Tag: Ryu Murakami

Revisiting The Japanese Break!

Japan is not just a country but a culture!

The moment had arrived when we were not just thinking about Japan! 

But, had actioned our vacation in 2018! 

The flights were getting booked! The hotel, Train Tickets and Visa process had begun. 

The countdown was inching closer! 

Japan was happening! 

The first stop of our Journey was Singapore! We travelled by Singapore Airlines which gave us the option of exploring Singapore City while we had a layover at Changi Airport. 

The flight landed at Haneda Airport. We Did not choose Narita. As Haneda was closer to the city! 

Tokyo! Huge! One of the largest cities in the world! With millions of people staying in MatchBox homes. 

We passed by the Tokyo Tower! And soon reached our hotel! The Prince Tower Hotel Tokyo! A centrally located hotel for major tourist attractions and landmarks neighbourhood. 

The first night we explored our surroundings the Roppongi a buzzing neighbourhood with nightlife and walked through the Meguro River a prominent river of Tokyo! 

Oh! We witnessed the city landscape from the rooftop bar at the hotel before we called it a night. 

Next, we explored the city’s sightseeing landmarks Meiji Jingu, Imperial Palace and Senso Ji temples and the Tsukiji market the largest fish market in the world.

They also have a tuna auction daily at 5:30 am. Since it’s limited seating you need to be there as early as 3 am to get in.

We explored the Akasaku neighbourhood which is traditional cultural side of Tokyo.

The neighbourhood had a very interesting hostel Bed & Books Tokyo! That was a cute little place filled with books and bunk beds! 

On another day we visited Harjaku & Shinjuku which was filled with restaurants and shopping stores! While going  Banana in Tokyo! I visited a Pokemon Store! Had relived those childhood moments. And little did I know I had entered the Animated  neighbourhood of Tokyo Akihabara

While exploring ourselves and the city we were sometimes naturally lost! When the locals not just helped us but held us through to our final destination. Ginza! Felt like the futuristic side of Japan with Nissan cars armed with robotic gizmos and Ginza is also known as the Haute couture neighbourhood of Tokyo.

Omestando another neighbourhood about the luxuries of Japan with Architectural buildings and interiors you wouldn’t get enough of. 

One of the stores worth visiting is Nicole Bergman’s Floral store in the neighbourhood. 

The other side of Tokyo that we witnessed was the industrial side where all hospitality-related goods were available and to spot that there is a life-size chef Cap that you need to watch out for. And so we crossed over to Shibuya the busiest crossing neighbourhood in Tokyo whose sight can be enjoyed from a Starbucks across from the crossing and Hachi statue a dog that waited for his owner to return at the same spot over the years until the Hachi had passed away. 

Before we left Tokyo we enjoyed the glimpses of Central Tokyo Station while it started to pour and we got ready for the next few journeys across the country. 

The long-awaited Bullet Train shin-shaken to Kyoto had sped away. 

Kyoto felt like a mystical small town in Japan that  preserved the Japan of the past with temples like the Golden Temple that was surrounded by trees. The day trip to Nara Deer Park was unbelievable getting clicked and witnessing so many Deers under one roof.

The evening we enjoyed at another temple that was surrounded by trees. 

Kobe! A destination that’s not on tourist Radar while visiting Japan! 

But, the city had one of the oldest traditional cafe Nishimura that’s popular for its setting and Coffee Jelly a dessert that’s made of coffee and is also known for Wayu Steak! A popular beef-style steak from Japan. 

Osaka! AKA The Food Capital of Japan!!

We got a taste of the Okonomiyaki traditional Japanese pancakes that are cooked live on your tables. 

Amerika- Mura a  neighbourhood in Japan that’s very youthful and inspired by American

Dotobori is the Shinjuku neighbourhood of Osaka that has a landmark icon of a runner. 

Shinabasi an entertainment hub of Osaka that that would remind you of Times Square. 

Tseutanku Tower which is sponsored by Hitachi is a sight that can be enjoyed from a rooftop space & Osaka Castle is the sightseeing to go for. 

Also, Osaka the city that has a Japanese Liquor store based allow only one miniature of Yamazaki to be bought and carried by a tourist. 

Important things:

  • Book your JR Pass at least two weeks before you travel. 
  • To travel within Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka buy metro/Subway tickets from the station or airport.
  • Download the Google Translate app. 

