530bb0ebedb577_fac81ec8f92dbcff.jpg) ![Koi sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-10-42-34_DSC08828_808c94253036699560a7ff978de9c79ddffa0f5d_3d185f8db258288d.jpg) ![Fried fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-10-52-59_DSC08836_9730d063e63073f3fe0f04978b920cfec68c731c_ff651304b56d00ca.jpg) ![Saba oshizushi. Somehow we got this even though it is a specialty of the Kansai region instead.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-14-11-51-04_DSC08860_00dc09ce43368dc71fef466e99aaf745066bad89_4dea2103e95a9cd3.jpg) # 2017-08-15: Otaru ![Sapporo Shiryokan viewed from across the Sunken Garden.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-02-05-41_DSC08887_b319acc877a11483a4b3295300e38646b658c8df_669644517cc11047.jpg) We took the Hakodate main line to Otaru. ![Nagasakiya mall in Otaru.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-03-34-13_DSC08905_cda76006c193d936ae5137a8deafb040cf73426c_01a4c8c3ca295532.jpg) Otaru is known for its seafood. ![Arctic surf clams. I would later have the joy of eating one in 2024.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-03-36-04_DSC08911_1f23621e664384b9c66a9e4ad7cebe6fd85b6f91_8b516b6b02bf6860.jpg) ![Uni for sale at the triangle market.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-03-36-50_DSC08914_80e554fbc39084525b48ea2a4ac4ffb4eeb61f57_91897f9f8d658293.jpg) ![Otaru canal.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-04-16-16_DSC08957_490005d1c5fa7d64e98764119a6cec7d6d112cc6_a49cecd5df72fa6a.jpg) ## Lunch: Kaisen don We went to [Kitano donburiya takinami shokudou](https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/A0106/A010601/1027887/) in the Triangle market. ![Uni ikura don.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-05-02-36_DSC08972_bfaebd4d84340f68fd6541f48b430c038d43db05_659328321740ac7e.jpg) ![Kaisen don.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-05-02-43_DSC08973_62a356bc773d1f15aa23fc97cca101a97f7570ce_39434c0e531ed518.jpg) ## Otaru sightseeing ![A famous clock tower in Otaru.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-06-20-45_DSC09006_9da320f3131e949d1cb2807bb584e6634ff090af_6493c6e939a3f9cb.jpg) ![The Otaru orugoru-do, a music box store. Notice the steam clock, one of only a few made by Raymond Saunders, and very similar to the more famous one in Vancouver.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-06-31-59_DSC09009_6f8dcdef5d63ec82526b2ddbac50351f18da47fe_ebd0f4ac2c4ec4e1.jpg) ![Charming streets of Otaru.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-06-32-42_DSC09012_d16e8aeaf40020a56a17d12488ed37cf3b647d45_85d96d72e4199c1e.jpg) ## Back to Sapporo ![Waiting for the train back to Sapporo.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-07-52-45_DSC09024_cfe08660afc0219702bddb5221b370c4e4c75047_35fa13030671f19d.jpg) ![Sapporo station.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-08-48-00_DSC09040_07b16b672013304ff4c7f4b186772423e32aed10_de8d62e549304fea.jpg) ![Chevy Bel Air.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-08-55-53_DSC09048_77c71bcf1609552b982e3153d150d838f4a42204_7af25d30c0198004.jpg) ![Detail of the Sapporo TV Tower.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-09-30-11_DSC09076_36c3cf7fb70c9ee8cb04e11e5cafaddda2c83361_aa05c3d110b6233a.jpg) ![A performance for the Makoto Shinkai exhibition.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-10-01-23_DSC09101_7f6cc1c1e0f851543aa4cde3deec936edd1253f3_2d20a88344c8f861.jpg) ## Dinner: Genghis Khan [Genghis Khan, or jingisukan, is a genre of Japanese yakiniku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingisukan). This one probably was at [Daruma](https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/A0101/A010103/1000007/). ![Meats expectations.