My Favorite Places
Replay the hits
As my journey in Japan comes to a close, I’m trying to take a bit of a victory lap to my favorite places. From parks to arcades, I’ll miss a lot of places in this city I’ve grown to know. For those interested in my day-to-day life here, I want to catalogue my local haunts, starting with some of my favorite restaurants.
Niku Gekijou - The best gyudon on the planet
Japan loves making special days based on readings of numbers. Niku Gekijou’s special days fall on the 2nd, 9th, and 29th of every month since niku (“meat”) also shares readings with 2 (ni) and 9 (ku). On those days every bowl of gyudon comes with double the meat, free of charge. This weekend, I just celebrated what may be my last double meat bowl for the forseeable future. I’ll miss you, sweet prince.
Royal Nepal Indian - Naan compares 2 u
Lovingly referred to among my friends and I as “basement Indian,” this is a local shop in an underground food hall near the school. Aside from its devilish proximity, its main attraction is serving up the best naan I’ve ever had. Naan is a beautiful invention cause it’s really just an excuse to eat bread, but with the mixture of curry you’re able to give it some flavor and legitimacy.
Sushiro - Rotating sushi for the masses
I’ll admit it, sushiro is the fast food of sushi joints. But that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious. In fact, I’d argue that the meals you can get for $5 here rival anything I’ve had in America for $15. They’re cheap, fast, and mega popular. My favorite is the shrinp tempura and salmon basil nigiri. Better than it sounds!
Rocco’s Pizza & Rocco’s Tacos - A slice of home
Tucked away in the small town of Oji lies both the greatest pizza and tacos I’ve had in Japan. Pizza in Japan is a bit different, mostly in the toppings; the two most common being corn and mayo… Not exactly a dream for me. There’s plenty of other options, but I’ve found them for the most part middling. The staff at both Rocco’s stores is great, and the ambiance suits the New York style pizzeria/California based tacos to a tee.
Leisure time
In my free time, I’ve found myself gravitating to a couple of different activities, namely hikes, parks, and of course arcades.
Taito Game Station - Or any other modern game center
Japanese arcades are truly unlike anything in America. They’re big and clean with locations all over, and exactly 0% is reserved for serving overpriced cocktails. That’s not even to mention the unparalleled game selection featuring everything from crane games (massively popular here among all ages) to horse racing, VR zombie survival rooms to anime photo booths, and even virtual card games which use physical cards. My favorite, as collectors will know, is always the music rhythm games. Chunithm, I will miss you dearly.
Mikado Game Center - Unlike other modern game centers
Mikado is a series of a handful of stores that specialized is old, classic cabinets. Games from the 80s and 90s are stacked in the dozens; games like Bomberman, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk, and old Street Fighter games are rare to find, and with the games industry anxious to erase its own history in favor of digital liscenses and remakes, Mikado’s contribution to game preservation has to be commended.
Imperial Gardens - Fit for an emperor
It’s no contest — Ginza’s Imperial Gardens are my favorite park in Tokyo. No matter what I’m going to the park to do the Imperial Gardens has an area for it. A high vantage point from which to see the city? Check. Historic buildings? Massive check. Picnic areas? Aplenty. Quiet nooks to sit and read? My favorite in the whole city, in fact.
Maneki Neko - Karaoke Japanese style
As with arcades, the Japanese style of karaoke also differs from America’s approach. In Japan, karaoke is performed in individual rooms for groups of friends or coworkers with no strangers involved. What a novel idea! There are also many options for establishments available, but my friends and I have always been partial to the beckon of the Maneki Neko.
Global Ring - Local Flavor
Global Ring is a mid-sized open area in my town of Ikebukuro that hosts various concerts and performances throughout the year. Even when there’s nothing going on there are always crowds hanging out in the area, and with my mind being focused on taking in my surroundings, I’ve found myself simply idling in the space and savoring my time.
Some other things I’ll miss
The prevelance of public transportation
Asahi fruit sodas
Convenience store conveniences (even the food is good!)
Food prices
Public safety
Internet cafes
Queues. Queues everywhere
Stationary for every occasion
Shrines, and other historical buildings
The friends and senseis I’ve met along the way
So this is it — the home stretch. With finals next week, my time at school is wrapping up. After that I’ll be traveling around Tokyo and Kyoto with my parents before returning to the U.S. in early July.
Is there anything you’re curious to know about or see when it comes to Japan? Now’s your chance to ask! Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the larger part of the last year. It means the world. As always,
愛を持って、
With Love,
gb
Corn and mayo pizza? Good that you documented your favorite flavors and places; your memories of these places may fade a bit, but you have nicely documented them for future reference. See you next month!