Dear Food Diary:
After my last so so tempura meal, I was in search of something better, but at reasonable prices. Tempura Tsunahachi had quality tempura and a special  uni one at really affordable prices. No wonder they have stores all over Tokyo and Japan.

Founded in 1923, they’ve been serving tempura with fresh ingredients, good sesame oil and traditional skills. This is a great option for tempura lovers like myself, who don’t want to spend a fortune.

Dear Food Diary:
Tokyoians (is that’s how you called people who live in Tokyo?) celebrate summer like New Yorkers. There always seems to be a different way to celebrate the season. By missing all the fun summer events in the Big Apple, it’s been very exciting checking out the ones here.

Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri is an annual summer street festival where local businesses put out stalls under colorful streamers and decorations. We walked around in the heat, having food on sticks while enjoying the sights and sounds.

Dear Food Diary:
Kawagoe is only about 30 minutes away from central Tokyo. The train ride and loop bus, seemed like a time machine that took us back to the Edo Period.

A quaint little old town filled with shrines. Where old architecture charmed us tile by tile. And old time shop keepers sold traditional sweets from their childhood. Unique snacks, souvenirs and even somewhere to make a kimono. Stalkerboy and I had a fun filled day outside the city.

Dear Food Diary:
StalkerBoy’s coworker stumbled upon Kitchen Tachikichi by accident right before I came to Tokyo. Since then, they’ve become “regulars” in a short period of time. Raving about the juicy aged Japanese beef and the best pork fat. While taunting me with mouthwatering photos via Facetime.

We made plans to go the minute I landed. On our date night at Roppongi Hills, I finally had a bite…and…ohhh! The boys were right, that pork fat was the best I’ve had in my life.

…and I still dream about their anchovy fries…

Dear Food Diary:
Walking back from the Origami Museum, I stumbled upon Kanda Shrine, which dates back 1,270 years and happens to be located in one of the most expensive real estate areas in Tokyo (so I read).

Right outside the shrine, an old time wagashi shop welcomed me in with traditional sweets and tea. With a lovely garden view. Time stood still as the wind chimes played summer melodies… I couldn’t help but wonder if this was just like the good old days.