fasterinfall

i'm going to be in Japan for 15 days. mostly in Tokyo but road tripping for 3 days in Kyoto and 2 days in Hiroshima.

I, unfortunately will NOT be going snowboarding, as their season is the same as ours and the season is over. (originally it was going to be a snowboard trip but i wasn't able to get the time off in february). I have also heard that the riding there is unreal, but have only seen it in videos. I will tell you that my buddy who lives in Tokyo rides whenever he gets a chance and even keeps notes about his favorite spots, which you can view here:

http://taylor.veltrop.com/snowboarding.php


so Japan is purely a "expanding my horizons/culinary research" trip. Eating plans include 1. soba place that's been in business for over 100 years and one of 5 in japan that still makes the noodles entirely by hand. 2. A sushi restaurant that is considered the best sushi restaurant in the WORLD by reviews i've read(and part of the No Reservations travel guide for Japan). 3. Some place in tokyo called the "Dumpling Stadium" because its like a food court that only serves dumplings. 4. Lots and lots of street food. 5. weird japan only candies and what not.

i'm also planning day trips to Nagano (the mountains!) and Seki City, which is where 1000 years ago the metal smiths made samarui(sp?) swords and now most of those families make cutlery. i'm planning on coming home with a whole new knife kit for work, as well as some for co-workers. I'm hoping to watch some be made.

other highlights will hopefully include beautiful temple viewing, a japanese baseball game, a sumo tournament, drinking sake, cute japanese girls, and not embarresing myself while using chopsticks.


i worked my ass off to afford this trip and saved up enough that i could pretty much do whatever i wanted without having to worry about the cost.

i'm insanely stoked.null