Michael and I traveled to Tokyo as we were en-route to Chicago to celebrate his graduation in March. I fell in love with the Japanese culture as the people were so so friendly and as helpful as they could be given the language barrier. Tokyo was even cleaner than Singapore! The food was delicious and the service and attention to detail second to none. I could watch the clerks gift wrap packages for hours as they were such perfectionists.
It was very cold when we were there but the weather didn't stop us from getting out and walking all over to explore. We were there probably 2 weeks too early to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Starbucks even did their part to celebrate by featuring a cherry blossom cake pop...and yes, it was as good as it sounds!
Michael and I had some of the most amazing culinary experiences here. Our first night we sat a sushi bar and ate everything from sea urchin and sardines to clams and fatty tuna. The second night we met some friends, Michael Stocker and his wife, from Michael's days at Booth. We ate at the restaurant where President Bush got sick on the Japanese Prime Minister and many American celebrities frequent when in Tokyo. On our last night we went to the Park Hyatt where one of our favorite movies was filmed (Lost in Translation) and enjoyed listening to a band, sipping Asian-inspired cocktails, yummy food AND experiencing our first-ever earthquake!!! The lounge was on the 57th floor and the entire room was swaying back and forth. It last only a few seconds but was a very eerie feeling. This was the first quake since the big one last year that was so devastating. It reminded me how powerful mother nature is!
For those of you who have not gone, I would say Japan is not to be missed. We would look forward to going back and seeing the mountains someday.
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