Ginza Japanese Restaurant: Neil Continues to Turn Japanese

Those of you who know Neil know that he has some unique interests and hobbies.  Of course he loves puttering around in his aquariums and jogging, and a podcast and food blog aren't uncommon at all these days, either.  But once you get into the tiki and Elvis, some people might start to wonder.  And that doesn't even touch on his fandom of pro wrestling, the greatest of sports, and how it has introduced him to his love of Japanese culture (now even Beth is starting to wonder).  Yes, Japanese wrestling is one of his favorites (and the root of his wish to visit Japan for his 40th birthday) and this love of the land of the rising sun extends to the food.  From eating udon at Tokyo Box Lunch to munching on delicious rice cake with bean paste candies, he has a definite fondness for Japan. So when Beth suggested some hole in the wall Japanese restaurant not far from the Magnificent Mile (aka Michigan Avenue), there wasn't much convincing required.  Ginza is a place you've probably walked by a bunch if you live in Chicago, and you might have even wandered by as a tourist due to the proximity to a number of tourist favorites and hotels.  From the outside, it and the attached Tokyo Hotel aren't much to look at.  The terms "hole in the wall" and "dive" may come to mind, as this place sticks out a bit amongst the shiny newness of much of the River North neighborhood.  However, once you get past the front door and pass through the curtains, you're transported to what I imagine (and many Yelp reviewers confirm) a small restaurant in Tokyo might look like.  Buy the ticket, take the ride, and off to Japan we go!