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-15-12-48-40_DSC09121_3de5620c79f7aadf2a7bc1642625b768ee4481d9_27a813f5ccfa5ad2.jpg) # 2017-08-16: Sapporo ![Hello kitty road dividers just before leaving Sapporo.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-02-08-22_DSC09125_9ec643e3d8e0b99cffadfcc0a671998b668f8a78_adb3afa4a34ebf5b.jpg) ## Lunch: Soup curry Sapporo soup curry is a famous dish of the region and said to cure colds. ![Sapporo soup curry.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-03-31-41_DSC09145_6f54de54a13931f4451cff2fd80a7b3825f3c9bf_ce4684a9b4ce511f.jpg) ## More Sapporo sightseeing ![Sapporo Station again.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-05-48-45_DSC09163_0fdb12272509bd22a2fdf953ea1897be0c6ad314_d82c145c972a5553.jpg) ![A little bridge.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-06-02-41_DSC09185_0935394aea493e649d19cbc0a422abc09f2922bc_11d41410f029fd54.jpg) ![Odori park from the TV Tower.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-06-33-51_DSC09200_a78a80fe1f50711e91b6185a5e876fc75b84a08e_ac7bdf9d6aba0bc3.jpg) ![Random views from the TV Tower.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-06-38-46_DSC09215_9c9820db899d75c257063b45b1af9b588a5d34c9_bbfd4365753b3d95.jpg) ## Dinner: Crab We went to the Michelin-starred [Hanasaki](https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/A0101/A010103/1000192/) for extreme crab eating! We had an immense king crab. Arthropod meat degrades within minutes so it is imperative to eat raw crab quickly. The chef cut off the legs of the crab and we alternated between taking a bite of a segment and the chef dipping the remaining crab leg in hot water to cook it further. So the first bite was completely raw but the leg became progressively cooked with each bite. It was very delicious and I have never had anything like that before. ![My friend holding the giant crab. He (the friend) is like 195 cm tall.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-10-27-30_DSC09280_132d3711f77a96be09311d5dc92058f7b02791ed_2eea699cc48c036c.jpg) ![[Yubari King](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yubari_King) melon.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-11-43-38_DSC09287_e566be9405189c4821fcdbb2168d647a062e461a_c8008f2b2f93d20a.jpg) ![Nighttime Sapporo.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-16-12-38-03_DSC09379_25738b6967ccdd1dd792b9c633ebba043e1ff383_aeb35a86ce6b56f1.jpg) # 2017-08-17: Osaka We grabbed a miso ramen and then flew to Osaka. ![Miso ramen.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-01-16-05_DSC09433_724d1b0b634de048ee58eca34d890b22aa7a6d3f_94774b2d9afc97d7.jpg) ![Line scan photo of the [Nankai 6000 series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nankai_6000_series).](https://i.dllu.net/nankai_2e3f2c02c7446abc.jpg) ![Nankai line in Osaka.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-05-54-56_DSC09443_63ae6116633633fefe2d406a2ea19ca43953632b_cb55c9bbb9ac9326.jpg) ## Umeda Sky Building I went to take pictures from the Umeda Sky Building! ![Amazing bridges.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-08-10-36_DSC09510_94a995074194e9ca6fd085ea2dfcad8d6a71c75f_6ab4ad928934a939.jpg) ![Hazy sunset.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-09-18-13_DSC09569_e1b0749e0bc60141c7dc3ed3527f89d4e3819a45_c646dcea4ffac401.jpg) ![Blue hour view of a highway that goes through a building.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-09-50-10_DSC09640_64cd9bb6852bbce772122ab614a3de9dd0a094f1_57482bfecdd444b2.jpg) ![Bridges again but it's blue hour.