The weather was miserable today and even though I spent a lot of time and money getting myself to Japan, I figured I might just hole up again and stay inside. But really, where would the fun be if I did that? I could have gone to an underground shopping arcade, but on a rainy Sunday that just means a hot, humid, packed-with-damp-people experience that I didn’t want to deal with. But I did wake up early so I puttered around on my computer, did some laundry, and tried to debug my mom’s computer remotely. None of it went very well.

After sitting in front of the only free washing machine – one that I was quite familiar with – and looking at the other three (one was running, and two were sitting with someone’s clean clothes inside) I realized that I was using the only washing machine that didn’t have a built-in dryer. My first thought was, “Holy crap! These washing machines look like they have built-in dryers!” which was quickly replaced by, “Why the hell won’t these people come get their laundry so I can use one of the cool washing machines?” My bathroom is now strewn with my damp and hopefully drying clothes and my malevolent feelings towards those who can’t be bothered to properly time their laundry.

I didn’t want to spend the whole day sitting around hoping that my grumbling would dry my clothes more quickly so I headed to one of the Japanese food places that my sister keeps emailing me about. For Tokyo she’s sent me articles on one curry place, two burger places (probably in deference to my tastes), and two coffee shops. I’ve only been to one coffee shop and found where they relocated the curry place, so a burger place was an obvious next choice.

Even better, Fatz’s Burger was in Koenji, or about a hour’s walk away. It was too nasty to walk, so I took a quick 10-minute train ride there. The Koenji neighborhood was a big surprise to me as it had a thriving shopping district unlike many spots in outlying areas. For most of Japan, shopping arcades are just a series of shuttered stores and people go to malls to do all their shopping. I guess not in Koenji.

 Not only were there outdoor stores, but also covered shopping streets as well.

I got to Fatz’s Burger an hour early and had to kill some time walking around looking at the shopping district. I was getting hungry wandering around in the rain, so I went to floresta nature doughnuts. I guess they’re a chain, but they make uniquely Japanese doughnuts.

I had a green tea doughnut at a table outside. You can’t see it, but the seat was wet as is the street outside.

I finally made it to Fatz’s Burger and I was the first customer of the day. They told me that it wouldn’t be very busy. They even had a supply of Leinenkugel’s and I guess I know enough Wisconsonites to have heard of it. The beer was pretty good.

Now onto the burger. I had their monthly special, the “ABQ” with Tillamook pepperjack cheese (from home!) and fresh mango salsa. I can honestly say that it was one of the best hamburgers I’ve had. And I ate the burger before I even ordered the beer so that wasn’t coloring my judgement.

I sat and talked with another customer for a couple of hours, Andy from Wisconsin, a translator who has lived in Japan for seven years. After I finally left, I wandered around in the rain looking for the Koenji Temple that the neighborhood is named after. I found it but it looked pretty closed up and the weather still wasn’t any better, so I just headed back to the train and my hotel.

The tall building in the picture is the Hundred Stay Shinjuku where I’m staying. I took it from the closest train station.

I mostly sat around the rest of the afternoon and had dinner at Saizeria again. It’s convenient and easy and is unique being Japanesey Italian food. I was pretty tired and according to Andy there’s a cold going around. Hopefully I’ll be rested up for the good weather they’re predicting for tomorrow.