The Beat Diner: Burgers and Classic Rock 'n Roll

Above, the bartender at The Beat Diner in Hibiya.

On every trip to Japan, I always managed to make a stop at Becker's under the Shinkansen tracks that divide Hibiya and Ginza (and across the street from the Yurikucho Mullion building). Becker's always had great coffee and hamburgers.

This trip, while being taxied to the Tsukiji Fish Market, we passed by Becker's location and they were gone. It was replaced by a new establishment called The Beat Diner. I guess Becker's was a casualty of the state of the world economy.

On Tuesday, December 6, after my interview with the reporter from The Daily Yomiuri and before my screening of Space Battleship Yamato, I stopped in The Beat Diner. On the walls, The Beat Diner had photographs and album covers of classic rock albums including those of Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Bob Marley. Piped into the restaurant were music from these artists along with Eric Clapton, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Cream (Clapton's old band) and several others. I felt right at home here.

Above, album covers and photos adorn The Beat Diner's walls.

The Beat Diner has a relaxed atmosphere to it, just perfect for a Tokyo salaryman or a visiting tourist (like me) to kick back and unwind.

Their menu offers a wide assortment of burgers along with pizza, teriyaki, salads, fish and chicken sandwiches. They have a full bar and have a large assortment of beers to choose from. I tried out their cheeseburger and when it arrived, it was a tall sandwich held together by a small sword. The cheeseburger is nowhere near what you'd find at McDonalds or Burger King. This baby was thick and juicy! I went through four or five napkins while eating it. Their fries were also very good.

Pretty Japanese girls served as waitresses and bartenders and were quite efficient.

The Beat Diner's hand-out flier/brochure says they were established in 2009. So the place is a year or so old.

Although I'll miss Becker's, at least The Beat Diner is a great replacement. I heartily recommend it to visitors to Tokyo who are hungry for a good hamburger.

Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market

Above, outside of the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market

by Armand Vaquer

To categorize the Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market as important to a country where fish is a primary food staple would be a gross understatement. The Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market (or commonly known as the Tsukiji Fish Market) supplies most of the seafood to the restaurants and markets in Tokyo.

Every morning, the latest catch by fishing companies are brought to the Tsukiji Fish Market for sale to buyers from restaurants, food stores and anyone else who wants any particular seafood item. The sellers display their goods and later in the morning, an auction is held with the items sold to the highest bidder.

I heard about the Tsukiji Fish Market years ago and wanted to visit it, but somehow never got around to do so. On December 6, 2010, I set my alarm for 4:00 am to head out to visit. At 3:20, an aftershock from recent major quake off the coast of Japan got me up a little earlier. I got myself dressed and headed out. Unfortunately, the trains and subways don't begin their runs until about 5:00 am. So I hailed a taxi and headed off to Tsukiji.

Above, many merchants in the fish market getting ready to sell.

I got there around 4:30 and wandered around the general area. To say it was busy would be another gross understatement. There were hoards of trucks of every size and description lined up along the streets near the market and hundreds of workers unloading and preparing their displays.

Above, a worker preparing his display.

I made my way into the main facility from a back or side entrance (I couldn't really tell which it was) and entered the many rows of fish and seafood sellers. There were fish of every description (and size, if you really want to get technical) along with shellfish, lobsters, crab, octopusses (octopi?), squid and other oceanic products. Most were encased in styrofoam boxes in ice (the styrofoam industry must be a booming business in Japan). I saw one lobster manage to successfully climb out of a large tank full of his/her relatives, only to be caught and tossed back into the tank.



Occasionally, I would come across a vendor stall selling drinks, cigarettes and snacks to the sellers (and, I presume, buyers) amongst the stalls.

I spent about an hour wandering around the stalls, dodging vehicles while photographing and videotaping the activities. I eventually found myself at the main entrance to the Tsukiji Fish Market. A guard stationed at the entrance jumped out of his office and approached me to tell me (while pointing out a sign on his office window) that due to this being the end of the year, with buying and selling at their peak, there's no visitors allowed in the market from early December to early January. I just smiled and thanked him as I already saw what I wanted to see. Good thing I didn't try to enter from the main entrance. At least the fellow was doing his job.

