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Food and Drink

Mar 16 2011 29 Comments

Panic buying, but not panic, in Tokyo

A violent jolt early yesterday, and another worrying shake last night, were a stark reminder that aftershocks are still a real threat, but the continuing uncertainty surrounding Fukushima’s nuclear plant is now arguably an even bigger fear — especially so as radiation, regardless of how negligible, was detected in the capital.

Not that there is any panic. Quite the opposite in fact. Even with the implementation of rolling blackouts. And, as I mentioned yesterday, there is a genuine feeling of camaraderie, with Tokyo far friendlier than it usually is.

Until that is it comes to necessities, then, even though it is done with the minimum amount of fuss, and the utmost politeness, it’s every man and woman for themselves. Meaning rice is now a rarity, as, perhaps more surprisingly, is bread. There is simply none to be had.

empty shelves in Tokyo supermarket

Apart from the really crap stuff.

empty shelves in Tokyo supermarket

Which even those in a hoarding panic won’t purchase.

empty shelves in Tokyo supermarket

And it’s the same with milk.

empty shelves in Tokyo supermarket

Some vegetables and fruit.

empty shelves in Tokyo supermarket

Plus without a doubt, instant noodles. They were the very first to go. All of which isn’t life threatening, and in many ways is merely a minor hindrance, but it does add to the growing sense of unease. Probably further panic buying too.

empty shelves in Tokyo supermarket

Categorized: Current Affairs, Food and Drink

Feb 22 2011 11 Comments

Basic Tokyo food and booze

Tokyo undoubtedly has an enormous amount of fancy, and even fancier priced, eateries; a situation not lost on Michelin, as it has been very liberally sprinkling the city with its money-filled stars over the last few years.

But despite this rich bounty, the capital still has a much larger number of places with splendidly basic surroundings.

cheap Tokyo restaurant

As well as similarly unsophisticated sustenance.

cheap Tokyo restaurant

And, for me at least, it’s far better for it.

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Feb 18 2011 9 Comments

Tofu time out

This particular traditional tofu shop may not possess ghostly apparitions in its window panes like some do, but despite only dealing with bean curd and not silently screaming demons, a break now and again is still definitely called for.

Traditional Japanese tofu shop

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Feb 17 2011 27 Comments

A photogenic old fella in a photogenic Shinjuku alley

Due to its complicated mass of overhead cables, cluttered confusion and seemingly carefree approach to building controls, Tokyo certainly isn’t one of the world’s prettiest cities.

But sometimes, somehow, all of these factors come together to create fabulously photogenic thoroughfares. Features that, when frequented by equally photogenic old fellas, are even more fantastic.

An old Japanese man in Shinjuku Memory Lane

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Feb 14 2011 15 Comments

Maid(s) in Japan

Far from the brief fad it seemed destined to be, the maid cafe business surprisingly keeps battling on, with spin-offs from the original theme, such as vampire varieties, amazingly keeping the customers coming back.

But with so many cafes in operation, competition is understandably intense, and as such, it’s fair to say that flyer distributing maids are now as common on Akihabara’s corners as gadgetry. Or even camera carrying geeks.

Akihabara maid

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

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