my loverly japan

Valentine's Day Giveaway! leave a comment to enter!

2012-02-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

Hi lovely friends, I'm having a giveaway this week for a copy of my Tokyo Guide zine. One wonderful person will receive my zine in a fun package with some extra goodies. Just leave a comment on this post on my other blog, and make sure you leave me a contact email, you have until Valentine's day, February 14th, 10am eastern time.

Japan Guide Zine's in my new shop!

2012-01-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

meiji square, janneserojas©2011

I was so excited to find my zines all waiting in a neat little box for me last week. So I started shipping those out to the pre-order people on Friday. I have a limited quantity so order it fast before you miss out. The first ten orders will get mini photographs printed on quality matte photograph paper. Check one out in my shop Usagi Por Moi

Tokyo Photojournal & Travel Guide- PRE-ORDER!!!

2011-12-22T11:42:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends...

I had a friend come over last night and she brought in a little package left at my door by the postman and do you know what it was? it was the proof for my Zine!!!! It's amazing!!! I was floored by how beautifully it was printed!!! I gave the go ahead for the rest to go to production, so I have the zine up for pre-order in my etsy store. I should have them here before the New Year *crossing fingers and toes*. I have only a limited amount of copies, so you may want to get it sooner rather than later.

40 pages, full color
Glossy Paper (80lb Text)

Zine: Tokyo Guide coming soon!

2011-10-13T08:53:00.001-07:00

I finally found someone to print my zine, so now I'm super motivated to finish it up. Not long now folks. I'm hoping to be done designing it by the end of October and have it up for sale in November. My guide is very photo heavy since it's meant as a photo journal as much as a guide, I think you'll like it pigeons.

Mogu Takahashi-Japanese Artist

2011-08-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

I recently fell in love with Mogu Takahashi's blog, a wonderful Japanese artist. I love Takahashi's whimiscal work, especially when she uses materials like cookies and clothes pins to express herself. Here are few pics from her blog you should take a look. I wish I was in Japan to see one of her exhibitions, she's showing her solo show "Kawaii Ugly San" at Cafe Drole in Nakameguro. Watch her video below it's super cute!

Getting there:
Cafe Drole
1-23-4,1F, Nakameguro, Meguro-ku
03-5722-6083
Take the Tokoyu Toyoko line to the Nakameguro station.

Kyushu Shinkansen Commercial

2011-05-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing Japanese commercial for the Kyushu Shinkansen which was due to make it's debut the day after the earthquake. The commercial and all it's ads had to be pulled because they were deemed to cheery and happy when the country and the world was in mourning. If you love Japan this will put a smile on your face or get you all teary (like me). Amazing song by Maia Hirasawa "Boom".

Tokyo Day 10: The last Good half-day-Jiyugaoka

2011-03-29T08:03:00.002-07:00

Jiyugaoka-
My last day in Tokyo had started like every other day, slowly, especially since I still thought I had another two weeks and a half. So I got up took all my bedding threw it in the wash and hung it out to dry with my futons which were airing out. I called Sakura house to replace one of my futons because it was moldy smelling and I had only been there 10 days. I skyped with Debra, had breakfast, took a shower, made plans with Jen to get a drink in Shinjuku that night, and blogged.

I finally left the apartment around 1pm and headed into Jiyugaoka to have lunch at Ikanika and wonder taking photos. I studied the google street view of the area and screenshot the local map and headed for my train station. With my newly acquired Suica card I didn't have to figure how much to Jiyugaoka just swipe my card and away I went. I took the Tokyu Toyoko line four stops.

I headed off towards Ikanika cafe, on my walk I saw so many cute shops, lovely residences, and many plum blossoms still in bloom. After a fifteen minute walk I found the cafe. Set in a beautiful little house, Ikanika, was empty when I arrived at 2pm but the proprietor was happy to see me. I changed into the appropriate grass slippers after I removed my boots and picked a rough-hewn table near the window. Behind the window there was a beautiful Japanese garden. each little space in the cafe was special, there was a small sofa with coffee table in one corner and in the opposite corner there was another little wooden table for two with schoolroom chairs. The cafe had a small display of zakka for sale near the open kitchen which I faced. I watched the proprietor prepare my meal which I picked, a lunch set consisted of a dandelion salad, creamy soup and homemade bread. The meal was served beautifully on a linen cloth on a little wooden tray. It was all delicious. After my meal I set off to take pics of the residential neighborhood and check out the lovely stores. About ten minutes after setting off and taking picture of what seemed like kumquats 2:45pm rolled around, and well you know the rest. Because I want this to be a positive post that's the end of my day as far as this post is concerned. The next 48 hours weren't the best so all I will say is that I was glad to hang out with my new friend Jen in her lovely home, in Nerima, and we had a lovely Korean barbecue for dinner. I'm sad I left early but it was the best decision for me at the time.

