AS DIFFERENT hues of soft blues and teals painted the early autumn sky and gave way to early morning dew, we knew we would get lucky. As if on cue, the thick morning fog dramatically opened to reveal one of God's majestic creation. Ever so fickle in deciding when to show herself, our risk in taking the trip up Mt. Fuji - a cultural heritage site revered by the Japanese - paid off when she silently commanded our respect in the face of the grandeur and beauty she unabashedly showed.
This was one unforgettable moment made on a recent group trip to Tokyo which was finalized on practically a whim. I finally got to experience this enigmatic natural wonder the Japanese venerate with so much awe and devotion.
The Fuji experience was rivaled only by how our palates were tickled fancy with world-class Japanese cuisine. On our first night, we were treated by long lost friends to Japanese ramen. Although I raved with ramen I tasted in Toronto and New York, and even though its origin is unclear (some say the Chinese invented it; others contend the Japanese did), partaking it in a most oriental setting lends more authenticity to the whole experience. It was simply divine.
We were then treated to a very sumptuous Kobe beef dinner by Mate' Espina's friend, Tina. Flavorful, fatty and extremely tender, the marble-textured Kobe beef is one Japanese delicacy that could have single-handedly elevated Japanese cuisine as a culinary powerhouse. And rightfully so. How could a special grade of Wagyu cattle beef raised in Kobe, massaged with sake and fed a daily diet that includes beer, not propel Japan to the pinnacle of gustatory excellence. Oh, and did I mention a pound of Kobe beef can cost more than $100? Amen.
Married to a Japanese, Cathy Masuda's restaurant was our next stop. We were enthralled by the mouth-watering dishes she whipped for us in her kitchen. They were so delicious I literally got lost through the courses and conveniently forgot the names of the dishes. All I know is that Japanese cuisine has recaptured my respect knowing that the Japanese take their food very seriously with unequaled passion and assurance.
This isn't more evident than in Tsukiji Fish Market - the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. There you can find practically all kinds of seafood from the lowly and humble seaweed to the lofty and expensive caviar. The market is very famous for the bidding wars that ensue especially when large fish such as tuna and swordfish move across the market. The operations of this humongous market is, I'm sure, complicated but like everything else, as in their train and bus systems, count on the Japanese to adopt a sense of dignified efficiency even in such a mundane place as a fish market. Very impressive. Not only that- everything is so organized and downright clean that going to the fish market is like a walk in the park.
Trust on the Japanese in making ordinary gadgets into specialized contraption. Only probably in Japan can you find toilet seats with warmers and a massager. What the massager is for? Your guess is as good as mine. I was so amazed I dragged my friends to an appliance store to check it out. If not for the complicated installation procedure it came with, I could have brought one with me.
There is so much to see in Tokyo. The morning tours of the city were very refreshing. It helped that autumn was on its way making trips to the imperial palace and the Tokyo Tower so worthwhile. No matter what is said about it, Tokyo Disney Sea is still a must-see. What you will see in it, I will withhold from divulging. Let's just say it is one of a kind in the world.
And how can we possibly ignore the shopping district of Ginza. It is one good reason the sprained leg I was nursing during the trip was all but ignored. Tokyo is a shopper's paradise. All one needs to arm himself with is lots of patience (because language is still pretty much a barrier), time (because the city is awash with dizzying sights), and plenty of moolah (Tokyo isn't considered one of the world's most expensive cities for no reason).
Tokyo is both timeless and trendy. Where else can the centuries-old tea ceremony thrive with loud karaoke bars, ancient samurai weaponry thrive with 21st century gizmos, where kimono-clad geishas share space with avant garde Lolita's of the harajuku generation, where the age old tradition of making sushi makes the culinary world bow in reverence....it is a must-see for the serious traveler. I'm going back for sure. A plate of fugu is waiting for me. OMG.