Tag Archives: japanese

Chahan (Fried Rice)

Known as Japanese fried rice in the west, Chahan is a super simple and super cheap dish. Chahan usually contains pork, egg and some vegetables, and most restaurants have slightly different types of Chahan. It is often served in a discount set with Gyoza dumplings or Ramen. Price: From 220 yen (about $2) Name inContinue reading “Chahan (Fried Rice)”

Curry Rice

Japanese curry. Some love it (me!), for some nothing to write home about. But it’s something that has to be tried and is one of the cheapest lunch and dinner options for budget travellers in Japan. The sauce is probably sweeter than most foreigners are used to, and the standard options are not too spicy.Continue reading “Curry Rice”

Gyudon – Japan’s essential budget meal

Gyudon is to Japanese people what the burger is to Americans. Or what a fish and chips are to the British. Cheap, fatty and quick, they make for great food for those on the go who don’t want to spend too much. Gyudon, sometimes known in English as beef bowl, is a simple Japanese bowlContinue reading “Gyudon – Japan’s essential budget meal”

Brilliant Bonsai in Showa Kinen Park

Showa Kinen Park (Showa Memorial Park) is an often forgotten, but amazingly varied park west of central Tokyo. Along with great cherry blossom and autumn colour spots, the park has a purpose built outdoor bonsai museum. It’s free to enter for those you have entered the main park, and offers a spectacular selection of bonsai,Continue reading “Brilliant Bonsai in Showa Kinen Park”

Money in Japan

The official currency of Japan is the Yen (円). Money in Japan and the systems and culture around it are rather different to the west. Note that outside major airports, foreign currencies foreign currencies such as the US dollar are not accepted. Currency Converter //www.exchangeratewidget.com/converter.php?l=en&f=JPY&t=EUR&a=1&d=F0F0F0&n=FFFFFF&o=000000&v=1 Japanese Yen Exchange Rates //www.exchangeratewidget.com/converter.php?l=en&f=JPY&t=EUR,GBP,JPY,CHF,CAD,AUD,CNY,ZAR,RUB,BRL,HKD,MXN,&a=100&d=F0F0F0&n=FFFFFF&o=000000&v=5 Cashed based society While JapanContinue reading “Money in Japan”

Beautiful English garden with a Japanese twist – Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo

Kyu-Furukawa Garden is a really nice place to go in the summer or spring. It’s a strange mix of a traditional English garden with a traditional Japanese garden. Two gardens for the price of one! During May and June the roses are in full bloom, so we had a look. The English manor house isContinue reading “Beautiful English garden with a Japanese twist – Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo”

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens (旧古河庭園) could be described as a half English, half Japanese garden. One half looks like a traditional English garden, with a manor house and roses, while the other half has a traditional Japanese pond and stone structures. Budget travel tips Sakura Hot Spring and Rikugien Garden are within walking distance, so save some money andContinue reading “Kyu-Furukawa Gardens”

Plum Trees in Tokyo – Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden

Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden is a small little garden, not far from the Tokyo Skytree.  It’s famous for it’s plum trees, so I went there for the first time recently. The park is dotted with these kind of plum trees. The Japanese love to take photos of plum trees, not just cherry blossoms and autumn colours. TheContinue reading “Plum Trees in Tokyo – Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden”

Engrish of da Month Version 2 – Funny English from Japan!

Here are some recent ‘Engrish’ highlights from Tokyo!  Room 201 looks like fun. Someone has been using Google Translate. “No bouding port of the plantform. Amoing torans only”.  Stopped in the middle of rush hour to take this.  Want to move to Ass Building No.2? Seen in Shinjuku.  Don’t let the children listen….forever! In JapanContinue reading “Engrish of da Month Version 2 – Funny English from Japan!”