NinjaflavorNinjaflavorAn online guide to travel, nightlife, and hostels in and around Tokyo. Introduces travelers to local flavors they would otherwise miss when following generic guidebooks. Articles
VIRON + SHIBUYA, TOKYO
2008-04-29 13:20:00 Having eaten only the breakfast and never bothering with their lunch or bakery should set off warning signals that I should stop writing his review here and now. That said, there’s really no stopping me from gushing about possibly THE best breakfast in Tokyo , hands-down-try-to-beat-this. Viron’s breakfast is a test. How long can you muster restraint before stuffing yourself stupid with infinite French breads and jams and a bottomless cup of coffee? Leave your carb diet at the door, there’s no turning back once seated in their little upstairs French cafe. Don’t even bother with the alternative breakfast offering, you eat a salad and an egg at the Wendy’s next door, you came here for the 1260 yen bread and spread deal. Viron’s staff will first bring over a giant basket of croissants, buns, and sweet rolls from which you can select two. Then they sit a basket of French breads of varying grain which you are allowed an infinite supply of. Once the brea... More About: Shibuya
Cafe 1930 + HARAJUKU, TOKYO
2007-09-08 18:55:00 Deep in the bowels of Hara juku lies probably your only chance to enjoy South Indian cuisine with a touch of Nepal. Cafe 1930, subtitled “British Indian CAFE1930″ serves, in my Middle Eastern friend’s opinion, one of the best cups of chai tea you’ll likely find in Tokyo . In fact, you’ll know exactly when it’s being made, as the beautiful aroma permeates the interior of this little cafe. On the menu, it’s called Masala Milk Tea. It’s easy to get to, and if you’re a wanderer then you’ve likely passed it at one point or another while strolling through the back streets of Harajuku. My first visit was purely by accident. The space used to be the location of a Hong Kong bakery which served egg tarts. This was in it’s place and my friend and I decided to try it. Your choices include dry curry and rice, masala dosa, and a healthy fruit option which is a giant bowl of fruit, a cup of yoghurt and a little cup of ginger sauce. Ge...
horse sushi
2007-06-27 18:08:00 tough times for tuna, dude. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/busines s/worldbusiness/25sushi.html what’s been going down? You move into the new place soon, right? Does the TigerPunch email work? I saw Lee Anne the other day, she totally wants to come to your wedding. Don’t know who you have the spae for, though. Okay, I gotta run. Give me the update! georg More About: Sushi , Horse
Re: tibor kalman
2007-06-25 15:52:00 got it. a couple of my emails have been spotty too. who are you using as a host? On Jun 24, 2007, at 12:31 PM, Jon Siegel wrote: > Hey dude, can you let me know if this email address works, it’s > been a bit spotty and I wasn’t sure if it actually does anything. > > j
Fantastico De Luxe WHM Admin Cron
2007-06-21 18:16:00 Fantastico De Luxe WHM Admin Cron Domain Name: tigerpunch.com Date/Time: June 21st, 2007 @ 11:16 AM The following installations are not up-to-date: Gallery: + /wood - 2.1.2 (2.2.1) + cosmomartini.com/ - 2.0.2 (2.2.1) WordPress: + cosmomartini.com/diary - 2.0.2 (2.2) + tofusquirrel.com/nest - 2.1 (2.2) + ninjaflavor.com/ - 2.1 (2.2) More About: Fantastico
hmm
2007-06-14 06:54:00 hey there Jon I hope you still use this email… anyhow. I wanted to ask you a favor- nothing huge, but I’m looking for something called a “print gocco” to make t-shirts and cards…. it’s a toy over there in Japan for at- home screen printing. Dunno if it’s made there still… been discontinued and IMPOSSIBLE to find (even ebay sucks). I was wondering if you could keep an eye out or look for it for me/ an buy-mail it here. I’d of course send you $$ in advance prior to anything so no worries to you at all. AND of COURSE I’d send you a fun t-shirt of what I’d end up makin. Dunno, doesn’t hurt to ask a pal who happens to be where the “cool kidz” get their “indie toyz” for makin “DIY aht”. word. or something. Anyway, lemme know if that’s cool or something you’d be game for? *hugs* Kerribeans
tibor kalman
2007-05-24 22:02:00 dude, this is the guy i want to emulate. http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/medalist- tiborkalman BUSINESS STUFF —————&mdash ;————- so i’ve been thinking more about starting up a design firm when you get back and i’m all about it. we could even start setting it up now and do freelance work under the name in the meantime. i think it’s a minor point but could work out. i’m thinking a lot of the work that i want to do will require either joining a company or starting my own, just for the sake of appearances, you know? there’s only so much you can do as a freelancer. anyway, i’m pursuing a bunch of stuff right now, some of which will hopefully lead to pretty regular business. one of my nyu friends is starting up a presentation consulting firm and i’m the design guy for it. he’s going to want to expand the business eventually and wants me to pick out more designers, and that could really...