From there, I headed over to the nearby streets where there were more stores and vendors selling more seafood along with vegetables and other merchandise. This place is a "window shopper's paradise."



From reading many different Japan travel books and guides, I learned that the restaurants near the Tsukiji Fish Market is the place to sit down for an excellent sushi meal. With this in mind, I headed over to the restaurant area wondering where should I partake in a sushi breakfast. That question was settled by a nice gentleman from the Sushizanmai sushi restaurant. As visitors wandered the narrow streets in the restaurant area, it is his job to greet them and entice them to come into his restaurant for a meal. Before going in, he pointed out a board sign of a fisherman with a hole cut out at the face and asked me if I wanted to stick my face through the hole for a photo (above). Why not? So I did. After this, his co-worker came out and we had a brief impromptu photo session (below). Once we finished, I headed in and enjoyed a platter of tuna sushi. The platter had a sampling of tuna prepared in different ways. I enjoyed them all, especially since this was the freshest tuna sushi I ever had in my life. Looks like all the reports that this area had the best sushi in town were accurate!




A few other travelers came in while I was eating and they equally enjoyed their meals. One young couple included a bottle of wine to go along with theirs.

Above, my breakfast all ready to be consumed.

After my meal, I headed out for a little more "window shopping" before making my way to the subway (they were running by then) for my return trip to my hotel.

Above, besides seafood, vendors near the Tsukiji Fish Market sell other goods.

Too bad I didn't visit the Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market during my previous visits to Japan. It was a worthwhile excursion and I highly recommend it to anyone who visits Tokyo, Japan.

My TSA Exprience

Above, the Boeing 777 being readied for my flight to Japan at LAX.

On Saturday, December 4, I arrived at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for my flight to Japan on Korean Air. Much talk had been made over the TSA's new passenger screening process (includng here on this blog). The process involves new screening machines that "sees" what's underneath people's clothing in detail, including their private parts (a.k.a. "junk"). If a person declines to be subjected to the screening machine, then a TSA screening officer (one of the same sex) would take that person aside and give them a "pat-down" search. Some called it groping. There have been horror stories in the media on these pat-down searches.

When I went to the bank to get money for the trip, my teller told me that her main concern was not the pat-downs or the x-ray views of her body, she was most concerned about the amount of radiation these machines expose people to. I haven't heard anything concerning the amount of radiation from these machines, but I will look into it upon my return to Los Angeles.

I got to the airport about three hours before my scheduled departure time (I heard it takes longer to go through the screening process) and to have breakfast. When I got to the screening area, there were about ten people ahead of me. I saw some go through the screener, but I didn't see any decline the machine and opt for the pat-down.

When it was my turn to go, I put all my pockets' contents placed in trays and my laptop computer put separately in its own tray. I watched as my belongings moved into the x-ray machine. And walked forward. Instead of being directed into the body scanner, I was directed to go around it. My first thought that maybe the machine was not working, but I saw others go through it. Then I thought they decided to pat me down. They didn't. Instead, I was directed to go to the end of the conveyor belt to retrieve my belongings. There, a Hispanic TSA officer noted the "I remember Reagan" bumper sticker on my laptop cover and started to tell me that if it wasn't for Ronald Reagan, his parents would not have been allowed to migrate to the U.S. and he wouldn't be here working as a TSA officer. It was a very friendly conversation, which almost distracted me from retreiving my wallet and cellphone from the tray.

After getting everything, I headed off to the gate for my flight to Japan.

If you were expected another "horror story" about being mishandled by the TSA, you didn't find it here. All of the TSA officers I encountered were friendly and professional in their demeanor. It was more of a pleasant experience than I ever envisioned. Not bad. At least for me.