- Posted by misskitty1970

Please Help Japan

2011-03-29T08:03:00.001-07:00

janneserojas©2011

A few people have asked me if I knew where they can donate to help Japan so I've just collected a few links as to some of the more trustworthy places to donate.
The areas where the earthquake and Tsunami hit the hardest is in desperate need of help, if you can make a donation to help out that would be really awesome. Obviously, I understand if your finances are super tight because you are unemployed and making ends meet can be very difficult. If you are in Japan you can even donate food, clothing and other supplies necessary.

Here's a list:

Second Harvest Japan
The American Red Cross
The Japan Red Cross has posted on their website to please donate through your local Red Cross or if you go on their website you can get the info for the banks that will take direct transfers for donations.
Japan Society
Charity Navigator- pretty cool site on which charities are contributing all their funds to the Japan relief and their affiliations.

Events:
Concert for Japan

There are many art gallery's having shows that will donate at least a portion of the sales to Japan relief, plus lots of the craft community is donating a portion of their sales too.

xo
J

Survived!

2011-03-29T08:02:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your concern, I appreciate the well wishes from everyone. I was really fortunate to get out of Tokyo on Sunday afternoon and I flew to Seattle which was the first flight available to get out I leave to go home to NYC tomorrow.
When the earthquake hit I just finished having lunch at Ikanika in Jiyugaoka and I started walking around taking photographs and the birds and dogs were going crazy then I saw trees quivering and I realized what was happening so I started running down the hill away from the buidlings into the middle of the street. People were running out of their homes and one older woman saw hat I was hysterical like her and she hugged me through the earthquake. It went on and on and stronger and wouldn't stop, it was much longer than then any other earthquake. The earth looked like it was going to break apart. After it stopped I walked toward the train station not sure what to do, not speaking Japanese and really not knowing where the one or two people I had just met in Japan where. I was alone and unable to ask for help, so I just started crying and trting to call the U.S., of course the phones couldn't get a signal. I kept walking and along the way three different women came to see if I was okay and walked with me. By the train station which is in a large rotunda I met a very sweet couple Naoko and Gary who hungout with me after the first large aftershock for the rest of the afternoon. The earthquake happened at 2:45pm and around 6:45pm we finally got word that the trains wouldn't start running until the morning, so we decided we wouldn't wait much longer to set off to start walking home. I didn't have a map nor gps so Gary and Naoko walked with me for half an hour til the next station and the plan after that was they head off to Gary's place and I keep walking to Nakameguro following the tracks. Unfortunately, after two blocks you couldn't follow the tracks so I just logically decided to follow the oncoming crowd backwards assuming they were probably coming from the Nakameguro station and Shibuya. It was freezing and windy, and the tremors weren't felt as bad on the street. Finally after walking for an hour and half I reached Meguro city which meant I was 5 minutes from my apartment. Got there, tremors were every 5 minutes and I was terrified. But I was able to get through to the states through my wifi and the race to get me out of Japan started. My partner stayed on Skype with me for 15 hours becaues I was so scared and exhausted. I frantically packed in hopes of getting out but logically knew that with the airport closed i was stuck. Facebook helped me connect with tons of friends of friends in Tokyo and Skype was my lifeline to my family. Wifi was the only from of communication and its not readily available in Tokyo so I didn't want to leave my apartment and lose touch with the U.S.. I didn't sleep at all. But I decided I needed to stay with a friend so I went to Nerima to Jennifer's house which she was so awesome to give me her bed and try to normalize the situation with going out to dinner, neither one of us had eaten in 24 hours. We also went to the supermarket and 24hr convienence stores and they were out of almost everything, this happened in Nakameguro also but even earlier, people are scared and know food will run out. After dinner we went to sleep early and at 3am I got a call from my partner and aunt and they got booked in two flights one as a back up. After that it was a race back to my apt in central Tokyo to grab my stuff and then to the airport. Apparently another earthquake happened while I was in the Narita express that didn't affect my train when I was 20 mins away from the airport. I got there early and I thought I wouldn't get on my plane because of the amount of people waiting on line, but I did and I got to Seattle safely, now back to New York! I have to thank everyone for their help, but most of all Debra and my Aunt Raquel who didn't sleep or eat for almost three days to get me on a plane, thank you.

xoxo
Jannese

- Posted by misskitty1970

Tokyo Day 9: Clothing, housewares, and Zakka, OH MY! Nakameguro & Shinjuku

2011-03-29T08:01:00.001-07:00

I don't want to take away form the seriousness of the events happening in Japan so I struggled with this post. In light of all that I experienced the last couple of days while in Tokyo I felt that I should remind myself of how much I love Japan and not to think of it as the scary place that almost killed me. With that said my heart goes out to all those who have suffered tremendous loss and those who survived at the epicenter of the disasters who now have to carry on and start a new life with heavy hearts. So here's my last day full good day before the earthquake and all the wonderful things I experienced. I will have one more post about the last happy events before the quake too coming up.

