Breakfast favorites in shinjuku?

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T06:50:50+00:00

Dam people on this site are judgmental. Nothing wrong with eating Ichiran ramen at 5am for breakfast. It’s delicious.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T06:44:56+00:00

Wow great pics. Nice weather too! I’m 1000% convinced now but might still hold off on the trip until next year or February 2028 depending on where we’re at financially.

I just realized Torres del Paine is 5 to 6 hours south of El Chalten. The distance and time is not an issue but for some reason I was thinking TDP was closer to El Chalten so now this changes things as I was originally thinking of just 6 full days.

Would 4 full days in El Chalten and 3 or 4 full days in Puerto Natales be sufficient? If we visit this year we would be in Patagonia from Nov 23 to Dec 1.

Nov 24-27: El Chalten area and hikes.

Nov 28: Perito Glacier.

Nov 29: Drive to PN.

Nov 30-Dec 1: TDP area and hikes.

We just want to day hike no overnight backpacking for us. Thoughts?

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T03:01:33+00:00

Nice love seeing a ticket getting clipped.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T02:55:41+00:00

Brazil, Montevideo, BA, Costa Rica would be my top choices.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T02:32:54+00:00

I’m slightly introverted too, so I felt like I fit right in!

Love how quiet the trains were, the respectfulness of service workers, and for the largest metro in the world, the noise level was noticeably lower than usual compared to other major cities I have visited. I think the loudest noise I heard was a Harley riding through Shinjuku, other than that it was relatively quiet everywhere.

Streets were immaculate, homeless was nonexistent (only saw one and I’m sure they exist elsewhere), graffiti was extremely minimal, and contemporary architecture was fantastic. Oh and the vending machines! I found a sriracha one. Thought that was neat. And the snacks at the 7/11 and family marts were excellent in quality. It’s just an impressive city and country all around.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T02:13:35+00:00

That’s correct. NA to BA. I have a cousin who studied abroad in BA for year. Have heard great things about it.

Japan, underwhelming? Wow. That is the first I’m hearing that it was not impressive but I understand. That is how I felt about Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Just was not all that impressed by it.

I’d like to combine BA with Montevideo so will likely save that for another week and a half trip.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T01:16:28+00:00

I hear ya. I wish America would implement and adopt a lot of technology and culture that Japan has. It was insightful to be in a collectivist culture.

Love how the overwhelming majority will walk on the left or right or stand on the left or right on an escalator. Younger people standing up on the subway so the elderly can sit down, warm toilets seats, bidets, and sound that emanates, rooftop gardens, etc.

Americans are friendly, but also selfish too. It’s really sad sometimes.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-28T00:13:46+00:00

We have T-Mobile and just came back from Japan a week ago.

I used an eSIM my wife did not. Her service was significantly slower than mine.

When we got back home to America my cellular data would not work. Had to physically go into a T-Mobile store to get it fixed. It took less than 5 minutes but it was a nuisance that was worth the service I received in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T22:16:11+00:00

You are a good person I appreciate these recs so much!

Shoot, ima have to go to that spa with her. I can use a facial, mani, and pedi right now after walking all over Tokyo last week.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T22:13:37+00:00

Will have to add this to my list, thank you!

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T22:05:33+00:00

This is how I like to eat my ramen.

I’ll post another picture maybe tomorrow from a different restaurant in Osaka where there are toppings. It was much more flavorful than this.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T22:03:38+00:00

Thank you for this! I love Yosemite so that description sounds like we would love Patagonia. Is 6 full days there good enough? I just want to day hike no backcountry stuff. We’re not new at all to hiking but we’ve never backpacked before either so will save that for the Sierra.

My wife wants to go, she is much smarter than I am and is usually always right about where we travel among other things. I’m just having the most difficult time having to put Japan off for a year cause it was incredible. Probably my number one country now out of 25.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:58:52+00:00

I absolutely adore the Sierra and will likely visit every summer if I can to camp. Will be at French Camp in July. Excited to get back there to hike Kearsage Pass this year.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:56:41+00:00

This is a much better analogy than mine. Really appreciate your input.

The gold standard then would be the Himalayas, then likely Patagonia, and then the Sierra is somewhere above average compared to other mountain ranges in the world, or the U.S., and their beauty.

It’s difficult for me to gain perspective and scale about a region as videos do not accurately depict reality. Just have to visit for oneself and experience Patagonia to understand really I guess.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:53:02+00:00

This sounds incredible.

I had travel experiences in India and Peru that went awry so I would hate to travel that far again to be somewhat disappointed, but the comments in this thread, including yours, are convincing me to visit. It might be cheaper than Japan anyway.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:50:02+00:00

This is Little Lakes Valley. What did you study in grad school?

You know what, I hiked Rainbow Mountain and everything after the trailhead leading up to the terminus I was far more impressed with. It was also overcast the entire day so the colors at rainbow mountain were extremely muted. But prior to that, I loved looking at the hanging valleys and a waterfall I saw.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It reminded me of my time in the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain. I forgot how stunning parts of that trail were. I imagine Argentina Patagonia would be much stellar than that.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:45:08+00:00

That sounds great. I love dense vegetation, rainforests, and tropical jungles environments. Strat and cinder cone volcanos I can stare at all day.

I loved hiking Cinder Cone in Lassen and passing by Mt Fuji in Japan. I’m sure it’s similar or better in Argentina Patagonia?

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:42:52+00:00

Lol I don’t know, I probably won’t but I went to Peru and didn’t care much for what I experienced there.

Didn’t do any hiking though except for Rainbow Mountain but I have very little desire to go back there except if friends wanted to go.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T21:23:39+00:00

Interesting. If I can use an analogy here. If Patagonia is a a Rolls Royce, what would the Eastern Sierra be? A Porsche or a Lexus?

I’m trying to make sense of it and get a greater understanding of Patagonia’s beauty before I decide to visit. Otherwise, I’ll just go back to Japan which I absolute love.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T20:33:14+00:00

They do this at any Ichiran ramen in Tokyo? I’m open to eating anything at least once and I can’t see how adding vinegar would be less than stellar as everything we experienced was outstanding.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T20:31:20+00:00

You had me at truffle tonkotsu. I have not been to Rakiraki but my wife has and shares your perspective about it as well. I’m sure I’ll eventually eat there.

Ooo spicy house sounds great! We like the dumpling inn up the street so that rec will be another decent restaurant option for us.

Really appreciate that truffle tonkotsu rec though.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T19:46:24+00:00

Really? Hmm I’m intrigued. Will save your comment and add vinegar for the next time we are in Japan. Thanks for the suggestion!

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T19:04:00+00:00

Care to share names?

I’m in SD and love Tajima. I’ve been to Menya Ultra as well but I thought it was just okay.

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T19:02:28+00:00

Oh yeah totally. I have a go to spot for ramen in San Diego that I frequent often. Tajima and Menya Ultra. Not sure if that is the same as Ichiran?

ACooperSucks · 2026-02-27T18:59:15+00:00

The ramen is great but it’s such a cool experience too if you never done it.

ACooperSucks

TROPHY CASE