Final Japan/Guam thoughts!

So I know that I am a little slow on the Japan / Guam blogging. With the issues with the iPad and the moving directly after returning from Japan, then the holidays it has been literally crazytown here!  But I wanted to share some final thoughts on my fabulous 50^th birthday trip!

So the most difficult part of the trip for me was definitely the food. The shrimp/shellfish allergy makes food choices nearly impossible in an Asian country. I knew that. But I didn’t realize the extent of the language challenge would contribute to this. Explaining cross-contamination is difficult when there is a language barrier. I made do, but going forward any Asian trips that I take (and there WILL be more- looking at your South Korea) I will make sure to pack loads of snacks, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, etc. At least this gives me something to snack on while I walk around for two hours looking for a place to eat that won’t kill me!

The trip itself was harder due to the length of time it takes to get over there, and the jet lag. Jet lag is a real thing and although I have had multiple trips internationally before, Western Europe normally provides me with a one day jet lag and then I am good to go. Not so in Asia. It took weeks (literally) after I returned to the US before I slept through the night. Sigh….

There is also a difficulty with simply finding places. Often I find a shop or restaurant that I am interested in finding because it holds some interest to me (the chopstick store in Tokyo or perhaps the leather purse and shoe store in Rome). I want to visit these places and in Japan I found that the streets are more difficult to navigate. There may be street signs (sometimes) and if you find one, sometimes they are in Japanese only, or both English and Japanese. But I found it to be a bit more difficult; perhaps because many places are in the lower level or basement areas (due to the real estate shortage in Japan) and often times there are no signs pointing the way. Realize that going forward you would need more time to navigate.

All in all I loved the trip. Even with the food issues, my wonky back and my knee injury it was a great trip and I am so lucky to have been able to travel to Japan and to Guam to see family. Until next time (and I am looking at you, London)…….

Birdland- Tokyo Japan

So I am a little slow with the Japan blogging. Blame moving one week after vacation and then Christmas/ New Years right after that!  

I wanted to dedicate a blog post from my Japan trip to the chicken restaurant called Birdland. As you know, I have a life-threatening allergy to shrimp/shellfish. That makes Japan (and I assume all of Asia) difficult for me. It’s not as easy as just saying, “I can’t have shrimp”. I can’t have anything touching the shellfish (spoons, bowls, etc.). Food was difficult and frustrating in Japan.

I found Birdland in a guidebook while researching my Japan trip and I was intrigued. A restaurant in Tokyo that didn’t serve shellfish? What was that all about! I was determined to find this place and check it out. I headed out to the restaurant area (in the Ginza section of Tokyo) early one evening to have a real meal for once during this trip!

Note that things in Tokyo are a bit challenging to find. Many restaurants are in the lower levels of building that are offices or stores and often times there are no signs (or if there are they are in Japanese) to find things. Well I was determined to find this place come hell or high water! I wandered around for a bit until I found three young ladies in their early 20’s with their phones out. I took a chance and asked them if they spoke English and when they said “some”, I jumped at the chance. After showing them my guidebook and explaining where I was headed they plugged the restaurant in their phones and was able to locate it for me. They offered to walk me right to the door (!!!!) and while we were walking there one of the girls smiled back at me (I was following her) and said, “You picked a good place, the reviews on this are great and this is a very popular place!”  Well damn, I was just trying to find a place that wouldn’t kill me. My foodie friend Carrie would be so proud!

After they walked me down the steps to the door and I thanked them profusely I waited as the restaurant was not set to open for about 15 minutes (I think it was 5pm but since I hadn’t eaten lunch don’t judge me. I’m not 80). I sat down with the other locals to wait. When they opened I was asked if I had a reservation- damn did I need one? No, since it was just me and early then we were fine. I explained to the door dude (not really a host, not really a waiter, not really a concierge person) that I had an allergy (not my first rodeo after all). When he discovered I only speak English he found me a waiter who also spoke English. Yay!

There is a large U-shaped bar area and in the center is the cooking area. There are also tables and chairs for larger parties but all the action is at the bar. So the bar I was brought to. You get one waiter/cook type person per party and he is your “contact “ for the meal. There was an extensive menu in Japanese but there was an English menu if you ask for it. I chose to get their all –inclusive meal, which includes several courses of tiny chicken dishes. All chicken, all the time! There were some salad/veggie type sides. I am not sure what they were but after confirming they had not touched any shellfish we were on our way.

I don't remember what this was but I recall I didn't like it

The all inclusive menu

This? Amazing!

I can honestly say that because of my limited food options this was the best meal I had in Japan. It was not cheap (I think it was about $68 for one) but it was a cool setting, great food and it didn’t kill me. Win Win for everyone!