いらっしゃいませ！

Welcome to my ramen dream... Currently being interpreted in Ramen Burger Land... Looking for a good slurp? Email me ! - Keizo

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Dream Ramen Journey of 2009 - Recap

28 days, 21 cities, 55 bowls of ramen. Wow! Even I'm shocked. A part of me can't believe I survived. I guess a diet of REAL ramen won't kill you after all. Anyway, I've already said how amazing this trip was, so let me leave you with some thoughts about the cities I visited. The most relaxed city was Kushiro mostly because nothing was going on. The weirdest city was Tenri because everyone was wearing the same thing. The most tourist friendly city was Hakodate. The most foreigners I saw in one city (aside from Tokyo) was Hiroshima. The least tourist friendly city was Tenri. The best ramen-themed town was Kitakata. The city that everyone should visit at least once for their ramen would be Hakata. The most inspiring city was a tie between Onomichi and Wakayama (although it would have been nice to see Kagoshima without all the ash). The city I can see myself living in the most (aside from Tokyo) would be Asahikawa (Hiroshima a close second). And last but not least, the best ramen in Japan comes from...everywhere!
Whether it be ramen-related or not, feel free to contact me if you would like more information on these cities. I've saved all my maps and the routes I took to get to them and I'd be more than happy to share them with you. One word of advice: Wear a good pair of shoes! And if you really do decide to go, good luck and have fun! Soak and slurp it all in!!

To be continued...(someday)...
Slurped by Keizo Shimamoto at 2:58 PM
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13 comments:

  1. Ramen AdventuresMay 1, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    Fantastic. I'll try and spend at least 3 days in Asahikawa when I travel in August. Camping and eating ramen all day long sounds nice.

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  2. NateMay 1, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Glad you had a good trip back man. Sushi Bun is my favorite place in Tsukiji too, so much more chill than most of the other sushi places around there. And the anago, oh my god.

    I've been telling people about your trip (journey? odyssey?) all week - I gotta start thinking about when I'm gonna head down to Kyushu...

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  3. edjustedMay 4, 2009 at 1:06 AM

    Glad you made it back safely. It's really been awe-inspiring to read about your trip, though I really have to say I hated reading at night 'cause I get so hungry...then I look at all the instant ramen in my pantry and just sigh.

    Now I gotta go back and watch all your slide shows!

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  4. Keizo ShimamotoMay 4, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    @Brian: That does sound nice! Wish I could join ya. If you go to Aoba, tell Murayama-san I said hi.

    @Nate: Yeah that Anago is unlike any other. Thanks for spreading the word! Can't wait to hear about your Kyushu trip in the near future.

    @edjusted: Thanks dude. We gotta meet up soon so I can tell you all about it. I still can't believe I took so many pics. I don't think I've ever taken that many before in my entire life.

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  5. ErikMay 4, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    I've been a fan of your blog for awhile, but I've never posted any comments until now. I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you do to keep us readers entertained. Your recent ramen trip of Japan and the accompanying pictures were amazing. I appreciate you taking us along, so to say. Keep up the good work!

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  6. Keizo ShimamotoMay 5, 2009 at 2:36 AM

    Thank you Erik! Your comment means a lot. Seriously! And I appreciate you coming along with me. I'm not sure how I'll top that last trip but I'll find a way. Thx again!

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  7. KatMay 5, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    Wow it sounds like an amazing trip and love the details! When I finish classes next year I plan to take a long trip in Japan and your detailed trip will be very helpful! ^_^ Glad to have you back though!

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  8. Keizo ShimamotoMay 5, 2009 at 2:00 PM

    Hi Kat! Yes it was indeed amazing! Let me know if you need help with the planning. Thx!

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  9. Exile KissMay 5, 2009 at 11:55 PM

    Hi Keizo,

    Omedetou! (^_^) Congrats on completing the most amazing Ramen Journey I've ever come across. Hounto ni sugoi desu! :)

    We have to catch up soon - drop me a line. :)

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  10. MamaMay 7, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    What an amazing trip! Thanks for your posts and pictures. I want to try and find some of these places the next time I'm in Japan.

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  11. Keizo ShimamotoMay 8, 2009 at 10:24 AM

    @EK: ありがとう。 I'd have to say it wasn't easy, but it was the best trip ever.

    @pink: Thank you! When I get back into the groove of things, I plan to post in more detail the places I went to. Hopefully that will help make finding some of these places easier for you.

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  12. AnonymousMay 8, 2009 at 11:49 PM

    D'awww, I'm still sorry I didn't see your entry in enough time to catch you while you were in Osaka! I'd love your opinion on a few of my favorite places, as the World Ramen Travel Expert! :)

    BTW, It's kind of off-topic to ramen directly, but would you ever consider updating us on what has happened to the Mitsuwa mall since it changed? Did the old Ginza-ya really turn into a Beard Papa?? I wonder how business is doing there now! Ahh, I miss the old times there. Wish I'd had a chance to see that contraption work that was on the 2nd floor courtyard. Is the structure still even there? Maybe it's been dismantled by now...babble,babble,babble...

    Anyway, I hope we'll get to meet you next time you come out here! Do please get your blood pressure checked, too!...I worry about all that sodium! >_<;

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  13. Keizo ShimamotoMay 10, 2009 at 11:38 PM

    Hi Dateline Osaka. Yeah, it sucks we didn't get a chance to meet. I would have loved to try some ramen in Osaka.

    I haven't been to the Mitsuwa mall ever since Mitsuwa closed, but I heard that they're gonna completely renovate the place and maybe put a Best Buy in there. I'll let you know the next time I stop by. Didn't that contraption used to be a bell. I vaguely remember it as a kid but I don't know.

    Thanks for worrying but the blood pressure is fine. :) I have my secrets...hehe. Take care.

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