Onomichi, Hiroshima

I am in Onomichi Hiroshima for one reason and that is because Onomichi appeared in Yakuza 6.

This is the first time I'm not meeting up with bframe in Japan. :(

I didn't see this in Yakuza 6.

 OK, this is starting to look very familiar.

I so wanted to kick the kids out of the way jump on the snow and make a snow fairy.

The Ultraman outside this toy shop looks like its from 1975.

Went to this shop for Onomichi ramen.

Meh. Had to put lots of white pepper to eat it. Should have checked tabelog for the best rated one at least.

This reminds me of this sub mission in Yakuza 6 where some guy is stuck in the roof.

This looks very, very familiar.

Senkouji temple! I definitely know this place!

View from Senkouji.

Obsevatory at the top of the hill.

Picture of the poems which Kiryu had to solve to get to the Onomichi mystery.

People waiting for the ropeway.

In Yakuza 6 you can walk around Onomichi and Kabukicho collecting cats and I was surprised to see there're really a lot of cats in Onomichi.

Comepletely forgot to bring cat food with me.

OMG this is the spot that Kiryu goes shark hunting from and they've even got the vending machines!

I found the snack district West of Onomichi train station.

I really wanted to hit a snack in Onomochi but my throat problem is far from being healed.

Nice sunset view from hotel.

Watching this show called Kunoichi 2017.

For some reason I can't stop watching.

She's the wrestler who was in Yakuza 6! Lol, talk about coming full circle today.

Snow in Kumamoto (Update)

Last year Kumamoto was hit by a big earthquake. I think Kumamoto castle is still closed. (forgot to ask) During my last trip I was supposed to go Kumamoto but a typhoon hit Kumamoto and I had to change plans. So finally I'm back to contribute to Kumamoto's economy.

Hoodie drawn by One Piece mangaka in support of Kumamoto. As I've mentioned many times, me love Kumamoto. Its my favourite small town in Japan because of its vibrant nightlife. Most drinking places close 1 or 2 am but Kumamoto bars go all the way until morning.

Normally would have kept going but my throat hurts from the stuffiness when using heaters in hotels. I ended up breathing a lot through my mouth which screwed up my throat.

Sad to say the arcade below Tsutaya has been closed and replaced by a book/coffee shop. Seeing arcades closed always makes me sad.

Caught up with Asami for yakiniku. This is my second yakiniku of this trip and I've got another one lined up for Monday. She knows the owner so we got free oysters. Hopefully I can rest my throat tomorrow and get it healed. Its supposed to be snowing in Fukuoka tomorrow so I might make it a day trip or I might just hikkikomori and play and 3DS and eat Kumamoto ramen.

Update: My throat is screwed and so is the rest of my trip.

Nakamura Yuri in Masuyama Chounouryoko Jimusho on tv, a midnight show about characters with super powers helping with investigations. So bad its great for watching when trying to fall asleep.

Once upon a time, Komurasaki used to be heaven to me but today its just so standard.

Kumamoto katsuretsurei, a not bad mid range 2000 yen tonkotsu.

AKB midnight show about wrestling. At least its better than the kyabakura one.

Taishoken in Ikebukuro

Taishoken is the shop where tsukemen aka dipping ramen originated. I think there was a documentary a year or two ago about the owner who passed away. While Taishoken is the original tsukemen, its less tsukemen and more cousin of the chuuka soba aka chinese noodles with slightly more flavour.

If you like chuuka soba, this might be for you but for me, I'm glad tsukemen has ivolved from to a more delicious flavour. I find chuuka soba just tastes cheap with an instant ramen quality. At least I can say I tried it.

Tokyo Underground Ramen Ganja

I'm back in Tokyo! I actually had Ganja years ago at the Shin Yokohama ramen museum and looking at my old post, it seems like I liked it. A friend recently came to Japan and told me that there is a Ganja in Ikebukuro so I definitely had to go.

It situated at the Toubu Hope Centre which is very close to Ikebukuro station. I had the thick 濃厚 soup one and the soup is pretty good. The problem is the flat noodles aren't any good. I would say they are less than ok and were pretty disappointing. I might give Ganja one more go down the line.

Quartet Ep 3

Wow. Mitsushima Hikari is so effing good at acting.

It just seems so effortless for her and yet so few can reach her level.

Marry her acting with Sakamoto Yuji's script and you've got an episode where I was transfixed at every world and glance.

Episode 3 is a simple story about Suzume's past and the sadness behind her smiles that won't feel out of place in Shinya Shokudo.

I love the continued jokes about Takahashi Issei's underwear. The comedy in Quartet is simple but effective whereas something like Salaryman Sanae-shi sometimes tries to hard to be funny that it is tiring.

The wifi punchline at the end had me laughing. This is the pinnacle of jdoramas; where talent meets great script to bring interesting characters to life! Absolutely, positively must watch!

Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku Eps 1+2

The surprise of the season so far. Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku was not on my radar because Higa Minami's big eyed, fake facial expressions gets on my nerves. Not as bad as Fukada Kyoko as I don't mind her as a supporting character but her as the main character does not get me excited.

Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku also has the Hammer Session teacher, another non WOWOW regular who no one would say is a decent actor. I remember seeing him do some morning cooking show on Japanese tv before.

However, Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku has taught me to never underestimate WOWOW shows because if you put not so good actors, except for Hasegawa Kyoko with a good story, you will get an entertaining show.

Honjitsu wa, Ohigara mo Yoku feels like a breath of fresh air because its about something you don't often see in jdoramas; speech writing. Higa Minami plays the granddaughter of a famous writer and she has a chance encounter with Hasegawa Kyoko who plays a legendary speech writer. The first two episodes sets up the stage for an election battle as it pits Higa Minami and Hasegawa Kyoko vs Hammer Session.

This show is fun. Despite my reservations about the talent, the first two episodes were fun to watch and Watanabe Ken's son does a good job as Higa Minami's childhood friend who must make a decision on whether to follow in his father's footsteps. Very watchable first two episodes and good job WOWOW. Thanks to subie06 for doing this show!