Oishii Desu Yo!

Scorpion bowl to share!
Photo by Caitlin Morrow

If you're gallivanting down Newbury Street in search of delicious sushi or authentic Japanese cuisine, then don't pass up a meal at Itadaki Japanese Restaurant and Bar: just look for the giant "scorpion bowl" outside! With a cute, close-knit outdoor seating area, it is the perfect spot to bring your friends to enjoy a summer night out. The name is a shortened form of the Japanese word "itadakimasu," which is said before every meal in Japan. It is like saying "bon appetit" in French. 

For those that have been fortunate enough to visit Japan, this is pretty darn close to the real thing. They have selected a group of actual Japanese chefs and American servers that know "what's what" in the Japanese food world. A personal favorite, gyoza, or pork dumpling, can be found on the menu and is delicious or "oishii!" In Japan, they have restaurants that serve all-you-can-eat gyoza, which are very popular there. Let's not forget to mention the fresh sushi and sashimi, which is melt-in-your-mouth tasty right here in Boston! 

Everything appears to be served with chopsticks, so it's the perfect place to practice using those wooden utensils or ask a friend to help ya out! 

 With quick service, a happy waitstaff, and a great location...Boston is the new Tokyo :) 

Address: 269 Newbury Street 

Web: http://www.itadakiboston.com

Castle Island: Where am I?

A photo taken of a passing sailboat amid vibrant yellow wildflowers.
Photo taken by Charlotte Pierce

"Am I in the city, the park, at the airport, or the beach?"

Located in South Boston, Castle Island offers a miscellany of settings, thinning the line between commercial industry and nature. It is the perfect place to take a walk, fly a kite, have a picnic, lounge in the sun, or simply contemplate life. Smack dab in the center is a large pentagon-shaped structure, known as Fort Independence. Overhead, one will continuously see the arriving airplanes, beginning their descent on Logan Airport. They are so close that one can easily see, without squinting, where the aircraft originated from. 

If you're looking for a nautical adventure, look no further than the Harry McDonough Sailing Program on the adjacent pier. When hunger sets in, Sullivan's is a quick and great place to order a "lobstah" roll or some fish n' chips! If you feel like catching your own food, bring along your fishing poles and head to the Lt. John J. McCorkle, Boston Fire Dept. Memorial Fish Pier. The seagulls will join you as they catch crabs off the seaweed-covered rocks. 

A perfect place to spend time with your "main squeeze," this place can bring back nostalgia for some. If you classify yourself as a "beachcomber," why not scavenge the beach for something of value or interest? The next big photographer or lacking in creativity? Castle Island's varied landscape lets you experiment with different camera angles, perspectives, and lighting. 

If nothing I hinted at seemed to "float your boat," then at least come to 'people watch.' You might even come across two elderly women, matching in their white sweatshirts and blue pants, taking in the sights through their binoculars!!! 

Drop of Hope Photography Project

The Roots & Shoots youth organization invites everyone to participate in this year's Drop of Hope Water Photography Project. There are even a couple of spaces left in a special photography workshop at Deer Island on Sunday, August 23.

The project encourages youth participation in celebrating bodies of water, building awareness about water issues, as well as creating and enjoying art. Roots & Shoots is again working with the Griffin Museum of Photography and Boston Photography Center on this project. Roots & Shoots is founded by chimpanzee researcher and environmental activist Dr. Jane Goodall.

This project involves three stages:

1. Young people take photos and briefly write descriptions about bodies of water they have visited, projects they have done with water or water issues that are of concern to them.
2. Exhibit the photos and descriptions in an online Roots & Shoots photo gallery, allowing visitors to the gallery to learn about and comment on the photos. (Anyone may submit photos for this portion of the project.)
3. The eventual exhibition of a selected number of the photos in the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA. (Only photos taken by Roots & Shoots members can be selected for this opportunity.)

click here for more information

The Trees of Harvard Yard

Harvard University turns out to be a great place to take out-of-town guests - and take in some natural splendor at the same time (see map). As the center of Harvard University since its founding in 1636, Harvard Yard has always been a popular tourist attraction. Each year, countless faculty, students, locals, and tourists from every corner of the globe pass through the green oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. Even with outrageous real estate costs, Harvard has chosen to expand its space in the Allston area of Boston rather than sacrifice its priceless green space. The diverse green canopy that extends over the campus each summer only adds to the reputation and tradition that surround Harvard. "The [trees of the] Yard exude a sense of security and stability in a dynamic and ephemeral society," muses Harvard grad Ryan Lynch, creator of a fabulous interactive map to the arboreal splendor of this icon of American acadaemia.

Meadow Magic at Garden in the Woods

New England Wild Flower Society will celebrate "Meadow Magic" Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, 2009, at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA. Garden in the Woods is open both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., however, special Meadow Magic events are scheduled noon to 4 p.m. There is free parking on premises both days.

