NEW!! Crewtips Maps

A new feature that I've been working on is to geo-tag my blog posts via Google Maps. Currently, I have 4 city maps with more to come.
Crewtips World Map The place to start - each city map will be listed here.
Crewtips Tokyo - Downtown Tokyo - Roppongi neighborhood.
Crewtips Narita - The namesake city for the Tokyo Narita airport
Crewtips London
Crewtips Sao Paulo


View Crewtips World Map in a larger map

Being on reserve limits the cities I fly to. I've only had one Rome and one Beijing in the 3 years I've been on the 777. But, if you'd like to offer up your time to be a collaborator, either with blog posts or via the map points, please let me know.

Enjoy this new feature! It really does help to have a map view to get yourself oriented.

Tokyo: Pepper Lunch

UPDATE!! Pepper Lunch was closed last time I was in Tokyo. I dont' know why, as the sign was all in Japanese. The next time I'm back, I'll check on it again and report back. I'll keep the post up until I find out for sure.... Tim

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I stumbled upon Pepper Lunch while looking for some late night food. If you've got a hankerin' for some sizzling steak at reasonable prices, then this place is for you!

For about 1000¥, you get a 300g slice of meat sizzling on a hot iron skillet that you cook to taste. You'll also get a side of corn and a place of rice. There is a dollop of garlic butter which can be set into the skillet to add flavor. There is also a garlic soy sauce to pour into the skillet to add even more zip.

For a good steak at a great price in Japan, it can't be beat!

The vending machine to take your order:


A poster showing the selections:

NRT-Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market

On my last Narita layover, I walked down to the Tsukiji fish market. I had heard so much about it, and that it was on many 'must see in Tokyo' lists. The fish market opening is actually perfectly timed for a US visitor. It opens at around 3 am which is 3 pm for an East Coast US visitor. Face it, you'll really have to work hard to not be awake at this hour on our short layovers.

The Tuna auction, which I missed, starts at 5:20am. I heard that it was quite a sight, and I might try to catch it next time. Please post if you can add any info regarding the auction.

I decided to walk there which at 1.8 miles only took about 35 minutes at a leisurely pace. You could take the Ginza line, but it still involves a lot of walking and won't save you too much time.

It's easy to get there, but the lack of English street signs makes it a bit tougher. If you can, print out a map before you go. An iPhone may be a handy too. To walk there from the Intercontinental, I took the following route shown on the map below:


As big as this place is, you'd think that you'll have a huge sign saying "TSUKIJI FISH MARKET", but as far as I could tell, there wasn't any such sign. You'll have to go through one warehouse area that held produce items before getting to the heart of the fish market. So it kinda feels like you might be in the wrong spot, but fear not. Watch out for the turret trucks!

Once inside, just walk around and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. The workers there won't pay much attention to you since they are very busy, but they are still friendly, and didn't mind having their picture after being asked.

Enjoy your tour!

Here are some of the shots I took:

Colorful Prawns

Octapus

Me

Fish Table

Warehouse

Turret trucks

Tuna

More Tuna

Carving up the tuna

Roe (fish eggs)

Crabs

Conch

Tokyo-Roppongi: Geronimo! Shot Bar

Geronimo Shot Bar
Yamamuro Bldg, 2nd floor
7-14-10 Roppongi, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3478-7449
Google Place page w/ map

The Geronimo Shot Bar is a small little 2nd floor bar with lots of ambiance. It seems to cater to ex-pats, but it's not exclusive. When we walked in, there was just a few folks at the bar with Stone Temple Pilots blaring. Beers are 900Y (standard Roppongi price). Luck for us, there was a wealthy Russian dude, who thanks to his deep pockets, bought 2 rounds for everyone at the bar. The deal is, if you bang the drum (shown in one of the photos) you buy the bar. So, we had two shots of Stoli thanks to glasnost!

Their music selection is top notch - they probably have what you wanna listen to.

The Russkie was a little freaky, but the vodka was flowing -


Great crew, with Geronimo statue on the right


"Yup, peace bro! I'm outta!"

Tokyo: Roppongi Noodle Shop

I have been searching for a noodle shop that serves noodles in the same style as Ramen Bayashi in Narita Town. I've found a shop here that comes close, if not surpasses the noodles served at the old haunt. I have no idea what the official name of the shop is.

