The past two weekends.

HI!!!!! It's updatin' time! Here in Japan, lots of people are into the US elections, a rarity for a people who seem to not really care about politics. But even a few of my students have asked me if I'm rooting for Obama or Clinton. Let me tell you something though. As if having an educated political discussion in English wasn't difficult enough (okay, I guess it's not that difficult, but for the sake of dramatic writing), try having a discussion in Japanese. FUCK! I did learn how to say "Republican" (kyouwato) and "Democrat" (minshutou) today, so I guess that's a good place to start. Really though, it's a lot of smiling, semi-understanding, nodding, and retorting with my opinion which I'm not quite positive is related to what the other person just said.

Though this can be the standard for lots of my conversations here.....even in English.

Anyways, last last weekend was a three-day weekend that was totally fun, totally kick ass, and also relaxing. It snowed a couple times this month, which never happened last year. Still, that didn't stop Manami and me from making the trek to Odaiba, enjoying a cheap brazillian all-you-can-eat bbq lunch, shopping, and going to Oedo Onsen Monogatari!!! YAY!!!!

Here's me in front of the place, which is an indoor hot springs bath and kinda "theme park."


So basically, you go in and they give you a hakata (like a summer robe) to wear. They also give you a locker key attached to a barcode, which you use as money in case you want to buy anything like food, drinks, toys, candy, and whatever else there is between the hot spring baths. You then pay at the end. It's a really cool system and seeing all the little Japanese kids running around in their traditional clothes is one of the cutest things ever.

Here's our digs-

Manami said she loves this picture because of how Japanese she looks.

When you're ready to go in the baths, your party separates into gender, gets totally butt-ass-naked and walks around in front of lots of other men totally naked. It's pretty weird at first, but after a little while, I was walking with my hands in the air and my dong freely flapping in the wind for all to see and adore. This was a holiday Saturday evening, and let me tell you something, I saw a lot of dick. I couldn't help it. Just turning your head and you were guaranteed to see tiny Japanese cock in all areas of your vision. Oh well.

There was an outdoor mixed foot stream which was nice, but it was snowing outside and really cold. Here, you can see me donning my outer wear.


This is Manami making fun of the thing I do when I scratch my ear and make that annoying sound in the back of my throat. Feels so good though.


Finally, between bathing we hit up the ganbanyoku, which is one of those kinda new age things where you lie on really really hot rocks and sweat your balls off while they play music you would hear at Natural Wonders if that store was still around. It was pretty nice, I'd do it again. Recommended for anyone who wants to lose weight but is too lazy to actually exercise.

Finishing off, this picture is from before the hot springs, but look. It's a vending machine of Cup O' Noodles (which are called simply Cup Noodle here), serving em up hot and ready to eat.


The next day we went to Kichijoji, an area in Tokyo I'd wanted to visit for a while. Lots of really cool restaurants, shops, and a big park. Here's a picture of my favorite part. Lots of really tiny, claustrophobic, often standing-only restaurants and bars.


This weekend was valentine's day weekend. In Japan, the man gets gifts on Valentine's day, while the woman gets treated in March for "White Day." I don't know why, that's just the way it is. Deal with it. I decided that for my nice meal I wanted to go to another Iron Chef restaurant, so we made it #3. This time, it was Iron Chef Italian, Masahiko Kobe. His appearances on the show were a little more rare, but he wore the silver outfit and was holding a tomato when it was time to choose the iron chef to battle. We went for lunch instead of dinner, and it was pretty damn good, though I have to admit, I enjoyed Morimoto and Sakai's restaurants more. This place, however, was very unpretentious, cozy, cheaper, and a fine dining experience. Here we go.

First, look at how good we looked.



Little bread crackers that were placed before we were seated:


I ordered up two massive oysters to start the lunch off with a slimy bang.


Next, the first part of the course menu, was the various fish/salad plates. Though they asked if there was anything we can't or don't want to eat, we forgot to mention fois gras. Needless to say, I tried it. Though I don't agree with how it's made and I won't go out of my way to eat it again, it was on my plate and I wasn't gonna just leave it there. It kinda tasted like cheese.


Next, was my first pasta dish. A cream-based pasta with spinach and muscles. The noodles were almost as thick as udon. Very good.


Manami's first pasta was a squid pasta with a sauce made of olive oil, garlic, and butter (I think). Also quite delicious.


My second pasta, the highlight of the course for sure, was a pumpkin gnocchi with Japanese beef ragut (is that the word? I dunno, just chopped up, kinda minced beef) with vegetables and mushrooms. This one right here is worth going again for.


Manami's second pasta was this one, a pesto-based sauce, an interestingly-shaped pasta and scallops. Delicious, though my gnocchi was better.


Finally, the main was this beautifully presented, light, but somewhat surprising meat dish consisting of young beef throat. I wasn't really expecting throat, as I couldn't read the kanji, though Manami knew. Had I known, I probably would have opted for the fish main. Still, it was good and now I can say I've eaten throat prepared in a really gourmet way.


The deserts were a little bit on the safe side, but that's not to say they weren't good. Here is my creme brulee accompanied by fruit and an AMAZING cassis sorbet (maybe a gelato). Sweet and delicious.


Manami had an AWESOME tiramisu with fruit and a green tea ice cream. Yum.


Another great thing about this restaurant is Masahiko Kobe is usually cooking himself. As opposed to my past Iron Chef dining experiences, the chef was present and was more than willing to take a picture with us. Here we are. My face looks huge!


Alright, that's all for now. Tomorrow, I'm on the guestlist for not one, but TWO rock concerts in Shibuya (Motion City Soundtrack and Minus The Bear). I'll be seeing my buddy Brian Diaz who stayed at my house in his band The Reunion Show. I haven't seen him in a good 5 years, so it should be fun. Peace out.