Jul 30
2010

Exploring Tokyo, July 2010

in Japan, Travel

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would have a group of friends that I had made on the internet, I would have thought that they were crazy.  Fast forward to the present, and that is exactly what has happened.  Life as a food blogger has given me a community that has the same passion for life and food as I do.  I feel truly blessed to have met many of these friends in real life.  One such friend is Mac, the creative force behind Dishin’ In The Kitchen.  I say “force,” because I believe that Mac is a force to be reckoned with!  This girl is going places!  Not only is she one of the nicest people that I have the privilege of calling a friend, but she is insanely talented.  When we started chatting back and forth on Twitter she had a blog, but it wasn’t a food blog.  She launched her food blog on May 24, 2010, barely two months ago!  In those two months she has published 9 episodes (and 1 mini introductory episode) on her wonderful podcast (available on itunes!), and captured my heart with her warm writing style.  But it’s not just a love for food that we share.  We also share a love for Japan and have both lived there.  When Mac found out last month that I was going to Tokyo we started emailing back and forth about my trip and ended up planning to chat while I was there.

Store window in Jindaiji area

You can hear that conversation, and hear about some of my adventures, including a 13-course meal and taking clandestine photos of expensive pyramidal watermelons, on her latest episode of Dishin’ In The Kitchen.  When I got home, Mac and her sweet husband also helped me compile some of my pictures and video from my trip into a video.  I think after you watch this video, and listen to our chat, you’ll begin to understand why a piece of my heart will always be in Japan!

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Barbara @ VinoLuciStyle July 30, 2010 at 11:33 am

I so identify with your first sentence; so glad to have many so many friends and that certainly includes YOU and your fuji family!

I love reading your posts even if I know in my heart of hearts I’ll not make many of them but it’s been a cultural lesson I enjoy so I keep reading. And then every now and then you do something I could love…like this pie. Like I wish I had company coming so I could make this pie or else I would eat it all by myself pie.

Looks delish and as always; love your photos!

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Paula - bell'alimento July 30, 2010 at 11:36 am

I feel the same way! But then again you already know that ’cause you’re my sistah! Beautifully done Rach {& on a totally separate note, is there anything you CAN’T do?}

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amy chu July 30, 2010 at 11:39 am

Thank you for sharing this! It makes me want to go back to Japan all over again : )

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bunkycooks July 30, 2010 at 12:58 pm

I totally agree with you about the internet friends. It is also great fun to meet them in person! :)

Thank you for sharing this video. I feel almost certain that I will not travel there, but it is beautiful and I can see why you love it there so much.

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Adelina July 30, 2010 at 2:08 pm

Your story is very touching!

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Kathy July 30, 2010 at 6:57 pm

I understand your feelings about having a part of your heart always in Japan. I feel like that too, and it’s almost like most of my heart is still there and just a little of it is with me in my native Australia.

But I have a question, could you (would you) again live in Japan long-term if you could?

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Sharlene (Wheels and Lollipops) July 31, 2010 at 5:42 am

Thank you for sharing the video and inviting us to share in your travels to Japan. You are right the greatest thing about blogging is coming together with a group of amazing people that all share the same passion.

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Tes July 31, 2010 at 6:08 am

I feel the same way about food blog internet friends… maybe it is the safest kind of internet friends… people are so nice and so kind to share the beautiful experiences.
When I read this post… I really wanna go to Japan even more. We plan to visit Japan next year… I can’t wait to see real Japan :)

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Gail July 31, 2010 at 6:35 am

Rachael, I could watch this video over and over and over again. SO beautifully edited and narrated! Your love affair with Japan is truly evident here. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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Christine @ Fresh Local and Best July 31, 2010 at 7:04 am

Mac is indeed incredibly talented. This video is inspiring and makes me want to take the next plane out. I am attracted by the simple beauty of Tokyo, and its contradictions like that busy intersection. I had a muskmelon from Japan at Masa in New York a few months back, we paid a hefty price for the slice. It’s good to know that this fruit is so prized.

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Lyndsey July 31, 2010 at 8:10 am

Our love for food is what got us here, but the joy of our friends that we’ve met along the way is what keeps us here! I would never of thought I would meet so many people that I could call a true friend when I started into this. My “in person” friends don’t get excited the same way I do when I find a new or different ingredient or market! So I love to share and hear from all you wonderful food bloggers!

I loved your video, it was so well done! One place I didn’t get to when I was a travel agent! Now my daughter (who was the reason that I quit being a travel agent when she was born) she would love to go to Japan. Who knows, but at least we can go there via the Internet! Thanks!

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jenjenk August 1, 2010 at 12:47 pm

wow, rachael – this is AWESOME!!! Great job!!!!
Your narration on this was beautiful! I feel like I was back in Japan.

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Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker August 2, 2010 at 5:25 pm

What a fabulous trip! You’re so lucky!

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Cookin' Canuck August 3, 2010 at 7:49 am

Watching this video and listening to your calming voice and the beautiful music put me into a near-meditative state. Really, really lovely job on this. Someday I hope to travel to Japan and experience all of the places you showed.

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Connie Q August 3, 2010 at 9:14 am

Awesome video of your Japan trip! I was there in January 2006. We actually went to the Meiji Shrine and saw several weddings taking place…as well as a children’s television show being filmed! We also traveled to Kyoto and Hiroshima. I would LOVE to return to Japan and see even more.
I’m not as adventurous as you when it comes to trying different foods…but, I do see a lot of your recipes that I would like to try!

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Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction August 3, 2010 at 6:38 pm

Your video is fantastic… I loved it!!

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Anne August 4, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Love the video…very well done! Lots of familiar sights from our travels to Japan. Miss it and hope to visit again…

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melissa@the hungry artist August 8, 2010 at 1:49 pm

I love your post!
I’ve just come back from Bermuda, and experienced a hot, humid, but wonderful journey exploring a bit of the island. Your post reminded me of the amazing experiences I had living in Tokyo when I was an exchange student there at ICU in Mitaka. Thanks for sharing. I would love to go back there for a visit!

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Sara Daniel August 10, 2010 at 8:03 pm

What a lovely video. It’s so great that you took the time to compile it after your trip to allow your readers to share some of what you saw, heard and tasted. I was impressed with your narration! It had a very professional quality.

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Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite August 16, 2010 at 12:35 pm

I have been waiting to comment on a bunch of your posts altogether but I do believe I watched this video somewhere in the desert one night and it was so fabulous to “go to Japan” with you. Gorgeous pictures, heartfelt story and hearing your voice narrating your story. You are so talented. xoxo

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Tiny Urban Kitchen August 20, 2010 at 3:11 pm

I love your video, and it totally makes me think of Japan too. When we went two years ago we visited Shibuya and also the Meiji Temple, so your video totally reminded me of that trip.

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