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-09-56-14_DSC09642_e8e780817493305e07ea45a03e5969a03cdd2015_7daff196607ac956.jpg) ![More blue hour.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-09-57-20_DSC09643_6d2c3e100413d5ae43199f1da4f7fc50d005150b_2cbb3022e5f64944.jpg) ## Dinner: Tasting menu We went to the Michelin-starred [Kamoshiya Kusumoto](https://tabelog.com/en/osaka/A2701/A270108/27010572) for dinner. ![Uni ice cream.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-10-53-19_DSC09652_143a7adc3643cf54c421d23d194866ac53fd4505_6d09bee2b0004fbe.jpg) ![Some tasty sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-11-04-05_DSC09655_37efec61ee96138d0899dc3ea6e24535bc519c87_761c20ba4f282135.jpg) ![Grilled Ayu.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-11-29-26_DSC09663_ba729ff6fc9b6490692bcb0710ee9562377e779c_87b1871e013e608d.jpg) ![Some more tasty sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-11-42-09_DSC09667_0bf61dcfd37c821641be11aa0343fb98f54f0c38_57973c9d7c8e4be8.jpg) ![Foam.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-11-59-54_DSC09681_8ed8bec78eebc4fb57fd4d4542fb683244d4eba1_af3262b4ab5fe440.jpg) ![Noodle.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-17-12-42-46_DSC09697_d51463495af1b7e95a924a360692f6988e8ab268_9109588a3ee3aa31.jpg) # 2017-08-18: Kyoto Prior to going to Kyoto for a day trip, we had a quick bite of takoyaki. ![Takoyaki.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-01-33-55_DSC09724_08049819b5bf65025f9d1bb1c9b27717476c256b_69b77d41dba5e3d8.jpg) ## Fushimi Inari ![Tori.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-04-17-01_DSC09752_a1015b24bbcf3c7dbbc2ad2c2d7d72d1489b188c_50a1e3f0d856fe01.jpg) ![A lot of tori.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-04-31-19_DSC09779_c42d85402af7f73c2078b27cef51ce6289ed883e_899890ca11854418.jpg) ![Small tori models.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-04-44-07_DSC09814_dd27748af3d0e01d02c099fc9dcaf26f881f0180_540aec7608d9bdfd.jpg) ![Serene mosquito breeding ground.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-04-47-42_DSC09828_f9dbc0a872857d972b36323b34cf2aa21277d520_09d035a28ec78a1d.jpg) ![Smaller tori models.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-05-54-05_DSC09934_5a6d0f869edc2cf760cba247e75c45ec4afbce5b_f6836fbac44bb653.jpg) ![I had to wait a while to get this shot without tourists in it.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-06-01-00_DSC09951_52912f1840c8dc5b45b99fbc4bf61ae0b057ee63_933ba44b927f5f41.jpg) ## Various Kyoto sightseeing ![Matcha roll cake.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-08-01-31_DSC00020_cad507fd39aa58948c3f7b79a7f23a59a26e2284_a5e1b0ecc355072d.jpg) ![A surface train station very reminiscent of Kyoto Animation works.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-06-41-39_DSC09985_ec31d27d86475631e9c0f12bd8f59cb92c95a69b_c5382a609ce7f534.jpg) ![Yasaka Shrine.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-08-22-30_DSC00024_4064a5118c8dfbf345c232c3aba945f403ff97c6_ae9d7189a54dba45.jpg) ![A random street.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-08-33-52_DSC00043_af73cbb0790a960bca38d68bcdc2c6d7e6aa8b42_addfc6c9f28adcd8.jpg) ![More shrine.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-08-29-32_DSC00038_8b8febd333cc22ab1dae2abf93ead6964f870d3f_605c6800163a4018.jpg) ![Shrine.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-08-47-02_DSC00052_d28c912d08224ccd9a597f80a907fc7755c216d4_7739a5b5430c0805.jpg) ![Sanmon Gate.