Design Festa + ODAIBA, TOKYO
2007-05-05 03:53:00 Twice a year, in the Tokyo Big Site located in Odaiba, the mighty Design Fest a event takes place. Design Festa is a massive, CANNOT MISS, sprawling event that fills the Tokyo Big Site event center to the brim with local and international art of nearly every genre. As their website states, there are no sponsors, restrictions or age limits, just as long as the work is original. Exhibitors can rent a booth from ¥10,000 for the smallest size and up from there, prices vary depending on booth location. Once you rent a booth, you can do anything, from performance art to selling your stuff like t-shirts, toys, furniture, anything. Visitors can buy a day pass for ¥1,000 and a two day pass for ¥1,800. If you buy in advance, it’s ¥800 per day and ¥1,500 for two days. If you already live in Japan, advance tickets can be bought at Ticket PIA, Lawsons and directly from the Design Festa office/gallery in the Harajuku area. Children under 12 are admitted free. The doors op... More About: Sign
Calling All Illustration Bloggers
2007-04-15 19:20:00 Hello, My name is Ryan Matteucci and I am an undergraduate student studying Communications at Eastern University. I am currently conducting a research project that involves the authors of art/illustration/sketch weblogs. I obtained your emails by reading through your art blogs. I am asking you to please take part of my online survey so that I may gain data for my research report. The survey is about 30 questions long and generally takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The survey is safe and secure. All of your information will be treated confidentially and will not be published publically. The survey can be found at this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=74656 3659558 If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me back at: rmatteuc@eastern.edu Thank you so much in advance and God bless. - Ryan Matteucci P.S. - After you are finished taking the survey, I would really appreciate it if you could forward this email to any of your friends that also author art blogs... More About: Bloggers , Illustration , Calling , Logger , Blogg
Funabashiya Koyomo + HIROO, TOKYO
2007-03-24 04:04:00 While there’s certainly no shortage of udon, soba, and ramen shops, you’ll be hard pressed to find a real Japanese desert shop while casually wandering the streets of Tokyo . That is, if you don’t already know where Fun abashiya Koyomo is. Just on the corner at the end of the Hiroo Market Street, across from Homework’s burger shop, is the Japanese desert connoisseurs dream come true. Besides their healthy looking dinners, the real highlight of Funabashiya Koyomo is their bean laden sweets menu. For those not already familiar with Japanese deserts, beans consist a major part of the structure of a typical “sundae,” as Americans might call it. The main desert dish is called, “Anmitsu,” which includes little white jelly cubes(seaweed derived, but don’t let that put you off!), mixed fruits, boiled, hard peas, and lastly a sweet, deep redish purple azuki paste(a.k.a. “anko”). If you’re lucky, they might toss on a littl... More About: Bash
Seijo Ishii + DAIKANYAMA, TOKYO
2007-03-18 16:53:00 Hankering for a nice cold bottle of IZZE natural sparkling fruit soda(300 yen)? Or some olivas with feta cheese(730 yen)? How about having both of those things at 3AM? Try the 24 hour Seijo Iishi near Daikanyama station. The perfect spot for that, “stumblin’-out-hungry-but-wan t-somethin’-classy” feeling after a hard night at Club Air. Seijo Iishi is a long time player in the Tokyo import food business. Their 24 hour Daikanyama location is, in my opinion, their flagship store. I never look forward to shopping at the Tokyu or Marusho, I look forward to shopping at Seijo Iishi, simply because the pace is slow(no deafening 8-bit music) and their selection is great. Cheap deals exist, though they are few and take effort to find. Simply keep the mindset that to import these things, there’s a shipping cost, and that’s being passed on to you, loyal consumer. Each isle is laden with imported wines, dry goods, spreads and sweets. I particularly enjoy the c...
