Japan Has It All

I have had no trouble finding good food in Japan. There are a lot of choices, so if you're not in the mood for fried octopus balls, don't worry, there are many other options.

This is the breakfast Kaori's mom made for me every morning. She always made an omelet especially for me, complete with fresh vegetables from their garden. Everyone eats rice and miso soup at breakfast, with some kind of fishy sprinkles for the rice.

My friend's kids have no trouble cleaning their plates in Japan and at home. Here's her 4 year old son eating Cheerios and fish for breakfast. He loves the seaweed too. Really, I never saw him or his 2-year-old sister refuse to eat anything.

This is one of the meals that was delivered to our room at a hotel near Mt. Fuji. They called this one the "American Style" meal. Yup, that's just the way I like my octopus back in the states.

This is getting a little closer to American style... HAMBURGER sushi.

Here you go, fried octopus balls.

Eel Pies.

These are called eel pies, and they are great! People say they can taste the eel in them, but I can't. They are like a tasty sweet crispy pastry snack. Oishii!

Plastic Food on Display.
One great thing about eating out in Japan is that most restaurants have a large display of what your food will look like. You still may not know what it is, but at least you know what it will look like.

Dried Fish Snacks.
Everyone loves these fishy snacks. Although I'm not sure what's with the hemp label on these...

Pastries
I learned something new on this trip. They make great pastries in Japan. I bought up a bunch of these and took a break from the traditional Japanese breakfast for a few days.

These were great. That one on the right has cantaloupe cream filling.

In Japanese "Kawaii!" means "Cute!"

and "Kaaaaawaaaiiii!!!" means "Cuuuuute!!!"

In Japan they drive ACTUAL cartoon cars.
Kawaii!

Cute Cakes, ........................ Cute Directions.

Cute Drinks.

A cute FRYING PAN.
Kaaaawaaaaiiii!!!

Ever watch the show American Inventor? There are always an abundance of new toilet inventions. After traveling Japan, I don't know why anyone bothers to invent anything new for toilets. In Japan, it's already been done.

How to Wash Your Buttocks

This sign was for a bidet in a public restroom. I love how these directions are even available in braille.

The Toilet Control Panel

The coolest feature is the flushing sound (musical note button). Press it when you don't want your own sounds to be heard. Just to let you know, if you are looking all over for the "flush" button like I was, these toilets have a regular flushing handle on the side.

Toilet Shoes. Because you wouldn't want to use the toilet without wearing special shoes. These here are hotel toilet shoes.

(I do not eat animals that are neat or methodical.)

(After the brutal realization that he was butter, and would always be butter, Butter would go on either to accept the truth and do something meaningful with his life, or face a complete and irreversible nervous breakdown.)

(A lot of us feel this way sometimes.)

(Isn't this a copyright infringement of Harry the Dirty Dog?)

(I'm at a complete loss for words.)

(Smorking is a nasty little habit. I hate it when people do it in public.)

(For some reason I think airline security would want to look in here.)

For just over $100 you can buy this melon in a wooden box and send it to someone as a gift.

I'd read that in Tokyo a cup of coffee can be 10 bucks, so I was prepared to be deprived of Starbucks for the time I spent there. Fortunately I was able to get a short coffee for about 350 Yen (about $3.50). I was happy.

Right at the Tokyo airport I was greeted by this sign for a "coffee jelly" frappuccino.

A Coffee Jelly Frappuccino is a regular Frappuccino with a brown jelly substance floating in its lower half. I tried this free sample. My reaction was "bleeeh."

Every Starbucks gave out these menus. There are some different things on here. Some of the desserts were better than home.

A lot of people sleep on the train, giving me opportunity to draw them.

Everyone should support a good cause...

Toe Socks. Supposedly wearing these socks will make your whole body healthier.

These are for when you wear your ninja turtle shoes.

Mood Socks.

Tall knee socks are all the rage.

Tall black stockings with red or pink shoes. All the rage.

After enjoying a nice hot bath with strangers at the onsen, soak your feet in this fish pond. These hungry little fishies will nibble off all your unwanted dead skin. Deeelicious!

This DVD comes with Japanese subtitles. You can watch the entire film online, but the DVD itself makes an excellent gift.

Kintaro Walks Japan Official Site