matsunoki

Near the Kawasaki City Office, is Matsunoki, a tiny restaurant serving Szechuan food since 2000

We got there just before they opened and were the 4th party in line

On the weekend the lunch menu is not available and only items from their dinner menu are available.

Satoshi ordered the mabo tofu...this was apparently the "not authentic" version but still made us cough and made Satoshi perspire...1250 yen (tax included)

This also came with a free "mouthful" of rice

we also ordered 2 chive and shrimp steamed gyoza...300 yen (tax included) a piece

These were delicious, lots of shrimp and chives in there

loved the interesting decor

I ordered the "mild" soupless tan tan men...1100 yen (tax included)

This was mouth.on.fire. but we still enjoyed this

I'm glad we had the mabo tofu before this because the mabo tofu was 10 times hotter!

Had the dishes been served the otherway around with the tan tan men first, I don't know that we could've tolerated the mabo tofu's spiciness

I'm not sure why I had this shop bookmarked, but think it might have had to do with a Matsuko show.

I dunno that we'll return, but we were glad we got to try this place

Next door is Inage Shrine...lots of families were there getting blessed for 7-5-3 (shichi go san) the rites of passage for children

some street art nearby 

more street art

we also checked out the Kawasaki City Office, they had a display of the former office of the Mayor...this intricate fireplace grill used to be in the office

they also had an objet by Taro Okamoto and a display of some of his photography

Another beautiful day, we were glad we got some errands done and got to check out some new (to us) places

Matsunoki

6-11 Miyamotocho

Kawasaki, Kanagawa

Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays

Hours: 11:30-14:00 (lunch), 17:00-21:00

ogikubo

it was our first time getting off at JR Ogikubo, they have 2 shopping arcades one at the South exit and one at the West exit

even though we had breakfast, we were hungry and this teeny bakery, Honey's freshly baked "smells" drew us in...

banana coconut cake for Kat and freshly out of the oven salmon tartine for Satoshi  

after our quick snack, we made our way to the areas we wanted to see

follow the arrows on the ground

Tekigaiso is the home of former prime minister Fumimaro Konoe

beautiful kept home, loved the windows...the table had inlaid abalone shells on it!

the hallways had many windows too

the Ogikubo Conference was held here in 1940 between Konoe Fumimaro, Tojo Hideki, Yoshida Zengo and Matsuoka Yosuke, it was here that they discussed whether Japan should have closer ties with (Nazi) Germany and (Fascist) Italy 

there is a park below that I think was also part of the huge property...can you see Satoshi?!

nearby is the Kadokawa residence, the founder of Kadokawa Publishing, Kadokawa Genyoshi

the front door

This property was a bit disappointing because the areas open for viewing were sparse

about a 3 minute walk away is the Otaguro Park, which is the former residence of Otaguro Motoo, a music critic

The property is beautiful and they have a light up of the fall foliage

His residence with the grand piano and listening area was beautiful with all the windows too

Lunch was actually our "plan B"...Indian curry Spice

fancy interior

keema curry add poached egg...1550 yen plus 150 yen (tax included)

this was spicy 

I thought I wouldn't be able to finish but I did

Satoshi had their shrimp curry...1750 yen (tax included)

this was spicy too, he was perspiring...

we are glad we tried this place

After lunch we walked from Ogikubo to Koenji

It was a beautiful day to be out and about

Tekigaiso

2-43-36 Ogikubo

Suginami, Tokyo

Closed: Wednesdays and year end (12/29-1/1)

Hours: 9:00-17:00

*admission: 300 yen adults

Kadokawa Residence

3-14-22 Ogikubo

Suginami, Tokyo

Closed: Wednesdays and year end (12/29-1/1)

Hours: 9:00-17:00

Otaguro Park

3-33-12 Ogikubo

Suginami, Tokyo

Closed: Wednesday and year end (12/29-1/1)

Hours: 9:00-17:00

Honey

5-29-8 Ogikubo

Suginami, Tokyo

Open daily: 9:00-19:30

*cash only

Spice

5-16-20 Ogikubo

Suginami, Tokyo

Closed: Mondays

Hours: 11:30-14:30 (lunch), 17:30-20:30

**lunch only on Sundays

*cash only

midnight diner spicy konnyaku

The latest dish on the latest episode of "Midnight Diner" was spicy konnyaku

Super easy to make

just break the konnyaku into bite sized pieces with your hands

put into a heated pan and after the water comes out from the konnyaku, add your soy based sauce

I used dashi shoyu, a little sesame oil and chili

There is also konnyaku with chili in it, but I haven't seen it in the stores recently

Anyway, not really a recipe but super easy to put together

oh and lots of fiber so it might not be too good to eat a lot in one sitting

saying goodbye

My Dad’s brother recently had some health issues which he was recovering from but passed away suddenly

We will miss his kindness and all that he did for our family

Thank you Uncle, you will be missed!

culture day

11.3 is Bunka no Hi (culture day) (cool art at JR Ueno station)

I think all the museums have free admission on this day

the special exhibits still require admission, but you can see their permanent collections 

our first stop was the National Museum of Western Art, right outside of the JR Ueno station

It was quite packed, so instead of hovering around the art pieces, I was more interested in the architecture and interior

the lighting

the stairwells

and the exterior...check out all the pebbles! on the walls

next door is the Museum of Nature and Science, this is the one with the big whale out front

so many families with little ones...it was a little too crowded for my liking...

loved the high ceilings with stained glass

the view from the top floor

stained glass up close

the stairwells

then we went across the street to the Tokyo National Museum and went into the Toyokan (East Asian Art)

the exterior

the main building (Honkan)

loved the interior!

the mosaic on the walls!

too many people here as well

the high ceilings with the beautiful lightning

beautiful staircase, that go up to the exhibits we didn't pay for, so weren't allowed to go up

there is a garden area, which will look beautiful when the leaves change color

go out to the gardens if you feel overwhelmed by all the people!

building with Horyuji collection

beautiful interior

Even though I wasn't too interested in the art pieces, I enjoyed all the architecture/grounds and we got to experience it for free

If you are in Japan on November 3rd, and are interested you should check it out.

It was our first time checking out these museums and taking advantage of the free admissions