looking at all those pictures certainly makes me hungry hahahha
i think its time for some ramenn

hey OP, did you graduate from McRoberts? Just wondering what year

I graduated in 05.

I was reading through the first part then I remembered reading this. Cool how someone revived and OP had more pics to add!

Where you planning to visit? I will be staying at Kyoto again in December :)

^ I'm going to hachioji in Nov, So I'll be around tokyo. Also planning to go around to other places too though.
I'll probably be gone by December though.

dayummm, I want a Japanese vacation NOW!

i was waiting for someone to ask... :p surprised that it was the end of page 4 and not after the first mention of his sister... :rofl:

Find the pictures from you sister's DLSR yet?
Also I was wondering, is the JR rail pass worth getting?
Friend I'm going with really wants to get it and thinks it will save us a lot of money, but I've read before that it really isn't worth it most of the time.
They go from $518 right now for 2 weeks.

I like how the RR is in the "kids play corner"

I would shit myself if I had a toy like that when I was 10!

u didn't have any kobe beef?????

it is depending on where you go. its easier to determine whether its worth it by stating your itinerary.

I miss Japan. I totally recognize a lot of the places you took pics of and the food!! DAMN! I had almost the same stuff! But I'm envious you found the Super AutoBacs store, cause the ones I stopped at were nothing but car detail stuff and riced out stuff. I wanted to pick up some JDM stuff for my Subbie too!

It really depends on how much travel you will do while you're in Japan. If you're staying in Tokyo alone, maybe you won't fully utilize the JR pass. However if you intend to go any sort of distance on the shinkansen, it basically pays for itself.

Go check Hyperdia.com for fares. For example, Tokyo to Kyoto right now is almost 14K yen, which is like $170... one-way. Round-trip will be $340 for the single trip alone.

You can also get the one-week pass for around $350. Prices are here:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en003.html

I had Kobe beef some years ago. It was good, but I figured I would put the funding into trying something else. :D

Super autobacs was pretty cool, but it was ashamed everything was sold at MSRP...they also had a place where parts get installed too. Imagine Canadian tires, but Japanese and super awesome. ;)

I think it is definitely worth it if you are planning to stay for two weeks. I hope you have all your Japanese tour book ready, they will be very useful to find really local specialty foods!

I think I found more pictures, I will upload them immediately once they are done extracting!

I'll be in japan for 4 weeks. Friend I'm going with has the tour books ready.
Staying at his uncles house at hachioji for about 2 weeks.
And with the 2 week rail pass, we plan to go around to other citys for that amount of time.

Sweet. Sounds like it's going to be a good time.

I'll still be here by Nov., so... RS meet? </nodiggy>

Alright here goes again! Another update :D

So the place we went for horse cuisine is called "Tenko"

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030322.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030315.jpg

first up, horse nigiri. Reminds me a lot like kobe beef, but test wise is it quiet different. Texture is good, the fat just melts in your mouth!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030316.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030317.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030318.jpg

Next, some kind of horse intestine soup?

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030300.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030299.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030298.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030297.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030296.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030295.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030294.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030293.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030292.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030291.jpg

i think this is horse liver sashimi...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030290.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030289.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030288.jpg

Now for horse sashimi :P

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030287.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030287.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030285.jpg

Horse meat miso soup! I remember it tasting really sweet, it was great!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030302.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030304.jpg

Horse steak

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030306.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030310.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030312.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030319.jpg

This was definitely the highlight of the meal, the meat was tender, juicy, had great flavor and has a certain chewiness in it! I chewed every pieces for a long time because it tasted so god damn good.

the horse sashimi looks awesome

damn it looks good and all that but...horse liver and sashimi?


i dont know man....feeling kind of iffy

Next morning...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030323.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030325.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030326.jpg

cold noodle, instant soup in a cup, and green tea!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030328.jpg

viet squat in heels...

Then we somehow ended up at a really British style Japanese tea house for food, apparently they are famous for their home grown vegetable soup.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030331.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030332.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030333.jpg

le menu

My sis's meal

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030335.jpg

Mine!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030337.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030338.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030339.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030340.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030341.jpg

The famous soup!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030343.jpg

Afterward, we went up an famous onsen place where desserts made with the geysers...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030346.jpg

upon arrival, the whole place smells like sulfur, so I guess the whole place smells like naturel ripped a huge one.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030347.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030349.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030348.jpg

egg custard...yummm

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030350.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030352.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030353.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030355.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030367.jpg

the geyser place

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030366.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030365.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030364.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030363.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030368.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030373.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030376.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030377.jpg

In Japan, I guess they don't use weed killer, instead, they have some one hand pick all the weed!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030379.jpg

Train station of I don't know where lol

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030378.jpg

it was a hot day...

