Still Mooing Please.

Yesterday was a busy day with lots of photos. (Rachael and Brad took some of the photos I'm posting today.)

We biked to the train station and took it to this huge, busy intersection of downtown Tokyo. Here’s me looking awkward and out of place.



We went to the most visited Starbucks in the plant and people watched from the second floor.



Then it was off to Meiji Gardens in Central Tokyo. Getting to the shrine is about a 30 minute walk.



Before you enter it you supposed to are to rinse your hands and mouth at the fount (or tattemizuya).



While there, we saw a traditional wedding taking place. Check out the wedding dress!



Visitors to the shrine could purchase wooden plaques to write their prayers on.



Rachael and I Went to Fujimamas for lunch. (Turns out it’s not really and easy place to find but it IS worth the search. We shared a swordfish sandwich served with crispy fried onions.



After lunch we went to the bank and checked out the 10th floor of the high-rise just for the view. Wow.



After all the walking, biking, and train riding, Rachael and I needed a cocktail. So Rachael made us her signature drink the Terrace Tonic (find the recipe on her blog).
It really hit the spot!



Brad and Rachael planned a dinner at a Yakiniku restaurant called Matsusakagyu Yakiniku. Wicapedia describes it as this:


Yakiniku [焼き肉] In a yakiniku restaurant, diners order several types of prepared raw ingredients (either individually or as a set) which are brought to the table. The ingredients are cooked by the diners on a grill built into the table throughout the duration of the meal, several pieces at a time.



This place had a flyer on the table that had a bio of the farmer who raise the beef we were about to eat. I though that was very interesting.

First Course- Kimchi, a traditional Korean pickled dish made of vegetables and spicy cabbage



Second Course- Beef tendon over greens.



Third Course- steak Tartar. Are you surprises I ate this? Oh, just wait!



Fourth Course- Steak Sashimi. Here’s a play by plan in photos (thanks Brad!).












Fifth Course- Cow tongue. This we cooked on our table grill. Chewy.



Sixth Course- a platter of various cut of beef (Tenderloin, cheek, and rib meet). The tenderloin was the hands down best.



Seventh Course- Western salad. Sorry, no Ranch.

Eighth Course- A scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream and Barley tea.

(Still with me? I told you it was a busy day!) After that incredible meal Rachael and I went to a little place she referred to as “the plywood restaurant.” It’s a local dig, tiny with plywood covering the walls. Possibly akin to a U.S. dive bar? We had Saki and fried squid.



Bike ride home. The end.

PS For a different perspective on our meals, check out Rachael's blog.