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Japan Part 2 2023 🇯🇵⛩️

markhadland

4 years ago

Sakura in Kyoto

Wednesday, March 22

Tokyo · Maruni Shoten (shop) · Tsukiji

Our first day back in Tokyo we were joined by Daniel and KT for another day of eating fresh fish.

TheHad, Carter, Daniel, and KT.

Amazingly fresh toro.

Tokyo · Shibuya

Tower Records, one of the few remaining.

Carter’s turntable.

The famous Shibuya Crossing.

Hachiko statue.

Tokyo · Ebisu

After eating wagyu for a week, as good as it is, Carter and I were craving a chewy steak.

Classic T-Bone

I met these crazy guys who were bartenders at The Ritz Carleton.

Classic corpse revivor.

Thursday, March 23

Tokyo · Ebisu

My legacy.

Tokyo · Shibuya

I always visit Freitag when I travel. I’ve been a fan for 20 years.

A few shots of the Moncler Tokyo flagship store – their displays and installations are amazing.

Tokyo · Nishi-Azabu

My friend Jordan had a four-top at a 2-Michelin-star sushi restaurant he couldn’t use, so I bought it from him. Carter befriended Aya while he was in Tokyo, and we invited her. Thankfully, we did, because the staff spoke no English and we had difficulty finding the restaurant, its location and door were unmarked.

Beautiful glassware.

Most of the serving dishes were antiques.

I asked for their sweetest sake. They brought out this bottle, and we opened it. When Aya saw the bottle and tasted it, she exclaimed, “Oh Fuck”. Apparently it’s her Father’s favorite and expensive. She looked at the list, which was ordered from less expensive to more expensive, and scanned all the way to the bottom. Yup, $1100.

Tokyo · Akasaka

The guy from Bar Trench. Apparently, its owner, Rogerio, was doing a reviver collab with the Ritz. I sure know how to connect with people.

I met this crazy real estate developer at the bar who spoke no English. It was an interesting evening.

A tequila I actually enjoyed.

TheHad and Rojerio.

Back to Bar Trench.

Friday, March 24

Tokyo · Shibuya

Me and Rojerio at his favorite bar.

Sayonara

Kyoto · Higashiyama

The next morning, we returned to Kyoto by Shinkansen. It was sakura season, something we did not plan for but very serendipitous, as it was absolutely beautiful in Kyoto.

I took Carter to Yasaka in the Park Hyatt for another birthday dinner.

The Yasaka pagoda and local Kinobe gin.

Kyoto · Cave de K · Nakagyo

Back at our favorite place with Tabata-san.

The Ritz Carleton

Saturday, March 25

Kyoto · Nakagyo

We met up with KT and his brother who just happened to be on a trip here as well. We had quite the evening.

The next morning, Carter and I returned to Kiyomizu-dera.

Kyoto · Gion

Kyoto · Higashiyama

Quite possibly the most impressive cherry tree in all of Kyoto.

Samauri statue.

Kyoto · Chion-in (temple) · Higashiyama

An amazingly beautiful temple, especially with all the purple lighting at night.

Kyoto · Higashiyama

We spotted these purple beams of light in the sky from about a mile away and made our way here.

Kyoto · Chion-in (temple) · Higashiyama

Kyoto · Shimogyo

We stumbled upon a wine bar back in Kyoto along the stream that parallels the Kamo river.

We heard this playing in the bar and really liked, Nujabes has become one of our favorite Japanese musicians.

Sunday, March 26

Kyoto · Nakagyo

Pontocho at Night

Nishiki Market

Kyoto · Gyoza Taizou (restaurant) · Nakagyo

Kimono shopping.

Kyoto · Cave de K · Nakagyo

Back again – told you it was our favorite.

Kyoto · Higashiyama

Park Hyatt lobby.

Yasaka Birthday Dinner

The tasting menu.

This was amazing.

Kyoto · Shimogyo

L’Esca Moteur

A return to the magic bar.

Christophe and his magic.

Kyoto · Fushimi Inari

Back once again this time with Carter, my 3rd visit this trip.

Kyoto · The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto · Nakagyo

Near The Ritz we met an old artist couple who made large format pieces for several of the high end hotels.

Ritz-Carlton.

Kyoto · Bar K6 (bar) · Nakagyo

Tuesday, March 28

Kyoto · Nakagyo

Haafu – Home of the best beef sandwich ever!

We returned to visit the artist couple and purchase some of their works.

Kyoto · Sakyō

Philosopher’s Path

The Philosopher’s Path is a beautiful walkway that follows a stream and is lined with cherry trees, small boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.

Monk is a restaurant featured on Netflix Chef’s Table faous for its inventive pizzas.

Sadly, it was closed.

Kyoto · The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto · Nakagyo

Kyoto · Kamigyō

We stopped by a small place for food. They had Fugu, the deadly poisonous pufferfish, so of course we ordered it. Our lips tingled, and I wondered for a moment if we’d made a mistake. Fortunately, the sensation passed.

Wednesday, March 29

Kyoto · Bar K6 (bar) · Nakagyo

Some of the artwork we purchased from the artist couple.

Back at Cave de K

First time I received the initial cut off the jambon.

Kyoto · Shimogyo

Back at L’Escamoteur

We are creatures of habit 😂

This time with Jordan.

Fuji · Shizuoka Prefecture

Great views of Mount Fuji on the Shinkansen to Hanada.

Photo Montage

Carter and I would return later the following year for the Noma Popup.

Thanks for traveling with TheHad🩵

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