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Zack-San Tours Japan

August – October 2024
  • Zachary Lane
A 63-day adventure by Zachary Read more
  • Zachary Lane

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  • Japan Japan
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  • 63days
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  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    TsukeMen

    September 3, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After long day of site seeing, a hearty meal was in order! We looked up a ramen place and headed there. In addition to the standard ramen, they also had Tsukemen; a dish only Chris had heard of and he was very excited to try. He and I both got versions of that, and Emma and Rachel had ramen. Tsukemen is similar to ramen, but almost like a deconstructed version. The broth is very concentrated, so the noodles and toppings are served on the side. You take some noodles, dip them in the broth for a bit, then eat them. Keep doing that for all the noodles, and then grab the hot plate on the side of the table. Add some rice to the broth, bring to a boil, then crack the raw egg into the dish stirring as it cooks. Voila, tasty rice rice porridge! You could mellow it out with the kettle of fish broth if desired. A unique experience at a great hole-in-the-wall restaurant.Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Arashiyama Bamboo

    September 4, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We checked out of the townhome, stopped at an inconveniently located but delicious bakery, and went to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. On the way we saw a lifesize Eva (Evangellion mech) from the train adding to the weeb quota. At the Arashiyama stop, we wandered through small shops to the bamboo forest where 40ft tall bamboo swayed above us. Bamboo is actually a variety of grass, which is more believable when you see a full picture of it; the small leaf patterns at the top does remind me of wildgrass, just huge. We went through a Zen garden that is considered to be the oldest existing Zen garden in Japan. The rock placement, koi in the pond, and small pockets of fall colors made the garden very tranquil. After that we headed towards the river section and grabbed a seat at a Cafe with excellent AC (really our only deciding factor). Fortunately, the drinks and food were as refreshing as the AC.Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Momiji-ya Ryokan Evening

    Sep 4–5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    A short shuttle ride into the mountains and we were transported to what felt like a different time and place. We followed winding roads to a riverbank, where a suspension bridge led across the river to the Ryokan. It truly felt out of a movie or from a Ryokan-Episode of an anime. We went to our traditional rooms where yukatas were waiting for us to change into. We had Kaiseki at 6, so we all snuck in an onsen session. The onsen was small, but the large windows opened to a private, luscious green hillside covered in trees. It was serene and relaxing. We then got ready for dinner and headed down to our riverside dining table. Kaiseki is a many-course dinner starting with sake brewed by the Ryokan. The first platter was a wide collection of appetizers, ranging from sashimi to various pickled vegetables to Pike Conger Eel; by far the most unique portion of the meal. We didn't know what it was eating it, but it's best described as looking like a boiled hair-scrunchie. After Chris and I researched afterwards, we found out it's an eel that extremely difficult to prepare due to the large number of bones. It takes 10 years to master the cutting technique where 300+ incisions are made to extract the bones and boil into an edible treat. Despite all that effort, I honestly was alright just having it once.
    We then had smoked whole-fish, a fish based hot pot, and finally seasonal fruit for dessert (best grapes I've ever had). When we came back to our rooms, the beds were already laid out and we tucked in full of fish and sake for a good night's sleep.    Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Momiji-Ya Breakfast and Stroll

    September 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We took a quick morning stroll near the Ryokan to enjoy the mountain scenery. Saw some cool bugs and plants, posed for some pics, and then enjoyed a traditional breakfast spread. In Japan, breakfast isn't as meal specific as the US, and often had foods more aggressive then our morning palletes expected. Fish, pickled vegetables, rice, and tofu were common breakfast foods. I loved the variety and enjoyed that cultural experience throughout my trip... but occasionally missed eggs and bacon.Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Cup Noodle Brand Loyalty

    September 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Although a bit out of the way (and while hauling luggage), we went to the Cup Noodle Museum in northern Osaka. The museum was engaging and informative, and Cup Noodle as a company is impressive. They were the first instant ramen, the first use of polystyrene packaging, the first use of vacuum sealing packaging, and even produced special ramen that can (and was) used in space on the ISS. After a goofy animated show, we waited for our ramen cooking class. In a very organized room, we donned aprons and chicken hats, and got to mixing indegrients, rolling out dough, and cutting noodles. They then fried the noodles (the secret to how they stay preserved) and sealed them up in packages we got to design. It was a surprisingly fun time, and has given me a newfound brand loyalty to Cup Noodle (sorry Maruchan).Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Dontonbori

