Travelogue-Incheon Day 1, Chinatown

So, after a much unanticipated walk, I reached Incheon Station. As with many Chinatowns, there are gates to mark the entrances.  In the city there is a small one on Grant.  But other places Ive been to usually have one or more larger gats such as this.  Yokohama, Philly, Chicago, etc

The firs thing is a hill.  Oh joy, wanted I wanted after having already walked all the way here.  A bfief respite before tackling the hill. 

At the top of the hill and around the corner is another hill but with steps.  At the top is another gate.  It was blue.  Restaurants line both sides of the stairs.  As with much of the streets, there are abundant places to eat with a few other retail shops scattered about. 

I only climbed the stairs because I thought there would be a nice view from up here

Speaking of restaurants, it was getting close to 2pm and I was hbungry.  One favorite chinese dish of koreans is black bean suace noodles, jajangmyun.  I stopped into a restaurant at randome and ordered a dish.  You have to mix the sauce and noodles.  Often I find it hard to eat the vegetables in the suace and noodles at the same time with chopsticks.  Before Im done, Im left with a bowl of black sauce with chunky bits which are sstill hard to eat with chopsticks

In addition, I ordered some fired dumplings, mandu.  After lunch, there werent a whole lot of other things that kept my attention in Chinatown.  There was a mural of the Three Kingdoms.  I saw it from afar but it did not inspire me to take a closer look. 

Thats it for this trip.  As with most trips, time flies once you approach the end of it.  It wasnt too long ago that I flew oujt and now Im flaying back very soon.  Even though there have been a few frustating moments, its a part of the experience and sometimes a learning moment for the next time

Travelogue-Incheon Day 1, Wolmi

This morning, I woke up and looked out the windows. I knew I was close because it did not take the taxi driver long. There were several turns that threw me off

I opted to take the ferry as my preferred way of getting to the mainland.  Not knowing the bus route, I knew to get the bus back at the airport.  As it turns out Bus 202 had a stop around the curner from the hotel.  Along the way, I noticed the bus driver had a certain disregard for the red lights.  Most drivers in Incheon, it seems, treat red lights like flashing reds if they stopped at all.  Anyway, it took about 30 min to get to the ferry terminal.  It accommodates a number of cars but none were presnt on this ride which also took another 30 min

Off in the distance is Incheon Bridge.  There is another one that connec Yeonjong to the mainland.  There are several ships anchored and chugging about in the harbor

We are about to make land and the crew ready the platform for disembarkment at Wolmi.

Womi is a little seaside resort like Santa Cruz, CA or Seqside Heights, NJ.  There are rides and aracades and such.  The most prevalent businesses were the sseafood restaurants.  Many offered sliced raw fish and others had seafood stews including ingredients of all types.  Like many places that I have gone to on this trip, the crowds are sparse to none.  Granted, it still feels like winter and that tends to keep alot of prospective visitors away.

It didnt really take much time to look around.  Their "Culture Street" was a joke and not what it was hyped up to be.  Plus, in the previous picture, you can see the rail of a mnorail.  I was planning on going to the Chinatown near Incheon Station.  The monorails's terminus was nearby so it was the clear option since I didnt know the routes of the local buses.  Well, as luck would have it, it was either not running or has not started service at all.  The only thing the rail was good for was to guide me out of Wolmi.  It was a long walk to my next destination.  It was one that I did not expect, enjoy, or welcomed.

Travelogue-Some numbers for you to chew on

So, I noticed this over the last few days.  I arrive in Incheon the first time on the 10th.  When I arrived in Narita, I reserved a seat on the 3:10pm train heading to Shinagawa.  I was assigned seat 10D.  The Toyoko Inn gave me room 1010.  Here at the Best Western, I got room 1011.  Curious how 10 keeps popping up.  and, these are just the ones that I noticed.

