A long day working in the Japan National Press Club. A wonderful venue.
Ok, so after an afternoon meeting with a Japanese firm and our in country consultants at the Japan National Press Club it was time for dinner…our consultants informed us that we would be eating at a special surprise restaurant…the whole thing was very exciting…
We took a cab to back into Akasaka, where we arrived at a restaurant called “Ninja”. We weren’t sure exactly what we were in for…but my colleagues and I are always up for an adventure.
When we walked in through the door…we were told to please wait just a moment…as the first section of our party was taken to our cell/table. About 5 minutes later…we heard the maitre’d say…”Your Ninja is ready.” Which of course drew chuckles and smiles all around.
The sign for the Tokyo restaurant, "Ninja". I'm told there may be one in NYC.
As we were lead through the Ninja complex, we were asked to pass through concealed compartments, avoid trap doors, say magic phrases and remember the name of our area, “Dishogu”…as it was quite easy to get lost in the dark and windy complex.
After being seated in our cell, Ninjas starting appearing from out of nowhere…displaying scroll menus, edible shuriken, rock-boiled soups, pitchers of beer, and a whole assortment of delectable foods. We chose the “Surprise Course” which seemed to offer a dozen plates during the 2 hour session.
Our poor Ninja magician had some trouble w/the fire portion of his act...
At one point during the meal, a Ninja magician appeared…he offered some humor and some interesting slight of hand…he started however with a fire swallowing act…he seemed to have some trouble w/the swallowing…but in the end was able to put out the flames…he was actually a very funny guy…even if his card tricks were a bit obvious.
