Finding Edmonton in Tokyo Sushi Bar

I keep a small, grey-thatched Shinola notebook when I travel. I start each trip by recording my thoughts and feelings in the airplane on route. Did you know that people are typically more emotional in an airplane? Writing on the plane is a special gift to tap into those introspective, emotional places (without needing a drink first). I think about what are my intentions for the trip or observe what’s happening on the plane. Each day of my trip, I scrawl notes of what I observe and experience. I try to write the details – the sights, smells, textures of each day. The scribbles go from neat and structured to messy and urgent.

As soon as we left Alberta, I was aiming to let go of home and be totally present in Japan. I expected an experience completely removed from western Canadian culture.

From the plane:

“Another thing, Delta gave the passengers slippers – which, I think are bathroom slippers but I initially thought they were comfort slippers. I’ve been wearing them the whole time. The Japanese on this plane are probably getting a snicker on me.”

See? This is 1) confused – can I blame altitude on this? 2) To be honest, I still don’t know what those slippers were for. Anyways, I was questioning a lot and looking for differences between east and west culture everywhere.

Our first full day in Tokyo, we were up at 5:30 AM from jetlag. I started the day by trying the Japanese method of showering then we went out at 7:00 AM to find a very quiet Shibuya. We eventually stopped walking to do a tea ceremony. We went to Harajuku to check out the cosplay stores. By 2 PM, I was PRIMED for a traditional Japanese sushi lunch. Headspace in Japan – Edmonton gone.

We found Kidoguchi and entered for our first sushi meal in Tokyo. We greeted the staff when we entered and Billy used the Japanese he has learned from library audio books. The first chef appreciated that and said, “Go to the end, that chef speaks English”. We introduced ourselves to our chef and he asked how hungry we were. At this restaurant, the chef makes the sushi and you eat it, there’s no ordering from a menu. Don’t worry, it’s going to be delicious.

As it turns out, our chef grew up in Edmonton (8 blocks away from our apartment!) and moved to Tokyo as an adult. He got his start at Yokozuna in Edmonton washing dishes. We had so much fun reminiscing and Chef Yamaki made us a delicious meal and took care to explain the different cuts we were enjoying. My favourite was back tuna with salt and orange zest. Billy’s favouite was the squid, salmon roll, and the uni (sea urchin).

For dessert, a couple of slices of Japanese orange – so fresh and more concentrated sweetness than a mandarin.

A little bit different and a little bit familiar.