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-09-13-23_DSC00083_4c957fc5e11f7486a4d4d3cda5acf8712f79894f_d7940c76f1ba9a2b.jpg) ## Dinner: Kaiseki We went to [Soujiki Nakahigashi](https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260302/26001800/). It is known for traditional Kyoto cuisine with a focus on vegetables but it also has some meat/fish dishes. ![The menu.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-10-43-45_DSC00108_b7933152db543b5d672623c3e575c5b4ef1c4b56_84415daad8c55945.jpg) ![Some veggie jellies and stuff.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-10-13-14_DSC00091_cf8add4772d450b45359b970a08c7ce8379b944d_d8e537f8e78d373a.jpg) ![Whatever it is, it is very delicious and you can find out what it is by reading the handwritten menu above.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-10-28-09_DSC00094_aa7595cde30253228f07ee3510993c557218464d_f9c4c5ac8f2c2651.jpg) ![Grilled ayu.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-10-40-24_DSC00101_f064fe4c42ae1e63005533f32ce63fa84740afe4_5d47d921ddfa3025.jpg) ![Vegetable goo.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-10-50-14_DSC00110_f6387977eac07f92ecaacf83f54bc97a6a1603f9_026d633dc24f55bc.jpg) ![Some fish roe bricks or something.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-11-08-00_DSC00116_7bc3f7c0e34d88bfc69ffbdd307bef19d2951be8_f719928af956529d.jpg) ![Vegetables.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-11-14-28_DSC00117_751226853bcdda97ea786be973c84e76c3e314fb_1bb49073380c0f7f.jpg) ![Mushrooms or something.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-11-25-12_DSC00122_ef1c58632d68cd9952b3dd834482b22d62784fd5_8918ec9d4a07457d.jpg) ![Noodle.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-11-32-32_DSC00125_a0b5833d9b8c739e98016ee44be1f9dc766316fb_52ecf9603afca61c.jpg) ![Small fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-11-44-49_DSC00132_e41b9bad84d4cb1a2414ce46c7cbfb70524d03fa_89f8f0025ed4a25a.jpg) ![Dessert.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-12-06-45_DSC00134_8711a5ce3d686fea7e2b7563e4c3b18cf468f2ff_0291230dd32dd77a.jpg) ## Back to Osaka ![Nighttime strolling in Kyoto before heading to the station.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-13-31-55_DSC00155_b47b6d4337af01fa0bda46d5c296830efdce88d2_650aef538efa1b2a.jpg) ![Train ride back.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-18-14-13-02_DSC00175_6fd7cda5246e6c1b8bae8bd0cf8ea24ce5c6d87b_ed05c244c76e8e72.jpg) # 2017-08-19: Osaka Kushikatsu, or fried skewers, are a specialty of Osaka (which is generally known for their fried foods in general). ![Kushikatsu.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-03-25-21_DSC00197_297a20b2dbac258eeccf01874f84f7a6aa137042_9366dd8a63e67eb3.jpg) ![Dotonbori river.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-03-59-00_DSC00201_c63253bc79737a055d0667a6c477d447860d24a7_ee6d74fa5b2bd06e.jpg) ![Glico man.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-04-11-14_DSC00214_b8c4fa5d1a63926df5a3cb710e1f562da57d963f_443727a9ebcd2bf5.jpg) ![Osaka skyscrapers.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-07-49-00_DSC00367_a5d46334051fc7d7169fdb5f7a338ece2d63a6c3_bdfc3903f3b9cafe.jpg) ![Shin Osaka station.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-08-07-07_DSC00389_a634d58ae8e51f81dd0911a0a81c9dd1ff6e8d77_29cdec7f86ad16be.jpg) ![A random mall.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-09-31-24_DSC00410_b2577a6f4053c424c2a050655205167b43e2574a_8c2001acbfcba15b.jpg) ## Dinner: Wagyu We went to [Wagyu Matsushita](https://tabelog.com/en/osaka/A2701/A270101/27086935/) for wagyu! ![Niku sushi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-11-45-01_DSC00472_b22ed16677a3ca88f7c4a8c3432f71d82eecdeeb_cba6d02bab7c9ddd.jpg) ![MEAT!!!!](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-11-48-57_DSC00474_404625ab151a5779ed657fa366be2635452ec103_c0a22e6a5a53cbc4.jpg) ![Dotonbori neon gate.