I started my day with a trip to Shinjuku to Odakaya one of my favorite fabric and crafting stores. The store is super easy to get to because it's right outside of the East exit at Shinjuku Station, near the Studio Alta building. Odakaya has two buildings, one consisting of 5 floors of fabrics and the other 7 floors of all sorts of crafting supplies, from felting to knitting to pattern books.

After my excursion through a crafters fantasy land I picked up lunch from the 7 Eleven and headed home to drop off my finds and eat. When I was satisfied, I grabbed my cameras and set off to the other side of the Meguro river for some more Nakameguro exploring. I found a slew of tiny stores mostly vintage clothing and housewares and some zakka stores. The buildings and small stores hidden from the main roads were wonderful to photograph and some of the popular places were a also a delight.
Before crossing over the river there were just everyday scenes of Nakameguro in the back streets of my immediate neighborhood and the main commerce street.

This was a great restaurant near the train station.

After crossing the river I found this store which I had scene on google street view before traveling to Tokyo I originally thought it was a restaurant but it was a men's clothing boutique called, VASE, they also carried handmade jewelry and handpainted bags for women, plus all sorts of cute little housewares. There was also, Tokyo Lampoon, a women's vintage clothing store.

If you walk along the river towards the train tracks and pass under them you will come to this Izakaya, which I wanted to try but didn't get a chance because nature had other plans for me. Anywho, if you make a left on this street and walk until you reach another underpass you will see a large ugly red brick building in front of you, this houses a few vintage stores and a cute Zakka store. Here you'll find, Attic Antiques, SIIGE, USA Sundance, Loop, and a few other places,one of the vintage stores had only wares associated with airlines and travel, plus they had a super cute dog working there.

After checking out the stores I came across I lovely cafe/bar called Square Hedges just past the underpass about two blocks. The proprietor, Marie, is a Japanese woman who speaks perfect English and her friend Chel from Arizona hangs out there all the time. They make a delicious Green Tea Latte. Upstairs she rents out to an Aussie, a New Yorker, and I think a guy from California and they have a bike shop/bar. They have total hipster bikes and at night it dubs as a bar.

Getting There: Take the Tokyu Toyoko line to Nakameguro, to cross the river- when coming out of the station cross the street to the opposite side of the station, then turn left and then make the first right and keep walking you will cross the river in about 5 mins.

VASE: 1-7-7 Kamimeguro, Meguro

More addresses to come.

Tokyo Day 8- Shimokitazawa or bust!

2011-03-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've put off going to Shimokita for a week. Not because I don't love it, it's definitely one of my favorite neighborhoods. Before leaving the apartment as I was posting my last post, I felt things shaking in my apartment not enough to register immediately as earthquake, I thought "wow the wind is sure strong out today". The window usually shakes from the wind but I realized my desk and cup of tea were trembling. At that point my brain realized what was going on and I jumped up grabbed my cell phone, passport and wallet, threw on my coat and was running for the door. I was in a bad earthquake in Greece over ten years ago and it was terrifying. The one thing I learned standing in the doorway of an old building will probably get you hurt so get out of the building fast. I finally calmed down enough to realize that it was just a tremor ,but I quickly convinced myself that I freaked out for nothing and that it was probably the strong winds. When I posted my reaction on Facebook my good friend, John, informed me that there was in fact a very large earthquake in Honshu which is pretty far from Tokyo so we did feel a tremor. Panic for a second, take a breath, move on. I'm here for another 21 days so no sense in freaking out. I grabbed my cameras and bag and headed for the station. On the way to the station I walked down a block in my neighborhood that I hadn't seen yet and I met two long haired chiwas working in a store called Belage, and the older woman who's dogs they were was tickled that I love d her dogs. They were ridiculously adorable and friendly. I think the chiwa has become the official dog of Japan because they're everywhere!

Then I took the train to Shibuya and switched for the Keio Inokashira line, which was an insane transfer at Shibuya station, it showed me the magnitude of the size of Shibuya station. I arrived in Shimokitazawa and I had to make the very important decision of north exit or south. I went out the south then backtracked to the north. I walked around just wandering into different stores. First one one I went into was a Little Trip to Heaven an amazing vintage store, I've never seen such a huge fine collection of vintage clothing, everything looked new. There was beautiful stuff from the 60's and 70's. The place had loft ceilings so the clothing went up to the ceiling. I have to go back to this place. It's next to Lotty another vintage store that was closed today that I would like to visit.

More things I saw on my walk around. This store was all lacy pretty things.

Okay Marble Sud is one of my favorite Japanese brands and this is their store in Shimokita. They always have great prints.

