Trains, onsen....more trains, more onsen! Might have taken some flights too...

[rbjhan]

It's making me change my mind about wanting to go to Japan because I love trains - actually I do want to go to Japan but having a fish allergy I think it's a bit too hard especially as I travel alone

If you need more convincing I can maybe start a post about all the beautiful special trains in Japan

Yes I remember we talked about the fish thing previously. I still think it's possible, you just need to be more careful! I mean, if vegan can survive Japan....you do eat chicken, beef, pork right?

If you look at the food I had this trip, in Kurowaka onsen, Kumamoto, Yufuin, etc.. these places are inland and I don't remember any fish at all...

 

[VPS]

If you need more convincing I can maybe start a post about all the beautiful special trains in Japan

Yes I remember we talked about the fish thing previously. I still think it's possible, you just need to be more careful! I mean, if vegan can survive Japan....you do eat chicken, beef, pork right?

If you look at the food I had this trip, in Kurowaka onsen, Kumamoto, Yufuin, etc.. these places are inland and I don't remember any fish at all...

Ok maybe 2025 - I'm almost finished planning 2024

I can eat anything but white fish but the results if I have even a sliver are horrendous

 

[rbjhan]

Ok maybe 2025 - I'm almost finished planning 2024

I can eat anything but white fish but the results if I have even a sliver are horrendous

So tuna is actually okay?

 

[VPS]

So tuna is actually okay?

tuna is iffy - I did have a minor reaction on the skin test and they said I had to do a challenge test and to be honest I'm not that keen on it to try and see if I can eat it

 

[rbjhan]

tuna is iffy - I did have a minor reaction on the skin test and they said I had to do a challenge test and to be honest I'm not that keen on it to try and see if I can eat it

So, on top of my head, what to eat in Japan,
Gyudon, gyutan, yakitori, yakiniku, tonkatsu/gyukatsu, wagyu, tofu....I think you'll be fine.

Tricky thing might be if you stay in a ryokan with dinner/breakfast included, best to communicate with them early.
And maybe stay away from high end restaurants with omakase menu.

Also carry a card explaining the allergy in Japanese. 魚が食べられないんです　is kinda my Japanese level but I'm sure you can find something better.

 

[VPS]

So, on top of my head, what to eat in Japan,
Gyuton, gyutan, yakitori, yakiniku, tonkatsu/gyukatsu, wagyu, tofu....I think you'll be fine.

Tricky thing might be if you stay in a ryokan with dinner/breakfast included, best to communicate with them early.
And maybe stay away from high end restaurants with omakase menu.

Also carry a card explaining the allergy in Japanese. 魚が食べられないんです　is kinda my Japanese level but I'm sure you can find something better.

Thanks - one of friend's partner is Japanese so I could get her to write something for me. The problem is a lot of food is cooked in the same oil as fish and that's an issue. The other thing is effing hate tofu

 

[VPS]

So, on top of my head, what to eat in Japan,
Gyudon, gyutan, yakitori, yakiniku, tonkatsu/gyukatsu, wagyu, tofu....I think you'll be fine.

Tricky thing might be if you stay in a ryokan with dinner/breakfast included, best to communicate with them early.
And maybe stay away from high end restaurants with omakase menu.

Also carry a card explaining the allergy in Japanese. 魚が食べられないんです　is kinda my Japanese level but I'm sure you can find something better.

And thank you for your suggestions

 

[rbjhan]

Thanks - one of friend's partner is Japanese so I could get her to write something for me. The problem is a lot of food is cooked in the same oil as fish and that's an issue. The other thing is effing hate tofu

You must understand the restaurants in Japan, many are VERY specialised. They only do one thing and do it well.
Places for gyutan, yakitori, tonkatsu/gyukatsu, unagi, they are unlikely to be cooking anything else at all. Not going to be able to order fish in such places even if you try!

Yakiniku obviously you cook yourself.
These are safe I'd say.

Obviously in an izakaya the menu is going to be varied, that's why I listed the things above. My bad, I was actually referring to the type of restaurant you can go, not the food items sold - conveniently forgot that others might not be familiar like me

 

[rbjhan]

Also, if you can cope with dashi things will be a lot easier.

