Osaka

Let it go
These two weeks in Tokyo have passed way to fast. I do regret a bit that I did not stick with my initial plan to stay four full weeks in Tokyo. I had feared I would be lost in translation (and I am!) and be bored like in the movie… What a big error. There’s […] Read More

Shimokitazawa

Let it go
Today I went to Shimokitazawa, often simply referred to as Shimokita. This is yet another side of Tokyo, only two train stops from the Shibuya craziness. The houses are small again, yet the whole area is full of shops. You won’t find any international chains though. Second hand, mostly – one shop appropriately called Ashbury Haight – then record […] Read More

Traditional

Let it go
Albeit being a metropolis of roughly 37 million people in the whole metropolitan region, Tokyo has so many quiet and traditional spots that provide a nice, calm balance to the craziness of it all. Yesterday I went back to the Meiji shrine again and witnessed another traditional Japanese wedding. While certainly not alone (the guards had to […] Read More

Harajuku Girls

Let it go
It took some time to find them. The famous girls and boys from Harajuku. Dressed up to the nines. Every guide book claims that on sunday afternoon, the bridge between Harajuku Station and Yoyogi Park would be crowded with crazed Japanese fashionistas and girls and boys dressed up like Japanese Manga characters. Or caricatures. However, […] Read More

Ueno

Let it go
After Ameyoko, I walked over to Ueno Park, where I had been already a couple of days earlier with Brandon, Paul, Mike and Marco. This time I wanted to visit the National Museum of Western Art. Ok, it might be a bit weird to run into the one museum in Tokyo that has the exact […] Read More

Ameyoko Market

Let it go
Tokyo is perfect to just stroll and discover. When I wanted to visit the Museum of Western Art in Uemo Park, I ended up spending hours in Ameyoko Market. It’s full name is ameyayokocho, which means “candy shop alley”. However, today it is simply called ameyoko (アメ横). And it sells so much more than candy. Nestled under and […] Read More

Faded

Let it go
Beauty is only temporary… most of the cherry trees have lost the blossoms by now. It must have been quite a sight when they were in full bloom. I managed to get some pics one night at the canal. The lamps look beautiful. However, if you expect some millennia old Japanese wisdom… be warned: it’s advertisement. […] Read More

Train ride through Nippon

Let it go
Next week, I’ll get my Japan Rail pass. I ordered it in New Zealand, as you can only acquire it from abroad. Two weeks for 330 Euros, (nearly) all trains except some few super-mega-express Shinkansen trains. But most of the high speed Shinkansen trains are covered… You just can’t beat that. So I had to […] Read More

Imperially quiet

Let it go
I paid a visit to the Imperial gardens today, the closest you can get to the Imperial Palace. The park is huge, and it must have been even bigger in ancient times, as several massive walls and moats are today located in the city. You can only visit the Eastern part of the gardens, the […] Read More