Eat in Japan: 

  • Tokyo Banana 
  • Ramen from Ippudo 
  • Coffee Jelly Nishimura Kobe 
  • Tiger Gyoza in Tokyo for Japanese Raw Food 
  • Okonomiyaki in Osaka 
  • Wagyu Beef in Kobe 
  • Senbei Rice Crackers 
  • Seaweed Potato Chips 
  • Mochi 
  • Matcha Tea 
  • Cheese Tart from Secret Tokyo 
  • Japanese Cheesecake.
  • Shashimi 

Experience : 

  • Tokyo Hands departmental store 
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi 
  • Nerman Bergman Store 
  • Shibuya Crossing from Starbucks 
  • Cheese Garden Store 

Stay:

  • Prince Tower Hotel Tokyo
  • Westin Osaka. 

Sightseeing: 

  • Tokyo Tower & SkyTree 
  • Imperial Palace, Tokyo 
  • Osaka Castle 
  • Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kyoto 
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto 
  • Kobe Port Tower
  • Deer Park, Nara 
  • Hachi Statue 

Cafes: 

  • Starbucks Reserve Tokyo 
  • Here cafe in Kyoto 
  • %Arabica Kyoto 
  • Nishimura Kobe.
  • Hoshino Cafe Tokyo 

Read: 

  • Haruki Murakami -Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki
  • Sayaka Murata – The Convenience Store 
  • Meiko Kawakami – All the lovers in the night 
  • Hiro Kawakami – Strange Weather in Tokyo 
  • Toshikazu Kawaguchi – Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. 
  • Banana Yoshimoto – Kitchen 
  • Natsuo Kirino – Out 
  • Ryu Murakami – In the Miso Soup 
  • Keigo Higashino – Malice, Salivation Saints
  • Yoko Ogawa – The Housekeeper and the Professor

Watch:

  • Hachiko 
  • Drive My Car 
  • The Tokyo Project 
  • Seven Samurai 
  • Spirited Away 

What I Talk about Running, When I talk about Running by Murakami.

Yes, This would be after ages! Where I have been a fan of not just somebody’s craft but the person itself. So, you might think I would be biased and defence on my analysis for this book reviewing. What I talk about” Running by Murakami “is a Memoir by his on admission.

The only reason I was eagerly wanting to read this book is – How many Writers write their own autobiographies and How many write on the process & their passions.

Murakami had first titled his book “What I Talk about Running When I talk about Running” After being inspired by a short story collection from his favourite writer Raymond Carver.

The Book describes his first instinct of starting to run. He feels he started late at thirty-three he began started learning, And that was because he wanted to in shape and running practically needed no investment besides a pair of shoes and tracks and he wasn’t good with team sports and admits he is a loner. “ I am the type of person who doesn’t find it painful to be alone”

The book also highlights and makes you feel, He was in many ways a late bloomer. He wrote his first book at the age of Twenty-nine. He had this idea he could write stories after witnessing a baseball game And so his first novel was “Hear the Wind Sing”

He has completed a total of twenty-six marathons and has also done ironman Triathlons that involve (Swimming +Running + Cycling ) 4 km (2.4 miles) swimming,180.25 (112 miles) cycling and 42.20 km (26.22 miles) of running. Done in the same order and ultramarathons that’s more than the 42.20 km.

And he describes his process & fears of just following his passions.

And do you know why the running is a race called marathon?

I had never found this piece of information in any of the travel articles until I read the book and it’s so-called because first it’s a place in Greece that’s 42.20 km ( 26.2 miles) And the history behind is the information : Military runner was delivering news to Athens about their victory over Persians at Marathons and hence it’s a standard Marathon is 42.20 kms (26.2miles) long.

Now coming back to his writing. Murakami enjoys being a writer as he is a quiet person who doesn’t seek validation and relies on his inner motivation.

And Murakami believes to be a writer one should possess the qualities such as a talent (An inclination with some skill)

Should be able to focus (Being able to concentrate, and having patience to staring at blank pages and to patience to write for about months ) And Endurance – Writing can be difficult and uncertain but if you can overcome this it would pay off the patience you have invested in the profession.

The book is humorous and funny in many ways, And if you are a runner or into sports you would immediately click with them

Trivia:

  • Just like every other book – There is a playlist of Murakami that’s he has for his running and he uses a traditional music player and not an iPod as he believes you can’t mix music with computers to just like it’s not good to mix friends, Work & Sex.
  • There is a City named Murakami in Japan in Niigata prefecture ( Just like we have states Japan has prefecture and there are a total of forty-seven in Japan), no it’s not named after him, but after the Murakami castle. They have a marathon which Murakami participates in.
  • They are three translators Murakami works with – One translates the music and the other translates the story.
  • An Israeli illustrator, Noma Bar designs all his covers.
  • There is a playlist of Murakami Vinyl on Spotify.
  • He has a stamp that goes with his signature.
  • And for all those who have read his works surely know he once owned & ran a Jazz Bar in Japan.
  • This Book has taken a decade to write & publish and rightly so he doesn’t believe in deadlines.

