CW's Food & Travel

Japan 2012 - Roppongi Hills

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

I mentioned Ropponggi Hills in my earlier post on Tokyo Midtown. This is another huge urban development in Asakasa and is about 1 km from Tokyo Midtown. Opened in 2003, it is home to the 54 storey Mori Tower - one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo. The tower is designed by American firm Kohn Pederson Fox and looks quite generic aside from its top which looks to me like a Samurai helmet from some angles.

The project is elevated from street level and to reach the plaza you need to climb several flights of steps. At the main entrance to the Tower is the famous spider sculpture - it is called Maman and was by a French sculptor Louise Bourgeois.

The shopping centre wraps around the tower - and is connected to the tower by an atrium.

There is an observation deck on the top of the tower called Tokyo City View. From here you can get some of the best views of Tokyo and the famous Tokyo Tower. Unfortunately when I was there in the evening hoping to catch the sunset, it rained cats and dogs. It only cleared up after I visited the Mori Art Museum. By then it was already quite dark, but the view of Tokyo Tower was beautiful.

Japan 2012 - 21_21 Design Sight

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

21_21 Design Sight is one of the main art facilities in Tokyo Midtown. It is an art gallery designed by Tadao Ando in collaboration with renown Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyaki who was known for his technology driven designs.

In some ways this was a departure for Ando from his usual rectilinear style. Instead of a flat roof, the gallery consists of 2 pavilions with triangular folded roofs with the lowest points touching the ground. The smaller pavilion houses a cafe, whereas the larger pavilion serves as the lobby to the gallery. Most of the gallery spaces are underground.

The form is simple yet elegant - typical of Ando's work.

The entrance is totally minimalist. Blink and you will miss it.

Instead of the normal paintings and sculptures by famous artists, this gallery focuses on everyday things seen through designer lenses. When I was there the exhibition was on everyday items from the Tohoku region on the northern part of Honshu - Japan's main island. The theme of the exhibition is "Tema Hima" - Time and Effort - and hints at the key ingredients that are essential to making great products and craft. There were table ware, baskets, kitchen utensils, rubber boots, slippers, and even food items such as dried fish and prawns. It was quite an interesting insight into the art of living of the people in that region, and how they turn the mundane into works of art. Unfortunately photography was not allowed in the exhibition and you will have to make do with my descriptions.

Japan 2012 - Tokyo Midtown

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Akasaka District is one of the prime business and residential districts in Tokyo. There are 2 main projects which attracted me there - Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills. Of the 2, Roppongi Hills is the older one being completed in 2003, and Tokyo Midtown was completed in 2007.

I visited Tokyo Midtown first. It is a huge mixed-use development consisting of several office towers, residential and hotel towers, and a shopping podium. For a urban development in land-scarce Tokyo, it also has surprisingly large areas dedicated to a park and cultural amenities.

This large grass-covered square is a rare luxury in Tokyo. In New York or London it would be full of people, here at Tokyo Midtown it was surprisingly empty. It was anchored by a large futuristic sculpture at the far end.

The shopping podium must be one of the poshest shopping centres in Tokyo. The interior is very elegant and everything looks expensive.

In the centre of the development is a covered plaza with a beautiful glass roof. Here you do see some signs of people enjoying the space.

Japan 2012 - Japanese Drinks and Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

One of the great things about traveling in Japan is you get to sample their great snacks, many of which are not available outside of the country. Suntory and Kirin are 2 of the biggest food and beverage companies in Japan - and many of the snacks are either produced, distributed or imported by these 2 companies.

Most of the hotels I booked in Japan did not come with breakfast, and there are not many breakfast places around the cities. Instead I relied on groceries from the convenience shops which are everywhere. The most common convenience shops are Seven Eleven, Lawson, Circle K and Family Mart. Seven Eleven is the same as their overseas cousins, except in Japan they serve quite a lot of prepared food such as sushi, udon and the popular Oden - Japanese fish cake hotpot.

Lawson is a little bit more upmarket and you can get some premium offerings, such as Haagen-Dazs ice cream. These stores are also the most convenient and economical places to get your ciggies or booze. Most mornings I would either have a red bean bun or an instant bowl noodle - or both if I am especially peckish.

Japanese buns are very nice - especially the red bean buns. The dough is soft like a pillow, and the filling is usually of great quality.

I also tried this curry bun. The skin is coated with a thin layer of Panko and has a nice texture - but the filling is a bit too mild for my taste.

