Day 3

Rose late feeling awfully tired - I think I should be over jetlag by now but it seems not - and went for lunch with an old schoolfriend.

He took me to an excellent sushi bar where we ate sushi.

The famous crossing at Shibuya (near my school).

Then we went to a huge department store called Isetan. In the basement is the most enormous food hall. The patisserie section alone had around 25 different patisserie boutiques including some of the finest names in the world, like Pierre Hermé. What a paradise and a shame I ate so much sushi. I did succumb to some Ispahan ice-cream which was excellent.

Photo for Pip from the underground x

We also explored an 8 floor bookshop with a young lady who operated the lift complete with white fishnet gloves.

Another photo from the underground.
Not for anyone in particular. Hannah?

A quick turnaround tonight before heading out for dinner with two other scholars. We found a terrific local restaurant and started with deep fried and breadcrumbed chicken liver, octopus, pork and chocolate cake (really). The menu was quite unusual.

"Salmonella on a stick"

We then had some extraordinary noodles which were served cold with a cold cup of sauce. We had a tough time working out what to do with the cup of sauce. In the end we poured it over the noodles. I wasn't convinced this was right, so tentatively sipped at what was left in my cup.

At this point it became apparent that the neighbouring table of locals were having a good laugh at our expense and they told us we were meant to be dipping the noodles into the cups. They were very amused. We expressed our delight and, overcome by a wave of Nippon authenticity, Sam grinned and tried to say 'bon appetit' loudly in Japanese but it came out as a similar word meaning, 'I just came'.

The food was delicious. Anyone who visits shall be taken here, too.