BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Brunch at Deus Ex Machina Cafe Harajuku. American vibe cafe with good coffee and big sandwich servings. Very chill and relaxing place. The second level of it is a retail store selling motorcycle related clothes and accessories. When you took too many shots of the same food. Sun was also out for the day and temperature was a very cooling 14 degrees celsius. I had the harajuku long long fries as well when i went last year. Try Katsukura next time. But i agree, it's not super juicy. maybe it's their local preference. https://goo.gl/maps/6fQ8hzsBpBw Are the Harajuku fries supposed to be like popular? Taste normal only! Haha. The next time I go Japan, it better not be Tokyo. Maybe Hokkaido, Osaka or Kyoto. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lala81 Hypersonic March 13, 2019 Share March 13, 2019 No it isn't anything special in taste. But it's unusual and for the kids, can see the fries being squeezed out before being deep fried. So quite an interesting experience. Are the Harajuku fries supposed to be like popular? Taste normal only! Haha. The next time I go Japan, it better not be Tokyo. Maybe Hokkaido, Osaka or Kyoto. It wasnt anything touted. Just something that caught the eye as we walked past. The takopachi was very good when i ate there in 2011. But the queue nowadays was insane when i went last april. easily 30-40mins. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Gotokuji Temple, Setagaya-Ku - a local buddhist temple believed to be the birth place of Maneki-Neko. Gotokuji is located in a very quiet town of Tokyo. From the train station, it was about a 10 to 15 minutes walk to the temple. We passed by a shop selling different kinds of sweet potato, nice! 2 Maneki Neko legends in Tokyo: 2 separate locations Thunderstorm story (Gōtokuji Temple) The first story is about the feudal lord Ii Naotaka (1590-1659) of the Hikone domain (currently part of Shiga Prefecture) who happened to pass by Gōtokuji and was beckoned in by a cat. He accepted that invitation and took some rest at the temple, being served tea and offered a sermon by the priest. Suddenly a thunderstorm struck and the lord was happy to stay dry at the temple. As thanks, he did a donation to the temple that was apparently poverty stricken at the time, allowing the temple to rise to prosperity. The temple afterwards became the designated cemetery of the Ii family. Dream story (Imado Shrine) The second story brings us to Imado Shrine (near Asakusa) where an old woman could no longer afford feeding her cat and let it loose at the shrine. After letting go, the cat appeared in her dream and told her she should make a doll of its image. She did and her dolls of the cat became popular. Nowadays Imado Shrine is popular for its display of a male and female cat, helping visitors to “tie the knot”, so people come to the shrine to help them finding success in love. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Spotted some early cherry blossoms. I supposed they are cherry blossoms! Taken with my Mate 20 Pro, unedited. Tried to figure out how to take close up shots of the petals and here's my best shots. I've never seen cherry blossoms before anyway. Never been to Japan during the sakura bloom period. Usually airtix are priced much more ex during this season and I try to avoid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lala81 Hypersonic March 13, 2019 Share March 13, 2019 no expert but i don't think they are. But they have quite a number of flowers flowering from March-april. I went tokyo on 1st week of april '18, cherry blossoms there were already shedding.I went osaka and kyoto, still more or less near full bloom. Came back to tokyo after several days, all the cherry blossoms were gone. But some other flowers bloomed which is nice. Especially at the shinjuku gyoen park. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Cat lovers who visit the Gotokuji Temple just for the cats will love this section of the temple. I believe most people come here just to take photos of these cats ornaments placed here. What's fascinating is that all the cats are the same kind, just different sizes with the right paw raised up. Hundreds or even thousands of the fortune cats are lined up here. These cats figurines are supposedly placed by people who visit the temple. Interesting temple to visit with its old wooden structures and zen atmosphere. That was how crowded it was and it's really only this section of the temple that has these cats here. Don't be disappointed if you expected more cat presence throughout the temple. Souvenir shop at the temple. You can get the exact same cat figure that's displayed in the temple in different sizes. The temple closes at 6pm but this shop inside closes at 4pm FYI. Walking back to the train station, we managed to spot a train! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 no expert but i don't think they are. But they have quite a number of flowers flowering from March-april. I went tokyo on 1st week of april '18, cherry blossoms there were already shedding. I went osaka and kyoto, still more or less near full bloom. Came back to tokyo after several days, all the cherry blossoms were gone. But some other flowers bloomed which is nice. Especially at the shinjuku gyoen park. No idea what they are too but it's one of the only tree there with flower already blooming so first thing to do was to take pictures. They could be plum blossoms as well since Gotokuji has cherry blossoms and plum blossoms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Random shot of a shop entrance with Torii Gates in Japan. The little details they pay attention to! