When it comes to dining in Japan, sushi is just the tip of the culinary iceberg. RELATED LINKS VIDEO: A Taste of Tokyo

A true jewel of the Far East and one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo is a bustling modern metropolis offering world-class entertainment and accommodations. No trip to this Japanese city would be complete without an exploration of the local cuisine, which is known around the world as creative, fun, and most of all, delicious.

Vince Finnegan is a native of Chicago who caught the travel bug at a young age after listening to his father, a railroad man, talk about all the places he had been. While he was still in law school, Finnegan and his wife took a trip to Europe, and his position as a financial specialist now allows him to travel extensively with his family. A recent summer trip to Asia with his wife and daughter has provided him with lasting memories. Here Finnegan offers his thoughts on eating out in Tokyo:

• Tea ceremony. One fascinating aspect of Japanese culinary culture is the traditional tea ceremony. It is typically held in a private room, you pay a small fee to attend, and there are usually two people who come out and perform the ceremony showing how they prepare the teas. According to Finnegan, the tea tastes different from that in other countries, and the ceremony is an experience you won’t soon forget.

• Shabu Shabu. Japanese sushi conquered America decades ago, but of course Japan is the place to find the best sushi in the world. A type of cuisine less known in the U.S. is Shabu Shabu, where you have a boiling pot at your table and can dip food in to cook it before then dipping it in sauces.

• Noodles. And the Japanese are big fans of noodles of all kinds, served with a wide variety of broths, meats and vegetables. Westerners may find eating noodles with chopsticks a little difficult at first. But eventually visitors figure out the Japanese secret, and that’s to slurp the noodles up. This is the accepted way of getting the full flavor of the noodle dishes and makes the meal as fun as it is tasty.

Tokyo Tourism Info
www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/

Japan National Tourist Organization
www.jnto.go.jp

Japan-Guide
www.japan-guide.com

Tokyo Food Page
www.bento.com/tokyofood.html

Tokyo Journal
www.tokyo.to