As the shorter days and cooler nights indicate, summer is almost over. For many, it's good riddance, but for me, a long-time lover of hot weather and food on sticks, this is always a sad time. I know soon enough I'll have to go as quickly as possible from one indoor establishment to the next, and I also know that getting dressed will get increasingly difficult and time-consuming. Mercifully, Tokyo winters are not all that bad compared to those of New York. And even more mercifully, Autumn in Japan is not only gorgeous, but it's actually long enough to enjoy, and prepares one well for the onslaught of cold, yucky days winter is sure to bring. As an added bonus, once Autumn shows its signs of arrival, people here start serving up some of the best cold weather-y foods I've ever tasted. Case in point: oden.
Oden is a type of hot pot dish (loosely speaking here) which contains things like boiled eggs, fish cake, konnyaku (a gross-looking but delicious root vegetable-derived gelatin), daikon, tofu, and even sausages, all simmered in a subtle soy sauce-based broth. It's a ubiquitous dish here in Japan starting as early as September every year. You can find it basically anywhere, and chances are no matter where you try it, it's going to be good. But one oden restaurant stands out from the rest as being the best of the best as far as I'm concerned, and that's Fukushimaya in the neighborhood of Azabu Juban. This place is tiny and crowded, and there is always a very old lady tending to the simmering silver pots of goodness that don the window facing the busy shopping street. You can eat in if there's an empty seat, or the old lady and/or one of her friendly staff members will warmly prepare a perfect to-go platter for you. Prices range from ¥70 to ¥200 per piece, so you can keep it cheap, or go all out if it's pay day. At first bite I knew with conviction that this place has spent many years perfecting its recipe, and boy did they get it right.
I guess the end of summer isn't so bad after all.

Ok, so it's been well over a year and one whole hemisphere later, but I've decided to jump back on the blogging bandwagon. The one major difference here is that I no longer live in New York, and I'm now so out of touch with all things new New York that I wouldn't know what to write about on the subject anyway. So, here we go. Tokyo for Tightwads 101 (I only say it because I love you).
Since my arrival back in July 2008, I've discovered so many great neighborhoods here in Tokyo. This city is huge, and even now, more than a year later, I haven't been able to cover all ground yet. But one great thing about this place is, in every neighborhood I have been to, there is always something to eat and drink that is so good, it's worth the schlep. Further, in every neighborhood I've been to, there is always something that is so cheap, and so good, that it's worth the shlep a few times over. One of those places is Imanari (looks like 今成) in Shimokitazawa. I had to search long and hard for the real name of this den of deliciousness. Everyone knows it simply as the 180 Yen bar. And for good reason! Guess how much the beer costs? You got it! 180 yen (about a buck fifty). And guess how much a whiskey high ball costs? Right again! 180 yen (a buck freakin fifty!). If you're really looking to enjoy a nice cold beer with a couple of friends, but only have a couple bucks in your pocket, then add this one to your itinerary. They've also got lots of small dishes, such as fried chicken, meatballs on a stick (known as tsukune), and lots, lots more, for about 300 yen a pop and totally, totally worth every last yen. Upon my first visit here back in May, this place quickly became a fave.
Shimokitazawa is known for its plethora of secondhand shops, lots of young people, and live houses. So why not head there in the afternoon, sift through a few bargain bins, then head over to that 180 yen bar I just raved about? After you've had your fill, check out a band or two at one of the many live houses dotting the landscape. If you follow my lead on this one, I promise you, you won't wake up the next morning broke and/or broken.

Trader Joe's bake-at-home french rolls are the perfect thing. For a buck ninety nine, you get six rolls which you can freeze and pop in the oven for eight minutes straight from the freezer. The result is fresh, piping hot bread that tastes better than anything I've ever gotten from any bakery -- and much cheaper!
Since Trader Joe's is essentially my home away from home, it is hard for me to imagine that a lot of people have never even heard of it. If you're one of those people, I highly recommend checking it out. You will not regret it. Furthermore, you will not want to shop at another supermarket ever again. If you go to the website, you can find the Trader Joe's closest to you!

http://traderjoes.com/locations.asp

On another note, Spring is on it's way, and I think it's time for me to start discussing some great, economical things you can do to reacquaint yourself with the outdoors. I think the best way to see New York City once the weather gets nice is by taking a boat ride! Here are some I'd really like to try:

Sunset Eco tour to Harbor Heron Islands: June 7th through the 16th, The Audubon Society hosts this tour of the lesser known wildlife that can be found right off the coast of New York City. While on board an eco-friendly water taxi, you can not only enjoy a tour of the interesting local wildlife (no, I am not referring to the neighborhood homeless drunk), but you also get to take in the historical sights of New York City including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Only $25.00!!

Another really fantastic boat excurison is the Manhattan Island Cruise, which circumnavigates New York City in its entirety! The trip takes about three hours, and at around $26.00, it will be three hours well spent.

I am really looking forward to enjoying both of these boat tours, and I hope you get a chance to check them out, too.

Check out http://www.viator.com for more details and to purchase tickets.