The last time I was in Japan and I waked through Shimokita I fell in love with Marble Sud and this vintage housewares and furniture store, A.M.A Store. They have some of the best mid-century , 60's and 70's housewares, and at relatively decent prices. I really want to get the Seiko alarm clock in red or yellow for our bedroom. I wish I could bring a lamp back.

After all that shopping with my eyes, my belly started to grumble so I went in search of a cafe that I read about but it proved to be difficult to find in the twisty streets of Shimokitazawa. I got frustrated and gave up and settles on Deli and Baking, I decent enough self-serve cafe. The only self-service really is that you place your ordered at the counter and you bus your own table. I had an ice pink lemonade (they give you the option of hot pink lemonade, blech!) with a pesto chicken sandwich. As with all chicken in Japan it's always hit or miss, because they don't discriminate on the parts you are eating, so it was a little gamy.

After lunch I cleaned my palate and stuffed my face with a crepe filled with whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate!

After gorging myself on whipped cream I strolled into this market, kinda like a fleamarket, but with vintage, new,and zakka (handmade wares and crafting supplies).

The last store I went to is on the other side of the tracks and it's Bana Bana, they have a lot of housewares and zakka. I met a precious pomerian named Puddin' at the store, I had spied him while we were all crossing the tracks and his mom showed up at Bana Bana to my pleasant surprise and I got to talk to this little fuzz ball. Can you tell I miss my dogs.

On the way home I stopped at the transfer point in Shibuya to take a pic of the famous Shibuya crossing. Then home to relax before going off to my delicious yakitori dinner at Kushiwakamaru in Nakameguro.

Getting there:
Take the Odayu line or the Keio Inokashira line to Shimokitazawa station.

Marble Sud:
2-27-11 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
phone# 03-3481-6001

AMA Store:
3-34-2 Kitazawa Setagaya-ku.
phone# 03-3466-8530

Tokyo Day 7-Gakugeidaigaku, yeah a mouthful!

2011-03-09T02:23:00.001-08:00

Today I went back to Gakugeidaigaku to explore and take pictures but first I took another trip to the supermarket to replenish my fridge since eating out can become really expensive, I figured I should get just more than breakfast foods. The great thing about the supermarket is they have really nice prepared meals like these sashimi plates. I was looking for a small bottle of sake but instead I found sake juice boxes!

On the way back from the market there was a clinic van and therse were slippers outside there steps. I also talked to this kitty who had a strange humane smile. She was a bob tailed kitty much like the rest of the strays.

I got home and had my lunch trying to save a little money so I had this tonkatsu(breaded pork) sandwich with strange flavored chips and a Calpico(milky lemon drink). Then it was off to Gakugeidaigaku!

The little sleepy neighborhood is pretty much very similar to a lot of neighborhoods, I've been to right outside the station with a long street that serves as the main shopping district, which makes it very convienient for folks coming home from work. But if you walk a little further but not by much you'll find a lovely little neighborhood with sweet stores, bakeries, and cafes.

The neighborhood was still filled with lots of trees partially in bloom, plum blossoms, peach blossoms, and mikans.

After walking around for a bit I accidently found this lovely store that I had heard mentioned on a couple of other blogs, Baden Baden. I happened upon it when I was taking a picture of the house it's in and I realized it had a sign. The store carries, accessories, housewares, furniture,lighting, baby goods,jewelry and some stationery and clothing. All just sweet and beautiful. The second floor are rooms set up with contemporary mid-century modern style furniture but in min size to fit the small Tokyo apartment. The proprietor was really sweet also and spoke some English.

These were just lovely little stores one is a grocery and the other a bakery. Then there were these 3 little amigos who were super fiesty and über tiny and cute!

Lastly, I know this is a sign for what seems to be a doctor's office or physical therapist perhaps, but what's up with the aching butt!

Getting there:

Take the Tokyu Toyoko Line to the Gakugeidaigaku Station.

Baden Baden- 2-31-7 Chuo-cho Meguro-Ku, Tokyo
This the best in directions I can give. It's tricky.
Use the exit on the left after the gates at the station. Turn right out of the station. Walk 3 blocks (landmark Minami Parlor). Bare a slight left. Walk one block. Hang a right at the corner. Walk 4 blocks (you will pass under the train tracks after one block). Then make a left, the store is mid-block on the left. Look for the orange sign.

Tokyo Day 6: Snowy indoors day at the Loft

2011-03-09T02:21:00.001-08:00

Today we had totally unexpected weather, it was snowing. It started as very heavy rain then it turned into chunky fakes of snow. I had kinda figured today would be an indoor activity day because there was rain in the forecast so I had already planned to go to Takashimaya, but that wasn't going to be an all day affair. SO, on my list for today aside from Takashimaya were Loft in Shibuya, and Yuzawaya in Shinjuku (in the Takashimaya building). Both truly amazing experiences.

