Tokyo

This is our third time back in Tokyo, and there is no doubt we will return again and again. It is an incredible city where one can discover new things just by walking down the wrong street. When we first came to Tokyo over fifteen years ago, almost nobody spoke English, and no menus, no museums, no subway maps, had English on them.

We were back here about five years ago, and we found many people not only spoke English but we could go places and figure things out ourselves. This time around, we took the subway, and went everywhere because almost everything has English next to Japanese. Game changer for us.

Coming through customs was a bit grueling, with a few hundred people in line, but they are efficient in Japan, and the lines move quickly. We stayed at the Janu, located in the relatively new Azabudai Hills area. More on that later.

We checked in, relaxed, and went to dinner at Tempura Kondo. Third time in Tokyo and the third time at Kondo. A prix fixe menu of light, airy tempura and the creamiest tofu we have ever had.

The vent over the chefs is incredible. I am not sure I have ever seen anything quite that large, but it indeed controls the smell of fried oil.

The next day was going to be big, and back to the Janu for the night.