Traveling With Barney

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Izakaya are Japanese Pubs

Oshamanbe Sakaba Ginza

3-7-12 Ginza | Oji Fudosan Ginza Build. B1

Chuo 104-0061, Tokyo Prefecture

Basic post-work Japanese Pub - again in the basement

The translation of the menu might need a little tweaking:

Edamame

Fried Mackeral

Tempura Crab legs

Potatoes and Cheese

Octopus Suckers

Shōchū

Shōchū (Japanese: 焼酎) is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. It is typically distilled from rice (kome), barley (mugi), sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo), buckwheat (soba), or brown sugar (kokutō), though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients such as chestnut, sesame seeds, potatoes or even carrots. Its history dates to well before 1549.

The Water Bus to Hamarikyu Park

We caught the Water Bus at the Asakusa Dock.

Headed Down the Sumida River

Arrive, Hamarikyu Park

Located at the mouth of the Sumida River, it was opened to the public on April 1, 1946. The park is a 250,165 m² landscaped garden surrounding Shioiri Pond, the park itself surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay. It was remodeled as a public garden park on the site of a villa of the Shōgun Tokugawa family in the 17th century.

Duck Blind

It's time to think about eating again!

Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-ji, and Asakusa Shrine

A New Section of Town

Gateway Arch leading to Nakamise Shopping Street

The Shopping Street Leading to the Temple and Shrine

Senso-ji Temple

Sensoji Temple is a Kannon sacred place with a history of nearly 1400 years.

In the middle of the fishing of the Tomae Hamarisei and Takenari brothers who live on the banks of the Miyato River (now Sumida River), I found a statue in the throwing net. The Hamari and Takenari brothers, who didn't know much about the Buddha statue, cast the statue in the water and changed the place and hit the net several times. However, each time the statue was only on the net and the fish were not caught, so the brothers brought it back.

When I was seen by the chief of the land, Zuchi Chichi (there were various theories in the name), I realized that it was a sculpture of the Holy Kanseon. On the morning of the next day, the Kannon was scolded in a hall made by village children. “If you make a wish in honor of your name, there is even a Buddha who will confer merit,” Nakachi told the Hamari / Takenari brothers and neighboring people to change the house into a temple and Kannon. Dedicated to his worship service.

On the auspicious occasion that is transmitted to Senso-ji, it is noted that on the day of Kannon's revelation, there were about a thousand pine trees around the night. Yes. This euphoric came from the name of the mountain “Kinryuyama” attached later. The “Kinryu no Mai”, currently performed as Sensoji Temple Mai, is also related to this.

Yuko proposed a water bus to get back to the hotel.

A Whole New Respect for Ramen

Ichiran

150-0001 2F, 6-5-6 Jingumae Sibuya-ku Tokyo-to

First, que up on the steps. We were early for lunch, so the line was just 1 or 2 parties.

At the head of the line, there were two cash-only payment machines. You insert your money, then press the soda machine like buttons to select your items and receive tickets to take into the restaurant.

Once inside, we were shown to our individual booths

Each booth has its own water fountain!!

Once seated, you fill out the specifics on a sheet (my choices):
Dashi: Light/Medium/Strong
Richness: None/Light/Medium/Rich/Extra Rich
Garlic: None/Drop/Medium/ 1/2 Clove/1 Clove
Green Onion: Without/Whites/Green Onion
Spiced Pork: Without/With
Spicy Red Sauce: None/Mild (1/2)/Medium (1) / Spicy (2) / (3-10) (4)
Noodle Texture: Extra Firm/Firm/Medium/Soft/Extra Soft

Then, you ring the bell, and someone comes and picks up your tickets and preference sheet

Amy waiting for her Ramen

My Ramen, delivered through the little slot in the wall. I also extra mushrooms I ordered.

From their website:

We craft each bowl of ramen one at a time, serving them at their best moment. Dig in right away -- there is no need to wait for your companions.

First sample the broth and noodles on their own for about three or four bites, not mixing the secret sauce in just yet. We recommend only then blending the sauce in. Thoroughly mixing Ichiran’s special noodles with our natural pork broth soup creates a wonderful harmony of flavors.

Our fresh noodles are very time sensitive. Once in the boiling water, they expand. Therefore, we strive to deliver your ramen from kitchen to your table within a fifteen second window so that you can enjoy the exact texture you ordered. We have a rule about how long it takes for our noodles to reach a guest’s table. Anything over that limit is unacceptable, which is why all seats are within arm’s length. The time? 15 seconds.

Why not try a “noodle refill,” a unique aspect of Hakata’s culture?
First mix the noodle refill and small quantity of broth it comes with, sampling them before transferring to your bowl. With each bite, the gently sweet taste and aroma of the noodles will unfurl across the palate. The noodles can then be dipped in the remaining broth for further enjoyment.

Incidentally, ordering a noodle refill after eating half of your noodles will ensure that your new noodles are ready just as you finish your first serving.
Adding extra toppings to taste will let you create a custom bowl that is even truer to your preferences.

Today Starts with Dogs and Cats

Off to Shibuya Station and the Dog part of the morning

Hachikō (ハチ公, November 10, 1923 – March 8, 1935) was a Japanese Akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno. Hachikō would meet his owner after work at the Shibuya Station. Ueno died and Hachikō continued to wait for over nine years following Ueno's death.

The Hachikō Memorial Statue

Then, off to Cat Street. Yes, it is a thing, it is a quiet backstreet with limited car traffic, lined with funky & upmarket fashion boutiques & cafes. But we saw no cats.