Travelogue-Tokyo Departure/Incheon arrival

Todaym I only have a few hours before my flight to Incheon.  It started noff very bright today.  I guess my timing is off when it comes to the weather.  The only place that I haven't gone back to is Shibuya.  I got there around 10 in the morning on a Monday.  Everything was surprisingly quiet.  I expected more people from past experiences

I went by a conveyor belt, kaitne, sushi placde that was recommended on the first trip.  In the last 11 years, the price has only gone up 10yen.  I just wish the exchange could have been just as good.  On that first trip, the exchange was around 130yen to the dollar.  This time, it was at 80yen to the dollar

There were the usual people there.  Deliverymen, officeworkers, and some students milling about but not in the quantity nor energy that I have become accustomed to.  I stopped into a few arcades to see if there were any prizes worth trying for in the UFO cdatcher machines.  There were none

As mentioned in a previous post, there was this restaurant.  This ,location boasts 3 floors and its open 24 hours a day.  I dont know if these places just started popping up or I just have not noticed them before.  I noticed that there were 4 branches within a 2 block area

The flight took off as scheduled and I landed after 9:30 in the evening.  By the time I got through customs and luggag3e pick-up it was already 10:30pm.  I booked a room at the Best Wesgern Premire Incheon Airport.  Unfortunately, their shuttle stops serv ice at 9:30pm.  Their location is close enough that it was only a 3000won taxi fare.  At that time of night, I did not want to be walking around trying to find transport.  The lady at the information desk suggested taking a shuttle to the Hyatt which was close to the BW, but I would have to walk maybe half a mile in the dark?!?!?

Travelogue-Tokyo Day 3, Kin No Kura Jr

I came back to review this izakaya place that had been seen on a japanese television show.  I found a previous location in Akihabara but noticed that they were also in this building near the UDX.  I went up to the 6th floor and asked for a table.  I  could easily see there was a table near the entrance that could accomodate one.  For some reason I was told 2 hours.  I dont know if it meant the wait or I could only stay that long  Either way, I went to the first location

It wasnt full and I was seated promptly.  This place has tablets on the table where yo9u can order your drinks and food.  Most items are 720yen while a few are 384yen.  There is also an option for ordering in english.  The menu is small for both drinks and food

Available drinks include beers, wine cocktails, and soft drinks.  I opted for the pineapple sour with fruit.  The juice tastede artificial but was served very quickly  the edamame were complimentary

My first order was what I was hoping would be gyoza.  Not quite but in the same fane and fried.  It was decent enough, nothing special

As I mentioned, the drinks come out quick while the food is another matter.  While waiting for my second order, I requested a peach sour with fruit.  They have some sours with just juice or Calpis

The takoyaki was not very good.  I would have preffered the frozen ones that I microwave myself.  As I said, the menu is a bit more limited than I expected and was hoping to order other things

I did order one thing of their premium menu,  the one where items are 384yen.  This is beef rib meat on shave onions and topped with green onions on a sizzling plate.  It was average once again.  The meat was a bit on the chewy side and the sauce a bit sweet

Lastly, I thought I ordered spicey wings.  I got wings but they were just fried and not spicey.  All in all, the food is average and the place is not really worth seeking out for.  I dont know if 270yen for a beer is a good price. nIf so, it has that going for them

Travelogue-Tokyo Day 3, Gundam/Skytree

My first encounter with the life-sized Gundam in Odaiba was several years ago during its initial run.  I  was not able to see it fully erected at the time.  All they had were just the legs and a few bits lying around.  Now, Gundam is back and hes all put together, for the most part. 

