A little over a week ago i was sent a book from a guy that’s been keeping up to date with my travels around the 29 stops of the JR Yamanote Line. He asked whether i’d heard of the book “Footloose In Tokyo” a 1976 publication following the authors travels around the “Best Bargain In Japan” as the Yamanote Line is referred to.
I hadn’t heard of the book before but did think it would be useful and well worth a read. The guy that mentioned it was kind enough to send me a copy and i’ve started reading it. The best thing about the book so far is the authors opening remarks about not needing to read it in any particular order, so not unlike my travels where i move around the line in alphabetical order i can do so with the book too.
So far i’ve read the chapter on Komagome which i found quite interesting. I’ll use the book in the future to read up on each stop prior to my arrival, i’ll be keen to compare and see how much it has or hasn’t changed.
There’s a lot more to do and see on the JR Yamanote Line than just sleep.
When time permits i’ll go back and read the chapters on the stations i’ve visited so far, which have been Akihabara, Ebisu, Gotanda, Harajuku, Hamamatsucho, Ikebukuro and Kanda in that order … next stop is Meguro where i know they have a parasite museum as a point of interest.
I went to Xi’an in Nishi Shinjuku for the first time the other night and i’m glad i did. Xi’an is known among other things for their “Flying Noodles” the method in which the noodles are made fresh on site each day.
As far as i can recall it’s the first time I’ve been to a Chinese restaurant while living in Japan … having traveled to China before though, i was no stranger to the great food they have on offer.
“The city of Xi’an is located along the historical Silk Road trade route, and the cuisine from that region takes full advantage of the many spices that were part of the trade. The menu here includes well-spiced lamb dishes, Xi’an-style cold appetizers and toshomen noodles, and a number of unusual dimsum items” – Tokyo Food Page
I love my food spicy and it was hard to go past the Ma Ra Toshomen, Hot and Spicy Noodles for my money.
All up, the noodles which i just got through and 2 beers set me back about 2000 yen, very well priced.
The noodles were fantastic too by the way, i would definitely recommend a visit if you’re in an around Yodobashi west exit sometime.
The address is Nishi-Shinjuku 1-12-1, Shinjuku Sanhei Bldg 4F.