Nakamise Avenue In Asakusa

Probably my favorite place to shop (and browse) at while in Tokyo is Nakamise Avenue in Asakusa. I picked up a few items there on this trip. I've bought a few Godzilla toys there on past trips.

Here's some pictures of Nakamise Avenue I took a few days ago:

Christmas In Japan

Christians in Japan amount to about one percent (or less, depending upon the source) of the population, yet Christmas is evident in the country.

Japan is primarily a Buddhist and Shinto nation. According to asahi.com:

According to government statistics, about 82 percent of the Japanese are Shintoists and 74 percent are Buddhists. There are also about 1.7 million Christians in Japan, which is about 1.3 percent of the population.

At both of the hotels I stayed at on this trip (Tokyo and Niigata), a Christmas tree stands in the lobby.

Here's some photos I took with Christmas decorations:

Above, a Tsukiji sushi restaurant.

Above, Christmas banners and Christmas trees line a Ginza boulevard.

Above, the Mitsukoshi Department store in Ginza. The Mitsukoshi in Niigata is similarly adorned.

Above, the Wako Department Store in Ginza.

Above, a Ginza Starbucks.

Japan: Day 6

Today had me taking a bus tour of Niigata to the major tourist spots and along the shoreline of the Sea of Japan. Nope, didn't see any Starbucks anywhere. At least there's a Tully's at the Niigata JR station to go to for a piping hot Cafe Mocha.

I also went to the Niigata City Art Museum and found it enjoyable.

Did a little shopping around the Niigata JR train station. Today was partly cloudy and a little warmer than yesterday (8 celsius vs. 6 celsius yesterday).

I have to get up early tomorrow to catch my bullet train ride back to Tokyo. It's a two-hour ride from Niigata to Tokyo.

More Japan Photos

Here are some more photos of Tokyo, Japan (click on image to view larger):

Above, the arrival lobby of Narita International Airport.

Above, outside of Tokyo Station.

Above, Tsukiji Fish Market.

Above, a man hard at work getting his merchandise ready for sale at the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Above, my breakfast at a restaurant near the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Above, fish for sale at a shop near the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Above, besides fish, one can buy other goods near the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Above, the Godzilla statue at the entrance of Toho Studios.

Japan: Day 5

Above, a Ginza Starbucks. My daughter would feel right at home in Tokyo.

Today was spent exploring Niigata. I went to a photographic exhibit over at the cultural center. I saw a Japanese gentleman with his wife looking at the exhibit and he was almost a dead ringer for the actor who played Gen. Aso in the Heisei Godzilla series and the prime minister in the two Millennium MechaGodzilla movies.

I also visited a shinto shrine and the Bandai Bridge (don't you just love that name?).

The temperatures and rain made my wandering little short. When I left the Bandai Bridge, the temperature was 6 celsius (around 40 degrees farenheit).

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if it snows tonight. It did hail while I was out and about.

I haven't seen a Starbucks in Niigata yet.

Japan 2010: First Photos

Thank goodness I have access to a real computer here in Niigata. It is raining right now, so I have some time to kill (hopefully it will clear up).

This is one at Tsukiji, near the fish market:



Here I am with the gent who talked me into taking the above photo:



Next is Ai, my latest model:



Next, this was taken at Toho Studios:



Toho Studios from main entrance:



A familiar building to G-fans, the Wako Dept. Store in Ginza:



And here it is at night with the Christmas lights on:



A nighttime shot of Ginza:



A view from the bullet train en route to Niigata:


Space Battleship Yamato sign at Yurakucho Mullion:



All bartenders should look like this:



The Sky Tree Tower and Asahi Beer Headquarters:

Japan: Day 4

After a two-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo, I made it into the city of Niigata, which is at the Sea of Japan.

Unfortunately, my computer problems (no Wi-Fi or compatible plugs) still are with me. But, the hotel I'm at, Dormy Inn, does have free internet with real computers. I may be able to make CD-Roms of my photos and use the hotel computers to input photos from the CDs. Now all I have to do is find a store who sells blank CDs.

