So I do love sushi and this was quite an experience. Kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi but michelin grade. We were there before it opened at 10 am (9:30 am) and we were still number 5 on the waitlist. I've never had 3 different types of Uni (sea urchin) purple, green, and orange. Delicious. Scallop, Salmon, and a O-Toro in the background.
We left tokyo and journey to Hakone for a two night stay at an Onsen. It's a traditional Japanese Bath. When we arrived late we had this traditional meal they are apparently famous for a Oyako Donburi but made with Tofu breaded cutlet instead of chicken. They make the tofu locally. Spectacular. My mom said we ate our way through Japan. Probably true since i'm not even posting the photos of the kids with food in hand.
next up the view from the onsen. Taken super early in the morning when I was solo. The outdoor bath had a private secluded view. Like an infinity pool. The peace of nature was glorius. We arrived early from Tokyo and did the famous Hakone Loop.
next we had dinner at the Ryokan (traditional Japanese Hotel with onsen) and it included a dinner buffet. Truly traditional ryokan you eat in room a Kaiseki (multi mini course meal) Dinner. I wasn't feeling it and DH preferred western beds not Tatami mats (sleeping on bedrolls on floor). So we choose a more modern and westernized Ryokan. That mean a bigger place with a buffet instead of a home cooked meal. But the buffet included a quick 10 minute show of cutting the Maguro (bluefin tuna) at least 100 lbs if not more! I've never actually seen a professional cutting. Yes I'm from hawaii and yes I've seen friends and family cut fish all the time. But this was insane! Look at the size of the head.
Enjoy the journey. If i run out of Japan photos I'll do more from earlier in the year and maybe even more photos from a few prior trips I always meant to post but never did.
October 14th, 2025 at 10:03 pm 1760475837
October 15th, 2025 at 11:54 am 1760525655
Uni is also one of my favorite rolls… but only when fresh. Due to global warming, I heard that we’re having Sea Urchin infestations, so eating them isn’t just tasty, but we’re also helping to keep balance in the ocean and protect the coral reefs.
October 15th, 2025 at 05:46 pm 1760546763
October 15th, 2025 at 08:15 pm 1760555743
I just glanced at my blog to see what Japan pictures I shared. I hadn't realized my old blog posts had disappeared! About 2 years worth. Fair enough. I just didn't realize before now, that only 17 years were preserved. 2006 & 2007 are gone.
October 16th, 2025 at 08:32 am 1760599926
The issue has been resolved, your posts from 2006 - 2007 has been restored.
Kindly inform me when you are able to see it on your blog.
Thank you.
October 20th, 2025 at 11:01 pm 1760997688