Head Chef and owner of Kushya in Kyoto

Having eaten out many times in Japan, I’m fairly comfortable pointing at something and then enjoying the surprise of what turns up at the table.

I can even cook a little myself

Katsudon made by Me

But as this next trip is extra special, I’m wanting to get recommendations of good restaurants that I could try for my big 40th birthday bash in Tokyo.

I’ve eaten at was called the “Best Kushiyaki Restaurant in Japan” and also at street-corner beef bowl shops that offered incredibly value for money. Couldn’t say which is better, but I can tell you I wouldn’t swap my experiences for anything.

So, Tokyo-dwellers and visitors, where can a non-Nihongi speaker go for a very nice night out with friends, and not end up being served the only two items in the world she loathes – unagi and Sea Urchin?

TRU Exclusive Stella Savannah

Stella Savannah is a bit of a literary buff, and likes to write mystery novels. She’s dressed head to two in perfectly proper attire, and best yet – those fantastically hard to get platform Mary Janes that first appeared on Momolita Ultimate Tour are included!

She’s going to be pricey though – with a suggested retail of 15,540 yen – and hard to get, being a TRU Exclusive to Japan only.

Perhaps us plebs will get a lottery?

“Stella Savannah” wears a frilly white blouse with tartan jumper skirt.
The dress has a waist marked with 2 little buttons.
Her wine-red velvet cape has a big collar and frills at the trim.
The hat is matched with the cape.
The heart-shaped brim and brown velvet ribbon around the hat add a lovel accent.
Inside of the hat there is a comb, so that it stays on the head easily.
Her hair is pink straight long with bangs.
For the shoes she selected a high-heel black strap shoes and white lacy stockings to match the shoes.
Her makeup is a brown eye shadow with pink blush and lips.
Her face type is Radiance, and skin type is Natural.

So far we have spent Winter and a very hot Autumn in various parts of Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Niigata, Nagano and more.

It’s been a dream of mine to spend this birthday in Japan for a very long time, and thanks to some careful planning, lots of saving and the wonderful Husband I’ve been blessed with, it’s a dream that is about to come true.

To make the trip extra special, I decided to ask my niece if she would like to come with us. A lives in Perth, and we live in Melbourne, so it has taken a bit of logistical planning.

A has been into anime since before she could talk, and has become a talented artist in her own right. Her interest in all things Japanese is reflected in her personal style and I was delighted at her excitement at being able to travel to Japan with us.

Because this trip isn’t our first, but is for A, we’ve been coming up with places we should go and sights to see that will be within A‘s budget, but still create amazing memories.

So far, we will be going to I-Doll Nagoya 2010, the Ghibli Museum and Nara. I was thinking of trying to book a tour of the Imperial Palace grounds as well.

We’ll have a seven day JR Rail Pass that will start on the day we travel to Nagoya, but want to keep the trips mainly day-trips due to accommodation costs. We’ve already booked our apartment for the 4.5 weeks.

Can you suggest other fantastic places to take a wide-eyed (almost an adult) teenage girl? Keeping in mind costs need to be kept to a minimum, as A is paying her own way through multiple part-time jobs.

Love Mission Custom Blythe

I’ve been acquiring quite a few new dolls and other items lately. Even though I meant to go on a bit of a spending diet, it seems that dolls, like food, are things I just enjoy too much.

Along with the vintage black Barbie Vespa from a second hand store, I managed to pick up a NRFB Love Mission from my favourite Japan seller.

Adding to the Sunshine Holiday, Ashlettina and Merry Skier I picked up earlier last month. Oops!

See more photos, and download the free desktop, at my Flickr Stream.

The only things I know for certain so far:

1. 2010 is the year;
2. Tokyo, Kanazawa, Osaka and Kyoto are on the agenda;
3. I will visit Nakano Broadway at least 5 times in the month I wish to stay;
4. I want to stay for four weeks;
5. I will stay with Sakura House in one of their apartments again;
6. Husband will be with me;
7. Kitty will be missing us terribly.

As you all know, I collect Blythe. But I also collect other bibs and bobs – we have a nice collection of Bearbricks, I love Kaws and BOME figures. I think Figma and Revoltech are awesome, and I love Pure Neemo Advance (Standard and Flection) doll bodies.

Other than Volks in Akihabara and Ikebukuro, where else shall I go? I already know to spend time in Akiba and DenDen Town scouring out the ReMent and miniatures I so love, but where else? What else?

Suggestions please.

(I use Japan Post EMS to ship what I buy back – works out cheaper than excess baggage, and the Post Office here in Australia holds onto the precious cargo for me until I can collect it – awesome!)