Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tokyo Living

Someone once asked me if I was living in Tokyo when I was there last or was I there on holiday (that's vacation to us Americans). Well I thought about that question because I felt like I was living there even though it was for a short period. I spent a better part of my childhood moving a lot, sometimes only living for a week in the same apartment and having to pack up all over again, furniture and all. So as an adult I have certain parameters to define living in a place, length of time not really mattering only my routine. While in my Tokyo apartment I pretty much did everything I do living in my Brooklyn Apartment here's a little (long) photo narrative....

I folded up my futon after waking. Tokyo living
I did my laundry. Yes everyday, unfortunately. Tokyo living
I freshened the bedding. Tokyo living
I looked out my apartment window to admire the view Tokyo living
  I locked my apartment door before heading out Tokyo living  
I coveted my neighbor's garden Tokyo living
I picked up breakfast when I didn't feel like having toast and eggs, again. Tokyo living
I saw my favorite corner at the bottom of my hill. Tokyo living
  I went food and supply shopping at the local supermarket. Tokyo living I walked to the train station. Tokyo living On the way to the train station I wrestled with riding a bike in the freezing cold, the train won as usual. Tokyo living I passed the local pet store. Tokyo living
  I picked up a maatcha latte right before getting to the train station. Tokyo living
  I molested a dog on the way to the train.
  Tokyo living
  I sketched. Tokyo living
I went out to photograph the nearby neighborhoods. Tokyo living
I pondered what this storefront held inside every day on the way to the the train. Tokyo living
I regretted not buying that cute thing I could have used. Tokyo living
I had lunch. Tokyo living
I bought a yummy pastry after lunch. Tokyo living
  I picked up some crafty supplies. Tokyo living
I had a beer. Tokyo living
I molested a pack of wild chihuahuas. Tokyo living
  I checked out my favorite vintage store. Tokyo living
I rode the train home. Tokyo living
  I checked out my favorite local clothing and accessories stores. Tokyo living
I cooked a crappy meal in my sad little Japanese kitchen. Tokyo living I went out for dinner because I didn't want to eat a crappy meal. Tokyo living
I molested the neighborhood kitty. Tokyo living
I coveted my neighbor's house Tokyo living
  I had another delicious craft beer at the local Taproom. Tokyo living

OH! I paid rent and took out the trash. Yep, seems like a was living there.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Ootoya and Japadog in NYC

This past week I have had the good fortune of trying out two new Japanese restaurants in NYC. First, Ootoya, a beautiful restaurant that is a sister restaurant to all its popular chain counterparts in Tokyo. D and I actually ate at two Ootoya's while in Tokyo our last two trips their together. The NYC version, in the Flatiron district, is quite elegant and the food is phenomenal. I went for lunch and of course in Japanese tradition I had a lunch set, which with the main entree came a savory egg custard, pickles, miso soup and unlimited hot tea. Of course I followed up with a dessert, maatcha amitsu, green tea ice cream with sweet beans, green tea agar, floating in a dish of soy milk and accompanied with a little dish of homemade caramel syrup to drizzle on the concoction. I love sitting at the counter to get a full view of the open kitchen. Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya Ootoya

Next up, Japadog, a fastfood insanity of dogs on a bun. This is total junkfood but probably extra delicious after drinking. I had a tasty Beef Terimayo combo, a beef dog toppped with mayo, fried onions and seaweed. It came with a soda and fries, I got got the soy butter fries, I would not recommend this, just get regular fries and dip in wasabi mayo!

japadog japadog japadog japadog japadog japadog getting there: Ootoya 8 West 18th Street NY, NY take 4,5,6,N,R,Q trains to Union Square or F, M trains to 14th Street Japadog 30 St Mark's Place NY, NY take 6 train to Astor Place

Monday, May 7, 2012

Belated Sakura Matsuri

About two weekends ago Sewon and I went to the Sakura Matsuri festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and I just got my rolls of film back and I wanted to share. We had a lot of fun, we even made a little picnic, Sewon made delicious tuna and beef onigiri and I brought homemade Japanese style cucumber pickles. Sadly, the Sakura were past their full bloom and only a few blossoms remain,but still there were many other exciting events happening at the festival. My favorite is the Hanagasa Odori (Flower Hat Dance) it's a beautiful performance of women dress in colorful yukatas with pretty straw hats adorned with flowers dancing and singing to a traditional lively Japanese song. Of course the lolita parade is always fun to see and admire the lovely and skillful costume-making of all the dresses. Lolita parade Lolita parade Lolita parade Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori Hanagasa Odori more pics here