Tiny Urban Kitchen

Exploring Food from Boston to Hong Kong and Beyond

  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Michelin
    • Subscribe
    • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Bibi London
      Bibi London - Michelin Indian Food
    • Planque London
      Planque London: Tasting the Unexpected
    • Bala Baya London
      Sunday Brunch at Bala Baya London
    • Ta Vie Hong Kong
      Ta Vie Hong Kong 旅 (3 Michelin Stars)
    • Pleka IFC Hong Kong
      Pleka IFC Hong Kong - Italian Japanese fusion
    • Nanjing, China
      Weekend Trip to Nanjing China
    • Po Toi Island and Stanley Hong Kong
      Po Toi Island and Stanley Hong Kong
    • Wakaran Hong Kong
      Wakaran Wan Chai
    • Godenya Hong Kong
      Godenya Hong Kong (revisited)
    • The Chairman Hong Kong
      The Chairman Hong Kong (1 Michelin Star)
    • Hanu Wan Chai Hong Kong
      Hanu (Korean Beef) Wan Chai
    • Always Joy Hong Kong
      Always Joy Hong Kong
    Home » Cuisine » Asian » Japanese

    Post Quake Japan

    Published: Nov 3, 2011 · Modified: Oct 24, 2014 by Jennifer Che


    It has been just shy of eight months since the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami hit Japan this past spring.

    It was a trying time for all those living in Japan. Many had to bury loved ones, while others are still seeking closure for those that went missing. For millions, the fear of radiation dominated their daily thoughts.

    The world responded with an immense outpouring of love, donating funds, time, and energy.

    However, no one is visiting Japan any longer. Tourism numbers fell drastically after the earthquake. People, scared of the radiation, are afraid to go. It's gotten so bad in fact, the Japan Tourism Agency recently requested one billion yen in funding from the Japanese government to pay for 10,000 free tickets to encourage foreigners to come visit Japan. Nothing's set in stone yet, but there just might be that opportunity come April.

    Bryan visited Tokyo about 2 months after the earthquake. He noticed that the nights in Tokyo were eerily dim as everyone made a conscious effort to conserve electricity.  Recently, Bryan and I returned to Japan. The lights seem to be back, and the city seems to bustle just like before.

    Resilience.

    Well, there is one difference.

    When speaking to one of the most famous sushi chefs in the world, I commented on how surprised I was that I was able to get a last-minute reservation at his tiny 8-seater restaurant (usually notoriously booked out 2-3 months in advance).

    He sighed, looked at me, and said, "the foreigners stopped coming after the quake."

    For some reason that made me so sad.

    Japan is an amazing place, and now is the best time to visit. November is when they enjoy their gorgeous fall foliage. Additionally, if you're a food fanatic, it is surprisingly easy to land typically difficult reservations in Tokyo right now. I called a bunch of these difficult-to-reserve places one week before my arrival date expecting to land maybe ⅓ of them. To my surprise, every single reservation was available.

    This next series will focus on my recent trip to this resilient nation, including some phenomenal restaurants that I never thought I could visit.

    Here's a sneak preview . . .

    The award winning wasabi from this super popular sushi restaurant is hand-grated on the premises right before it's served to you.

    Uni soup? This creative Japanese sushi bar serves incredible, nontraditional starters.
    Chicken breast, gizzard, and liver sashimi? We braved the unknown and tried some exotic Kagoshima cuisine.

    Italian food in Japan still has Japanese twists.
    Really? A two star Michelin tempura restaurant?

    Elegant, whimsical, and intimate dining at a restaurant that seats only three tables a night.
    Hailed by many to be the best tonkatsu place in Tokyo, this place serves 57 varieties of pork, including Spanish Iberico pork tonkatsu.

    Robatayaki - a fun, interactive type meal where everything is roasted on an open flame right in front of you.

    Next week - full details on each of these places!

    ©2009-2014 Tiny Urban Kitchen
    All Rights Reserved

    More Japan

    • Sushi Suzuki Tokyo
      Sushi Suzuki Tokyo
    • Shinjuku Hoshi no naru Ki Tokyo
      Shinjuku Hoshi No Naru Ki - Kaiseki
    • Maisen Tokyo
      Maisen Tonkatsu Tokyo - 2024
    • Tawamarai Soba Restaurant Tokyo
      Tawamarai Soba Restaurant in Tokyo

    Recent Posts

    • Bibi London - Michelin Indian Food July 9, 2025
    • Planque London: Tasting the Unexpected July 4, 2025
    • Sunday Brunch at Bala Baya London July 1, 2025
    • Ta Vie Hong Kong 旅 (3 Michelin Stars) June 27, 2025
    • Pleka IFC Hong Kong - Italian Japanese fusion June 24, 2025
    • Weekend Trip to Nanjing China June 20, 2025
    • Po Toi Island and Stanley Hong Kong June 17, 2025
    • Wakaran Wan Chai June 15, 2025
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

    More about me →

    logo
    Food Advertisements by

    Explore

    • Recipe
    • Restaurant
    • US Travel
    • World Travel

    Popular Posts

    • Michael Chiarelli Ottimo Yountville California
      Bottega + Ottimo Yountville
    • Ciccio Yountville California
      Ciccio Yountville
    • Charter Oak St. Helena Napa Valley California
      Charter Oak St. Helena Napa Valley California
    • Cole’s Chop House Napa California
      Cole's Chop House Napa California

    Recipes

    • Appetizer
    • Snacks
    • Meat
    • Vegetables
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Seafood
    • Noodles

    Recently Traveled

    • Hong Kong
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Boston
    • California
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • Spain

    Support Us

    Support Tiny Urban Kitchen by making purchases on Amazon through our affiliate link:

    Recognition


    Featured on the front page
    of the FOOD Section: 2015

    Best Food Blog Awards:
    Restaurant & Dining 2012

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • My Equipment
    • In the Press
    • Project Food Blog
    • Privacy Policy

    Eating Guides!

    Eating & Travel Guides
    Trip Reports
    "Kawaii" (Cute Foods)
    Around the World

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Mail
    • RSS Feed

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Shop at Amazon

    Copyright © 2024 Tiny Urban Kitchen