Sushi

Sushi - what brings many foreigners to Japan. It is worth a trip. Raw fish, vinegar rice, and seaweed. Sashimi- slices of raw fish - dipped in soy sauce and wasabi. Every bite reminds me why I love Japan.

At some restaurants, sushi can be quite expensive. In grocery stores, sushi is fairly cheap. However, it comes with a variety of sushi which may or may not be desireable. I generally am not a fan of squid or shellfish. These can be more chewy than I like. I enjoy my salmon, my tuna, my yellowtail, and other melt-in-your-mouth fish. But I love octopus - it looks like octopus- purply tentacles.

The best places to go for sushi if you don't want to spend a ton of money are conveyer belt sushi spots. Here, fresh sushi spins around on a carousel. Color-coordinated plates relate to prices. So a blue plate might cost $1. At some stores everything is $1. (100 Yen). Plates generally supply two pieces of sushi. Compared to prices back home this is a bargain. What comes around the belt is often random but it is easy to request anything. The best of these have a chef within view to whom you can easily shout an order. Menus often have pictures and/or English. Sometimes the fun is to eat whatever comes around that looks appealing. Green tea, water, wasabi, ginger and soy sauce are all available in front of your stool. Best part - every now and then cake will make an appearance on the converyer belt for a delcious ending to the meal. With a swipe of the plates on an electice machine a waitress can tally your meal in seconds. It is oh so satisfying to eat a giant sushi dinner out for only $10.