Day 5 - Tokyo (Dinner)

Tok-queuing for Tempura

Finally we're at the door...but then when we got in, there was more waiting inside but this time at least there were benches :)

I was told a good Tempura is one that leaves little oil stain on the paper, so here's my before shot for comparison.

They give the usual Tempura dipping sauce, but the salts, especially the Wasabi salt was really good even though I am not a fan of Wasabi. LR and myself couldn't figure out the black purplish one.

Prawn, fish and my anti-histamines!

Cuttlefish with the most amazing texture, it is like sinking your teeth into scallops!

Lotus root

Wild mushrooms.

Abalone!

Eel

Huge prawn cake

Hmmm.... that's a huge oil blot, but it was my best Tempura meal ever!

Day 3- Hakone (12 reasons why I love Ryokans)

1. Massage chair in the lounge area

2. Massive area to wash your face

3.Facial wash and moisturiser all provided for

4. Orderly lockers -You strip here and place all your clothes in these baskets.

5. A foot reflexology machine after the onsen to provide a head to toe experience

6. Shower with Shisedo toiletries before entering the onsen

7. Indoor onsen

8.HUGE room with separate sleeping, drinking & wash up area

9. Yukata to be fashionably dressed for bed

10. Little dining area to chill over green or roasted tea

11. Fusion deco in the toilet

12. Futons on tatami mat

Day 3- Hakone (Dinner)

Promptly at the restaurant at 6pm sharp, or else...

We would incur the wrath of the very strict Japanese manager and there would be no smile on our faces. When can we eat?

Appetiser was raw fermented squid, very yummy and I had 2 portions because LR doesn't eat squid. Yay!

Tofu with strong taste of soy and the smooth mushroom clear sauce complemented so well with the slightly grainy texture of the tofu.

A warm side dish that is very similar to chicken dumplings, however this time, the sauce was a little too starchy for me.

Pork Shabu Shabu

Bubbling and boiling...

In the midst of enjoying my pork shabu shabu, the gleaming grilled fish seasoned with miso gave variety to dinner.

Then came a tempura calamari with wasabi salt. WOW, love the texture contrast to the dinner.

The meal ended off with a scoop of Yuzu sorbet, a great end to a full meal.

Day 3- Hakone (Black eggs)

A lone shop at the top of the 'steaming' mountain selling black eggs

Tables were tourists were peeling their black eggs in excitement, we could not join in the fun because we had to catch the last tram back to our hotel.

Check out the steam rising from the ground, no wonder they call this place Hell's valley

Amazing views on the rope tram and we had a clear view of...

Mount Fuji!!

After a while we got bored and decided to check out our own bag of black eggs

That is one black egg for sure!

Some how this picture reminds me of Willy Wonker

Day 3 - Gambling on our train meals

Gamble 1- Bento: No idea what this is, but it sure looks pretty *fingers crossed*

There's my chopstick!

Pork Floss?? It was cold but so yummy, this bento contains ALOT fish floss, a huge piece of cooked tuna, some egg, stewed bamboo shoot and carrots and finally a deep fried potato patty with wasabi tartar. Cold and savoury food never tasted so good! First gamble paid off *whew*

Gamble 2- Bread : LR was enticed by the soft texture of the bread, but what was inside was again another gamble.

It's harmless condensed milk, what was amazing was how the liquid condensed milk did not make the bread soggy. Technology in a simple sandwich!


Gamble 3 - Onigiri: This is a typical snack for Japanese, but I'm pretty sure when they purchase a rice ball, they know exactly what they're getting, not us for sure.

Here we go...

A relief look

Salmon floss, but so little of it to accompany so much rice!