Unfortunately, I still cant get that up close to it as they are building a shopping mall behind it.  Fences and barricades  prevented me from getting any closer

During the first time, there were lights, smoke generators and some movement in the head.  It was quite dramatic against the sky of a setting sun or the dark of night

Per japanese custom, Gundam has removed his shoes

The Bandai Museum at the original location had the life-sized torso and I went to see that.  I went to see his legs a few years ago and now I've finally seen the finished product.  Shame I couldnt get closer

Skytree is a broadcasting tower that is now complete and is the tallest structure in Tokyo.  It just up the Sumida River from Gundam/Odaiba.  Being the tallest structure, youn would think it would be easy to find.  Once you arrive at Oshiage Station on the Asakusa subway line, you are instructed to go to exit B3.  As I come out, I had a bewildered look on my face that I recognized from many of those coming out of the exit as well.  We had all looked up and saw nothing.  No hint of the tallest anything in Tokyo.  It turns out the building to the left was blocking the view.  Because of the perspective, it blocks out the tower even though it is shorter

There is an observation deck, of course.  It will open with the offical opening of the building in May, I believe

Until then, everyone must admire from afar

Ok, so I was trying to be cutesy with the black and white stuff yesterday.  Turns out I forgot to change it back to the regular mode and did not notice that many of my earlier pics today were not in color

Travelogue-Tokyo Day 2, Gray day

Today was a wet gray day. Thats why all thephotos are in black and white and shades of gray. Afterall, a black and white photo is more than just black and white.  It put a damper on some of the things that I had planned to do today.  I came up with a few other things I could do nwhile trying to keep dry as well.

First stop was to go to the Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku.  I consider this to be  the best laid out of the swtores I have visited.  The floor plaqn in Shibuya is too confusing.  Ikebukoro is smaller and has less stuff but sometimes better inventory quantities.  The trains were packed on this Saturday morning around 10:15am

A newer esit that takes you directly to Takashimya is less used because the cars dont stretch that far.  If there were more cars, this exit would be just as heavily trafficked as the others.  The plus of this is I didnt have to get wet yet.

Emerging from the exit, the clocktower is shroudeed in clouds and a light srpinkle has been falling for a while.  Later it was havier but still not enough to warrfant me buying an umbrella for use on a day or two.  I guess I could have borrowed an umbrella from somewhere.  Thats what happens in a society thats so trusting

I get up to the floor of Tokyu Hands that sells toys ande other gadgets.  Its interesting to see whats new.  Appropriately enough, they have Star Wars theme lightsaber umbrellas.  Of course, they ar in color

Still alot of people in Shinjuku despite the weather.  I found alot of people were still out and about at many of the places that I stopped off at.

I passed Takadanobab on the way to Ikebukoro.  I wqas originally going to stop off here, catch the streetcar for a while before proceeding to Sugamo then Skytree.  I wanted to check the Tokyu Hands here to see if they had anything different.  They had a few more Stars Wars related items.  But, I will come back to those later

I stopped in at Denny's for lunch.  The menu didnt seem as appealing as I had remembered it.  I settled for the small steak.

With lunch put away and the bill settled, I wanted to see what Yodobashi had.  I was planning to do this tomorrow sinc ethey will be closing Chuo dori for pedestrians.  Disappointingly, I found nothing that wowed me on the toy floor.  Oh well.  I began to feel hungry again as lunch didnt really carry it weight.

Since Coco Ichiban was close by, it was as good place as any.  I havent had my curry fix yet.  There is also a ramen shop a few doors down that I frequent as well but maybe not this time.

I ordered the standard tonkatsu curry.  Crispy deep fried pork cutlet, still juicy.  I love japanese curry over most kinds of curry because its the right level of heat and the thick consistency helps it to stick to the rice.  You do have the option of thruning up the heat for a fee

As I left and went back towards Chuo dori, recognized this izakaya from a show called Shiru Shru Mishiru.  I coulndt remember the name but it lloked familiar and it had the jr name on it as well as the 270yen pricing for each item.  You order via touchpad that is multilingual.  I will have to come back and try it out.  I tried looking for a location on their website but it could not navigate the japanese

One new edition since my last visit is the addition of the AKB48 cafe.  They have a show nearby at UDX so it amkes sense to open this up as weel.  Of course they seel souvenir goods as well.  The Gundam cafe has been here for a while and both had patrons waiting in the rain to get in..

