Good Town Doughnuts

Not sure if I'll ever find a better doughnut in Tokyo. Good Town Doughnuts in Harajuku near Cat Street make some of the best I've ever had, and there coffee is pretty good too. On the left is their delicious Van Houten Chocolate and on the right is their amazing Maple Bacon!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f1.4, ISO 500, 1/8 sec.

Labor Day walk through Roppongi

Back in September 2016, I had the luxury of having a US holiday (Labor Day) off while all Japan were still at work on a beautiful day. I already posted one shot from Azabu Juban back in September or last year, but here are a few more from the same wander taken in nearby Roppongi.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Summer Break Breakfast at the Chelsea Market

On our summer vacation stop in New York, we took a quick trip from Midtown to the eclectic Chelsea Market and had an awesome breakfast at the Chelsea Creamline.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4, ISO 200, 1/10 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4, ISO 200, 1/6 sec.

White Amaryllis and Japanese Breakfast at Girandole, Park Hyatt Shinjuku

On the my mother's last morning in Tokyo before departing from Narita Airport, we visited the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku for an elegant late breakfast at Girandole on the 41st floor. As expected, the restaurant had great design and fresh bouquets of beautiful white amaryllis on prominent display. Our delicious savory Japanese breakfast, included tofu, grilled fish, miso soup, tamagoyaki, and oshinko (pickled vegetables).

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/30 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 27 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/20 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4.0, ISO 400, 1/40 sec.

Burgers at the Arms in Yoyogi

Not sure why, but burgers in Tokyo seem to be made with such care and appreciation that it's a culinary art. In recent months, the family has sampled awesome burgers from Burger Mania in Hiroo and Arms in Yoyogi. Both are extremely delicious especially with the preferred sides of fries and a milk shake.

At the Arms, I tried the avocado mushroom cheeseburger, my wife went for the avocado burger and my son chose the classic burger. All were awesome and well worth a return trip. If you choose to visit it's conveniently located near Yoyogi Park away and Yoyogi-Koen Station, but away from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya and Harajuku.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.0, ISO 800, 1/40 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.8, ISO 800, 1/25 sec.

Delicious Udon at Tsurotantan (つるとんたん）BIS TOKYO

I don't usually do reviews, but this is my third or perhaps fourth visit to Tsurotantan in the Bis Tokyo building in the Marunochi just west of Tokyo Station and north of Ginza, and I have enjoyed the food and atmosphere each time. For this visit I started with the vinegarated eggplant and followed with a large bowl of the seafood and vegetable white curry udon.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 800, 1/15 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 800, 1/25 sec.

Akebono-bashi Kushiyaki Restaurant Store Front

Back in the spring walking with the family through an interesting shopping street in Akebono-bashi-dori, this yakitori (or kushiyaki) restaurant storefront caught my eye. It's not anything fancy, overtly flashy or nostalgic, just typical of what can be found in many neighborhoods throughout Tokyo and Japan. One look and you'll want to pass through the blue & white noren and sliding wooden slat doors, sit and have a drink and several sticks of grilled chicken and veggies.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 160, 1/40 sec.

Nostalgic in Yutenji

Late March I had my camera while returning to Yutenji Station from a friend's house. I don't spend much time in this area but Yutenji has quite a few interesting shops and restaurants .

We stopped for dinner at Niagra Curry which had relocated several hundred meters away from their previous location. It seemed a little smaller but retained much of the feeling and decor from the previous location.

Many of them stores and restaurants in this neighborhood seem to share a similar passion for the good old days and are styled to evoke an old-fashioned sensibility. Perhaps that warm feeling from the 1950's or 1960's Japan along with that "natsukashii" feeling or glow when you think about the good times.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/10 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 29 mm, f4.0, ISO 400, 1/20 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f4.0, ISO 400, 1/15 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 22 mm, f4.0, ISO 400, 1/8 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 400, 1/10 sec.