I Heart Ikebukuro

We left our Cozy Airbnb in the morning bound for the more northern neighborhood of Ikebukuro.

Wanting to switch up the neighborhood exploration we opted for this particular one based on a recommendation from my sister.  Having stayed at this traditional Japanese Ryokan on her prior trip to Tokyo, I knew this experience could not be missed.  What differs between a Japanese style hostel and Western, is mainly the beds.  The lodging has other differences as well, such as traditional style soaking tubs and kimono robes, as well as the beautiful architecture and design of a real Japanese home.  But the beds are the real kicker. Mainly it's on the ground. The floors are covered in Tatami Mats (A woven rice straw mat) and atop that is a futon mattress.  At first thought you imagine a sore back and a bad nights sleep- but the heated mattress pad and comfy duvet make it far from that.   

Ikebukuro is... diverse. We wandered around and I was so surprised in the changing of vibe from one block to the next. On one hand you had a buzzing high rise metropolis, then walk a few blocks, where we stopped and had lunch, a stunning University campus straight out of an English guide book.  To the north there are seedy clubs and hotels offering stays by the hour,  but again, I give credit to the Tokyo underbelly- for never feeling unsafe.  They have found a way to make even the raunchiest activities feel less than sinister.

As we walked our bellies cried out for ramen.  It would be cruel to deny it any longer.

Everyone knows ramen. Maybe you have been lucky enough to visit a ramen shop and has experienced the difference between the stuff they sell in grocery stores and real ramen. Warm. soft salty and always slightly different from shop to shop but all familiar with its heartwarming goodness.  This shop we had to wait in line for about 30 mins before the ushered us to a "table". Maybe counter would better describe it. Each had it's personal station of fixings- Raw garlic with press, chili oil, soy sauce, pepper, toothpicks and tissues.  Maybe all of these things make sense to you -then- tissues you say? We've seen it a few times now- when serving ramen always a tissue box nearby.  No Napkins. Tissues. Because ramen makes you have to blow your nose when you slurp it. And you have to slurp it.  To watch the locals eat it is really something as well.  Heads down, noodle shoveling, like noodle eating machines. Where these gals and guys put these noodles I'll never know, since I have never successfully gotten to the bottom of a ramen bowl.  Oh well, another mystery of the Japanese.  

After ramen comes a nap. 

After a nap comes sushi.  Conveyor belt sushi. It just keeps coming, and getting more delicious. You pay per plate, and all of a sudden I had 10 plates in front of me.  You already know about me and salmon so you can guess how this ends.  

If it sounds like we are eating our way through Japan... We are.  And loving every minute.