Photographs from a small group of islands
With Japan’s seemingly insatiable desire for both souvenirs and snacks, fancy or indeed unfathomable foodstuffs are far from lacking in locales deemed desirable for day-trippers. And, on Enoshima island at least, octopus parts pressed into prodigious disc-shaped delectables appear particularly popular.
As indeed is the process needed to produce them, which is sweaty,
steamy,
and sometimes even sultry.
For any Japanese restaurant owner worth his salt, or perhaps more importantly is subtle with it, Kappabashi-dori in the capital’s Taito-ku is a must see sector of the city.
An area where, as well as offering the kind of welcome one could only dream of,
possesses enough promotional plastic provender to cover all kinds of cuisine,
all the way from the time-honoured,
to Italian.
With an added fondness for floating forks apparently the area’s forte.
Although that’s not to say it’s only models of menus on offer, as there’s also everything else required for readying a restaurant, including the obligatory bowls,
and blades.
Plus that all important necessity for any new eatery, and one that’s both tasteful and a talking point, a Teutonic knight,
or two.
With 24-hour convenience stores camped out on practically every corner, and booze-bearing vending machines almost as mainstream, those with an endless longing for lager need never be left lacking.
However, when work gets in the way of being wasted, or there are worries about one’s well-being, there’s thankfully some comforting confectionary to quieten any uncomfortable cravings, whether it be through a soothing suck,
or some manic mastication.
Despite having super powers and suits that definitely don’t looked designed for daily discharges, super heroes still need some sustenance, and Ultraman it would seem has a soft spot for cider.
A drink so dear to his heart — should indeed he have one — that it is now available as Ultra Cider, complete with a can similar to his suit.
A garment that presumably comes in a plethora of patterns due to beverage behemoth DyDo designing six different cans to collect. All of which unfortunately contain the same contents. As, while ultra cheap at 100 yen a pop, one of Ultraman’s powers mustn’t be his palate, because it’s ultra bloody abominable.
Like the fizziest liquid known to man combined with the not so subtle assistance of an additive attempt at apple — only worse.
The other five cans can wait.
Smoking in Japan may not be anywhere near as socially acceptable as it once was, with many — although far from most — eateries now separating smokers. Some even sensationally sending them outside.
But that’s not to say tobacco isn’t seen as totally intolerable, as teenagers are still tempted to take up the habit,
and outdoor snacks are sometimes subtly scented.
Or even smoked.
The global recession may well be having an increasing impact on Japan, but at the same time, there’s obviously still an abundance of wealth walking about as, tough times or not, this drinking den hasn’t deemed it necessary to ease its yen-based restrictions just yet.
And needless to say my pitiful attempt at gaining entry received a rigid rejection right there on the street due to a lack of both the required Rolex and a beautiful, brand-laden lady-friend.
