Comments on: Notice anything different around here?

By: Fuji Mama

Fuji Mama — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:22:21 +0000

Yep, calling Japan is easier than doing just about anything customer service related here in the US. We've lived in Japan several times and the thing that shocked me the most the last time we moved back to the US was how incredibly horrible the customer service industry really is here.

You are going to love Japan! I look forward to reading more about your preparations.

By: Anita / Married with dinner

Anita / Married with dinner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:59:01 +0000

Oooh, have fun in Japan - are you going to go to the Raumen Museum in Yokohama? The exhibits are so-so but the food court is AWESOME.

If you want to go to Tsukiji, I highly recommend these guys as opposed to wandering on your own: http://marriedwithdinner.com/archives/35

By: Rocky

Rocky — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:09:19 +0000

Best consomme and french omelette I ever had was in the dining car of the shinkansen from Osaka to Hiroshima

By: bpjc

bpjc — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:43:17 +0000

I spent a week in Tokyo years ago, and the most important phrase you need to know is "Will you please follow me to the window?" I have forgotten what the translation is, but I bet your guidebooks will have it. This way, if the waiter does not speak English, or have an English menu, just speak this magic phrase. Then, walk outside to the window in front of the restaurant, and point to the acrylic model of what you want to eat.

One thing I never got to do was visit the factory right outside of Tokyo where they make these models, but I bet it would be fascinating. I did, however, get up one morning at 4 AM and see the tuna auction at the Tsukiji Fish Market, which was amazing.

Also, you will see something on menus called “American Coffee”. This is not what you want. I’m not sure what it really is, but it tasted like Sanka mixed with dishwater.

By: Cheryl A

Cheryl A — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:30:41 +0000

Iris is one lucky girl! Friends took their 5 and 2.5 year old to Tokyo last year and said it was great to be with kids there.

By: Wendy Miller

Wendy Miller — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:52:30 +0000

Matthew we were in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto last Dec. Amazing. We went on a wonderful private walking tour with a local woman in Kyoto- if you are interested I can send you her contact info. We learned a lot! And you will have a great time on the shinkansen!

By: Daniel Kelly

Daniel Kelly — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:07:53 +0000

What a fine day to come to Kyoto. Will you be cooking or just tasting? Try not to get too caught up in the ’ I want to eat Japanese food in kyoto’ syndrome of most tourists. Most of the most accessible ‘Japanese’ places that cater to tourists are like what you get in any tourist city. Kyoto has 1.5 million residents and 50 million visitors! Be sure to check out the Japanese Italian or Spanish cooks. Ramen is also special if you go to the right place. Ippudo is a good choice.

By: suzanne

suzanne — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:15:53 +0000

I hope you'll blog about your itinerary with Iris and all your adventures. I may be going to Japan for a business trip next year, and am contemplating bringing my young son, but I have no idea if that's a suicide mission, or not.

Apparently a trip to the hot springs is all the rage. I think there are some around Kyoto, so you may be in luck if you don't already have that planned.

Have fun!

By: Paulette

Paulette — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:14:41 +0000

Hello! It's Paulette at Garfield High School. I was just reading your Gourmet piece about cooking Asian food. Having taught history and French, I wantd to let you know that I love having at least one food project for every class I teach. for the beginning French class, we did focused on food from French colonies in Asia/Pacific. I should show you the example of the written part of the project that I did. I wrote about Vietnamese coffee!

On another note--while you two are in Japan,it would be cool to find out about Japanese Latin American cooking there!