    Sep 5–7, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌩️ 28 °C

    We stayed in Osaka near Dotonbori at a cozy Airbnb. Both nights we went out in Dotonbori to soak in the neon lights and embrace "kuidadore"; the town motto of "eat until you drop". The first night was okonomiyaki and yakisoba at a small izakaya followed by whatever looked good from the street vendors. Takoyaki, strawberry ice cream, yakitori, and Asahi to wash it all down. We cruised on a short boat ride to see it from the canal, the bombastic ads ligting up the water. It's certainly a sensory overload of sights, smells, and sounds. It's pure maximalism, sometimes kinda tacky, but also endearing and a bit grungy. The second night we are at the famous Kani Doraku for crab. It reminded me of the "shrimp" speech from Bubba in Forest Gump. We had sushi crab, sashimi crab, BBQ crab, boiled crab, crab tempura, crab soup, crab rice porridge, crab everything. Excellent dining experience, although I think I'm good on my crab quota for a solid 5+ years.Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Himeji Castle

    September 6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Although a bit of a trek, we decided to visit Himeji Castle and set off on the one hour train ride. It was a scorcher that day, so on the walk between the station and the park we stopped at a hipster coffee joint that had a coffee float (ice cream annnnnd coffee?!). At Himeji, we went along the side passages and the main castle. It's been through a storied history, burned down like 6 times, and was recently restored in 2014. I think the wood joinery was the most impressive; amazing craftsmanship. Only thing missing is AC.Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Sprint through Hakone Sculpture Museum

    September 7, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Chris and Emma headed towards Mt Fuji, while Rachel and I went towards Tokyo stopping in Hakone for an onsen hotel. We went up windy roads in a bus to the onsen, and then rushed off to the Hakone Open Air Sculpture Museum as it was only open another hour. In that hour we were taken through quite the artistic journey! Set along the beautiful mountainside, the mostly outdoor sculpture museum was whimsical and impressive. They even had a building of only Picasso works. It was unexpected and was a surprising highlight of the trip. My favorite were the kinetic sculptures, and Rachel really liked the stained glass tower.Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Until our Next Adventure!

    Sep 8–9, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We stayed in Hakone for one night, and treated ourselves to a massage at the onsen spa. It was very refreshing after hauling around bags, and was extra good to follow up with onsen soaking. The next morning we had a delicious breakfast buffet, and I tried Natto; fermented soy beans that are strong smelling and funky. Then came the tougher part; we headed back to Tokyo to see Rachel off to Colorado. It was an amazing two weeks with her, and we both felt rejuvenated and relaxed. Although the best case scenario would be that I could travel with my love the whole trip, I'm grateful to have such a supportive and loving fiance that not only suggested but encouraged me to take a trip like this. I can't wait for the next trip we take together, or for me to take a turn watching Toph while you adventure; I love you Rachel!
    And from there, I headed back to Kawaguchiko to meet up with Chris and Emma again.    Read more

  • Zachary LaneTravelerZack-San Tours Japan

    Music Forest Museum

    September 9, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We started the day with a quick visit to the Arakura Shrine, and although Mt. Fuji was being coy hiding in clouds, it was still a nice visit. We wandered through a nearby smaller shrine right next to a highway overpass that was an interesting juxtaposition of old and new. Wanting some food, we stopped by a Shokupan place that made the namesake dish in the form of Fuji.
    After boarding the Red Line sightseeing bus, we called an audible and visited the Music Forest Museum; a seemigly quirky find with no expectations. It was a small slice of venetian inspired buildings and landscape with a hint of whimsy. They have a massive collection of antique automatic musical instruments which are akin to a music box but bigger and were enjoyed by European aristocrats (per the pamphlet). We saw a show that combined automatic piano and violin with a live opera singer; quite the amazing duo! The violin mechanism was fascinating; there was a rotating ring-shaped resin bow that spun around violins that moved in and out of the way. After that, we saw another live performance, this time with a violinist and pianist accompanied by a "sand artist". While they played, he drew in sand (projected for us to see), the story of Sleeping Beauty. Just watch the video; it's amazing how precise and quick he was with intricate sketching using only sand! The entire museum was bizarre and delightful, and perfectly serves as a reminder to leave flexibility in your trip planning for the unexpected.
    We ended the day with a view of Fuji at night, and then hit up the Manga library at the hotel. The owner was also a professional Manga artist and had an amazing collection. I might have read 4 volumes of Akira and not slept much...    Read more

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