Best Reads 2019!!

 

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2019 read I mostly read classics, which were on my reading list until this year. There have just been a couple new books that I read this year. Educated & Ikigai has been the two of them and the rest I am sure you must have heard about them or must have read them. Sharing my best of 2019 below!!

1.Norweigan Wood by Haruki Murakami 
A Story titled from the Beatles song Norwegian wood is a weekend read over coffee and sunset.
And Written by Murakami is a story of college students living in Japan, there is no doubt about you not enjoying the book. 
 
2.Fountainhead by Ayn Rand 
For the last two years this book was on my reading list, But, This year I stopped giving any excuses and read the book. Took me the longest time to ever to read a book four weeks,700 pages.
It’s was one of the best books to get an insight on Architecture & Philosophy in one of the finest storytelling way.
 
3. Bastard Of Istanbul by Elif Shafak 
Elif Shafak’s Forty Rules of love I had read a couple of months ago and enjoyed the book a lot.
But, This one was like a souvenir as this came from Turkey, Istanbul itself and having visited Istanbul nearly a decade ago,
this was a very nostalgic read but through the eye of a local. 
 
4.Ikigai by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia
Ikigai was one of the best and only self-help book read this year.
Japanese teaching.A diet. And the reason behind our existence.
This book will want you to visit Japan again or want you to get to Japan at the earliest. 
 
5.Cuba and the night by Pico Iyer 
A Book that made me travel to Cuba virtually and enjoy the travelogue writing style and make me meet characters who have to sacrifice or who want to move ahead in life, Take steps that improve their way of living and live a life.  
 
6.Midsummer Equation by Keigo Higashino
Keigo Higashino the author of the midsummer equation is the author for the Devotion of suspect X that was largely spoken about when the book released.
The midsummer equation is a chilling, thrilling story about how detective Galileo solves the murder mystery in a small town of Hari cove.
It’s the best Murder mystery book that I have read this year. It’s a page-turner until the very end. 

7. Educated by Tara Westover

A memoir about how one fought from its family and how until then the family records weren’t part of the government’s database. No Education in school in childhood, No birth certificate no medical records!! Truly an educational read! This is Tara Westover telling about her life!

A must-read!!!

In the miso soup !

The author Ryu Murakami is another author from Japan and is no way related to Haruki Murakami who has had many well known books written to his name, and have also been adapted to movies.

Ryu Murakami has written quite a few books “Audition” and “Piercing” are two of his other popular books apart from “in the miso soup” written by Ryu Murakami. 

The other two books too like the”In the miso soup” are centred around the dark backdrop of Japan, disillusion, drug use and Murder 

The book  titled “In the Miso soup “ is a apt title  for  two reasons – One because the character compares his life with the miso soup and phara phrase  the quote “I’m in the miso soup myself- Just like those bits of vegetable. I’m floating around in this giant bowl of it, and that’s good enough for me. 

And the other  the book is titled “In the miso soup” because the character’s  purpose to visit Japan was to find out what the people who eat the miso soup on daily basis might be like.Again to Quote from the book. As he once ordered it in an  America  restaurant and was intrigued  about it. He decided  travel to Japan. 

The moment I read the title of the book and turned over to read the blurb mentioned below,I was interested in reading this book. . 

It’s just before New Year, Frank an overweight American tourist, has hired kenji to take him on a guided tour of Tokyo’s nightlife.

But, Franks behaviour is so odd that Kenji begins to entertain a horrible suspicion : His client may in fact have murderous desires. 

Although, Kenji is far from innocent himself, he unwillingly descends with frank into an inferno of evil, from which only his sixteen year old girlfriend, Jun, can possibly save him.

Yeah, It’s a coincidence that this is my second book in a row from a Japanese author. But,The Japanese authors have such interesting storylines ,written in a captivating way that you become so engrossed in the storytelling, you only want more and more of it.

The book is written in three chapters. 

Chapter 1 – Describes and establishes what the story is about – The beginning of how the characters meet. 

Chapter 2 – The relationship between the two and why Kenji becomes suspicious  about his client. 

Chapter 3 – Is the reason behind why  one  should read the book. 

The Book highlights the American and Japanese culture,What makes each different and similarities amongst the two. The ideology between the two nations amongst the locals and the identities each of the nation has created for itself. 

Since the book was written long back ago, You might agree/disagree about some of the points discussed. 

“In the miso soup” Is a crisp, well written physiological thriller set in the dark backdrop of Japan,that you will only put  the book down once you read it.