I took the train into Shibuya around 2pm and got a little lost finding Loft because it's kinda tucked into a back street and it was hard holding the map in my freezing hand while the other held a shaky umbrella. When I final found it I was so relived to go into a warm dry place.

The ground floor at Loft is beyond amazing, it's like a stationery store on steroids. Every kinda notebook, calendar, diary, moleskein, washi tape, pens, stickers, you name it they had it in bucket fulls in every color of the rainbow. My mind almost exploded with sensory overload, everything was so kawaii, and useful to boot!

I absolutely loved these little boxes of alphabet stamps, but as mush as I loved the little wooden box ones, the fonts were nicer in the cardboard box set. There were so many stamps of every variety. Then there's the washi tape which has become my favorite I like that it can act as a little splash of fun on practically anything.

On the other floors they have housewares, party goods and such, much like Tokyu Hands but not as overpriced, and cooler. I loved their extensive collection of mugs, and of course I finally got to see some engrish at work, here are these to lovelies.

"flattely will get you know where"

In the kitchen section, there's a couple of aisles dedicated to just making lunch. The Japanese don't be live in a boring lunch so they have a million things to spruce up their daily lunches. Like these cute onigiri boxes. Then there's the food punch cut-outs, which you can cut little faces out of nori or other thin flat food to dress up your lunch. They have toothpicks of all sorts, with little animals, or country flags. Tiny bottles to add condiments to your lunch. It's a fun lunch in Japan!

In the bedding area, you can find a large stuffed creature to keep you warm on those lonely nights, like these sheep. All the adult sleeping animals are mega large, to accommodate a snuggle.

I was so sad when I saw the prices of these prints because Marini and Monteany are my favorite Japanese children's book illustrators and I would have loved to come home with one.

Japan has some of the prettiest umbrellas I've ever seen, this more stuff at the Loft.

Next stop dinner at Takashimaya restaurant park! I went looking for sushi, but they have everything, Tonkatsu places, crepes, thai food, whatever you like. I had the Nigiri set which came with a miso soup, a gelatinous tofu glue bowl, I ate some of it, didn't taste bad but the textured freaked me out, it was too mucous-y for me. The sushi was okay but I've had better, and I tried the eel since it was on my plate, I can still say I don't like it.

Next stop was an amazing surprise. I think I walked into heaven, at least crafters' heaven. Yuzawaya is located on the 11th floor of the Takashimaya building and, my oh my, I've never seen so much amazingness. It's a fabric, notions,crafting and art supply department store.

Since it's rainy and I know there will be more nights of staying home I figure I get some little craft projects to occupy my time , so I got these two cute felting projects at Yuzaway and some stationery supplies at Loft. I started the elephant, it's super time consuming.

On the way home I stopped in at the 7 Eleven and bought myself a beeru and a chocolate bar. I have to try these strawberry sandwiches that I keep seeing too, maybe tomorrow. I'm in for the night, with a movie, beeru, and felting mascot! Konbonwa!

Getting there:

Shibuya-Take the JR Yamanote Line, Tokyu Toyoko line, Keio Inokashira line, Tokyu Den-en-toshi line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Tokyo metro Fukutoshine line, or the Metro Ginza Line to Shibuya. Exit the Hachiko Exit.

Loft-21-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-KU (map below)

Shinjuku-Take the JR Yamanote,Chuo main, Chuo-Sobu, Shonan-Shinjuku or Saiko Lines. Or the Odakyu line, Keio Line and Keio New Line, Marunouchi Line, Toei Shinjuku or Toei Oedo lines. For Takashimaya, exit the New South Exit.

Takashimaya-n 5-24-2, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Tokyo Day 5: We meet again Harajuku

2011-03-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

I spent the whole day in Harajuku, which is completely exhausting on a Sunday because practically every young person in Tokyo is there to shop, to be seen, or just to watch. So it's the perfect place to just hang out and photograph people. My favorite part about Harajuku or more exact the kids the come to hang out in Harajuku, come dressed in outrageous costumes to hang out with their friends in a very touristy neighborhood (because of the shopping and the Meiji shrine), and they get pissed at people that try to take pictures of them.

I walked on Takeshita street in a sea of people, and I popped into the doggy clothing store, omg, they have the cutest things, I wish Francie liked wearing clothing. I also went into the Angels Nest harajuku, which is a store with just Super Dolfie dolls and all sorts of accessories, they were amazing but a little creepy because they are huge.

After a couple of hours of shooting and getting the evil eye from teenagers I was hungry so I went to Bio Ojiyan Cafe. The cafe is housed in the old Opatoca building which is really distinct in the middle of square box buildings. Opatoca was a sweet bakery chain. Bio Ojiyan's specialty is a type of Japanese Risotto made with what looks like barley, probably egg and dashi. These are just some guesses. There was also shredded scallion, sesame seeds, prociutto, some nori sheets, a tiny food colored frank carved into a flower, and a piece of sugary fried bread. I was stuffed and ready to move on.