 

[VPS]

Also, if you can cope with dashi things will be a lot easier.

Thanks but Dashi is a nono - they don't all have fish but many do

 

[trendwhore]

It's making me change my mind about wanting to go to Japan because I love trains - actually I do want to go to Japan but having a fish allergy I think it's a bit too hard especially as I travel alone

There are many things in Japan that do not involve fish, you'll be fine

 

[rbjhan]

Running out of things to do, I opened Google Maps and found a massage place in the nearby Tung Chung crescent shopping centre.


Back to CityGate for dinner.
I was determined to find another good beef noodle soup




Probably should have gone to the airport...

 

[rbjhan]

Never been to the QF lounge in HKG before but someone told me it's nothing like the dungeon in MEL T2.
So I thought I give it a try, instead of my usual, The Pier.

And they were right!

 

[rbjhan]

Shower was alright.


Then I saw the dim sum trolley.


Oh wow...


Ah so they just chose to run the lounge in MEL like that, I see...not surprised.

 

[rbjhan]

It was a little over 10pm when I realised the incoming flight was still in the air...I didn't think we were gonna make the 11.35...



Around 11pm I could see others also getting anxious...apparently in the morning there were some nasty weathers in MEL caused a whole lot of trouble.

Eventually boarding was called at about midnight and I was barely awake at that point...
Changed into PJ and made my bed while we were still on the ground, and went straight to sleep asap...

Next thing I knew was brekkie time


I shall not comment on QF catering any more...let's just say I didn't regret missing dinner!

Finally home.


The End.

 

[rbjhan]

Thank you all for following this TR! How many knew where Matsuyama was before?

I'm going again May 2024, probably to Nagano/Gifu Prefecture, until then...

 

[Seat0B]

It's making me change my mind about wanting to go to Japan because I love trains - actually I do want to go to Japan but having a fish allergy I think it's a bit too hard especially as I travel alone

There is plenty of non fish food. For example karaage chicken (deep fried chicken), chicken or pork katsu, omeraisu (flavoured rice eg tomato, chicken or similar wrapped in thin omelette - sound weird but is delicious) kare raisu ( Japanese golden curry), yakitori, shabu shabu ( thin slices of vegetables and meats that you swirl in hot broth to cook and eat with rice), nasu dengaku (delicious egg plant with miso), okonomiyaki (cabbage and veg omelette thing with bits of chicken or pork and brown sauce - ask for no bonito (dried tuna flakes). The fast food at the konbini (7/11, Familiy Mart, Lawson) is great too - the most amazing egg or tonkatsu (eat pork schnitzel) sandwiches, fruit and cream sandwiches (yes really) and pastry items. You will have a great choice of things to eat.

 

[Seat0B]

Thank you all for following this TR! How many knew where Matsuyama was before?

I'm going again May 2024, probably to Nagano/Gifu Prefecture, until then...

I love, love, love this area. Very beautiful mountain scenery, waterways, Matsumoto castle (original). Takayama.

And thanks for a great TR.

 

[rbjhan]

I love, love, love this area. Very beautiful mountain scenery, waterways, Matsumoto castle (original). Takayama.

And thanks for a great TR.

Well yes, I've been there a few times before, but missing out on Kamikochi since it's not opened in winter...I am determined to fit it in!

 

[rbjhan]

There is plenty of non fish food. For example karaage chicken (deep fried chicken), chicken or pork katsu, omeraisu (flavoured rice eg tomato, chicken or similar wrapped in thin omelette - sound weird but is delicious) kare raisu ( Japanese golden curry), yakitori, shabu shabu ( thin slices of vegetables and meats that you swirl in hot broth to cook and eat with rice), nasu dengaku (delicious egg plant with miso), okonomiyaki (cabbage and veg omelette thing with bits of chicken or pork and brown sauce - ask for no bonito (dried tuna flakes). The fast food at the konbini (7/11, Familiy Mart, Lawson) is great too - the most amazing egg or tonkatsu (eat pork schnitzel) sandwiches, fruit and cream sandwiches (yes really) and pastry items. You will have a great choice of things to eat.

Agree with most on your list but not shabu shabu - highly likely dashi is involved.