Check this out...

You ever wonder what happens to all the trash each day for 5 million people? Most people want to forget about it and not have to think about that. Well Osaka spent 66 billion JPY in 2001 to build this monstrosity of a facility. Not only does it serve its purpose of disposing of Osaka's trash, it makes it's own energy, it takes only 92 employees to maintain its 24/7 operation, and it looks like something from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

It was designed by an Austrian painter and architect Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser. He was contracted by the city of Osaka to bring design and beauty to what is commonly thought of as disgusting. The facility offers ecological educational tours to people drawn by the curious design. Interestingly enough, credit the Japanese to create such an eyesore of a building that is so efficient, it not only is maintained by a handful of people daily, but it creates enough energy to power itself and have excess energy to be sold. AMAZING!

Almost completely automated

The trash claw (look how clean it is)

Picks up 6 tons of trash in one grab

In action

Designed by Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser in 2001

Instant Noodle Museum

Did you know that Instant Noodles is the highest exported product from Japan?

I went to the Instant Noodle Museum in Ikeda (about 20 minutes outside of Osaka). It is in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, but there you will learn about the history of "Cup Noodles".

It was pretty interesting and at the end, you can make your very own Cup Noodle from designing the cup to choosing your soup and goodies. I made 2 cups, one with the Original Cup Noodle flavor and the other with Curry. You have a variety of freeze dried goodies you can fill the cup with-from Hello Kitty fish cake to cheese to kim chee. I recommend this short trip for anyone looking for something to do for couple of hours.

They sent instant noodles to space for the Japanese astronaut

The worlds largest Cup Noodle

More Osaka Eats

I'll try everything once...but MAN not this time!

Mini Sushi

Dessert (Apple Tart)

Nice Japanese Lady at Chicken Nabe

Kim Cooking Yakiniku

Hand Sliced Beef Tongue

Genji Teppanyaki

Kim and I were recently in Osaka. Guess what we did...EAT!

The food and restaurants in Osaka are simple, fun, and quite reasonable (for Japan). The first night we were there, we decided to eat Teppanyaki at our hotel, Hilton Osaka's Genji Restaurant. It by far was the most gastronomical Teppanyaki experience we've ever had. Our initial thought was that this was going to be a typical Teppanyaki experience. We thought wrong. Our first course stared off with an appetizer from the chef. A tartare trio of Otoro (Fatty Tuna), Scallops, and Kobe Beef. The server offered to start us off with Champagne that paired nicely with the richness of each of the dishes. We then moved on to the next courses all paired with various styles of Japanese Sake. There was live Ise Lobster, Matsutake Mushrooms, Kobe Beef (Sirloin and Fillet). See the following pictures to get an idea of the night. After all the sake I only remember waking up still smiling :)

Ise Lobster - trying to run away before getting cooked

Matsutake Mushrooms with Yuzu Espoma

Ise Lobster Miso Soup

No Knife Needed

The Kobe Beef

Grilled Veggies

Once Upon A Time In Tokyo

I lived and survived Tokyo. One of the most energetic cities in the world. I've worked on the grand stage in an Internationally renown city and worked in along side some of the world's greatest leaders in the Hotel business. It was an experience of extreme highs and lows--all of which brought some of the greatest experiences and life long lessons that I will cherish forever. Working there was by far the biggest challenge that I've ever faced. Not only having to adapt to a new work environment, but a new culture and language that I was completely unfamiliar with. No matter how much you prepare yourself or how many books you read on Japanese work culture, there is no better way to understand it than to experience it first hand.

I walk away 1 year later, humbled by what I've learned, with great new friends, and lessons that I will reflect upon for many years to come.

Thank you Conrad Tokyo!

Chef Shinya Maeda (Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, Michelin Star Chef)

Edwin Adkins (Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, Sous Chef)

Ito-san (Twenty-Eight Bar & Lounge)

My Japanese Teachers

Hamada-san (Sommelier) and a bottle of 1978 Romanee Conti

Japanese Culture and Service Teachers

Chef Albert Tse (China Blue, Michelin Star Chef)

Shibata-san

More Pictures of Sumo

Spinning a bow (traditional Sumo performance)

"Da Big Boys"

Kim pretending to be Japanese (peace)

Another nice picture of my butt (tap dat)

Maya-chan

The Amature Sumo Tournament

Sumo & Cirque du Soleil

It's summer time here in Nagoya. The rainy season is coming to an end which means that there are a lot of outdoor activities and festivals in town. Over the past couple of weeks, Kim and I have done a lot of things.

We met a couple that is from Hawaii and they are artists traveling and performing in Japan with the Cirque du Soleil. Tacia and Duke were kind enough to get us some amazing seats smack dab in the center of the stage ("Director's Seats"). Although it was not our first time seeing the show, it is always a fun experience. Kim was not suppose to take pictures but she turned off the flash and snuck a few shots :) We had a great time eating and drinking with them and wish them the best of luck as they move the show to Osaka!

The very next week, one of our friends entered a Sumo tournament hosted by the city of Nagoya and the Nagoya University. We went early as it was at the Nagoya Castle and wanted to enjoy the beautiful day. As we were waiting around, some people were trying to get more participants to fill in the extra spots. I of course had to consider the fact that "when in Japan, do as the Japanese do". So I signed up as well to participate in this unique experience.

I of course never did Sumo wrestling. I didn't even know the rules and still don't understand completely. The one Japanese guy that spoke English and coaxed me into signing up promised to teach me. Of course he disappeared somewhere and I never saw him again. I followed the crowd of participants, all of which ranged in size and age. There was an old Japanese man probably about 70 years old or so, wearing aviator sunglasses and a karate black belt. I thought he was the most intimating of the competition. He was like the old guy meditating on the mountain top and can kill you with his pinky finger.

Anyway, we headed to a tent were we were instructed to drop our shorts and put on the traditional Sumo attire called mawashi. I knew at this point that I was way in over my head. There were probably 300 or so people in the audience and I had to walk up on stage in a diaper with no shirt or shorts on.

There were 4 groups of wrestlers. I was in the armature division who went first. The winners wrestled by elimination and the last man standing won 2 tickets to Thailand and various other prizes like cases of sakes and beer.

When it was my turn to go, I was a bit nervous. There are a few traditional things that each Sumotori must do before entering and exiting the ring. We skipped the whole leg lifting and salt throwing part as that tradition is reserved for the professionals. My match lasted a whole 15 seconds. I ended up losing but I think I was robbed! Check it out...

The following weekend, was the Nagoya Sumo Basho. It comes to Nagoya once a year and is one of the 6 professional Sumo events through out Japan. We went on the first day which is one of the most exciting days to go. Sumo is interesting. It can take up to 4 minutes for a match to begin while each wrestler goes through a series of poses meant to intimidate his opponent. The tournament last for 15 days. Each day, begins at 8:00 in the morning and ends at 6:00 in the evening. The Sekitori are sumo wrestlers ranked in the top 2 divisions. They are dressed elaborately in silk embroidered garments that represent their character and name. More recently, they represent the wrestlers sponsor.

It was amazing that size really doesn't matter in Sumo. Smaller wrestlers were defeating larger wrestlers. There is a lot of strategy and technique that goes into this ancient Japanese sport. As the day progressed, Kim and I started to learn more and eventually picked our favorite wrestlers. Kim chose them mainly on the color they were wearing and how good their butts looked!

Overall, it was a fun experience. We learned a little more about Japanese culture and had fun cheering along with our friends.