Last day in Japan
I spent the last day in Japan really relaxed. I had toyed with the idea of doing a day trip to Nikko, but scrapped that. Instead, I checked out of my hotel and first had a working breakfast at Starbuck’s, using their fast wifi for some blogging and sorting some stuff… Then I went to […] Read More
Osaka night life
I spent a bit time roaming around Osaka at night over the weekend, through the shopping arcades, the restaurants and the bars… Minami is one of the main areas to go out, and is crawling with people. I walked through what felt like the longest shopping arcade in the world, in between countless stores. You can […] Read More
Lost in (no)translation
I make slow progress in saying more than three words in Japanese…. Basically I can say arigato, arigato gozaimasu (the more polite form – I just discovered there is actually a ‘u’ at the end) and konichiwa. It probably won’t go much further than that. I want to include please, till the end of the […] Read More
Shimokitazawa
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
Ameyoko Market
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
Tokyo in the rain
The rain was really torrential. All day long. To a point where you really do not want to set foot outside. Even in a new city. I got TV, high speed internet, who cares, there’s lots to watch. But, curiosity won. At least I wanted to go see the Tokyo Metropolitain Museum of Photography, it […] Read More
Speechless
Literally. I knew I was not going to understand much, but being faced with it is a different thing… I landed and it all went smooth through immigration and customs. My host Sugi had mailed me instructions for different ways to get into the city, as the airport is 60 km outside of Tokyo. I […] Read More
Pallet Pavilion
I came back from Akaroa in time for sunset in Christchurch, and wanted to have a second look, in beautiful weather instead of yesterday’s rain. Alas, it’s just as depressing. I’m still speechless. Christchurch is inventive though. If your shopping mall is a ruin, create a temporary one. This one became so good, it might […] Read More
New friends (and food)
I recently met up with Clint and his friend Nina in Grand Central in Ponsonby for an after-work beer. Ginger fusion, actually, something they had on the table and I joined in, not tasting the alcohol in it until it was too late…. Clint is a Pacific Islander through and through, coming from the biggest […] Read More
Slow days
I’m still feeling a bit slow, from my light cold. So these past two days I have mostly strolled around town, starting with the usual morning coffee session ritual that includes emails, surfing and booking. I got a haircut, and I ordered some sun glasses, finally. I forgot my sunglasses and my second pair in […] Read More