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-19-14-17-50_DSC00514_9fda50e6132e21416bec96ca6933511439e167f8_09591cf0752fe000.jpg) # 2017-08-20: Himeji, Hiroshima, Fukuoka ## Himeji We took the Shinkansen to Fukuoka, with stops in Himeji and Hiroshima. ![Shinkansen N700 series, area scan photo.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-00-48-42_DSC00558_60ad9ae92fa619114fc7a8fd1e80b6412fe4adbf_8cf174799ff3cbe3.jpg) At Himeji Station, I took a line scan photo of an N700A series. ![Shinkansen N700 Series, line scan photo.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Line_scan_photo_of_Shinkansen_N700A_Series_Set_G13_in_2017%2C_car_01.png) ![Himeji castle.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-02-25-40_DSC00659_396bc2995614fcccb1b540d8fc91bd0a2c374d89_8e6eca93e31e051a.jpg) ## Riding the train ![Asahi river, Okayama, seen from the Shinkansen.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-05-39-23_DSC00729_08328fdc83c87e9e69a3546783cdbdc8c3bdbbf8_a317d26edc36b3c4.jpg) ![A train depot.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-05-44-07_DSC00752_00e5d6e0195fad0ea487f016ef5f4d94550b392b_0a9c02de01c78b9c.jpg) ![A waste incineration plant.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-05-50-53_DSC00787_ab840e1dcd2e4c5d4e3799c616a4eeb94bedc935_cb2eedd813ff99d2.jpg) ## Hiroshima ![[Atomic bomb dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial).](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-06-52-05_DSC00838_ff2e275efb40307fba60b7a610892507c6b7bd8b_8045a908639ec755.jpg) ![[Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memrial_Museum).](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-06-54-45_DSC00842_30c6bf0423308f5b1ab9a90b9a33116974bd0efb_08657c6294572977.jpg) ## Fukuoka For dinner we had basashi, or raw horse meat! I am not a huge fan --- it was chewy and much worse than wagyu beef in every way. ![Horse sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-12-13-51_DSC00873_999a49496f958acdd71342a15ff5d5ba574dc5ab_7ca9d1338ff60015.jpg) ![This one was beef I think.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-12-16-43_DSC00878_c0a938b8d2a87a50d2738762a9ef988d9f4cb72d_3e4ebb1052be5aed.jpg) ![The Naka river.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-20-13-25-16_DSC00884-hdr_1641695625e6789a565fbd78c7aca549f6792432.dng_b5134d2cbf52ac9d.jpg) # 2017-08-21: Fukuoka ## Lunch: Tonkotsu ramen ![Cool how they drape the meat on the sides.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-21-03-41-38_DSC00897_346885698ed0344a346699262a74afa329ea9c34_bcc5221fe3117613.jpg) ## Dinner: Izakaya We went to an izakaya called [Kiharu no Gomasabaya](https://tabelog.com/en/fukuoka/A4001/A400103/40004429/). ![Slightly grilled fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-21-10-17-50_DSC00946_3f786a821d139c440c838ea328a47fe0d2970793_df81b3352b19783c.jpg) ![Sardine sashimi or something.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-21-10-33-26_DSC00948_bdaaf43121fba410be3d568f9b986df2f09a03d3_692b279e41cd2400.jpg) ![Arancini.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-21-10-39-56_DSC00957_92495e1e680eb25e579289faea9f895b4da1900c_5997baaeb1b9ecf7.jpg) ![Tamagoyaki.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-21-10-40-13_DSC00961_700de49e37e0198baa0c46865d54946ff12fc0c8_f74e805c006773ef.jpg) ![Grilled fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-21-11-09-42_DSC00966_488b49775af6cec60ca342aa41fee4c5973c2dfe_0d020a9888924229.jpg) # 2017-08-22: Ibusuki ![A Ki-Ha diesel multiple unit.