Wendy's - Back in Japan

After a nearly 2 year absence in the Japanese fast food business...Wendy's opened up a new restaurant on a side street near Omotesando dori in Tokyo today.

They plan to open roughly 100 new locations throughout Japan over the next 5 years.

So get out there fans of the square burger.

All the best....Mark

Tohoku Earthquake 東北 地震

In light of the horrific events (8.9 magnitude earthquake and 10 meter high tsunami wave of water) that have taken place in Miyagi-ken and the Tohoku (東北) region, I've listed below some organizations that were posted by yahoo.com on their site indicating that these organizations are accepting donations to assist in the relief/recovery efforts in Japan.

American Red Cross
Global Giving
Save The Children
Salvation Army
Convoy of Hope
International Medical Corps


All the best...Mark

Podo Marunouchi - ぽど丸の内

Have you ever walked by all of those signs along the street pointing to a lounge, cafe, shop in the basement level of a building and wondered what they were like????

Podo in Marunouchi is certainly worth taking a look.

This casual basement level hidden gem is a lively after-work pub that serves eleven kinds of makkoli, a milky pumpkin flavored sake from Korea, starting at JPY380 per cup.

Podo Marunouchi
B1F Shin-Tokyo Building
3-3-1 Marunouchi

So make sure to try a taste of Korea in the heart of Tokyo.

All the best...Mark

Jukka 十火 - Designer Senbei 煎餅 in Aoyama

Are you a fan of senbei 煎餅 (rice crackers to you and me)?

Well there is a great little shop in Aoyama between Koto Dori and Omotesando Station named Jukka 十火.

This is not your run of the mill rice cracker shop - the owners have taken it to a whole other level - the display cases found here resemble those found in high end jewelry shops - displaying the items under glass and on pedestal stands.

A modern ascetic combined with simple Japanese tradition.

The shop also offers a wide variety of tea options to act as a companion to their senbei offerings...you didn't hear it from me ( wink, wink) but they give free tastings to those that stop in for a visit.

They have a great web site with pictures of their creations - and a shop on line option as well : http://jukka.toyosu.co.jp/

So if you are a fan of senbei, you'll want to make sure to head to Aoyama to sample these tasty treats.

All the best...Mark

Japan Restaurant Week 2011 - ジャパンレストランウィーク

Sorry for the extended silence, the economic crisis required all of us to focus on other matters...but I'm back.

Since we are all looking for deals these days, I thought I'd start posting again with an interesting, tasty and cost conscious posting.

Japan Restaurant Week is coming in February and it is a great way for all of us to try new restaurants while not breaking the bank or budget at the same time.

Check out great spots in Roppongi, Shinagawa, Nihonbashi, etc.

They have a great web site with more details: http://www.jrw.jp/

Here's to a better 2011 for all of us.

All the best....Mark