We just returned from an amazing dining experience near our ryokan. On the way back from an evening walking around and shopping in Kashiwa, we decided to have dinner at a Turkish place called Zakuro. The menu posted outside had pictures of kebabs and whatnot. So we went inside and downstairs.

The place was in a low ceilinged L-shaped room in the basement. Every inch was decorated with rugs, tapestries, mirrors, etc. People dining, all Japanese, sat on the floor, their food set before them on square tabeltop slabs.

We were seated by this energetic Iranian who is fluent in English and Japanese. As with every othe customer, we were both invited to don decoartive Middle eastern clothing. I wore a long skirt and a silk scarf, Brian wore a long green coat like a Turkish kimono, and a black hat. It was awesome. We were then served course after course of turkish, Uzbekistanian, Pakistani, etc food. Holy cow it was awesome.

Everyone around us was all fascinated by the gaijin, I think. This woman offered to read another man’s palms. He was so happy with that that they then exchanged business cards very formally and bowed to each other about 15 times.

I won’t ever forget the experience of being in a room full of Japanese people in Middle Eastern dress, smoking from huge hookas, wearing saris and sparkly vests. The restaurant was to close at 10, so at that point, our host invited everyone to dance with the waitress (Japanese), who had clearly taken belly dancing lessons. It was so fun. We really lucked out stumbling upon this place.

Now it is time for a bath.