These rice crackers are the best I tried in Japan - they are studded with seafood - and you can see whole baby squids in some of them.

The instant bowl noodles in Japan are definitely better then their close cousins elsewhere. This soba noodle with tempura is quite tasty and without the usual artificial tastes that mar lesser instant noodles.

I also liked this Udon which came with a piece of dried tofu which puffed up when soaked in hot water.

I got these Haagen-Dazs ice creams from Lawson. Soft creamy centres wrapped with a thin layer of crepe outside. Really delicious - and I've never seen them elsewhere.

Japan 2012 - Yarakucho Izakaya District

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Yarakucho is a station one stop down from Tokyo Central. It is in the Chiyoda District where the Tokyo Imperial Palace is located, and also right next to Ginza. The surrounding areas are mostly business districts, so it is one of the busiest stations in Tokyo. It is also here that you will find one of the biggest food destinations in Tokyo - the Yarakucho Izakaya district, relatively unknown to outsiders.

Izakayas - Japanese pubs which also serve food, are usually cheap and cheery spaces serving mainly the salaried workers crowd. Over time they have evolved into a distinct Japanese cuisine culture able to stand on their own two feet. The food is usually pub food meant to accompany sake or beer - hence lots of grilled skewered meat items - kind of like the Tapas of the East. In some of these Izakayas the food is so expertly done that now they are befitting of Michelin stars.

The Yarakucho area probably boomed due to the throngs of tired office workers looking for a cheap place to chill out before heading home. The real estate is also probably much cheaper due to its proximity to railway lines - they even make full use of the spaces under the tracks. This is one of the most interesting food haunts in Tokyo.

Japan 2012 - Tokyo International Forum

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The Tokyo International Forum is a convention centre right in the heart of the city. It is near the Tokyo Central Station - in Marunauchi, Chiyoda District. Designed by Rafael Vinoly - an Uruguayan-American architect based in New York who won it through an international competition, it created a sensation at the time it was built due to its sweeping form and impressive steel structure which covers the main atrium space.

Though it is a huge building, when you actually visit it is difficult to sense the scale as it is surrounded by other equally large structures. There is not much that you can see outside, but the large multi-storey atrium that serves as the main lobby and circulation space is impressive. The steel roof structure is shaped like the barrel of a gigantic ship, and seemingly held up by 2 huge masts.

The only way to visualize the whole building complex is through an aerial photograph which is helpfully placed in the lobby. Here you can see that the curved atrium building is flanked by the railway lines on one side. The largest auditorium can house around 5,000 people.

What I find very interesting about this building is that some of the exhibition spaces are visible from glass bridges connecting from the atrium to the convention spaces.

The atrium at night.

Japan 2012 - Ginza

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 29 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Ginza - a place that is probably on every Tokyo visitor's list. This is where you come to admire all the branded stores - Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Dior, Bulgari, Cartier - the list goes on. It was also here that the trend for iconic flagship stores started - for at one time the Japanese were the biggest patrons of luxury goods in the World and all the luxury brands where clamoring to get a foothold in this market. That mantle has since passed on to the mainland Chinese, but I am sure the Japanese are still not far behind in luxurious consumption judging from the number of LV clutching ladies you see on the streets.

It is not unusual to see a few Tokyoites decked up top to toe in the same brand.

Ginza is perhaps best visited at night when the stores light up and look even more glamourous. One of the most interesting night lighting is at the Matsuya Ginza departmental store.

Though the Ginza main street is where all the action is, to me the small side alleys are more interesting as they feature more obscure brands and shops. And in the small parallel alleyways behind Ginza you will find restaurants and pubs of any ilk that suits your fancy.

Japan 2012 - Tokyo Imperial Palace

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 26 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

I visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace and was really impressed with the elegance of the architecture, so I thought I shouldn't miss the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Like the Kyoto Palace, entrance is free but a reservation need to be made either online or at the Imperial Household Office. On the day, I got out at the wrong subway station and had to walk much longer then expected. To make matters worse, I went to the wrong entrance which was about 1 km from the designated entrance. By the time I got there I was already 30min late, and thought for sure I was going to miss the tour. Luckily the tour hasn't started and they let me in.

The wrong entrance.

The right entrance is down there.

