A year ago my best friend Tyler and I visited Japan to celebrate his 30th birthday. In true #TBT fashion, I’m throwing it back and remembering all the incredible sights, smells and eats from that trip!
It was my first time in the far East, and thanks to Tyler, I had the incredible privilege to upgrade to business class on both flights. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to economy after experiencing the hot towels, bottomless champagne and the sundae bar. Yes, there was a sundae bar with hot fudge, caramel, fresh whipped cream, nuts, cookie crumbles... the list could go on. By far the best thing though, was the lie-flat bed. I slept for six hours! It made such a difference in amount of jet lag, and we were able to start off our trip fresh faced and ready to explore right out of the gate.
Another privilege was being upgraded once again to a beautiful suite at the elegant Park Hyatt Tokyo. We were perched atop the world on the 44th floor, with breathtaking views of the bustling city below. Our room was basically the size of my house. No joke. We had a foyer and a living room, complete with dining table and sitting room for four. Our front door was flanked by a pair of Japanese ducks on pedestals. It's a bit much to take in, but believe me, I had no problem being cocooned in my fluffy robe in that very sitting room, happy as a clam.
After checking in, we cleaned up a bit and went for a quick bite at the local sushi restaurant in the basement of the hotel. This was interesting. They spoke no English, and right off the bat the guy next to me was taking my picture. We also ended up with two trays of sushi when we just wanted one. They were beautiful – spirals of fresh cut ginger, soft piles of spicy wasabi and meticulously placed pieces of edible art. I'm not a huge sushi fan, even if it's in rolls, so to receive a large plate of mostly sashimi was daunting. But, when in Rome, right? I tried to eat as much as I could, but after only a few pieces I was more than finished. It was nice to have a full stomach and quickly after we poured ourselves in bed and slept like logs in our incredibly comfortable, plush beds high above the bustling city below.
For breakfast each morning the Park Hyatt treated us to a complimentary buffet straight out of Willy Wonka (think food rather than candy). There was fresh ricotta cheese with nuts drizzled in honey dripping off the comb, espresso with steamed soy milk, an entire boulangerie of crusty pastries (one gluten free!), bowls and bowls of fruit - fresh and dried, an immense charcuterie board, all in addition to the usual suspects such as eggs (perfectly poached), bacon and potatoes. Needless to say, we ate well.
One of our first stops was Harajuku, made famous by the outrageous, gothic and colorful costumes worn by Japanese teenagers that frequent the neighborhood. The main alleyway can be described in one word - PINK. Every shop, sign or flier here is a shade of cotton candy. We didn't get to see many authentic Harajuku girls, but did visit a costume shop that sold wigs, petticoats, platform shoes and the many different types of frocks that come together to create the look. It was pretty amazing.
We ate lunch at a small Thai restaurant where I had fried rice and Tyler had traditional Pad Thai. Eating in Japan wasn’t easy being Celiac, but the Japanese people continually impressed me with their kindness and understanding. Luckily I had a card that detailed what I could not eat and why and everyone was able to accommodate me in some fashion. Tyler also tried a Harajuku crepe - stuffed to the gills with chocolate ice cream, custard, whipped cream, and fudge. He literally only ate a few bites before proclaiming it way too sweet to consume.
Though it's tough to find gluten free snacks or meals in Japan, we did discover the delightful and ice cold concoction of Japanese shave ice. The sugary cold treat is a welcome respite during the oppressively hot days (literally 90 degrees with 98% humidity), and we consumed at least one each afternoon. Other tasty food items to note - Japanese apple juice (the perfect blend of sweet and tart), chocolate macadamia nut bon bons, matcha tea, Kirin hard apple cider, Wagu beef and pickled things (and I mean ALL the things).
One of the best things we did in Kyoto was a traditional tea ceremony - we went to a lovely little shop called Camellia, and it was gorgeous. For the big day (Tyler's 30th birthday) we went to Itoh Dining in downtown Kyoto, an authentic hibachi restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing. One word - Wagu. It's as if tiny fireworks of fat explode in your mouth with every bite. Tyler and I shared a bottle of Malbec and toasted being friends for so many years (28 to be exact) and to the next 30 years ahead. I couldn't ask for a better travel buddy or friend, and I am so happy we got to experience Japan together.
To get a taste of Japan right here in Chicago, you can take the incredibly popular Sushi Workshop at The Chopping Block which is offered several times a month at both locations. In addition to sushi classes to teach you how to make sushi at home, we also offer a large selection of sushi ingredients in our retail stores to help get you on your way to becoming a super sushi chef (say that three times fast!). We've also done the research of where else to find great sushi ingredients so you don't have to!
