Tokyo Day 9 - 25 Nov 12

This morning we decided to have breakfast at Andersen which is situated in JR Ueno Station. Japan has many bakeries, many of them are chains similar to Andersen.

This shop has some unique bread only available at this branch such as the Panda inspired bread.

Cheese Bread   Rating: 3.5/5

French Toast   Rating 4/5

We choose to seat at the counter facing the outside and it was great having your breakfast leisurely in the morning while watching the people going about their business.

Not sure what the above is, seems to be a decorative piece or for religious purpose.

Got a bento from this shop with the purpose of eating in the garden that we will be visiting

Reached Rukigen Garden quite early and there was already quite a number of people there. This garden is much more crowded than the other garden we visited

Lovely picture of autumn shining through. There were many Japanese walking the gardens, the majority being elderly. Apparently Japan has one of the highest elderly population in the world.

Bento   Rating: 2.5/5

The bento we bought in the morning looks really good. However, maybe it was cold, therefore does not really peak our appetite. Unlike the bentos we tried in Taiwan or Korea which were delicious, this one was not.

This garden is also very lovely, with lovely ponds accentuating the beauty.

Green Tea   500 Yen per set   Rating: 4.5/5

At this garden we tried the green tea set. Matcha tea with a very beautifully crafted dessert. Sitting in the lush green environment, enjoying the tea, pure bliss. Tried to replicate the taste by buying matcha powder, brush etc, but to no avail. :(

Picture of the quaint tea house we visited

More lovely view of the garden. In Autumn, it really pays to visit the garden in Japan, as they are at their loveliest.

Next place we visited was Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum. This place is decorated to look like Japan of years gone with old diapliated buildings.

But our real aim is to try the ramen here, and we picked Taihoraumen, as it has the 2nd longest queue. Why did we not pick the first? Cause it was way too long!

Taihoraumen   Rating: 4/5

The tonkotsu base ramen originated from Kurume, Kyushu. Do note that both bowls are the same, save for the additional meat in one. We wanted to try another stall, but the lack of space in our stomach and the insanely long queues right at lunch time put us off.

External view of Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum

The main street outside of Hotel Monterey where we stayed with its autumn colored lined street.

Booked a twin room on the 6 floor. Much more spacious than hotels in Tokyo.

Yokohama China Town is a tourist area with a lot of food stores crammed here. And it was here that we came searching for food. However most shops smell of tourist traps so we went else where for our dinner.

A picture of the several gates leading to ChinaTown, the above is one of them.

We took a walk along the park and the night scene was beautiful.

My camera can't do it justice. Really romantic.

Walked all the way to the Red Brick warehouse area for dinner.

Omurice   Rating: 3/5

Took the omurice here and it is easily one of the disappointing meals we had. Heard many things about the omurice in Japan, but this version was truly a let down.

Green Tea Parfait and Latte   Rating: 4/5

The dessert and hot matcha tea from Nana Green Tea was on the other hand excellent. abeilt expensive. I believe that Nana Green Tea is here is Singapore, but have not yet had the opportunity to try it out.