Grilled Chicken Ramen
New in Shimbashi: a cozy noodle spot serving flame-grilled chicken with rich, savory noodles. Each bite delivers smoky, juicy flavor straight from the grill. Perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch!
Leica APO-Summicron 35mm
Here are the latest photos I captured with my Leica APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH lens. These samples showcase how effectively this lens performs across diverse settings, conditions, and subjects, thus providing a comprehensive look at its real-world performance. These should help you decide if the Leica APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH lens could be the perfect addition to your kit.
Iwashi Sushi
Eating slightly flame-grilled iwashi (sardine) sushi is a punch of flavor and warmth that hits fast and lingers. The oily richness of the sardine turns buttery when kissed by fire. That quick sear brings out its natural umami, softens the sharpness, and adds a touch of smokiness. You bite in, and the warmth contrasts the cool rice…
NTT Green Phones
NTT green public phones remain a common sight in Japan due to a unique blend of cultural habits, practical needs, and disaster preparedness. Though they might seem outdated in an age dominated by smartphones and wireless communication, these payphones serve an essential role, particularly in emergencies. Japan is a country prone to natural disasters such…
Gyoza and Ramen
In Japan, one of the most satisfying and popular meal combos is ramen paired with gyoza. Found in countless ramen shops across the country, this classic duo offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The steaming hot bowl of ramen, rich with umami-packed broth, chewy noodles, and toppings like chashu pork and green onions,…
Railways
Railways are an essential part of daily life in Japan. More than just a means of transportation, trains shape how people move, work, and live across the country. With one of the most advanced railway networks in the world, Japan relies on its trains to keep society running smoothly and efficiently. One of the key…
Japanese Drift Car
Spotted in a quiet Japanese neighborhood, this white Mazda MX-5 Miata stands out not just for its clean lines and compact stance, but for its clear nod to car culture. Sporting bolt-on overfenders, deep-dish wheels, and a quirky decal on the door featuring the Japanese “wakaba” mark (a symbol for beginner drivers). The katakana text…
Coin Laundry
The signs are sun-faded, yellowing, nailed to old wood paneling like reminders no one reads anymore. Instructions in stiff fonts and red warnings, next to a 50-yen softener dispenser that’s probably older than half the buildings on the block. The washing machines sit open-mouthed, white and worn, humming with memory. Outside, light filters through patterned…
Jankenman
The delightfully nostalgic Japanese ジャンケンマン (“Jankenman”) arcade machine—a Showa-era gem that’s equal parts kitsch and charm. The machine, made by Sunwise, is based on janken (rock-paper-scissors), the classic hand game that’s settled more schoolyard debates in Japan than any courtroom ever could. The LED display in the center is showing the “peace” or “scissors” sign, and players use the…
Akiba Sunday
Sunday in Akihabara—Tokyo’s Electric Town—is a surreal experience. By noon, the main street, Chuo Dori, shuts down to traffic and turns into a pedestrian zone. Locals, tourists, cosplayers, and camera crews take over the asphalt. The street becomes a moving showcase of otaku culture: anime shirts, bags stuffed with merch, kids filming TikToks in cosplay,…
Cheap Ramen
You step off the main road and find this place — a battered ramen shop squeezed between concrete walls. The yellowed menu, printed in big red numbers, screams cheap prices: 650 yen, 750 yen, no-frills. A cartoon pig clutches a bowl of noodles on the glass door, half peeled from the sun. Inside, the world…