Thank you @orientalhub for organizing this activity: HK-JP-SG cultural challenge.
This is a great opportunity to connect with different people in the world.
Please see following link for this event details: @orientalhub/eng-the-hk-jp-sg-cultural-challenge-has-just-begun-hk-jp-sg
Something that we have recently like to do is to plan an extremely long layover in Japan when we fly back-and-forth between California and Hong Kong. This time we have a 15-hour layover in Narita Tokyo so we have decided to go out and visit this 100+-year-old world famous eel restaurant.
Good to check if the city has layover tour offered, you will be surprised
This time we found a hotel like 20 mins away from airport, and they offer shuttle bus back/forth and also back/forth downtown.
First of all, I am NOT an eel lover and since my husband loves eel (and everything fish), we have decided to go there. At first, I was actually pretty surprised how expensive the eel rice bowl can cost. In U.S. and even in Hong Kong, an eel rice bowl costs around $10-$15 USD, and here, we are talking more than 2.5x the price that we normally pay. The one that I am showing cost $60 USD.
One great thing is Japan has a lot of restaurants that has a long history, they are really passionate of what they are doing for lives.
We arrived there quite early, especially we got next to nothing to do but to do some sightseeing with the help of Google Map. From the outside of the restaurant, you can see the older gentleman on the left kept taking out live eel one after one from the box on his left, and then nailed them on the cutting board before de-boning them. The whole process was extremely quick and skillful. The other two helpers helped putting the cut eel on the stick so they can barbeque it.
I have to say, the eel was full of oil and the taste (to me) was kind of weird, however, seeing the satisfied look on everyone's face... sure, I admit, that is not something I enjoy :)
Anyway, this is such a great short layover trip, and I will definitely go back for more.
On a shuttle bus going to airport. See you next time, Narita.