Sushi chef in Tokyo - Sushi Kan

Do you like fish? Then you must try Sushi. The fish are usually caught in the very early morning and brought to the market and sold to fish mongers and sushi chefs.

The sushi chef is preparing the fish in the most delicate way. This sushi restaurant is located in Roppongi. It's like a jewel in the busy and bustling city; it's very tranquil and they serve the most delicious sushi. Again, 'Gochiso sama' (thank you for the delicious sushi, chef!).

Oishii Sukiyaki - delicious sukiyaki

There was a song called 'Sukiyaki' (or 'Ue o muite aruko') in the 60's sung by Kyu Sakamoto, a Japanese singer who died from a plane crash tragically like Sonny. The song was nothing to do with this dish but Americans named the song because it was from Japan. Sukiyaki was treated as a national dish by them.

Sukiyaki is truly a very traditional hot pot dish. It's a very popular dish for foreigners. You can see it in the video clip; there were thin sliced beef, lots of seasonal vegetable, tofu, kon-nyaku (jelly type vegetable), and more cooked in soy sauce and sugar based sauce. After they are ready, you eat them in a small ball with a raw beaten egg. That's how Japanese people eat sukiyaki in the most parts of Japan.

It's a very friendly food; you share the food cooked in one pot. It's good in summer; you eat it with cold beer. It's good in winter; you eat it with hot sake (rice wine).

By the way, this is my family. My sister is stirring the pot and my nephew is ready to eat sukiyaki. It was delicious! Gochiso-sama (Thank you for the nice meal.).

Women only 'Josei senyo sha'

What do you think this is. May I say that Japan is the only country which has got this?

This is written on platform floors of tube stations in Tokyo. It indicates that a door of a train for only women stops here. It works from a first train till 0930. In the car, there are only women enjoying their commuting without feeling vulnerable about molesters (or perverts). It's terrible to even just think about it. I was a victim as well when I was commuting to office in a packed car in the morning.

Priority Seat 'Yusen seki'

This is a sign for giving away your seats for those who need it. It's called 'priority seat'. It says, 'Please give away your seat, because there's someone who needs it.' in a very polite way. In this area, which is usually at the end of the car (each side), you need to switch off your mobile phones completely too. There might be a person who has got a pace maker in the heart, which would be disturbed by the phone.

The fact is that people sometimes don't give away their seats; they are very tired... or whatever the reason it is, they don't. Especially young people tend not to. They are too shy to do it, or don't know what to say. Just stand up and say 'Dozo (please)'. It's as simple as that, isn't it?

I saw an old man standing in front of people saying 'one of you should stand up for me'. There were two young ones and one middle aged (in her 50's) women. This middle aged woman stood up immediately, but the old man said 'No, no not you.'. Finally one of the young ones gave away his seat. I was very impressed with the old man's braveness. Good for him.

You would give your seat to people in need, wouldn’t you without any hesitation?

Plastic food display

This is art. Well, this is at Chinese noodle shop. I must admit it is not the most beautiful display.

These are made from plastic. They look like real food. Outside many restaurants in Japan, just by the entrance, they show you what sort of food is being served at restaurant. It's very convenient for non-Japanese travelers, who have no idea what type of restaurant they are about to go in.

Itadaki masu! (Good appetite! a Japanese greeting before eating.)

Suica - Japanese style oystar card

This is a drink vending machine in Tokyo. You can buy drinks from this machine with no cash. You use a rail card called 'suica'. The suica card is just like a oyster card in London but can be used for most of public transport: JR, tubes, bus, and you can shop as well. At lots of kiosk at station, you don't need to take out your purse but use this card.

When you are in Tokyo, go to any JR station and ask for a card. Only Y500 (£2.5 or $5) deposit will allow you to have this most convenient thing to have for travelling. Of course you need to top up your card with cash or by credit card at a ticket machine at station.