Went on the bullet train...started to smell feet. I looked left and right and found the source...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030381.jpg

Dessert place!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030382.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030404.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030401.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030400.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030400.jpg

taste as good as it looks!

Here is an apparently famous ramen franchise...it felt odd as it was really cramped inside, but also very japanese!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030390.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030385.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030388.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030393.jpg

Finally my bowl of ramen...YUMMM

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030395.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030396.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030398.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030399.jpg

A piece of paper was given to your prior to ordering. There were boxes you can check in regards to intensity of the soup flavor, how much noodle, condiments...etc etc. I ordered the most condense soup. It was a little overwhelming, in fact, the soup was so thick it tasted like sauce LOL

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030407.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030406.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030405.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030408.jpg

leaving for Osaka airport...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030409.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030412.jpg

We got two lunch box before entering the train

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030413.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030414.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030417.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030418.jpg

They were pretty decent for prepacked food, but nothing spectacular...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030420.jpg

arrival!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030421.jpg

funny little warning

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030422.jpg

Dodonkotsu market? (I could be wrong with the spelling, but it is pretty much Osaka shopping central)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030423.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030424.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030425.jpg

What are they making here...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030428.jpg

Alright! takoyaki! Apparently Osaka is famous for takoyaki, so these are as real and authentic and real as they come!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030432.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030433.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030434.jpg

Kinda weird, there is a river? or some kind of water source in the middle of the shopping place...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030435.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030437.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...P1030459-1.jpg

Last meal, which was actually the most surprising meal of them all...ALL YOU CAN EAT JDM STYLE.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030438.jpg

Ordering from a screen seems pretty casu- in Japan LOL

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030439.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030440.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030441.jpg

sahismi at ayce place...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030442.jpg

it was god damn good. It was even better than the sushi I had earlier in the trip, granted Osaka's specialty is not sashimi, but it was so fresh! It is like eating at sashimi at a relatively expensive place in Vancouver, except its all you can eat.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030443.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030447.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030448.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030449.jpg

I just can't emphasize enough on how good this AYCE was, maybe because in Vancouver, ACYE instantly means average food, but in Japan, there is almost no such thing as "average"!.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030451.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030452.jpg

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a92...4/P1030458.jpg

The meal ended up costing us around 25 dollars Canadian, which includes....*drum roll*...all you can drink. That is right folks, all you can drink on almost everything on their menu (which includes from alcoholic ones too), I think they had cocktail and such (beer too, of course). There were simply too much food, I wish I could order more. We didn't even get through half of the menu, needless to say, I was very pleased and wished I could invite the whole RS to join, if I had the fundings LOL, maybe then we order everything on the menu. Not to mention this place was relatively large, for a restaurant in Japan, imagine something like that AYCE sushi place at Lansdowne. If I remember it correctly, there were only 2-3 people serving food because the on screen menu was so brutally efficient! And it also decreases human errors.

And thus concludes my last update, took 2 years but i finally got it done LOL. Something that certainly amazes me is how oblivious Japanese are to what they have. I feel like they have a completely different standard from the rest of the world. I was complementing on how good their cell phone was (on demand live television and unlimited data plan is somewhat of a norm there, even two years ago) and they just said "you guys don't have it in Canada?"...well my dear Japanese friend, we don't. Oh and their food, it must suck when they leave Japan and crave Japanese food, because everywhere would be average after having what I had. If anyone wants to visit Japan, I would highly suggest NOT going to Tokyo, because it is a highly modernized international city (personally opinion of course, I went there 4 years ago, I was pretty underwhelmed). So go somewhere else where old Japanese culture is thick and heavy. One final thought is that, although I had tons of fun over there, I wouldn't live there because of how cramped it is, but for a vacation trip like this, why the hell not?

tltr: READ IT, I ALREADY POSTED 100+ PHOTO, IT IS THE LEAST YOU CAN DO!!!

I felt the same, but I ate it anyways, can't go wrong when you paid that much for horse meat...right? :drool:drool:drool

Where in Japan will you be? I'm just about to finalize the dates I will be there, but I should get there by Nov.4th.
Thanks for the update! They're awesome pictures. :drool