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Toritake at Shibuya. Popular Yakitori filled with locals. If you want an authentic yakitori experience in Japan, this is the place to visit. BUT, whether you like this place or not is truly subject to your personal comfort level and taste buds because apparently the reviews are pretty good online. Firstly, the place itself is crowded and cramped. There are two levels to this place. First level is cramped but you have your usual tables and chairs. Basement level is also very cramped but you are seated Japanese style on floor mats. This means you have to remove your shoes and sit on the floor mat. There's not much space between tables and the next diner. It's noisy.... and... Plus all I could smell was...... smelly socks/feet. Food was really average. I've had better Yakitoris in Tokyo. Personally feel Torikizoku offers a much pleasant dining experience and better food. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartlander Turbocharged March 13, 2019 Share March 13, 2019 No idea what they are too but it's one of the only tree there with flower already blooming so first thing to do was to take pictures. They could be plum blossoms as well since Gotokuji has cherry blossoms and plum blossoms. They are definitely plum flowers, which typically blossom during March just before cherry blossom. Near Osaka castle got a big patch of plum trees that draw a lot of admirers during bloom season, much like cherry blossom. Nice but definitely not as beautiful as cherry blossom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Eggs 'n Things, Harajuku. This cafe originated from Hawaii and is also available in Plaza Singapura (not sure if still around but read bad reviews of the SG branch), but it's my first time trying! Sat alfreso and enjoyed the good weather. Temperature was about 14 DC. Very cooling, albeit a bit too chilly at times. Very pleasant ambience and friendly English speaking Japanese waitresses. Coffee was good. I was also almost tempted to steal the mug back home for souvenir. Lol. I had the french toast with fruit toppings. It's the case of taking too much similar shots of the same dish so I'm gonna upload all again. I would come back here again to try their pancakes. Favorite American style brunch cafe so far in Tokyo because of the super chill vibes and it wasn't that crowded as well in the morning though we had to queue up for it. Most people wanted the indoor dining seats. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 They are definitely plum flowers, which typically blossom during March just before cherry blossom. Near Osaka castle got a big patch of plum trees that draw a lot of admirers during bloom season, much like cherry blossom. Nice but definitely not as beautiful as cherry blossom. When we saw it we thought we were so lucky to be able to see early cherry blossoms! Haha. Should really do a trip during spring just to see cherry blossoms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kxbc Turbocharged March 13, 2019 Share March 13, 2019 Spotted some early cherry blossoms. I supposed they are cherry blossoms! Taken with my Mate 20 Pro, unedited. Tried to figure out how to take close up shots of the petals and here's my best shots. IMG_20190305_161746.jpg IMG_20190305_161659.jpg IMG_20190305_161715.jpg IMG_20190305_161823.jpg IMG_20190305_161827.jpg IMG_20190305_161836.jpg IMG_20190305_161911.jpg I've never seen cherry blossoms before anyway. Never been to Japan during the sakura bloom period. Usually airtix are priced much more ex during this season and I try to avoid. those should be plum blossoms. they usually flower slightly earlier than cherry blossoms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama. Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Forgot the name of this shop but we randomly walked in for some gyoza after we were done shopping at Mega Don Don Donki Shibuya. This pork slice with potato and fried rice was surprisingly good. The chefs and waiters in this restaurant were all Chinese speaking from China. Gyoza only so so got veggie inside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabyBlade Internal Moderator March 13, 2019 Author Share March 13, 2019 Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Tried the Santouka in Singapore first before actually trying the Santouka from Japan and I have to say I prefer the one in Singapore! The pork cheeks in SG looked better and probably taste better too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pChou Admin March 13, 2019 Share March 13, 2019 IMG_20190228_161915.jpg Han no Daidokoro Kadochika, Shibuya. About 20,000++ Yen for 4 pax. IMG_20190228_201954.jpg IMG_20190228_204152.jpg IMG_20190228_204614.jpg IMG_20190228_204814.jpg IMG_20190228_204835.jpg IMG_20190228_204901.jpg IMG_20190228_205653.jpg IMG_20190228_205712.jpg IMG_20190228_210309.jpg IMG_20190228_211051.jpg IMG_20190228_211302.jpg Because every trip in Tokyo we gotta go Harajuku Gyoza Lou, arguably the best Gyozas available in Harajuku. Even the steamed ones are good. And their taogay, best. IMG_20190228_232031.jpg Random shot at Shibuya Crossing. IMG_20190228_220603.jpg IMG_20190301_000005.jpg are all the photos shot on p20? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lala81 Hypersonic March 13, 2019 Share March 13, 2019 Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Tried the Santouka in Singapore first before actually trying the Santouka from Japan and I have to say I prefer the one in Singapore! The pork cheeks in SG looked better and probably taste better too. IMG_20190306_195206.jpg IMG_20190306_205226.jpg IMG_20190306_205659.jpg IMG_20190306_205716.jpg The santouka in taipei is better than SG one heh. In the mall beside Taipei Main station. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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