U.S. Burger Chains With Unusual Items In Japan

Above, an Asakusa, Tokyo toy shop with some familiar golden arches next door.

Okay, chow-hounds!  Japan Today has an interesting article on American burger chains who are also in Japan.

The article starts with:

TOKYO —
Famous American hamburger chain restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s have had varying degrees of success in Japan over the years. Many foreign food chain restaurants have flopped (Nathan’s, Arby’s) because they have not been able to adapt their menus to suit Japanese consumers. 

The hamburger chains generally have had better success than most. While their menus are predominantly the same as in the U.S., they are also selling original items for Japan.

What are the "original items"?  Take a gander at the article and find out!  Go here.

Sumida River Cruise

Category: Travel

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall and the Tokyo Sky Tree under construction in 2010. The water taxi station is just behind the building with the blue roof.

When visiting Tokyo, Japan, there are always plenty of things to see and do in the city.

One of the most pleasant activities I undertook during a visit to Tokyo was a cruise down the Sumida river to Tokyo Bay.

The cruise boat was comfortable and offered great views on both sides. The water taxi station is located at Asakusa, directly across the river from the Asahi Beer Hall with its gleaming "Golden Flame" sculpture.

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall in 2005.

After leaving the water taxi station, the cruise boat passes docked Yakatabune dinner/party boats (below).



The cruise passes under several bridges as it heads towards Tokyo Bay. Along the way, it passed an encampment of Tokyo's homeless under an overpass (below).



As the cruise boat makes its way to Tokyo bay, it passes both commercial and residential buildings. The photo below is of a large riverside apartment building (some call these "rabbit hutches").



Tokyo Tower can be seen in the distance as the cruise boat gets closer to Tokyo Bay (below). Tokyo Tower was featured in several Japanese monster movies including Mothra (1961), King Kong Escapes (1967), Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003). Tokyo Tower is spotlighted on page 30 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.



Along the way, the cruise passes the famed Tsukiji Fish Market. It also passes under the Kachidoki Bridge (the bridge that was toppled over in Godzilla (1954)). The Kachidoki Bridge is spotlighted on page 29 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

When the cruise boat enters Tokyo Bay, passengers are treated to a view of the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba (below). Both the bridge and Odaiba were featured in Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) and are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 25.



As the cruise boat turns to dock at the Hama Rikyu Gardens, the passengers are able to see an upriver view of the Kachidoki Bridge (below). The bridge is dwarfed by many commerical and apartment buildings.



I highly recommend taking a Sumida River Cruise. It is relaxing and kaiju fans can see several monster movie landmarks during the cruise. There are several Sumida River cruise boat companies to choose from. For more information on Sumida River cruises, go here.

NATAS Travel Fair: Japan Travel On Upswing

Above, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Reports from the Natas Travel Fair in Singapore indicate that travel to Japan is on the upswing.

According to a report from AsiaOne News:

SINGAPORE - As concerns over safety ease out, travellers seem to be more willing to travel to Japan.

The first edition of the bi-annual Natas Travel Fair over the weekend saw a strong rebound for Japan, reported The Straits Times (ST).

Travellers lured by the upcoming cherry blossom season in April seized the oppportunity to book their tours packages at the fair organised by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas).

ST reported that volumes for Japan have grown at least 25 per cent over pre-disaster levels, said a Chan Brothers spokesperson.

The next Natas Travel Fair is scheduled for August.

To read the full story, go here.

Tokyo's Razzle-dazzle

Above, the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba that were prominently featured in "Godzilla x Megaguirus" (2000). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the start (my first visit was in November 2001), I have found Tokyo to be a fun town. I always enjoy visiting there. I use it as my "base of operations" for visits to surrounding areas.

I will take side jaunts to other regions, but I make my way back to Tokyo.

Above, Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

News On Japan has posted an article on the "The Charm and Razzle-dazzle of Tokyo," which includes a video.

It starts off with:

For a first time visitor, Japan can be an overwhelming experience on many counts. But what knocks you out totally is the kindness and courtesy bit. Of course one has read about the Japanese culture of politeness and punctuality. But in a world that is getting as impersonal as busy, to get so many bows and smiles right from arrival at Tokyo 's Narita International Airport to your hotel, indeed comes as a surprise.

Above, Asakusa's Nakamise Street. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Tokyo. A visitor won't be bored in Tokyo.

To read the full article and view the video, go here.

The Very Best Books for Every Travel Destination

Above, Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple) in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An interesting topic came to my attention overnight. It is from AccreditedOnlineColleges.com.

Before heading off to places afar for vacationing, you may want to pack up a book or two to read that relates to your destination.

Here's list by region of books for your consideration. It's called “The Very Best Books for Every Travel Destination.” The list is impressive.

Here's the introduction to the list:

While any book can transport you to another place and time, some do such a good job of conveying a sense of place that you feel like you’ve been to a country or a city, even if you never have. Of course, when you’re really hoping to travel to another place soon, it can be a good idea to take in one of these great reads to get a feeling for the atmosphere and history of your destination (though books of this sort are excellent tools for armchair tourism as well) before you go. Luckily, there are numerous reads rife with rich descriptions of locales around the world, bringing to life places far-flung, long gone, or even close to home. So whether you’re looking for the perfect literary travel accompaniment or just want to explore the world from your couch, pick up one of these amazing reads to experience the Paris of Hemingway, the Dublin of Joyce, or the American South of Faulkner.

To read the list, go here.

Free Japan Airfare To 10,000 Foreigners Coming In 2012?

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Looking to drum up tourism to Japan next year, the Japan Tourism Agency has announced an interesting plan.

According to the Wall Street Journal's online edition:

[The] Japan Tourism Agency has proposed offering free airfare to 10,000 foreigners to visit the country next year.

The project would only cover travelers’ airline fees: visitors would have to pay their own food, lodging and other costs. Still, if implemented, it will cost about ¥1.1 billion ($14.3 million). That’s roughly 10% of the tourism agency’s overall 2012 budget appropriation request, and an indication of how serious the tourism slide may have become. The national budget is expected to be approved in parliament next March.

“Since the earthquake, the number of visitors has dropped drastically, so to make an impact we think it’s necessary to have this many people (10,000) come to Japan,” said Shuichi Kameyama, a Japan Tourism Agency official, on Tuesday.

This sounds great, if implemented, for Japanese monster fans. All they'd need is a "certain travel guide" and some food, lodging and souvenir money.

To read the full WSJ article, go here.