See peak meadow bloom from ground level and above on the new Observation Deck. This will be the inaugural event for the 12' X 24' Observation Deck which will put a whole new perspective on looking at the meadow. Be amazed at the height of the wildflowers in the meadow. This can mean native species in bloom up to 7 or 8 feet tall. Beside these "giant sized" plants are others that are quite small and delicate.

Look for butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and more as they fly from flower to flower collecting and spreading pollen. Learn about plant pollinators, play games, and more. The Bugmobile brings craft projects and live bugs to the meadow. Enjoy a scavenger hunt in the Garden too. A beekeeper will join us at the Garden to explain how bees work in the web of life. Discover what a bee hive is all about, how bees make honey, and which bees make honey. Meet some fun, costumed characters who explain their roles in our ecosystems.

Take a special walking tour of the 45-acre botanic museum, scheduled at 2 p.m. both days. Tours, included in the price of general admission, cover the Invasive Plant Jail, Idea Garden, Lily Pond, Lost Pond, and unique New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants.

Visit the Garden Shop and its nursery to find which plants could bring beautiful insects and wildlife to your garden. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in a butterfly garden design, birdhouse selection, or plant combo for a great container garden. Books and eco-friendly gifts complete the Garden Shop experience. Visitors receive a special discount on merchandise at he Garden Shop on August 15 and 16; 10% off the cost of native plants, books, eco-friendly gifts, clothing, and tools.

Founded in 1900, New England Wild Flower Society, the nation's oldest native plant conservation organization, promotes the conservation of temperate North American flora through education, research, horticulture, habitat preservation, and advocacy. The Society owns and operates Garden in the Woods, a 45-acre public botanic garden in Framingham, MA, and Nasami Farm, a 75-acre native plant nursery in Whately, MA, as well as ten sanctuaries located in New England. The Society's vision is a future where vigorous native plant populations live in healthy, balanced, natural ecosystems—protected, enjoyed, and beneficial to all life. For more information, visit newenglandwild.org.

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Exploring the "Emerald Necklace"

"We want a ground to which people may easily go when the day's work is done, and where they may stroll for an hour, seeing, hearing, and feeling nothing of the bustle and jar of the streets where they shall, in effect, find the city put far away from them..." ~ Frederick Law Olmstead, 1870 ~

Late one night I got a phone call from my sister Fran. "So, what are you doing tomorrow," she said. "I was thinking you should ride up to the city. Some of my art is being showcased at the Thayer Gallery and I thought you might like to see it." I did want to see the exhibit but I also had a bee in my bonnet. Wednesday was Earth Day 2009 and I wanted to explore "The Emerald Necklace", a series of parklands surrounding the city of Boston. Over the years I have visited Franklin Park and of course Boston Gardens and the Commons, but I had never explored the rest of the "necklace." click here for the full photo essay by Elizabeth E.

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Boston by Subway

Boston’s subway system, known affectionately as the ‘T’ is America’s first subway system. The first green line subway cars began running in a tunnel underneath Tremont Street in 1897. Park Street Station and Boylston Station were the first two to open - both sit at the bottom of the hill within walking distance of the Massachusetts State House. Park Street Station is directly adjacent to the Park Street Church. more

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Political Places of Boston - Downtown Walking Tour

Political Places of Boston
by Muddy River Press

Many of the places covered in the guidebook Political Places of Boston are located downtown or in adjacent neighborhoods. Walking is a wonderful to visit these places. This guidebook complements the other walking tours of Boston such as the popular Freedom Trail. However, if you limit yourself to the Freedom Trail, you will miss several, important, downtown political sites. Click here for a fascinating, in-depth tour that brings you back to where you began. Take the book with you for a complete experience.

Battleship Cove, Part I

Battleship Cove boasts the world's largest exhibit of naval warships. Located in the shadow of the Braga Bridge in Fall River Massachusetts, the World War II battleship USS Massachusetts stands at the centerpiece of an exhibit that also includes a WWII submarine, and two ships from the Cold War era.

As a kid, my grandfather would take my brother and me to Battleship Cove every year. We had a great time, climbing up and down the ladders and sitting on the AA guns pretending we were in the midst of an attack by enemy aircraft. It was one of the highlights of every summer's vacation.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally got the chance to go back there when some friends with an interest in history were visiting from out of town.

Admission to the exhibit is a very reasonable $14 (and you can get a $1 off coupon on the website). There are no guided tours, but there are plenty of signs and labels that give some fascinating information about life aboard ship while visitors explore at their own pace.

I took a lot of pictures, so I'm going to do this in two parts. First will be pictures of the USS Lionfish, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, and the missile corvette Hiddensee (built in the Soviet Union for the East German navy, this ship was eventually sold to the US and operated under a US flag as a navy research vessel).

