Tokyo Neighbourhoods

Oh my. This jet lag is insane. Woke up at some ungodly hour, despite my attempt to chemically induce sleep and after pottering around in the hideously overpriced gym, thoroughly reading all Tweets and deleting some work emails, I ventured to the breakfast buffet (which should be banned, as I have no idea when to stop) and then was forced to kill an hour and a half at Starbucks in Shibuya, waiting for the stores to open. Not so bad though, my view was the below and whilst nursing my third caffeine hit of the day (at 8am) I watching the commuters battle the famous Shibuya crossing. From an anthropological point of view it was fascinating; everyone obediently waits until the exact point when the green man is flashing, everyone. There is absolutely no jay-walking. Even when there is no traffic; amazing. 

Having realised mid-flight that I had forgotten my Lonely Planet and then reminding myself how there are no subway maps in English, I hastily joined the queue of giggling school girls standing outside Tower Records (5^th floor; apparently the only English book store in SW Tokyo) to secure a copy of Time Out, but only after elbowing my way through the crowds; it appears I timed my visit with the same day as the launch of the Japanese Boyzone’s new album. I hopped skipped on the JR line to Shinjuku, where I was greeted with the below… Not quite as impressive as it is on an eve, but still a myriad of fonts, colours, noises and crazy little cars, punctuated with vending machines dispensing coffee-in-a-can on every street corner.

 

Whilst waiting for another bloody store to open (the stores open at 11am, apparently, in Shinjuku) I discovered a wonderful shop with very strange oddities such as these… 

Yes, they are French maid's outfits… And adult-sized school girl outfits. Wrong. But the photo that makes me laugh out loud whenever I see it (and made me gasp with horror when I saw them FOR SALE) has to be this:

Yes, that is a man, he is shaven and that's just the start of the wrong-ness... 

I was tempted to buy some of the below (having allergies myself), but I don't think I could summon up the courage to wear them in public and they would only end up festering dust in a drawer, along with all the other Japanese oddities I have bought over the years. I can't even fathom how they came up with the idea....

Onto Harajuku next. I'm in love with the sugary smelling Hello Kitty café next to Kiddyland; the line of school girls munching on the cookies directly opposite unfortunately wasn't captured, and I'm kicking myself now for not asking if I could take a photo of them. As a child I drove my mother mad for anything Hello Kitty, and even in my 30's the fascination hasn't waned.

Harajuku never fails to turn up some incredible pieces...

 

Yes, that is a Buzz Lightyear necklace, a My Little Pony brooch, and those are Barbie heads as ring and shoe trinkets. Tres odd.

Off the main drag, Omotosando in Harajuku, I found myself wandering around back streets perusing Billionaires Boy’s Club and A Bathing Ape  (I have no intention of buying anything - not my style - but their wares are incredible and the retail experience is second to none). The slightly more upmarket Beams and  Porter did have a good going-over, although I'm saving pennies right now. 

Further into Omotosando and Tokyo architecture really does come into it's own. This photo doesn't do the incredible Prada building justice, but it has a James Bond style tunnel entrance at the side (which I've tried to capture) and is super cool inside. I love it. And all of the contents. 

 

Next onto the upmarket Ginza, where you need a fat wallet and pearl necklace as standard. Abercrombie have recently moved into this neighbourhood, as have Zara, H&M and now Uniqlo have a new men's concept store; the High Street is invading what was once an exclusive street wall to wall with European designer brands. This isn't such a bad thing.

Having been about all day to the point where I feel as if my feet have been bound and I've been walking on wooden sandals, I now have a sufficient amount of tat  and curiosities to bring back to the UK to pacify curious friends. I’ve just been called by my US counterpart who called to say she's arrived safely (thanks for that) and do I want to meet for dinner (um, maybe?)

Dinner tonight (unless I can muster up the courage to be social – perhaps not) will be another round of unidentified vegetables from the local 7-11 (the only thing I KNOW doesn't have shellfish in), washed down with  an over-sweetened orange juice and some sweet bread stuff (sweet flavoured bread, not sweetbreads...)

I may even be able to see past 9pm tonight. That is if I can figure out how to use this:

Please let me sleep through the night tomorrow is a big day.

Sayonara.  

Comments

[Hunter76]

It's another world, innit. And not one I have a 'yen' for currently!

Enjoy your trip - and do send more photos.

Mx

[Jimena]

JAPAN IS CRAZY...!!!

keep 'em coming!