This entry is my 'photo exhibit' of Tokyo. I thoroughly enjoyed a short, but a sweet 2 day get away in this city on my way to Chicago, and spent Valentines Day there! So much to share, but I will let the photos speak for themselves...I stayed in a quaint town called Azakusa in the city, that reminded me of 'Insadong' in Seoul...
So prior to my trip, I had to erase my image of what Tokyo would be like, because I wanted my experience to be organic. Tokyo was golden... Tokyo is NOT as hectic as Seoul, the air is cleaner, the bike culture is up my alley, I cannot have sushi ever again elsewhere, the people are genuine, their food/coffee trucks are truly one of a kind, and the shopping just killed me! One funny thing about the vintage style cabs-the doors open/close automatically! You just have to experience it for yourself...
It's the everydayness that lifts the spirit...
Hot Spots:
Askakusa/Kappabashi-One of the oldest towns, you really learn to embrace Tokyo once you pass through these areas...you will find the best hole-in-the-wall sushi and sake bars...
Shinjuku-The Isetan Department Store that is 125 years old, is the best in town. Check out the B1 level, it blows away any B1 of a dept. store in Seoul! Trust me...
Omotesando-The 'Champs-Elysees' of Tokyo. You'll find all the big brands and more!
Cat Street-Right off of Omotesando, the best freakin boutiques!!! I found the more unique clothes there.
Takeshita/Harajuku Street-A little bit of Chicago's 'Belmont' ave meets Seoul's 'Myung-dong.' On Sundays, you'll find crazy school girls jet their costumes!
Minami Aoyama-As my friend who visits Tokyo often puts it- 'the coolest and most fashion forward shops...it's where Herzog and Demeuron designed Prada. The more notes and crannies you look around here, the more you'll find. Don't be satisfied with the big shops.'
The great thing is, all the places above are walking distance to each other, except for Shinjuku...which is a quick subway or a cab ride away. I was able to hit all these spots in one day!
Stops I didn't quite fit in my schedule this time around:
-Tskuji fish market (just had dinner there), I hear you have to go early in the mornings to witness the wild caught fish and eat it for breaky!
-Don Quixote store
-Henri Carpetier French Pastry
My favorite street in Asakusa was 'Orange Street', filled with vintage cafes, specialty shops, and bakeries...
As they say, it's all in the tamago-if it's good, it's a good indicator how good the sushi is...really. So I always have to start with a tamago, and end with uni! 'Maguro-bito' sushi in Asakusa has the best Uni and Tamago...
The photo on the above right is 'Beatriz' boutique on Cat Street. I found a few 'one of a kinds' here, and I'm dying to go back to this boutique!
The food culture...
First time seeing a Monocle store!!!
Inside 'Franc Franc' store in Minami Aoyama...Crate & Barrel+Pottery Barn+Zara home is probably how I would describe it...I was thinking about buying 30% of the store, until I realized I just didn't have the luggage space! I know what this means...my next trip, I will be taking an empty suitcase. Dangerous!!!
'Soul Trane' is a well known jazz bar in Asakusa that a friend introduced me too. I fell in love, and found myself spending both my evenings there! Their benchmark: the best Makers Manhattan...ever!!!