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-22-00-46-16_DSC01129_11d0d1503e649953f3039b2cd74e1b69347bbaaf_f82c17468a65adef.jpg) ![View from Ibusuki station.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-22-02-29-43_DSC01143_59409191f8c3889f1faae2a9331c37ded7a09a64_aeda51e441fcc1d7.jpg) For lunch we had [Tousenkyou Soumen Nagashi](https://tabelog.com/en/kagoshima/A4601/A460102/46000001/) but I didn't take any photos since I was too busy catching noodles. We enjoyed a great sand bath. However, sand is coarse and rough and irritating and gets everywhere so I didn't risk bringing my camera. ## Dinner: Ryokan We stayed at the amazing [Shusuien](https://www.syusuien.co.jp/index.html). ![Very small fish sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-22-10-12-17_DSC01162_1f6b25a0fcadc39a6321a87e2e4dbb3564d4325a_b364c5fc0c0444c7.jpg) ![Braised pork.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-22-10-56-03_DSC01177_9778ee4147ee5063914eeb2babcbca401f84da22_1938ac417b7478b2.jpg) ![Steamed egg.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-22-11-18-36_DSC01190_dbe475a68f9bb8107f9393b8751cbc1f15934b62_f8299f667b2341ce.jpg) ![Lobster.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-22-11-26-53_DSC01195_b7b07b05450a640bbcef81f98cf3a0196b58239c_456f2d442395ed73.jpg) # 2017-08-23: Kagoshima ![Line scan photo of the Ibusuki no Tamatebako. The train is half black and half white and this is the white side.](https://i.dllu.net/combined_s_a90a4966e484cf58.png) ![A canal.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-02-08-15_DSC01254_41dcfe2379070d17fba119bc70b887e95dad6675_6fdd574515ac6ecc.jpg) ## Lunch: Katsu ![The place where we originally wanted to get lunch wasn't available so we got katsu instead. Still delicious.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-04-58-30_DSC01328_880bf40b9d162e984ac297345f6b214cbefdcf62_4a2ac27547634945.jpg) ## Kagoshima sightseeing ![A random mall.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-05-28-18_DSC01334_fae577d12465f578be6bddee29ee63b322954bb9_9559ef5ad256492b.jpg) ![Arcade of said random mall.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-05-29-22_DSC01336_1348ea09040d5ce92dacd5b57078f6aeb452c878_5d789bf61b5c15c2.jpg) ![Sakurajima volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan and a symbol of Kagoshima.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-08-01-50_DSC01362_75a2b969772e99d069c0b0d0819bc973cc2251b3_0af674413bb23fbf.jpg) ![Kagoshima skyline.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-08-02-39_DSC01364_87f96be2803a9a37300a6e5051f80c417dc626e6_afb9ac7138108c57.jpg) ![A nice gate.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-08-09-05_DSC01376_527a00420916e23205f9a56b799a9c4b8857210b_9da81019523d0775.jpg) ![Close up of said gate.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-09-02-26_DSC01465_dd5096dc12ad1f0fa7ee7b5ec1f32bb6c4f7ed28_d8773852a20952c2.jpg) ![Amazingly shaped plant.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-23-09-06-10_DSC01472_c540d43b1d4b3646ca99037d8f964a76be962eed_3504bbb3a70cb7ae.jpg) # 2017-08-24: Back to Tokyo ![Fuji mountain from the airplane.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-24-08-26-06_DSC01580_c89e18aa9db34be19875868fc5ab9354eb494621_ef9e582d7db0800b.jpg) ## Dinner: Yakitori We went to [Torie](https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13128870/) for some really delicious and fancy yakitori. ![Yakitori.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-24-12-22-35_DSC01654_f959e00fe36c4242369aacef19aea6575b37131a_18ed8465a93c59a0.jpg) ![Yakitori.