[more photos]

- by Rick S., on the Compleat Day Tripper group on Gather.com

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Day Trippers Get Giddy

"I am absolutely giddy at the prospect of the new Compleat Day Tripper!" says loyal DayTripper Judi McLaughlin. Yes, it's true - we've thrashed though and thoroughly revised the Greater Boston edition and with the addition of the brand-new and equally opinionated Cape Cod Day Tripper by Marlissa Briggett, WE NOWHAVE A SERIES! Both books are due for launch before spring. Sign up for our mailing list and be there to meet the authors, and for great deals on signed books, drawings for free books, and fabulous Day Tripper destination giveaways and discounts!

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Stone Zoo's Amazing Birds of Prey

A Day Tripper reader highly recommends the Birds of Prey show currently at The Stone Zoo. The group putting on the show is from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. They present all rescued birds and the performance is educational as well as awe-inspiring, according to Eileen E. of Arlington, who adds that the show features about a dozen different birds and audience participation. The birds are majestic and the theatre is so small you get to see them up close. They swoop down from outside the fence and land on the trainers arm, lots of "ooohs" and "aaahs" - even really little ones were engaged. There are three shows a day, and it's well worth a day trip.

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History Comes Alive in Sturbridge

See history come alive in quiet simplicity in Old Sturbridge Village, a little southwest of Worcester. This is a settlement created by gathering together and restoring original buildings from towns throughout New England. Trained guides demonstrate colonial life in this re-creation of an 1830s New England village. There are more than 40 restored structures, including a school, a tavern, a few churches, a meeting house, a bank, some shops, and several homes. In addition, there's a working farm and a water-powered mill. The costumed staff demonstrates the making of soap, bread,shoes, tinware, and even horseshoes, all in historically accurate costumes. Map

Heading to the Harbor Islands

The Harbor Islands make a great day trip out of Boston Harbor Tours at Long Wharf. The boat ride itself is a blast, and George’s Island offers tours of Fort Warren, an old stone fort that's fun to explore, with lots of paths to walk on and open areas to run around (wear shoes and dodge the goose gifts).There are tons of fun kid-friendly things to do on many of the Harbor Islands and at Hull. Nantasket Beach on the Hull peninsula is a favorite, but be advised that the boat landing in Hull does not really get you very near the beach, though there are taxis.

Boston Movie Tours

Video: BMT stop by the State House at Boston Common

From Amistad, Mystic River, and Good Will Hunting, to such classics as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Brinks Job, Boston is a favorite destination of film makers and actors. Catch a comfy bus with Boston Movie Tours and get a low-stress, fact-filled, behind-the-scenes tour of Boston and its legendary cinematic sites, plus tidbits about TV favorites like Cheers, Ally McBeal, The Practice, and Boston Legal. New information is added daily - contribute your own to the tour guide!

Easy! Fast! Sublime! You Saw It On TV!

Sometimes, you never know where a day trip's going to take you. My son and I stumbled upon the Home Show at Boston's Seaport World Trade Center the other day, and ended up spending an absolutely sublime afternoon, four straight hours of wandering up to friendly vendors desperate for human contact (the convention center was nearly deserted) and happy to answer in endless detail my son's hilarious questions about how boiler condensors are engineered, and happy to listen to his stories about Zammy, our darling dog. And then it was topped off by winning a gadget (A Handy Dandy Super Sized Space Saving Space Saver Storage Bag!) at Dr. Gadget’s presentation and crowned with a cup of clam chowder on a table of crystal and china at Anthony’s Pier Four. The most amazing day trips can start out as accidents like this one. We’d go again if we could (still pining for a Miracle Mop, or maybe an Easy! Fast! Simple! You Saw It On TV! Sushi Maker!). Contributed by Robin Schoenthaler , Day Tripper Diva extraordinaire and co-author of The Compleat Day Tripper: Metro Boston Edition

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Harbor Cruise to the Hull Wind Turbine

This annual cruise is sponsored by the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, and it's not only fun, but very informative for all ages! It starts at Rowes Wharf in Boston Harbor. In 2006, the Town of Hull won the Department of Energy's Wind Power Pioneer Award and now generates a significant amount of electricity for the Town throught its two wind turbines. Enjoy the photos!

Boston Children's Museum Update

On Jan. 1, the Boston Children's Museum will close for a few months to wrap up renovations. In the recent renovation, the BCM is improving the famous Milk Bottle, upgrading the famous big blue elevator, and creating a great new expansion that will be unveiled at the grand reopening in April. But if you're heading down to the South Street Station area, you can still enjoy the Boston Tea Party, Aquarium, Harbor Cruises, and much more on the waterfront.