Niigata is much less crowded than Tokyo and there's no skyscrapers to block one's views. There seems to be no subways and the mass transit is handled by bus lines.

As for the bullet train ride in, I don't remember much of it (except for some snow-capped mountains) as I nodded off. Most of the passengers were Japanese businessmen who also slept during the ride. Additionally, I got about 10 hours of sleep last night. After dinner (I found a nice hole-in-the-wall family restaurant around the corner from my hotel) I kicked back in my room and fell asleep. I woke up at midnight and just went to bed and slept for another four hours.

It is very cold in Niigata. Thank goodness I had the foresight to buy a wool coat and some cotton flannel shirts before I left home.

I heard there's Starbucks in Niigata, but I haven't seen any. Fortunately, there's a Tully's Coffee Shop at Niigata Station, a 20 min. walk from my hotel.

One thing I noticed here, there's many images of Astro Boy (he's known in Japan as Atom) around town in advertising for a local bank.

After breakfast at the hotel (they start serving in 45 min. at 6:30), I'll be heading off the explore the city.

Japan: Day 3

The third day in Japan was very productive as I started an interview with Japan Today (we will finish up with some emailed questions this coming weekend).

I also had an enjoyable lunch with Masaharu Ina, former general manager of Toho's Los Angeles office and currently a director at Toho Cinemas. He tells me that Shogo Tomiyama, former president of Toho Pictures is no longer with Toho, and is now president of an academy.

Mr. Ina says that the contract arrangement between Toho and Legendary Pictures is similar to the contract with Sony/Tri-Star. Legendary has an option of at least one sequel. Toho is hoping that Legendary does for Godzilla what they did for Batman. While the contract with Legendary is in force, and they make a sequel (or two) to their Godzilla, Toho will not be producing any Godzilla movies.

In the Christmas spirit, I gave Mr. Ina a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. He was very impressed!

Mr. Ina is a proud owner of a Harley-Davidson.

Following lunch, I was interviewed by the Daily Yomiuri. The interview is slated to be in their December 24 edition. We wrapped up the interview with some picture-taking at the Hibiya Godzilla statue.

I saw Space Battleship Yamato. It was a very spectacular movie visually with superb sound (albeit loud). I couldn't judge the acting as I don't understand Japanese, but there was a lot of emotional stuff going on. A lot of J-girl hotties populated the movie. Would American audiences like it? I think so, provided it's handled right. It would be more appropriate to release it subtitled, rather than dubbed. I saw it at the Toho Cinemas in the Yurakucho Mullion Building.

Ginza was very beautiful tonight with Christmas lighting. The big clock at the Yurakucho Mullion Building chimes out Christmas music every hour and the clock opens up to allow some elves to come out. The music sounded a lot like Mannheim Steamroller. I took some video of it.

Speaking of big clocks, the Wako Dept. Store's clock tower is adorned in Christmas lights. As soon as I can, I'll post photos of it.

I'm headed off to Niigata tomorrow. Hope I have better access to the Internet there.

UPDATE (7/10/11): I received this note from Shogo Tomiyama:

Hi! Armand. I am still in TOHO, but now I work on Japan Academy Prize.

Japan: Day Two

The first full day in Japan had me going to Setagaya (a section of Tokyo) to see and photograph the Godzilla statue and the Seven Samurai mural at the entrance to Toho Studios.

The place has really changed since I was last there in 2001. I didn't go inside the studio, but was able to see it from the outside. As soon as I can get a Wi-Fi service or an Internet service that's compatible with my computer, I'll post photos here.

Following Toho Studios, I took the train back into central Tokyo to go to Asakusa to do some gift shopping and to photograph the new Sky Tree Tower.

The Sky Tree is still under construction and already it is immense! I took several photographs of it (and video) with Asahi Beer's "Golden Flame" (some call it the Golden Turd) sculpture at their headquarters in the foreground.

The Sky Tree is replacing Tokyo Tower as the transmission tower for digital broadcasting. Tokyo Tower was found to be too short for this purpose.