I spent more time shooting people on Cat street then I headed into the new and temporary location of Kiddyland, a toy store that houses mostly character toys like Hello Kitty, Miffy,etc. It was probably worse than any other time I've been but Harajuku in general was insanely packed today.

After that insanity and buying a couple of Hello Kitty Rement boxes I parked myself on Cat Street for sunset light and shot some more film.

Time to go home to get ready for dinner with a new friend. I took some of the back streets to get to the train station to avoid the crowds and enjoy some of the tiny quieter blocks. But I had to eventually get back onto Omotesando-dori, and I went for a quick peek at Meiji Square where all the Lolita's and other kids hang out. It was pretty empty except for a group of gaijin lolitas and a crazy drunk with a sign that read "ask permission to take picture", regarding the girls and he would shove it in the face of anyone who dared to take a picture. I took several anyway, posed pictures are no fun. I got to my train station and as my train pulled out I saw a pigeon get trapped on the electric wires desperately trying to get out and as it released itself and flew away, a million lights and alarms went off in the station and the trains all came to an abrupt stop. Platform guards ran back and for on the platform freaking out not knowing what set the alarm off, I knew but I don't speak Japanese to tell them it was a poor bird stuck on wire.

Dinner. I met, Jennifer, a friend of a friend, for dinner at Iwao Izakaya,in Shibuya, it was totally decent and the staff was nice including Hawaiian guy named Robert who helped translating the menu for us. Getting in the restaurant was interesteing because the door was about 3.5-4 feet in height so you really had to bend to clear your head. We had a few beers, some tuna sashimi that was like butter, steamed thin slices of pork and a delicious Japanese fried rice with ginger, shiso, scallions, and ground chicken. It was really nice making a new friend in Tokyo and not having to sit alone for dinner, and Jennifer saved me because she was kind enough to bring me a hairdryer and frying pan!

Tokyo Day 4: Margo under the train

2011-03-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

-A Walk in Yutenji and a sneak peek at Gakugeidaigaku.

Today I made my way from neighborhood into the two neighboring areas, Yutenji and Gakugeidaigaku, mostly Yutenji. It's a sweet neighborhood where people were really friendly, one woman made a huge effort to speak to me to find out why it was so interesting to me to photograph Yutenji. Luckily, I have a million apps on my phone to get me through a baby conversation. I was able to tell her "I'm an artist and I live in nakameguro for one month", not that smoothly though, nor with that much sentence structure. Yutenji has a two main shopping streets, one runs parallel to the train.

This is the street I found Margo, a tiny adorable restaurant, run by one woman. Again, I was lucky that her English was amazing and she was able to run the lunch set menu down to me. I settled on the pancakes, that came with two teeny-tiny saugages, a tomato quarter, a slice of daikon radish, three potato slices, a smear of what seemed to be mustard seeds in a vinegar, and a teeny carafe of syrup. The pancakes were just plain pancakes with a slab of butter, but the sausage and tomato were heavenly. The tomato might be the most delicious tomato I've ever had, it actually tasted like fruit which is what we have been told tomatoes are. The set came with english tea served in a beautiful glass cup with a stone bowl filled with finely ground brown sugar with a small wooden spoon to serve. The most amazing thing about Margo aside from the decor and food, is that the owner is the wait staff and cook all by herself, and she's lovely to boot.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in Yutenji just walking the streets and hanging out at busy spots like the train station getting shots of people. I sat in front of a supermarket for about half an hour, people kept looking at me funny, but I shot them anyway.

When I was done in Yutenji I meandered along the streets near the tracks so I wouldn't lose my way while I headed into Gakugeidaigaku (yes, it's a mouthful). I realized I must be in Gakugeidaigaku because I was nearing the next train station along the Tokyu Toyoko line. I stopped in this really cute store called modern pets has nothing to do with real pets, they basically remade Dream Pets which is are stuffed animals from the 60's, they also carry all sorts of Astroboy stuff. I picked up to tiny creatures super cute.

These two tinies came home with me, so kawaii!

I made an attempt to go to a gallery opening this eve but I was unsuccessful. After taking three different trains and getting on two wrong trains, and navigating some dark alleys the place was closed! The gallery is in Ryogoku(pronounced Yogoku) which where the Edo Museum is so I got to see the building it's pretty impressive looks like a giant spaceship. All that traveling took 2.5 hrs! I got back to my hood and went to a delicious izakaya, Kushiwakamaru, that basically makes yakitori of all sorts and serves mega size beers. I had a quart of beer, I kid you not. As an appetizer they brought out a bowl full of pureed daikon radish with teeny fish sprinkle on top, I tried it, it tasted as bad as it sounds. For dinner, I ordered entirely too much, because I was basing it on the size of yakitori we get in NYC, but it's all mega size at this place. I ordered two screws of beef with peppers, two chicken with scallion, one scallop with salsa, two asparagus with bacon. Let's just say, I would like to stick a finger down my throat because I ate so much. This place is super gaijin friendly the whole menu is translated into English and you will see plenty of gaijin faces. It's really busy and you have to put your name on a list because people come form all over to eat here, it's suppose to be the best yakitori place in town.