Like in Kyoto, there was a video briefing in a large hall before the tour starts. There were around 50 people, about half from China. The tour started with a walk around the outer gardens. It was pleasant enough, but what we really wanted to see was the Palace. That was when we heard the bad news - we weren't going to see the Palace. The Royal Family actually lives there and it is not open to visitors. What a disappointment !

If you are rushed for time, you could probably give the Imperial Palace a miss. Visiting the Palace will take about half a day.

Japan 2012 - First Dinner in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

After exploring the Asakusa area for a whole day, it was time for dinner. I came across this Izakaya next to the famous Asakusa Dori - the blue rainbow bridge. The place is buzzing with locals enjoying a pint and yakitori. Having a meal at an Izakaya for a non-Japanese can be a bit daunting. There is usually no English menu, and the servers hardly speak any English. I ended up just half-guessing the items on the menu and let my fingers do the talking - then wait and see what happens.

As they were really busy, the order took quite a while to arrive. Surprisingly they even served me an amuse bouche - a skewer of 2 meatballs drizzled in yakitori sauce. Very nice.

The order came as expected - 2 chicken skewers and 1 pork. All very simply seasoned with just salt and a very light marinade. And they were all really flavourful and tender - expertly done. There is nothing better then properly grilled meat - takes us back to our primeval days I guess !

The salad came with 3 dressings. I ended up trying all 3 and they were all very good !

Having a meal at an Izakaya is a very good way of getting to know the local dining scene. On top of that it is usually very tasty and more affordable then having a meal at a restaurant. Something I don't mind doing everyday !

Japan 2012 - International Library of Children's Literature Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Perhaps only in Japan would you find an entire library devoted to children's literature. The International Library of Children's Literature (ILCL) is located on the northern side of Ueno Park. It is house in a 3-storey heritage building which was originally the Imperial Library. The extension was designed by renown Japanese Architect Tadao Ando, and in his addition he has tried to preserve the interior and exterior of the existing building as much as possible.

From the main elevation, all you can see of the extension is a glass box which is tilted at a slight angle to the main building. This is the main entrance to the library. This glass box cuts through the building and ends up as the cafe which faces the garden behind.

The new addition is essentially another glass box that stretches along the back facade of the existing building. The new spaces are fully day-lighted, and serve mainly as the circulation space and foyers. What is great about this is that you can actually see and touch the existing facade up close - and appreciate the beauty of the heritage building.

On the whole it is a great example of architectural conservation. But if you are expecting to see Tadao Ando's signature architectural moves you may be disappointed, as the main idea here was to preserve and enhance the existing building - and for that they have done a great job.

Japan 2012 - Ueno Park in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Ueno Park is a large public park toward the West of the Asakusa District and on the northern side of Tokyo City. It is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Spring, and the park itself is a great place to escape from Tokyo's concrete jungle, but what attracted me there are the buildings and not the trees.

Ueno Park is dotted with an amazing collection of cultural institutions including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Science Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo cultural Hall), etc. If you are a museum lover, you could spend a whole week here.

As you approach the Park from the JR Ueno Station,you will see an interesting building on the left. When you get closer, it begins to look familiar. This building is the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan - and every architect would recognize its design language. It looks like something by the famous Le Corbusier - but it is not actually by him but one of his disciples in Japan - Kunio Maekawa.The assimilation of Corbusier's architectural language is almost complete. This building houses a concert hall that is still used today and beloved for its great acoustics.

Opposite the Bunka Kaikan is a much smaller building - the National Museum of Western Art. This is a building that was actually designed by Le Corbusier - his only realized project in the Far East, and it houses the famous Rodin sculpture - The Thinker. On first look it doesn't really appear very much like Corbusier's other works, and perhaps most people would have passed by it without realizing it was designed by one of the preeminent 20th Century architects. This is actually one of the few museums built based on Corbusier's concept of a "Museum of Unlimited Growth" - a spiral plan that can be added to as and when the need arises.

Japan 2012 - Tenya Tendon Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Tenya Tendon is a chain of Japanese fast food restaurants serving the popular Tendon - Japanese rice bowls topped with tempura. Instead of the Tendon, I went for the Tempura Soba set. This was their summer special and it look really tempting in the pictures.

I find that in Japan, often what you see in the photos is what you get. There is no false advertising here.

The tempura is very nice indeed. With a really light and crispy batter, and good quality prawns and ingredients, it could rival much more expensive restaurants.The dipping sauce is also very good - just adding enough flavour without overpowering the tempura.

