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Japan

Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:19 pm
Posted by BootheelSoldier
MO Bootheel
Member since Oct 2017
354 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:19 pm
Headed to Tokyo and Kyoto in a couple weeks. Looking for any restaurant advice. Have a couple reservations already but looking for additional places.
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
13571 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 7:37 pm to
What part of Tokyo are you staying in (picking the closest train station is probably the easiest for the people with more TYO experience than me.)

Tokyo is one of those places where you can roll up to a place with a bunch of drunk salary men, and just eat whatever they're eating, and be happy. Whether it's $10 or $200, whatever you are eating, you won't be disappointed. Like I said in another thread, if you're anywhere near Shinagawa, leave the station on the north? side (The side that exits to the Prince Sakura Tower, which is another "mall.") and go downstairs into the "department store" with 30+ different vendors. Buy a couple of beers, buy protein, desserts, enjoy. Learn the lagnuage of pointing, and using fingers, "Numbah four," is as easily understood by most in Tokyo as "Shi!"

Since you're a couple of weeks out, if you're staying with a major brand, start emailing the concierges now. They know where they would go. There is some shame in them asking you what they consider personal questions in a business relationship (what kind of music do you like, is going to be hard for native Japanese to ask, for instance.) This just translates into you need to be transparent about what you want. If you don't east sweetbreads and fish, they'll never ask, but if you tell them, they'll take it into account.

I suggest you send a clear email, without words that have a ton of syllables, and ask for their recommendations, having give your preferences. Japanese concierges have been deliberate about asking my kids names when I asked for a toy store (ah, one boy, one girl, go to the 4th and 7th floors!), told me what to wait to buy at the airport, etc. They're baller and desperate to help. Especially if you're asking for something like toys or gifts for a kid and a significant other, those girls (99% of my Asian concierges) will make you look good. At least in Tokyo, if you admit you know how to cook eggs as a man, it turns into a, "WTF" moment for Japanese divorced women.

What is likely to happen, is that you will check in, and you will have pre-written cards for taxi drivers ready for you to bring your party to where you want to go.

Since you're going in September/October, buy a 12 pack of handkerchiefs (sweat rags) and bring two of them with you every day. Tokyo is in a humidity bowl, and it is hot as hell, especially on public transport. They don't tend to put A/C in bathrooms either, unless in a foreign hotel (Marriott hotels near Shinagawa, etc.) Most of the Japanese carry them, don't be ashamed, you're being judged 1000X more that you're a Gaijin (foreigner). If you hear GUY JEAN, they're talking about you.

Pay attention, and you should be fine. Tokyo tends to stand on the opposite side of escalators as the rest of Japan, so just do what others are doing.

There will probably be a bottle of Febreeze in your closet, and after one later afternoon/night out, you'll understand why.
Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Member since Jul 2011
32753 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 9:22 pm to
TD trip review of Tokyo and Kyoto

Lots of good stuff in that thread.

And the reply just up above this is also solid.

Posted by tadman
Member since Jun 2020
5196 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 8:13 am to
quote:

Headed to Tokyo ... Looking for any restaurant advice.


Literally the largest city in the world and no idea what side of town you're on or what you are looking for.

Posted by TheIndulger
Member since Sep 2011
19323 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 9:01 am to
Kikanbo for life-changing ramen. Just do not order the spiciest level. All ramen is better than you get in the US, but you should make an effort to go to an exceptional one.
Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Member since Jul 2011
32753 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:46 pm to
quote:

Literally the largest city in the world and no idea what side of town you're on or what you are looking for.

This is what I was thinking
Posted by kciDAtaE
Member since Apr 2017
17458 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 5:35 pm to
Make sure you visit Nishiki market in Kyoto.
Posted by BootheelSoldier
MO Bootheel
Member since Oct 2017
354 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 6:04 pm to
Yeah, that was super vague. I realized that after submitting. I will be staying in the Ginza neighborhood.
Posted by tadman
Member since Jun 2020
5196 posts
Posted on 8/22/23 at 8:24 am to
quote:

Literally the largest city in the world and no idea what side of town you're on or what you are looking for.

quote:

This is what I was thinking



I got ragged on and downvoted pretty hard on the food forum for suggesting folks post what side of town they're on, who they are with, and maybe some preferences.

I don't think OP was part of that and seems like he is excited about Tokyo (I would be, too) so I'm not going to bust his chops about it too much.

But it's one thing to ask for restaurant suggestions in Baton Rouge or Birmingham where anything is 20 minutes or less. But Tokyo... I hear it can take three plus hours to cross town.
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