Jun 8, 2014

Day 9: Sushi and a trip to Kawagoe

The sushi conveyer belt. Grab whatever looks good! 

A sushi brunch was in order. This was my first time eating sushi in Japan. We went to one of the conveyor belt restaurant where you can grab any plate you want and you're charged per plate. Although I'd tried sushi before, this was my first time trying so many different varieties. In addition, I had ramen and egg pudding, both of which were heavenly, as cliched as that may sound. Aside from the conveyor belt, there was a little screen besides our table using which we could order specific sushi or other food dishes that we wanted. The ordered food would arrive on another conveyor belt which was above the sushi conveyor belt. As we ate sushi, we were to keep disposing the plates in a mini-chute like thing which was besides the table. The plates would be counted through some automated system and we would be charged accordingly. Its amazing how such restaurants have minimized manual labor. Even at the entrance of the restaurant there was a machine which we had to get a ticket from for the waiting. In other places I've been to in India and Singapore, there is generally a waiter who stands at the entrance and takes down the names and numbers of people who are waiting for seats in the restaurant.  So basically, it was possible to go through an entire meal without interacting with a single waiter. 

Masaki-san's father came with us and drove us around in his car. We went to Kawagoe, a small town in the Saitama prefecture known for its traditional architecture. Having only seen Tokyo, I didn't know much about what traditional Japan looks like until today. Kawagoe was not affected by fire or natural disaster which is why it remains as it was in the olden days. We walked around looking at the small shops selling traditional Japanese sweets. Although many houses are modern and rebuilt, most are quite traditional.




The main street of Kawagoe
A house being rebuilt in Kawagoe. I was told that looking at the structure, the house will continue to have a traditional look when rebuilt. 
A traditional looking house in Kawagoe
Japanese sweets being sold in one of the alleys of Kawagoe

2 comments:

Sarthak Ahuja said...

Payal! I've been reading all your Japan posts and am loving each one of them. Who all have you gone with? And for how long are you there?

I'd love it if you would write a post on all the amusing/funny things you found/experienced in Japan at the end of your trip! :D

Also, maybe you could send it to me to put up on my blog as a guest post too? :)

Annette Wu said...

So much eye candy yaar?