National Azabu Supermarket + HIROO, TOKYO
2007-03-10 10:07:00 If you were stranded on a foreign island for months with nothing but coconuts, raw fish and some cash, and someone appears out of nowhere bearing a $15 box of “Fruity Pebbles” breakfast cereal, you would buy it, wouldn’t you? That’s the thinking behind the Nation al Azabu Super , the ONLY true Western grocery store that’s close enough to an American suburban grocery store as it gets in Japan. The only drawback, the sticker price. There’s a reason this market is located in Hiroo, land of wealthy foreign expats, because realistically only wealthy foreign expats can shop here consistently. For the rest of us, it’s one of those guilty pleasures we indulge in while living abroad. It’s not so awful that you won’t be able to afford anything, you can easily put it in terms of, “Gee, if Ma sent me a box full of Goobers Peanut Butter and Jelly Swirl, Duncan Hines brownies mixes, and a pie sheet, it would cost her a fortune in mailing f... More About: Market , Tokyo
FUJI Q Highland + KAWAGUCHI LAKE, JAPAN
2007-03-04 04:21:00 Have you ever needed a wake up call? are you deprived and lonely and suffering from solitude in a foreign land? can’t understand why girls on tv in japan for some reason start to show boobies after 1:00am(Bionic Girl, anyone?)? It doesn’t matter! Go to FUJI Q High land! This place rocks. Score a bus from Shinjuku station, the “Fuji goko” line for 1,700 yen one way(850 yen for kids). Pick up at Shinjuku’s West gate on the first floor of the second building of Yasudaseimei. The ride takes about an hour and a half, don’t forget your DS to kill time. 1) It’s not as expensive as Disney. You can snag a full day mini trip, [bus + admission] for about 7000 yen(will post travel details within a few days of this post). 2) eejanaika! This is my ideal version of a “refreshment”. Have you ever had stress? This will make you realize that not much of any of the small crap that lingers in your mind on a daily basis really ever mattered; because... More About: Japan , Land , Lake
Akihabara overnight + AKIHABARA, TOKYO
2007-02-16 17:59:00 You watch anime torrents, you read scanlated manga, you’re all over the conventions and you know your Wii inside and out. Somehow, you’ve managed a trip to Tokyo and wonder, how can I get my nerd on? What is THE most comprehensive “otaku” experience in Tokyo? No doubt countless numbers of addicts have considered this and contemplated the optimal trip, but what could honestly be the peak experience? With so many options scattered throughout the city, it’s a real task to draw up a gameplan. The real solution, an overnight in one of Akihabara ’s capsule hotels. Here is a list of 10 hot spots to check out in electric city, PLUS A MAP, while on the ultimate sleepover: 1. First stop, the brand spanking new football stadium sized Yodobashi Camera. Just exit the backside of Akihabara JR station or take the Hibiya line to Akihabara and there’s no missing it, in all it’s towering glory. If you’ve ignored your guidebook until now, here&rsqu... More About: Night , Over
Mundo Latino + Gotanda, Tokyo
2007-02-12 09:49:00 ¡tu tienda latina! One of the perks of having awesome Brazillian friends is finding out there’s a great Spanish market right in the center of Tokyo . Right in front of JR Gotanda station somewhat hidden behind some big real estate signs is Mundo Latin o, a Latin food, music and movie import store. Since arriving in Tokyo, I’d heard rumors of this fabled shop but until recently, had never actually found it. If you’re in need of some Buñuelos, Flan, or frozen Empanada de Carne, this is the place. Mundo Latino makes a nice weekend excursion if you want a little Latin flavor in your Tokyo life. Once inside, you’ll find one main isle with cooking mixes, sauces, canned beans, dry beans, and plenty of hot sauces. Beside the main isle is a freezer filled with various chorizo, tamal, and empanada. On the other side are various cookies, bon bons, and cakes. I’m no specialist when it comes to Latin cuisine, but that doesn’t make me any less of a fan. It&rsqu... More About: Anda
saya + SHIBUYA, TOKYO
2007-02-11 08:06:00 When you travel from city to city, no matter where you are in the world, there will always be chain restaurants ranging from cheap to luxury. You will consistently find the same bookstores, cafes, and blinking lights. With so many similarities, what truly makes a city special? Not so much the degree or size of these chain establishments, but the hidden gems hiding in their shadows. Just a short stroll across the street from JR Shibuya station will take you to a spot untouched by the busy commerce of Shibuya crossing. Down this little alley, huddled together, are tiny bars and restaurants offering respite from the relentless push of modernization. Along these few lantern lit streets are treasures long kept secret and hidden by their low key exteriors. Within these little establishments you’ll find Japanese standards like yakitori(grilled chicken skewers), oden(assorted boiled tofu, meat and vegetable dishes), and plenty of sake. Recently though, a few newcomers have arrived wit... More About: Tokyo
MESSE SANOH+ AKIHABARA, TOKYO
