Tokyo, lunch and dinner - 3/24/12

We stopped in a noodle shop for lunch where no one spoke English and there were no English menus - and we loved it. It was near a train station and was crowded. It was a great find.

We looked at what other people were eating and checked out the picture menu on the wall, and started with beer. We pointed and ordered.

Noodles! That's all we wanted~

For happy hour we walked into this German beer hall (Lion Hall) - seriously, a German beer hall in Tokyo. It was built in 1934 and has marble imported from Germany. German music was playing, the place was crowded, and we drank Japanese beer.

Lion Beer Hall Video 

Moving on to Asakusa tomorrow...

Outer Markets of Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo - 3/24/12

The blocks surrounding the renowned fish market are a cornucopia of interesting shops and restaurants, all along very narrow streets. It's a fascinating place to walk and shop.


But it's very crowded, and I was disconcerted by people bumping into me with no regard and no mumbled reciprocal 'pardon me', 'excuse me', in Japanese, English, or any other language. Someone told me later on to stop excusing myself because no Asians say it or expect it. There's just too many people and they'd be saying it non-stop. Lesson learned.

Most of all, I loved the small restaurants tucked into alleys and doorways. No national chains here, my food-loving friends.

Tampopo!

So if you go to Tokyo, be sure to take a day to stroll this area. The sights, sounds, and smells will amaze you. And don't worry about saying 'excuse me' when you bump into someone. 

Three minute video of the Tsukiji Fish Market and the Outer Markets