I thought I had an appointment with a book dealer/distributor, but I re-read a recent email that he was too busy to meet but would promote The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at a show on December 4. This worked out better for me as I had more time to roam around Tokyo.

Today (December 7) I have two newspaper interviews and a lunch with Toho Cinemas' Masaharu Ina.

So far, the weather has been nice. It was sunny, but a little cold. My new wool coat worked just fine in keeping me warm.

Tonight, I will see Space Battleship Yamato over in Hibiya. Tomorrow, I leave for Niigata. I hope the hotel there has a Wi-Fi or a compatible Internet access system.

Japan: Day One

Got in a little early yesterday. After going through customs and immigration, I was at the JR ticket counter for my Narita Express train ticket into Tokyo by 3:25 PM.

I got into the hotel around 5:30 PM.

Unfortunately, there's no Wi-Fi at my hotel and their free Internet device plug-in isn't compatible with my plugs and they have no adapter. So I can't post photos yet.

Had a visit with Ai, a friend I met here. I took some photos of her with The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Went to the Tsukji Fish Market early this morning. Had a great sushi breakfast at a restaurant near it. You can taste the freshness! This is the market's busy season and there's a sign at the main entrance saying no visitors. But I used a Jedi mind trick on the guard ("He's too important to be kept out!") and he let me in. Actually, I went in through another entrance and had no problem wandering around. Took stills and video. Interesting place!

Meeting with a book dealer/distributor this morning and then off to Toho Studios to photograph the new Godzilla statue and then to Asakusa and the Sky Tree Tower. I saw the tower as I came in yesterday, it is enormous and it is not even finished!

Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima are on holiday this week, so we couldn't meet up. But Sonoe did leave a signed copy of her dad's book for me at the hotel. It was waiting for me as I checked in.

So far, so good!

Way Out West Tent Meeting December 7

Above, a scene from "Big Business." The house the boys trashed is still there.

The Way Out West Tent of the Sons of the Desert sent along this message about their next meeting:

Join us the evening of Tuesday, December 7th.

11110 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood
Doors open 6:30 PM - Meeting begins 7:15 PM
Admission $7/non-member - free for members

Our first film for the evening will put you in a holiday mood, as we follow Stan and Ollie's attempts to sell Christmas trees door to door in their classic silent film BIG BUSINESS (1929). We'll follow that with THEM THAR HILLS (1934), TIT FOR TAT (1935), COUNTY HOSPITAL (1932) and THICKER THAN WATER (1935).

There will be a raffle during the first break and free cake will be served during our second break. Fisher Frank Hot Dogs and assorted chips will be sold at the Mayflower Club Kitchen. Your choice of drinks will be sold at the Mayflower Club Bar.

For many years, members of the Way Out West Tent have donated canned goods to the Maude Booth Family Center of North Hollywood during the holidays. This year we again ask that you please bring one or more cans of food to our December meeting. We will also gladly accept a cash donation on their behalf. Even if you only donate one can of food, every little bit helps. Thank you for your continued generosity!

For more information, see our full newsletter at:
http://www.wayoutwest.org/newsletter.html

If you're no longer interested in receiving email from us, just reply to this email and let us know.

Way Out West Tent
Sons of the Desert Oasis 5, Los Angeles
http://www.wayoutwest.org

Two Ladies In A Car, Webisode 7

It's Friday, which means a new webisode of Two Ladies In A Car is available for your viewing pleasure!

Webisode 7 is called "Shadoobies," and here's the summary:

Season 1, Webisode 7: Nobody likes to poop when they’re at work.

I'm sure there are those who can relate to this!

To view the webisode, go here.

Japan Schedule

Above, the Godzilla statue in Hibiya replaces the Hachiko statue in Shibuya as a meet-up place on this trip.

Well, it appears my schedule in Japan is (more or less) firmed up.

I arrive on Sunday afternoon. Meeting up with a friend that evening.

