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What did you do this week (and weekend)?
As part of a weekly series, these topics are a place for users to casually discuss the things they did — or didn't do — during their week. Did you accomplish any goals? Suffer a failure? Do nothing at all? Tell us about it!
Try to plan and get as much as possible planned before leaving for Tokyo in a few hours for a solo trip.
Feel like I'm forgetting something, but at this point I'm screwed if it's something major.
Anyone in here in Tokyo?
So jealous and hope you have an amazing time! I had a very weird trip to Japan in 2024, as I broke my toe the second day of the trip and was on crutches for the remainder, buuut also had so many great meals/experiences in Tokyo. My wife's friend Tokyo born and bred, so we had a little local insight.
From her friend:
This place had excellent Ramen in a very funny, tucked away location. It's like the 3rd floor in a weird multi-story shopping building but feels really, really tucked in. Everyone we saw were Japanese workers who were coming in by themselves for their lunch break.
This Yakatori place was awesome! It was full of workers and businessmen and the selection of meats was unreal. Again, very very affordable and delicious. We made none of the decisions and we're with my wife's friend but I feel confident a little google translate would leave you eating some delicious food.
This bookstore was massive and so freaking impressive. It had the most comprehensive selection of magazines and books I've ever seen. Even english language ones. I spent 2 hours in here just getting lost while my wife and her friend caught up at a coffee shop. 10/10 wish I had it here.
This little ceramics store was owned by my wife's friend's cousin and was very small and tucked away. It's zero tourists, has only goods from local artists, and only has about 50-100 things. The whole experience was nice and not overwhelming in the slightest. If you're in the area when it's open I'd check it out but if you're not I wouldn't head out of my way for it. Just a very local thing.
This Bonsai cafe was very cool. It was a bit hip and modern and probably the most touristy thing we did. We ended up doing a tea ceremony and it was very calm, fun and the food/drinks were delicious. Also the bonsai trees were wild. like 200-500 year old ones of all variety.
Lastly, this Late Night Munchies Spot was awesome! Again japanese business men, funny purveyors, all in all good times. Best to be drunk, but don't need to be.
From us poking around:
This curry house was awesome. I'm into vinyl records and steel crossbikes so this place spoke to my soul. Also the curry was great and very cheap. 2 curries, a beer and lemonade, and desert was all $9 USD. It was wild.
This Tuna Flake restuarant was near the top of my list of things to check out. Unfortuantely the broken toe really changed the end of our trip and we missed it. I have no insight on it other than I badly wanted to go and would be remiss not to share.
Last hot take is if you have time to get into the countryside around it and stay at a ryoken. We had a lovely experience at one in Gunma until I stubbed my toe so bad I broke the bone in half on a a coffee table in our room. Big plus, the japanese medical system is awesome! I paid for x-rays a bone reset and crutches in cash and it all cost less than my co-pay to see my own GP just to wiggle the toe and get a thumbs up when I got home.
I have lots of other thoughts in areas other than Tokyo, but those all the highlights there!
Thanks for all the suggestions, added to my list of places to check out!
Visited my family in Oregon from Christmas Eve to today. Just got back.
Didn't do a lot, our usual hikes were closed due to a storm that mangled the roads, but we did hit the SR-26 bump after seeing a news story about it going out to Cannon Beach to see Haystack Rock. It started as a day in Portland to hit Voodoo Donuts, Powell's City of Books, then we couldn't think of anything else we wanted to do (didn't have a plan). Conditions were perfect so my dad, brother and I could actually walk up close enough to climb on Haystack Rock (which we didn't as it's illegal), but I did get chased over the tidepools by a rogue wave, and cautiously tried to scamper over the rocks to avoid hurting any wildlife.
Otherwise bopped around the Salem area (where my family lives up there) and just hung out with family the rest of it.
Last two weeks I’ve been at our vacation home. There’s always DIY stuff to do, which I love. I can’t relax during the holidays, so I did jobs that have been on my todo list. First week was replacing a breaker box and rewiring parts of the house. Also did some plastering. This week worked on some shelves, completed the rewire work and replaced a huge water heater. That last job was not at all on my list (so sadly can’t check it off my todo list) but it was good to replace now before it crapped out. Luckily I have lovely neighbors here that have all kinds of tools, including a winch. Getting the old heater out without one would’ve been a total cluster fuck. This only took some mild cussing. If stores hadn’t been closed on the 1st, I could’ve finished the job in a day. Now we had one extra day without hot water. It wasn’t as bad as 4 days without electricity in part of the house 😅 Good thing the family is forgiving!
Too bad vacation is over again and I have to go back to work. I could’ve spent another week here to do some more DIY stuff!