Getting there:
Margo Cafe in Yutenji- Take the Toyku Toyoko line to the Yutenji station.

When you get out of the station make a left at the KFC at the corner, walk down the Terra Shopping Center to the end right before you hit the train overpass. Margo is right across from the train overpass and it's the last little store at the end of the shopping strip. About a 5 mins walk from station.

Kushiwakamaru in Nakameguro- Take the Toyku Toyoko line or the Hibiya line to the Nakameguro station. As soon as you get out of the station cross to the opposite side of the street, make a left. Then make a right at the next corner, and one more left at the next corner. The building says YAKITORI in the front. Put your name down on the list and number in your party and take a seat.

Tokyo Day 3-Nakameguro, Daikanyama, and Beeru!

2011-03-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

I spent the day trolling around Nakameguro and Daikanyama with my Canon and Nikon hanging from my neck. I walked along the meguro river in Nakameguro into Aobadai where I had a delicious lunch set at Aoya.

Aoya is located in a sweet Showa era house tucked away from the street with a lovely narrow garden path to it's wooden sliding door. The only way you know it's there is by a tiny lantern at the entrance. I was really fortunate that the young man who seated me spoke English so he explained the three options on the lunch set after showing me to the counter where I took a seat and I could watch them prepare the meal. The restaurant prepares Kyoto based food, and my choices where a one-plate Kaseki style dish with lots of veggies and a fish, a curry bowl, or a Korean inspired tofu spicy stew. I went with the Korean tofu stew and it was delicious. All the meals come with side dishes, mine had a bowl of 5 grain rice and a salad.

After my meal I headed out and walked some more around Nakameguro, I went to stop in at Nill style/Bonill cafe which is on the corner from Aoya but they were closed, it's one of my favorite stores/cafe.

Then I trekked up a very steep hill into Daikanyama where I saw the Egyptian embassy which is a very strange sight in the middle of Tokyo with all it's gold and Egyptian sphinxes and such. I walked a little fer onto the side streets filled with tiny stores and I went shopping for socks at Kutsushitaya where they carry all the Tabio socks which are made in Japan. I scored, they had 60% off all the winter socks! Then I went into CA4LA (pronounced Kashira), a hats-only store hoping to replace some of my older winter knit hats from here, but alas they were onto spring.

Next stop, Chez Luis, a patisserie, where I had me a sit-down with a cup of tea and a yummy custard filled pastry.

Time to head back to the apartment to relax for a bit before heading out for the evening. On the way back I stopped at the cutest looking take-out window from the restaurant Mahakala which seems to serve squid and chicken dishes including okonomiyaki and chicken sashimi, but the take-out window has a refrigerator filled with yummy puddings and custards in adorable containers. I picked up a matcha flavored pudding for after dinner.

Went home relaxed, then got ready to head over to the Taproom, a beerhall with twenty-something beers on tap, including a really good imperial stout which is what I had, I paired that with a nakameguro burger which was very seasoned and had onion rings inside. They definitely need to learn to make their fries better, they were steak-cut potatoes that were limp and wet with grease, yuck, left those alone. I sketched while I was there, not many people to sketch since it was early only 7pm, but there were interesting faces around including a lot of gaijin (foreigners). Around 8pm I strolled back to my place had my pudding and got to bed by 10pm, I know lame but I'm still jet-lagged.

More pics from the day walking around

AOYA 1-15-10 Aobadai, Nakameguro, Tokyo

Tokyo's obsession with Turquoise cross post

2011-03-05T14:54:00.001-08:00

Walking in Nakameguro and Daikanyama I started to notice all the turquoise. Check it out:

Tokyo Day 2-My Apartment and the Scavanger Hunt

2011-03-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

Shibuya

I waited to take some pics of my apartment until the morning because in the evening it's slightly depresso because there's only flourescent lighting, but in the morning it's sweet. Although most of the apartment is freezing the tatami mat area is warm because the heating unit is in here and the shower is super hot a big plus in my book. Neighbors are all quiet too, thank god, I thought the screaming baby was going to be a regular, not so.

I'm upstairs you can't see my door it's in the little nook

OMG! So they just stuck a toilet seat ontop of an old Japanese style toilet, thank god!

My block

My first full day in Tokyo started at 3am, yes that early I got a total of 4hrs sleep because of the jet lag. I had to wait until things started opening to get some breakfast and go to the supermarket. I was a little confused when I got outside with my map because although I saw one thing on google street view it was another view in real life, so I decided follow all the folks going to work, they must be headed in the general direction of the train station, turned out I was right. On my walk around the corner I ran into a shrine which is so amazing to have these traditional structures just around the corner. Then I got my bearings and found the supermarket, Life, but it was too early and it was closed and I had no idea what their ours were, it was 9am figure 10am things would open.