2007-02-08 17:02:00 I know this article is going to solve a lot of problems, and make a lot of people smile. You know who you are. Where can I buy English video games in Tokyo ? Finally, there’s a decent, respectable English video game retail store in Akihabara , Mess e Sanoh. To be quite honest, it was the easiest place to find, and only because it looked like they just opened. I’ve been searching for one since I got to Tokyo, and not to shrug off my own Japanese language education, but because Japanese RPGs present some truly complicated/difficult terminology that my textbooks just don’t cover(or won’t considering how bad the language probably is…). Thus, we have a savior with Messe Sanoh, a small but convenient English video game haven. Messe Sanoh is located, like all smart little electronic shops, in the back allies of Akihabara. If you’re already familiar with tech shopping in Aki, you’ll know that there are no deals on the main road, and the real treasures... More About: Esse
STAR KEBAB + AKIHABARA, TOKYO
2007-02-05 12:46:00 The moment I turned the corner and saw this place, I thought, “Finally, they got some seats and stuck a roof over one.” Surely you’ve seen them, the kabob truck fixtures about the streets of Tokyo with their giant, glistening spindles of meat and that alluring sweet aroma. In my opinion, it’s a tough sell in a city with no benches and a constant flow of pedestrian traffic. Eating a big messy pita isn’t an easy task in Tokyo. It looks like that’s about to change though, with the introduction of STAR KEBAB. Just a short walk from JR Akihabara station, STAR KEBAB may be small, but their indoor seating is warm and welcoming. What’s funny is that few people would make the connection between Akihabara and kebab cuisine, but you would be surprised how many you’ll find down the grid-like back streets of Akihabara. Among them though, STAR KEBAB is surely the king. With an easy photo menu and lots of variety including several specialities such a... More About: Star
Capsule Inn AKIHABARA + AKIHABARA, TOKYO
2007-02-04 15:25:00 Lets face it, there’s no getting around the fact that Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. So where do you stay on a budget when you visit Tokyo? Probably not the average hotel, which starts at around $100USD per night, and considering it’s Tokyo, sometimes that’s per person, not per room. Then what? Youth hostel? Or… capsule hotel? No doubt you’ve seen them once on a television documentary or foreign comedy. Those mysterious yet funny coffin-style rooms with built-in tv, radio and fax machine. Who would ever think a capsule hotel would be a suitable, if not more respectable, alternative to a youth hostel? If you look at the facts, it really adds up to a smart deal. Capsule hotel, $30USD per night, generally quiet, includes clean shower room, key locker, bathrobe, free toothbrush, and sometimes free internet and free bathhouse. Capsule Inn AKIHABARA, my first capsule hotel experience around the Tokyo area, and hopefully not the last.... More About: Akihabara
Hong Kong Roji+ SHIBUYA, TOKYO
2007-02-03 05:41:00 Whether a ploy to avoid too much attention or just too busy to care, Hong Kong Roji does not exude either class or cleanliness. It does, however, exude a delightful aroma of classic Chinese fried noodles and juicy steamed dumplings into the street to catch pedestrians passing by. I stumbled upon this restaurant entirely by accident. Simply looking for a quick bite, I discovered what would become a monthly habit of great fried noodles and hot rice soup. Hong Kong Roji has two locations, both in the Shibuya area, cozy and little. Expect to wait in a short line around dinner time. You’ll notice immediately that all of the staff speak Chinese to eachother, the first good sign of an authentic(well, semi-authentic) Chinese restaurant. Hinderances to it becoming truly authentic are the use of Japanese rice rather than Chinese rice in their dishes. Though not completely detrimental, I would prefer actual Chinese rice with it’s dry, flavor absorbing texture rather than the sweet ... More About: Tokyo
A.R.I sweets to go+ OMOTESANDO, TOKYO
2007-02-01 07:42:00 Some companies use MSG, others high concentrations of caffeine, some companies even resort to using no less than three kinds of chocolate to get their patrons addicted to their tasty treats. A.R.I must use pure, concentrated crack, because there is no way, after one muffin, to resist making weekly, if not daily visits for a muffin fix. Located in what must be THE most secretive location in Omotesando, and with hours based more on someone’s personal schedule than an actual bakery, one would wonder how this place can even exist. Yet it does, and you have to visit, you MUST visit. Being an American, I’ve only had the pleasure of being versed in the art of sugar-loaded muffins, but A.R.I gave me a thorough schooling with their perfectly sweetened and savory delights. So thorough that I can never go back to my American ways. Smart combinations like banana cocoa, strawberry raspberry cinnamon, and pear fill the air with addicting if not maddening aromas. The savory muffins wer... More About: Tokyo , Sweet , Sweets , Sand , Mote |
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