At 780 yen for the set, it works out to be around RM 23. Very reasonable even compared to eating in Malaysia. You can find Tenya outlets all over Tokyo. The one I went to was in Asakusa.

Tokyo 2012 - Kappabashi in Asakusa Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Another reason for my visit to Asakusa is Kappabashi - considered by some to be the World's largest cookware market. Kappabashi is a short walk from Sensoji Temple which is at the centre of the Asakusa District. It is a shopping street devoted entirely to restaurant supply and cookware, but you will not find any fresh food here. There are more then 150 shops in the area, and it gives you an interesting insight into the Japanese restaurant industry as well as what locals used in their kitchens.

Some of the shops sell the famous plastic foods that are used by typical Japanese restaurants all over the World to decorate their shopfronts. They are so real that sometimes you cannot tell the difference between whats real and whats plastic.

If you are a kitchen knife addict, this is your paradise ! You can find reasonably priced blades here, as well as the top-end stuff costing thousands of dollars - including some forged by Samurai sword masters.

Japan 2012 - Asakusa Tourist Information Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

One of the main reasons I went to Asakusa was to check out a new building by renown Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma - the Asakusa Tourist Information Centre. Like many other Japanese Architects - Kengo Kuma's design aesthetics is towards minimalism - using basic shape and form to create architecture that is devoid of too much embellishment. In recent years his investigations into construction techniques and materials has produced a series of buildings that are innovative and beautiful, and yet look effortless and unaffected.

When I first saw this building in magazines, I was really taken by the external form. It looked completely modern - yet you could see very clearly the architect's references to the traditional. The tower looked like it is made up of small Japanese houses stacked on top of each other - yet the building look almost weightless due to the clever detailing.

The external facade is covered mostly in glass, and screened by a series of large vertical fins. The fins are made of laminated wood and cut into a wedge shape so that they appear light and elegant.

On the ground floor is the Tourist Information Centre, and there are exhibition spaces and function rooms on the upper floors.

At the top of the tower is an observation deck where you get good views of Asakusa and the Sensoji Temple.

Japan 2012 - Sensoji Temple in Asakusa Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Sensoji Temple - also commonly know as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is one of the most popular temples in Tokyo and the biggest attraction in Asakusa. It is also said to be Tokyo's oldest temple - built in 645. This is the main attraction in Asakusa, and when you visit you will see not only tourists but many locals as well.

In front of the temple is a shopping street called Nakamase-dori. It stretches from the iconic outer gate to the inner gate, and there are many stalls selling souvenirs and local snacks. Some of the snacks - such as deep-fried mochi, are unusual and very tasty.

The temple itself is quite magnificent with large red columns and a soaring roof. It was almost completely destroyed during the 2nd World War. What you see now was a complete reconstruction, and it is amazing how they were able to recapture the original design and feel of the structure.

The best time to go would be in the evenings, when the red colour of the temple become radiant in the setting sun.

Japan 2012 - Asakusa District in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

For my first couple of days in Tokyo I decided to stay in the Asakusa District, which is one of the main tourist districts in Tokyo. Many may find it too touristy to their liking, but I chose to stay in the area because of its proximity to several of the sights I wanted to visit - Kappabashi, Ueno Park, Sensoji and the Asakusa Tourist Information Centre - a newly completed masterpiece by renown Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma.

In the old days Asakusa was Tokyo's main entertainment area, and you can still see remnants of these as you wander around the district. You will find Japan's oldest amusement park - Hanayashiki, next to the Sensoji Temple.

Asakusa is next to the Sumida River, which is famous for the many bridges that crosses it. At night a stroll along the river is very romantic. Across the river you can see 2 architectural landmarks - the Asahi Beer Building with its signature golden flame on top, and the Tokyo Sky Tree - Japan's tallest structure and also the 2nd tallest structure in the World after Burj Khalifa.

Japan 2012 - Kyoto to Tokyo by Bullet Train

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The easiest and fastest way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo is by bullet train. The distance is around 500 km, and with the fastest Nozomi train it will take around 2 1/2 hours. The fare is not cheap - about 14,000 yen which is around RM 460. There are 1st Class and Ordinary Class seats, but on a relatively short journey I don't think it makes much difference.

If you are expecting a high-tech train experience you will be disappointed. The bullet train platforms are the same as the other trains, and there are no seats while you wait for the train to arrive. So it is not advisable to arrive too early.

The train interior feels a bit like a narrow body jetliner. The seats are quite comfortable.