On the north side of Roppongi Dori, east of the main intersection, you'll see a Daily convenience mart, and then to the right, a Yoshinoya fast food restaurant. Take the stairs below the Yoshinoya, and you'll arrive at this noodle shop. There is seating for about 15.

There is a vending machine around the corner of the stairs. If you have not used a Tokyo restaurant vending machine, you will have to learn at some point. After deciding what you want and the price, you input your money and select the item. It won't allow you to select an item that is priced more than you've inputted. You'll get a little ticket printed below, and when you sit down, you give the ticket to the chef.

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Great Noodles! Spice 'em up to your liking...

Draft Beers were about 300Y as I recall...



Me & the Chef go way back.

NRT: Imperial Palace East Gardens

Imperial Palace East Gardens

Now that the Narita bunkie trip is a 4 day, that might give y'all some time and incentive to get out and about the neighborhood of the hotel. In a short 35 minute walk's time, you'll find yourself in the grand park and fortress are of the Imperial Palace. I had read online that the East Gardens are free. Even though that did not include a newspaper, I decided to give it a shot. A tour of the Imperial Palace requires an internet reservation, so I figured I'd try to snag that one on my next Tokyo layover.

It's really easy to get there. Out of the ANA Intercontinental, hang a right. Turn right on Route 405 (Sotobori Dori) and after a few block, turn left on Route 301 (Uchibori Dori). This will take you past another cool little park called Hibaya Park, which is worth a walk through if you have the time. Optionally, you could just stay on the street the Hotel is on until you get to a moat.

If you are a jogger, you won't be alone jogging around the palace outer grounds. It's a very popular jogging location for the natives. (see this article)

Along the way (or return) stop by the Nijubashi Bridge, with the picturesque view of the Palace in the background.



The East Gardens park is free, but it has some odd hours. From Nov - Feb, it closes at 4pm (5pm Apr - Aug, 4:30pm all other months). The bicycle-riding guards will not let you stay a second longer. It's also closed on Mondays and Fridays. (see this Japan Guide article)

On the day of my trip, the sky was overcast, so the colorful fall foliage lost some of it photogenic lustre, but it was still a pretty sight.

I plan on taking the Imperial Palace tour next time. If someone has done that already, post a response here with your insights.

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The public square outside of the Nijubashi Bridge is huge and is home to many well manicured trees.

East Gardens Entrance Gate


Cluck liked the open spaces

Google Map

Google Maps Test


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NRT-Tokyo: Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park is a short 15-20 minute walk from the ANA Intercontinental Hotel and is on the way if you are headed to the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens.

It's definitely a worthwhile destination, especially on a nice day or when there are performers. The day I went was sunny, but a tad chilly and windy. Although it was a winter day and lacking summer greenery, there was still some areas that had flowers and colorful plantings. There was a band playing a variety of music - including a Japanese rendition of 'My Way' - my dad woulda love that. They also had a guy playing the Japanese version of a pan-flute - and that was cool sounding and culturally enriching.

It's easy to get there: Take a right out of the Intercontinental Hotel on Akasuka. Turn right at the next major multi-lane road intersection onto Sabatori Dori. This road curves, then jinks a bit right then goes straight. Right after that jink, turn left on the next major intersection, Rt 301. The park is a couple of blocks down and on the right.


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The small entrance fountain at the Western corner of the park.


The 'First Gardens' in the Northeast Section of the park.



Nice Pelican fountain pond adorned with colorful flowers.

Tokyo - Roppongi: Kadan Turkish Restaurant

I've been passing by this little Restaurant/Stand on each layover. I finally decided to stop in and grab a bite.

Turn left at the top of the Roppongi hill (away from the elevated freeway and towards the McDonald's). It'll be a few hundred feet down on the left. Big red sign and rotisseries spinning. Can't miss it!

You'll be pleased with the prices and the food is very good. I had not had a beef pita sandwich in that style before - it was a unique sauce, but still it was very flavorful. The sandwich and the beer was 1000Y. It's also a great place to duck into if the Nigerians become unbearable.

The sauce was good, but if try it first to see if it suits you.

Restaurant seating inside.