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-24-12-40-26_DSC01657_1f908f7e54ee960f97994719e243e3175f0d460d_58bb064f463c280b.jpg) ![Chicken balls.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-24-13-31-59_DSC01669_474a8e7e1e211c369459a2151b5e2332102c91a1_a1792e5f20f37e01.jpg) # 2017-08-25: Tsukiji and Ginza We went to the Tsukiji fish market. ![Building near the fish market.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-24-23-58-44_DSC01686_27425adb420dfd9c63c689762f2cadfb7351050a_78acd221f94be5ca.jpg) ![Tamagoyaki.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-00-08-32_DSC01691_7f79efcbee981125c3dd894ad45c35b647772f58_01173439ab69d389.jpg) ![Kinmedai.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-00-20-55_DSC01702_95f407f0f4caad219d5bba8d7bb055f8ca57b486_4edf5adc41a9fe0c.jpg) ![Wasabi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-00-30-45_DSC01726_7062d806e85eb4d32ba7492338f766b40a753dd1_1024fec93badd577.jpg) ## Breakfast: fish ![Fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-01-00-02_DSC01753_05492c10ee4be0e343ede5937faa9c13fcfab874_421fe04ba7ae1908.jpg) After lunch the fish market is relatively empty since it is busiest in the early morning. Still, there was a lot going on. ![Tsukiji.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-01-23-39_DSC01764_bd705ad1fd2d6089fb4365224dc25a0ce06318ba_96a8101aa88817f7.jpg) ![Tsukiji.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-01-41-40_DSC01821_b8d53581a61fb3bb6df483e9b4681649adf65ddf_59da3d524d1ff381.jpg) ## Second breakfast: tuna ![Tuna sushi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-02-14-01_DSC01863_f6d43b1f731905aca3982b111d8cac6ad954634b_9bc293e2204b791f.jpg) ## Ginza ![Ginza.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-04-14-02_DSC01953_7301d5789849907a935364644faa20214511cca8_20cbef6ef61dfe1f.jpg) ![Ginza.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-04-15-45_DSC01958_e3ae9f3c6170759c1e65f02db913cfc52d67bc82_c16528bc1c90669f.jpg) ## Lunch: Tempura We went to the acclaimed and fancy [Tenpura Kondo](https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13004993/). Unlike lesser tempura places, this one gets its fish fresh from Tsukiji and lightly fries it so that the fish taste is preserved and the inside is exquisitely tender. ![Shrimp heads.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-04-40-27_DSC01967_b810eca2ca289116c4b458de9ed0b027cde4f4c9_0053eac4c74a7cff.jpg) ![Eggplant.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-05-01-28_DSC01977_bc40b8a37e382936e9b2cd17d93b8ea33d70ee4f_63a89b535cc08748.jpg) ![Fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-05-13-32_DSC01986_0094d48a7e7893c02677adf30df8ddeeece4b7e5_d65bb4a358cce876.jpg) ![Fish.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-05-27-34_DSC01991_5f7b74ec3293ac45e62b4ec39bf2105815a26295_a26c937153530667.jpg) ## Roppongi We went up Mori tower. ![Tokyo Tower.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-06-33-07_DSC02003_14f781cd1496a1c9205fdc4491f1f0be3bcfe0d6_d8a37a3c885dad89.jpg) ![Skyline of Tokyo.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-06-54-09_DSC02034-hdr_7884a2274bc120242050bdc497eb2582a570709c.dng_7cfa16213d78b88d.jpg) Then we somehow went back to Shinjuku. ![Shinjuku.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-09-12-23_DSC02054_9be5a6540aa176c383c55e22f4225eafb015096b_a1a3689c939f9bbf.jpg) ## Dinner: Teppanyaki For dinner we went back to Ginza, at the amazing [Ukai Tei](https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13002367/). ![Sashimi.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-11-13-59_DSC02059_30ae67024859f30b47aedec1ae0c5019a88f3e9a_9bea7f588c5fc444.jpg) ![Lobster.