You can buy meals on the train. Though the selections are limited, what they have all looked quite appetizing. I ordered the Grilled Pork and Rice Bento. There were generous thick slices of tasty grilled bacon with a tasty teriyaki sauce, and the rice was of very good quality.

The main advantage of traveling by train instead of flying is you get to enjoy the views. It was interesting to see the change of scenery as you move from urban to suburban areas and the country side.

Japan 2012 - Dinner at Irifune Japanese Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

My last night in Kyoto, I was looking for a nice Japanese restaurant for dinner. Since I had been walking around the whole day my feet were really aching, so I ended up in Irifune which is just around the corner from where I stayed. Irifune is in the basement floor of Karasuma Kyoto Hotel.

The restaurant was empty when I went in. Perhaps it was still early, as guests started to stream in during the course of the dinner.

It looked like a typical Japanese establishment, one that would not look out of place in KL. At the entrance is a long counter with a sushi chef behind it. There are some private cubicles to one side, and an open dining area beside the counter.

They had a set dinner which looked quite interesting. It came with several appetizers, sushi and grilled beef. The appetizers were nicely presented in a special tray. The stand out dish was the veggie salad - the sauce was sensational and very refreshing.

The sushi course - 3 pieces of prime sushi. I can only recognize the tuna in the middle, but they were all very nice.

The grilled beef came in its own cute little ceramic grill. It was tender and flavourful.

The meal was finished off with vanilla ice cream drizzled with macha powder. Nice.

Japan 2012 - Mos Burger

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Mos Burger is Japan's 2nd largest fast food chain after McDonald's. They have spread their wings to many parts of Asia, but unfortunately not Malaysia yet. I first had a taste of Mos Burger in Hong Kong. I found their burgers to be much better and healthier tasting then their McDonald's cousins. When I saw this shop along Shijo-dori I had to give it a try.

Since it was the beginning of Summer, they had a special summer burger topped with ratatouille. It looked delicious, and that was what I ordered.

It was a small and simple burger - just a beef patty topped with the ratatouille and sandwiched between a soft bun, but it tasted really good. The ratatouille managed to elevate it into gourmet territory. I really wish they would open one shop in Malaysia soon.

Japan 2012 - Time's I & II in Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

One of the sights that was on the top of my must see list in Kyoto was 2 architectural projects by Japanese Master Architect Tadao Ando. The 2 projects are next to each other and are simply called Time's I and Time's II. Located along Takase River in the Pontocho District of Kyoto, these 2 buildings are among Ando's earliest works, and they remain 2 of the most popular buildings he has designed.

Ando is revered for his minimalist architecture which uses nothing more then concrete, space and light to shape his buildings. Time's I & II are no exception. The walls are mostly made of concrete blocks, left unfinished. The form is strictly rectilinear, with the curved roof as the only departure from straight lines. From a small and tight site, the architect has masterfully carved out interesting public spaces which weave in and out of the buildings. And the clever use of light and texture is a masterclass in minimalist design.

The Takase River where the buildings are situated has an interesting history. It is very shallow, and yet was used to transport goods through the city using flat-bedded boats called Takasebune. Ando wanted his buildings to look like boats, so he brought the lowest level of the building right down to the water level.

Japan 2012 - Kyoto Ramen Street

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Probably the most interesting feature in the Kyoto Central Station is the Kyoto Ramen Street. Located on the 10th Floor of the station building, the Ramen Street brings together 7 ramen shops from representative regions of Japan under one roof. This is a great place if you are a ramen lover, unfortunately my tummy only have room for one serving, and it took me quite a while to decide on which shop to go into.

My final choice was Ramen Todai - based on the really appetizing photo outside this shop. It is from the Tokushima region - which is on the Northern part of Shikoku Island. Their style of ramen is based on the Tonkotsu broth (pork bone broth) and dark Shoyu (dark soy sauce), hence the broth looks much darker then most other styles of ramen.

Those who like their ramen broth a bit lighter in taste may not like this style. This one is all about packing that strong punch to your taste buds. The broth is rich and srtong, full of umami flavour - a very satisfying bowl indeed. Instead of the usual Chasu - you get thin slices of pork belly which has been stewed in soy sauce and just melt in your mouth. I saw a lot of patrons crack a raw egg into the broth before tucking in. I didn't do the same, but I can guess that the raw egg would probably make the soup more silky in texture. This was one of the best ramens I had in Japan.

