A few days ago I was climbing the escalators in the hated Skytree* in search of the Sumidagawa Aquarium, and was stopped in my tracks by this.
An exhibition of fake food art! Best. Idea. Ever.
All the art in this exhibit was made by the veteran food model experts at the Iwasaki Bei company. Apparently, they have a contest each year, rewarding the most creative entries dreamed up by the guys whose day job is to crank out all those ramen bowls and sushi platters you see in Japanese restaurant windows. (Mr. Iwasaki was apparently the inventor of food models–wouldn’t that be the most awesome thing ever to have on your resume? More on him here!)
* Skytree is the towering attraction whose only good point is that you can get a sweeping view of Tokyo without Skytree in it. I turned against it after paying twenty bucks for an elevator ride to the observation deck, just to see this.)
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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon
“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
Is the exhibit still going on? I’ve avoided Skytree so far but it would be worth the trip just to see the food art. MUST see the potatosaurus.
Hearty congrats on the new book, by the way! You hooked me–I’m a big fan of dolls. Will pre-order from Amazon.
Thank you thank you! (#^.^#) And yes, I just saw this last week – I can’t remember if it’s on the 4th floor or the 5th, but you can see it as you come up the escalator from Oshiage Station. (I hope there aren’t multiple escalators that come up from the station arg, I should have pinpointed the location more closely.)
LOVE