Lastly, I waqlked around the area to the west of Chuo dori.  Its not an area that I frequent as mush as the east side with the train station, Yodobashi and all.  I ran across the Kotobukiya store.  They are the ones who make the Star Wars chopsticks that I purchased on a previous trip.  I browsed the store and saw some of their other Star Wars good on the second floor.  Of note, and I saw this at Ikebukoro, were themed ice trays in the shape of things like theMillenium Falcon or R2D2.  I liked the heads of Darth Vader and Stormtrooper, personally.  The one I found most interesting was the one of Han Solo frozen in carbonite.  Im sure these items are available online in the states. 

Travelogue-Tokyo Day 1, Its a ramen kind of day

I got up this morning with the intention of going to Yokohama to the Cup noodle Museum.  Before I do that, I thought I would go to Ippudo in Ebisu.  I have heard alot of glowing reviews about this place in many ramen blogues.  They have branched out into many locations including Seoul and Hong Kong.  This location is the progeneator,the one that started it all. 

I didnt try their specialty.  Since I prefer miso ramen, I ordered the akamaru.  It contains miso and garlic oil with the thin round noodles.  I didnt get much of a whiff of the miso, it was very subtle.  There was a bit of chili pasted to give it a bit of nice heat.  The soup was very good.  Even better when you crush some extra garlic into it and let it blend with the soup's heat for a while.  I was very satisfied with this

I get to the museum around 1pm.  I am told the next available slot to make my own cup noodle was not until 4pm.  Three hours to go so I started to lookaround.  There was display of instant ramen and cup noodle history rpresented in the packaging.  There was a documentary but I skipped it.

I guess everyone comes to make their own cup noodle as evidenced by the long line and large groups of people.  Time slots are divieded up by the half hour from open to close, 10am-5pm. 

During the wait, I watched some of the other japanese-speaking peoploe making chicken ramen from scratch.  They wont let you do it unless you can speak the language.  So, I wont even bother to show the pics.  My number came up and I began by buying my cup at the vending machine for 300yen

Proceeding next to the tables, you can pretty up your cup with colored markers.  You could leave it plain too but at least wtie the dat3e on it because I dont think it nwill outlast a Twinkie

After your design is complete, you get to put in a brick of noodles into the cup.  You get to choose 4 of 12 toppings.  I put in egg, crab, corn, and green onion

You also get to choose from 4 soup bases.  There was tomato.  Im sure they had chicken.  I dont know what the other one was but I choose curry.  In hind sight, I could have made a c-cup if I substituted the egg and enion for cheese and chili pepper

Then its sealed for your protection.  And, shrink-wrapped for their protection

Watching the heat shrink wrap do its thing reminds me of Shrinky Dinks

Lastly, its time to bag and tag.  place into provided pouch then pump with air to cushion the valuable one-of-a-kind item

This gets the Rogue Dogue stamp of approval

I spent way more time in Yokohama than I had expected.  Firstly, there was the wait for my cup noodle.  Then it took a long time just to get back to the train station.  The Akaikutsu bus is an on/off conveyance that only goes in one direction.  The slowest parts was the middle third.  It was 5:30pm by the time I got to the station and the sun was beginning to set.  To cap off the day, I decided to have ramen for dinner.  I went to the Setagaya branch at the ramen street at Shinagawa.  I order my usual favorite there.  Its a very thick broth with wide thicker noodles.  I added the extra chopped onions.  The chasiu seemed larger and thicker than I remember.  I could do a curry theme but the museum for that, also in Yokohama, closed down many years ago.  BTW, there is the ramen musem at the Shin Yokohama train station.  This is a better sourced out food(ramen) court then the hackneyed Noodle Bazaar at this one.  There is another Cup Noodle Museum in Osaka that has been open for much longer