Japan 2012 - Kyoto Central Station

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Kyoto Central Station is located in the Sourthern part of Kyoto City. If you travel to Kyoto by train, chances are you will end up here. It is a huge complex made up of many levels, and when I first arrived I was a bit disoriented as there are so many exits it gets really confusing. What's worse is there is no convenient connection to the subway system, and you need to get out of the Main Station Building to get into the subway. With luggage in tow it can be a real nightmare.

The station building is an impressive feat of futuristic architecture. Many of the central train stations in Japan are designed not just as transport hubs, but are really cultural and communal hubs. The Kyoto Station is no exception, and the main hall is a multi-storey atrium space filled with stepped terraces that goes up to sky gardens and plazas at both ends of the building. The architect is Hiroshi Hara who also designed the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka.

The huge complex also houses 3 shopping malls, a hotel, food halls, theatres and event venues. It is really a city within a city and if you don't feel like wondering outside you could literally live in the building.

Japan 2012 - Kyoto Imperial Palace

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

One of the sights I was looking forward to visit was the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is very near Nijo Castle, so quite convenient if you group the 2 visits together. Admission to the Imperial Palace is free, but you need to make an appointment at the Imperial Household Agency. Application can be made online.

You can only visit the Palace on guided tours conducted by the Imperial Household. Before the tour, a short briefing by video is given in in the visitor's centre. The video provides a good historical background on what you are about to see. Like many Asian imperial palaces, the complex of buildings is designed to be used according to the seasons. Gardens are arranged to showcase their best views from the buildings during different seasons.

Renown as one of the most beautiful palace complex in Japan, the architecture of the Kyoto Imperial Palace is very elegant and visually stunning. There is also a lot to learn about Japanese architecture and garden design, so it is a must visit for design lovers.

The gardens are some of the most impressive I have seen during the trip.

Japan 2012 - Nijo Castle Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The great thing about Kyoto is that most of the interesting sights are within the city vicinity - like Nijo Castle which is right in the city centre. Nijo Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu - the first Shogun of the Edo Period. Like Osaka Castle, Nijo Castle has long been associate with Shogun and Ninja intrigues and has been featured in countless movies and TV shows.

Getting to the castle was quite easy. It was a 20 m walk from my hotel. Once you arrive you are faced with the impressive castle gate. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful moat.

Most of the buildings within the Nijo Castle complex are low rise and residential in nature. 5-storey castle keep was burnt down in the 18th Century and never rebuilt.

The buildings boast many interesting design features meant to protect the Shogun from harm - for example the corridors feature nightingale floors which squeak when you walk on them as a warning against intruders, and the Shogun's main audience room is located in the most secured area of the complex, with hidden closets where bodyguards hide to slay any visitors with ill intentions.

Nijo Castle is very interesting as it offers a glimpse into the life of the Shoguns and how they managed to keep themselves alive amidst all the countless invasions and assassination attempts. Definitely a must see in Kyoto.

Japan 2012 - Dinner at Torikizoku Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0000

In Japan there are many chain restaurants which have appropriated traditional cuisines and turn them into fast service concepts. The Kaiten Shushi shop is probably the most famous example, but there are also shops that sell fast ramen, soba noodles, donburi - rice bowls, and of course - teriyaki.

I came across this teriyaki restaurant - Torikizoku, while strolling along Shijo-dori. It is located in the basement - which piqued my interest even more as I wanted to see what it was like to dine in a restaurant without views. As it turned out - it wasn't as unusual as I have thought. It was basically laid out like a fast food restaurant with a service counter on one side and dining cubicles on the other side. The high walls which separated the cubicles did away with the need for views anyway - clever design!

The big attraction in this chain is that everything is 280 yen. It may seem cheap at first, but you need to order at least 3 to 4 items to make a meal. Add in the drink and you will end up paying up to 1,500 yen per person - around RM 50. Definitely not fast food price.

The food though - is really good ! I ordered a cuttlefish starter which was marinated in some wasabe, mirin and served with some seaweed on the side. It packed a punch and was a very satisfying appetizer.

The chicken teriyaki and teriyaki rice bowl were both great - tender and tasty chucks of chicken grilled to perfection.

The expert griller in action.

I must say that Torikizoku surprised me. I was expecting an average meal, but the quality of the food is exceptional for a fast service restaurant. You wouldn't find this in Malaysia that's for sure !