Off to Japan

Japanese Language search at Everything2.com

via everything2.com

Interesting resource for browsing word lists and articles about Japanese language.

Japan Photo Guide blog

lots of interesting info for photographers visiting japan (and snack recommendations).

Japan Photo Guide

Catch the Wave

Definitely going to check out the Hokusai retrospective at the Mitsui Memorial Museum.  April 14 - June 17, 10-5 every day except Mondays.

Hungry for Words

great blog talking about Japanese language and exploring culture through language, great addition to more traditional study of nihongo.

Interview: Dubfire | Food Republic

What are some of your favorite eating spots there?
I could list hundreds of my favorite spots, but here are a select few of my favorites:

• Breakfast: Usually I head to Tskuji early in the morning and take my seat at Okame or Daiwa for the freshest sushi anywhere!
• Light Snack: Ippudo for ramen or Kimu Katsu for panko-crusted pork cutlets. TO DIE FOR!
• Lunch: Always at Anagoya in Ginza where the specialty is eel.
• Dessert: Takemura in the Kanda area. Words or pictures could never describe my favorite destination for anything sweet!
• Dinner: Sushi Katsu in Yokohama which is my favorite Japanese restaurant in the world. Ohashi-san is a master at what he does! 
• Bars: Shu Mi Sen, an izakaya bar about 30 min outside of Tokyo. Yonou-san, the owner, sells the rarest and best sakes I've ever had!

via www.foodrepublic.com

CURRY UP "EAT IN & TAKE OUT"

TOKYO MEATREA

via www.flickr.com

a mere 40 minutes by train from shinjuku, there is another land... a land of meat. a meat theme park/food court. there is some sort of pork/ice cream parfait thing available there. do i want to go there? not necessarily. but i'm happy it exists.

BBC News - In pictures: Japan’s pampered pets

Those without the space at home for a pet can rent one. At Cat Magic, in Shinjuku, it costs 1000 yen, just over $10, to spend an hour in feline company.

via news.bbc.co.uk

totally going to a cat cafe. this one is quite near our hotel in shinjuku.

Funaoka Onsen

via www.deepkyoto.com

A bath house in Kyoto built in 1923, with wood carvings depicting the invasion of Manchuria, several styles of bath (including electric), and accepting of tattoos.

Samurai | Tokyo Jazz Site

via tokyojazzsite.com

Samurai Jazz Bar in Shinjuku. Exactly the sort of weird little Tokyo place in which I would like to have a drink.