Lost in Tran$lation

Yes, for those of you who haven't seen the movie, please do. While Bill Murray is paid to drink whiskey at the New York Bar and Grill at the Park Hyatt, we had to pay for the privilege. Yes, there was a $25 entry fee each to get into the 52nd floor restaurant but it is just as it appears in the movie. Subtle lighting, jazz band in the corner, and an extensive list of drinks. Regardless of price, the view was spectacular with the city visilble to the horizon from all directions (20 million do live in Tokyo). A highlight of the visit!

Today we ventured out into Shinjuku to see what life is like there during the day. It is amazing what you can find in the basement of a Japanese department store. We decided to make our way out into the burbs (if there is such a thing here) to sample a "traditional" tea. We had green tea "soup" with ice cream and red beans and I think tofu of some sort. Sound funny? It was one of the best desserts I've had in a while. Dinner found us at Niniku-ya, a garlic restaurant. We managed to sample Japanese spirit and then fill up on garlic flavoured food which was divine. It is hard to walk around anywhere without falling for the food.