This Aggression Will Not Stand.

If Jiro Dreams of Sushi is playing in your city and you have even a passing interest in Japanese culture, sushi or food in general you should absolutely see it on the big screen. It’s a documentary on Jiro Ono, the oldest chef in the world with a 3-star rating from Michelin, and his 9-seat restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, arguably the finest sushi restaurant in the world. I saw it at the IFC Theater here in New York last night. I’ve never seen fish look that gorgeous and on the large-screen scale it’s breathtaking. 

Aside from the most beautifully shot food documentary I’ve seen, it was a surprisingly touching and tragic look at the oppressive, sometimes even debilitating, family structure and ethos that still persists in modern Japanese culture. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market, a fishmonger wonderland and one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited. Go.

Gozu (2003, dir. Takashi Miike) 

Miike does David Lynch. But weirder. 

(Source: fuckyeahmovieposters)

“Goldfish Salvation” by Riusuke Fukahori

(via flight001)

Damn fine canned coffee.

(via shmemson)

A kakuni pork ramen lunch at Menya Musashi in Shinjuku, Tokyo two weeks ago. You order a ticket for the dish from an incomprehensible vending machine upon entering and then check a box on the ticket for “strong broth” or “weak broth.” I got the strong. The fatty pork is stewed in Japanese wine and soy sauce for hours before serving, the noodles are made on site and the egg is served perfectly soft boiled. The whole thing is pretty fucking decadent and cheap by Tokyo standards, about $10.

This is pretty much Tokyo in a nutshell. Floors and floors of buildings for blocks and blocks filled with this.

(via flight001)

The Japanese have created a lighter that will ensure Conan O’Brien never burns himself again.

The Tsukiji fish market this AM. Tokyo, Japan.

Giant tuna at the Tsukiji fish market this AM. Tokyo, Japan.

The Tsukiji fish market this AM. Tokyo, Japan.

The Tsukiji fish market this AM. Tokyo, Japan.

The Tsukiji fish market this AM. Tokyo, Japan.

The guys from Mario at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, Japan this AM.