Eating our way around Tokyo

I could picture myself living in Tokyo for a short period of time. I love (almost) everything about Japan. 

First time we've been there it was very exciting. I got lost in every stationary shop, I was delighted with the food, even toilets were a point of interest... Everything is so clean and organized, it's my kind of place.

Food was the highlight. We liked it so much that we're having more than 4 meals per day. We wanted to try everything.

After my trip I felt ashamed for dragging my Japanese friend back in Chicago to all you can eat sushi crappy restaurants. And I felt even more ashamed for those crazy and saucy rolls that Americans (and Portuguese too) call sushi.

We're looking forward to go to Japan again soon. 

Tips: 

Smart phones rentals are very popular among visitors. Google maps helps you to keep in the track. Street organization is not clear for westerns. Although we didn't need it and we didn't get lost, my husband was our compass (as always). He is very good with maps.

Metro is the easier and cheapest option. It's not hard to navigate on the metro system.

There is a train from the airport that connects with the metro. 

We didn't go to the fish market at 5 or 6am. I think that is overrated and highly touristic (vendors don't appreciate tourists around on the rush hour). 

We went there after 9am and it was a great experience. It wasn't so crowded and we could enjoy it more. 

Restaurants:

In 4 days we tried to get as much as we could. 

In Tsukiji Market all the famous places had long lines. We noticed that locals were having food in different areas of the market. We decided to give a try to a sushi place that was not crowded and it had a few locals and Asian tourists. No regrets. It was delicious. Fresh fish.

When we went there it had just a few reviews on TripAdvisor by now it already has more than 50. Maybe at the time that you are planning to go, it will be another famous place, Yamazaki .

A great place to eat grilled eel is this restaurant Irowaka.

It's a charming traditional place. It only has a few seats.

If you are visiting the Sensoji temple is very convenient.

Marugo is located in the craziest area of Tokyo, Chyioda. It's away from the busiest streets, it's on a corner of a quiet and small street.

There you can have a delicious tonkatsu (if you are reading this and you don't eat pork, this is not for you).

You can't leave before you taste real tempura. 

We read about this little traditional place on Lonely Planet. It was hard to find it. But it worth it, Tsunahachi in Shinjuku.

The only meal that I didn't appreciate so much was the okonomiyaki (pancake). There is nothing wrong with the rich pancake, my complaint is about the thick sauce that they put on top of it.

But you should go and try it, Kiji.

We also tried one of those modern ramen chain restaurants, there are many and they all look very similar. It's also another cultural experience. Besides that ramen is always good.

Now I realize that I really have to come back to try more food.

If You Love Food Stay Out of Boston

When I read a newspaper article about how Boston looks like London I wasn't excited. I found it exaggerated, Americans always force these comparisons. And Europe is on the bottom of my travel preferences. So I wasn't particularly interested in visiting Little London. Beside that Boston people are known for their rudeness (that I guess is very European), it ranks number 1 in the nation.

First of all, I felt confused while I was walking around. Boston looks a lot like the island's capital, London. Americans weren't exaggerating. But the ranking is unfair, people are nicer than in DC. 

One weekend in Boston is enough. The city is small and very walkable (don't even try the "metro", you can walk almost everywhere). 

Things to do:

- Freedom trail. It's the main attraction. It includes many of the city's landmarks. 

- Take a NPS walking tour (free).

- Explore the neighborhoods. One of my fav is Coopley Sq. The mix of architecture styles makes it very interesting. It's also close to a gorgeous park and nice small scale neighborhoods. Another nice neighborhood is Beacon Hill, where you can do the African American trail.

- Bunker Hill is a memorable (and a little bit painful experience), 296 steps up the monument. The first 10 make you believe that it will be a piece of cake, after 50 you'll try to give up. Too late.

- Take a look into the Holocaust Memorial. Learn more about it here. 

Boston deserves to be ranked the worst city for food in the US. Restaurants are mediocre. Food options are awful. My best meal was a mozzarella sandwich in an Italian deli, Monica's market (check it here).