When you’re short on time or just exhausted, say after traveling around two different countries in two weeks, a tour provides the opportunity to escape some of the planning part and get right to the adventure. It’s even better if you end up in a small group.

This classic Thai chicken soup gets its rich flavor from quintessential Thai ingredients: coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, lime juice, chili, and cilantro. (30 minutes)

This classic Thai chicken soup gets its rich flavor from quintessential Thai ingredients: coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, lime juice, chili, and cilantro. (30 minutes)

At first glance, 999 (pronounced kao kao kao) reads like a slot machine outcome at a pachinko parlor (arcade center for gambling). In reality, 999 is the newest installment of the chain across the city, the other branches being in Nakano and Shinjuku.

Wai Wai is a tiny yet tasty Thai food joint located at the entrance of Nanasawa hot spring resort.   Following some advice, my wife and I dropped by to get a taste of Wai Wai’s lunch.

If you want to enjoy authentic Thai food near MCAS Iwakuni, Sawadee is a good place to start.

Ananda Thai is an authentic Thai restaurant located conveniently in downtown Tokyo, Akasaka.

Green Pad Thai restaurant in Ebisu is sure to make a lot of people happy. As one of my favorite Thai restaurants around, it seems that everything they make turns out delicious.

Machida has proven an excellent area for good eats.

Kichijoji’s sprawling green space is great for a frolic at any time of year. But as summer makes most Tokyo interiors insufferable, the koen’s Pepa Café Forest is the place to quaff and scoff in a verdant, open-air setting.