On Monday morning, I am meeting with book dealers and distributors on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and Peter H. Brothers's Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men. It appears I have the afternoon free to wander around to see the following:

1. The new Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.

2. Asakusa to pick up gifts for my daughter and friends.

3. The new Tokyo Skytree Tower (it isn't too far from Asakusa).

4. Since I am an early riser, I plan to go to the Tsukiji Fish Market and watch the bidding on the day's fish catch delivery that morning. I will try out some fresh sushi while there. Or, I can also do this on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, I have an interview with Japan Today on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. At noon, I have lunch with Masaharu Ina of Toho Cinemas. In the afternoon, I have an interview with the The Daily Yomiuri on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. On two of my appointments, we'll be meeting up at the Godzilla statue in Hibiya.

On Wednesday, I head to Niigata for some R & R and site-seeing. I'll be there to Saturday. On Saturday, I return to Tokyo. If I get back early enough (it is about a two-hour train ride on the shinkansen), I can do more wandering around in Tokyo.

Sunday, I head back home.

I will see Space Battleship Yamato on one of the evenings in Tokyo (heck, I could also see it in Niigata, I'm sure there's some theaters playing it there).

I do have a couple of possible pending appointments that could be added in. Just waiting to hear back from them.

Gee, I hope I didn't forget anything!

Dollar/Yen Exchange Today

Two more days to go before I board my flight to Japan.

I took a look at today's exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen and this is the result:

1.00 USD = 83.7919 JPY

Source: Universal Currency Converter.

While the exchange rate is nothing to rave about, it is still a trifle better than 80 yen/dollar to 81 yen/dollar that we saw just weeks ago. It is a far cry from the 116 yen/dollar rate I received in 2007.

"Space Battleship Yamato": Perfect Timing!

Talk about perfect timing!

Space Battleship Yamato opened in Japan yesterday. The scuttlebutt is that the live-action movie is a hit at the boxoffice, in fact, it's number one! Although I have a busy schedule while in Tokyo next week, I will squeeze in a viewing of the film during an evening. Talk about being at the right place at the right time!

It is based on the widely-popular anime series of the mid-1970s/early-1980s. Some critics have panned the movie and some purists of the anime series are peeved over some character changes. Still, the movie is doing quite well.

The plot:

The year is 2199, and the Earth has been under radioactive siege from extraterrestrials known as the Gamilas for five years. The Earth's surviving population has moved underground to escape the bombardment, but the contamination is slowly penetrating to reach them. The last space battleship of the exhausted Earth Defense Forces, Yamato, sets out on a journey to Iscandar, a planet located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, to acquire a device that can heal the ravaged Earth before it is too late.

The movie was directed by Takashi Yamazaki and it stars Koyuki, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi and Meisa Kuroki.

Space Battleship Yamato was released by Toho Co., Ltd.

Godzilla Christmas In Hollywood

Since we're now in the Christmas season, here's a couple of shots I took in Hollywood when Godzilla appeared on a float at the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2004.

Toho Co., Ltd. pulled all the stops to launch Godzilla Final Wars in November 2004. Besides Godzilla's appearance on the Godzilla Final Wars float, he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Godzilla Final Wars had a gala premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Above, the "Godzilla Final Wars" float during the Hollywood Christmas Parade on Hollywood Blvd.

Above, the "Godzilla Final Wars" float before the parade began.

Japan Trip: Tax-Friendly

Three more days to go before I step into the jet to head over to Japan for the first time in three and a half years.

A friend reminded me that because of the interviews and business discussions I will be having for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan while in Japan, I can use the trip as a tax write-off next year (either all or part of it). All I need to do is document the trip and save receipts, etc.







Besides conducting business for the travel guide, I'll also be promoting Peter H. Brothers's Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda. (Maybe I should charge him so he can write-off the expense on his taxes. Heh.)




Packing is 95% done (I will either be working odd hours or sleeping at the end of the week, so I had to do it yesterday). Today, I'm going to be hanging out with friends.