Dear Food Diary:
Last Friday I said sayonara to my job of 10+ years and started this much needed sabbatical. To recharge, travel and of course blog for a living (sorta).

I’ve been craving this time off, with no definite plan of where I would end up. Only that I wanted to travel and spend some quality time with my family. But, right after I handed in my resignation letter, everything just fell into place. StalkerBoy got sent to Tokyo for work and it was the perfect opportunity to tag along (free housing) for 50 days.

Here are my days as a full time blogger…

Last time I was in Japan (5 years ago ), I only had 6 days, mostly spent underneath sakura, breathtaking cherry blossom trees. This time around I have 50 days of summer. Therefore, no rush, just enjoy life and go with the flow. Experience life as a “local”, go to markets, cook, soak at an onsen, try new restaurants, travel within Japan…

TOKYO
• Ahihabara & Ramen
• Cooking lunch. Kuroge-Wagyu Beef 黒毛和牛
• Yushi Bar Yasuda
• Tsukiji Fish Market with Sushi Chef Yasuda
• Tsukiji Kimuraya Bakery Red Bean Anpan
• Eel Yakitori and refused service at Memory Lane (Piss Alley)
• NanXiang Xiao Long Bao in Roppongi Hills
• Mentaiko Pasta (Spicy Cod Roe) & Kite Museum
• Panda Donuts from Siretoco 
• Shinn Uguisu Tei – Traditional Japanese Sweets Shop
• Ecute Ueno Station: Rice Bento & Whole Grape Jelly
• Panda Sweets & Eats Galore
• Sasanoyuki – 11 Course Tofu Tasting & Ueno Park
• Suzuya – Tonkatsu Cyazuke (sizzling fried pork cutlet rice in tea)
• Shinyokohama Ramen Museum
• Perchoir Mochi Mont Blanc & Tokyo Imperial Palace
• Conveyor Belt Sushi (my first time)
• First tempura lunch at Tempura Hisago
• Botejyu Okonomiyaki & Matcha Coffee Jelly Affogato
• Fresh Handmade Soba & Peanut Tofu at Tofuro
• Origami Museum & Broiled Mackerel
• Old Time Wagashi by the Kanda Shrine
• Kitchen Tachikichi – Aged Beef, Anchovy Fries & The Best Pork Fat I’ve Had in My Life
• Kawagoe – A day trip to the Edo Period
• Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri – Summer Street Festival
• Tempura Tsunahachi  – Yummy Uni and other Tempura at great prices
• Tsukiji Restaurant Gen-Chan with awesome raw fish, shrimp and egg bowls
• Ghibli Museum – Totoro Animation Fantasy Land
• Sushi Sho – Tokyo’s Best Sushi by Chef who dissed the Michelin man
• Tsujida in Awajicho – Best miso ramen
• Mitama Matsuri Festival – 30,000 lanterns and food stalls
• Hiking Mt. Nabewari – from Udon to Ramen
• Asakusa – temple, ramen, snacks and souvenirs
• Tori tama – no limit chicken tasting. Sashimi and unformed egg
• Curry House Coco & Ginnoan Black Taiyaki 

HOKKAIDO
• Nijo Market & Moerenuma Park by Noguchi
• Shogetsu Grand Hotel: Seasonal Menu & Hot Spring

This was taken during my last trip. An overnight stay in Hakone, where we relaxed in their onsen and enjoyed delightful dishes, brought to our tatami room.