Food and Drink

The double whammy of Japan’s ageing and shrinking population will produce all manner of problems in the coming years; issues that the nation’s numerous Prime Ministers will almost laughably fail to deal with. A feat they are already achieving with the likes of poverty and the faltering economy.

So ahead of an election that is destined to change nothing for the better, and a birthrate that shows no sign of booming, it’s especially nice to see a young family enjoying the simple pleasures that life in the capital conjures up.

There’s only one problem with having a seemingly infinite number of bars and eateries to choose from; namely which one will it be tonight?

Due to its highly toxic nature, Fugu (or pufferfish) has become one of Japan’s most infamous and well known delicacies. A danger that in many ways isn’t exaggerated either, as 23 people have died after eating it in the last decade or so.

What isn’t recorded, however, is that fugu die too. Sometimes in lonely, but also very public, places.

Fancy bars are all well and good if you fancy a, erm, fancy bar. But for real atmosphere, and arguably a taste of real Japan, Tokyo’s seemingly infinite selection of tiny bars and eateries really take some beating.

The simple Japanese pleasure, of some simple Japanese food.

Tokyo isn’t all about fashion and putting on appearances — sometimes it’s simply just a case of some booze and getting by.