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-11-39-30_DSC02061_a9d394ad51f5e38ba3de1b0be99c8375237790d5_06870d2735775f5a.jpg) ![Lobster.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-11-44-08_DSC02067_d3e47adea28bc37b06c609e158ced163d3a91acc_23b5daf7f71f0d76.jpg) ![Eggplant.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-11-59-07_DSC02080_8f82375c41ec469983749b796e4884669b015afc_a2b1480c0fd32d31.jpg) ![Wagyu.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-25-12-04-29_DSC02082_6bb095caa430543756fae1b09a3b78001526bf70_44c9e4d9012d8db1.jpg) # 2017-08-26: Tokyo We hung out in Akihabara. ![Sega escalators.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-26-03-27-26_DSC02129_75a311c7817ccdc4ff4d49bbe94ff887eae4bf3c_c1cea1f38de61c9b.jpg) ## Lunch: Katsudon For lunch I got a katsudon. ![Katsudon.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-26-02-57-34_DSC02124_6cc035746caea52bbc71fdf6ff681851c0bf97e7_9513ad95b0c8c5d9.jpg) For dessert we got this bread thing. ![Extreme stuffed toast.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-26-05-26-05_DSC02141_412d3e8f8d24d6454ba248b5cce98c176b80ec2c_08d66c8c3dc1567c.jpg) ## Dinner: Tsuta We went to the Michelin-starred [Tsuta](https://www.tsuta.com/), probably the most famous ramen restaurant in the world. It was pretty good I thought but my friends were less impressed. ![Michelin starred ramen! What a time to be alive!](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-26-09-32-39_DSC02179_0e6ed1341c33d003d43c5682ddd3d529b810db50_33ef666872d46d46.jpg) ![Nighttime scene.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-26-11-01-27_DSC02189_2a9c591651e54e43c5eb94d1848d5e07dafc241f_a3b3881182ddfab8.jpg) # 2017-08-27: Chiba ## Lunch: Omurice ![Beef omurice with demi glace. The chef handed me this plate but I was struggling to put away my camera and he got really impatient and slammed it in front of me. I felt bad. Still tasty.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-04-28-56_DSC02210_0d9bd31cd27f176331980d922441fe104f124242_e46e6cc761310c0b.jpg) ![Seafood omurice.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-04-29-14_DSC02215_22fb7c68b3c7303eb4bfbac9a790db1849da38b4_2f5b71fd168b8030.jpg) ## Chiba sightseeing ![Club Trump.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-05-00-32_DSC02221_af4fc825a454e14fd0dc9f182fd76d1acd8f4e94_a9a3b4315e3104b7.jpg) ![Chiba monorail.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-05-20-18_DSC02287_e6cd845c8a8a5836b07c3a3f5f39ca4299c32226_f0182bd5d3f74ad3.jpg) ![Chiba monorail.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-05-13-20_DSC02260_ed42647ebf487d1778d89825c1089202995ad386_b27b03fabb83cd31.jpg) ![Some kind of a dome.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-05-23-51_DSC02289_e23be305486fc7af4fe9d2e598f4ca2e85f337e7_b70eae7e372b38a8.jpg) ## The flight back Unfortunately, despite showing up hours ahead of time, they wouldn't let us check in to our flight. Earlier, we also tried online check in but their website had a problem. As a consequence we had to take the next flight which necessitated a transfer in Hawaii. In fact, when we got to the gate, we found that our original flight hadn't even began boarding yet, but oh well, more time for eating food!!! We got a really delicious tekka don at the airport. ![Tuna.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-08-15-17_DSC02326_29a01843f9082859ef5bb51a7c448df6199e9514_a5c6191633c2535a.jpg) We were shocked that the Honolulu airport didn't have air conditioning everywhere, and the food there was very bad. ![Honolulu airport.](https://i.dllu.net/2017-08-27-20-19-22_DSC02346_f5ebe386f1a8c05ebbcf22400d5a82893c2d1a47_a43b8712fe63e451.jpg)