I set off to find my breakfast, if nothing was open my next choice would have been the 7 Eleven, they have tons of prepared foods. I found Cafe Doutor open, they're a chain link Starbucks but with tastier and weird food options, they are right by the train station and around the corner from the supermarket. I had a yummy macha latte and a breakfast egg sandwich that had ham, peppers and other veggies. When I went to sit down I realized that there's smoking and non-smoking here and the smoking section is actually and enclosed area and it was the only place with available seating. I sat there for under 5 mins before I saw I women get up from the non-smoking section and I ran for it, I got smoked out!

After the delicious breakfast I headed back the supermarket, and it was still closed and so was the 100 Yen store that I needed to go to, so I just wandered to check out this part of the neighborhood. Lots of neat little eateries, plenty of after-work places to get sake and fried or grilled goodness. In my little wanderings I found a bakery called Transparente, it had mostly savory treats like the one I bought with ham,cheese, and broccoli. The bakery itself was lovely, super designed.

I headed back to Life supermarket and went shopping they have two floors upstairs they have non-food items including cheap clothes. I got the basics including some snacking nori and tofu, I'm sure the bread and the nori have MSG but here you just have to pretend it doesn't exist because it's just part of their cooking. They have an amazing pickle aisle that I know three people who would freak out over it, because they love pickled stuff so much.There meats and fish section are also pretty amazing as well as they pre-prepared foods with bento boxes,sushi bentos, onigiri and much more. I went upstairs to get cleaning supplies, kitchen towels, and other necessities and had no idea you had to pay on each separate floor but the girls at the register forgave my stupid gaijin ways and let it slide this time, at least that's what I got from the miming. Popped into the 100 Yen store (99 cent store equilvalent, except with the exchange rate it $1.22) I bought stuff like clothing dryers,towels, kitchen utensils,and a bunch of other useful things. I was off, back to the apartment to drop off my spoils and eat my lunch which I bought at the supermarket a sandwich pack, that comes with egg salad, potato salad with tomato, and ham&cheese. They're tiny little finger sandwiches.

After lunch I ran into a local drugstore to by some hand soap and paper towels then I took the train into Shibuya which is only two stops on the Tokyu Toyoko line and 120 yen each way. My main goal was to head over to Tokyu hands department store to find a hair-dryer to replace my non-working one, a tea ball, and a few essentials I was missing. I just hung out exploring all the floors in Tokyu Hands, lots of amazing stuff especially in the kitchen section.

Nakameguro train platform

girl at Shibuya station

Tokyu Hands ketchup and mayo lunch pack containers

Tokyu Hands, Ladies facial apparatus', I know it looks like other stuff but it's really for skin toning, Tokyu Hands would NEVER carry naughty things.

I headed back to my neighborhood when I was done around 4:30pm and went back to Life to see if they had a hair-dryer, no dice. So now I have to sit under the heating unit to air dry my hair. Picked up dinner at the 7 Eleven, tuna salad onigiri (riceball) and a variety of soups including little packets of miso which what I had with my onigiri. Watched some more Vampire Diaries and went to sleep at 7:30pm (remember I was awake at 3am), super jet lagged.

A few things I saw on the way home

A scared doggy with dreads

A restaurant with interesting sea creatures for dinner
including this salted shark head .

my dinner

Tokyo Day 1-The marathon cross post

2011-03-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

On Narita Express

Yesterday was the day from hell starting with my cab being late to get to the airport, but then I got a little good kharma and there was no one on line at the ticket counter, nor at security. The flight was perfectly acceptable but I was miserable the whole time 14hrs without sleeping and insane cramps, by hour four I was about to jump out of my skin. I watched three movies, four vampire diaries, and played pacman, majong,space invaders and then pretended to sleep.

On JAL flight

After 14 hours of torture, the plane was half an hour late arriving at Narita which meant I was going to have to be a speed demon if I was going to get to the Sakura house check-in by 8pm. Immigration went smooth hardly any gaijin (foreigners) checking in, but my suitcase of course was practically last because out of a massive plane only 13 rows were economy the rest were premium or first class and they get their baggage first, bastards!
Then I raced to the ATM machine and behold my card didn't worked in the HSBC atm, my bank of course, so I tried Citibank, bingo!

Got Money and ran to the JR Narita Express ticket counter on the B1 level, unfortunately the only non-stop to Shinjuku wouldn't arrive for another 40 mins so I had no choice, at this point I've called the Sakura house folks to tell them where I am and to please wait for me and not close the office. Got to Shinjuku station at quarter to 8pm (they close at 8pm) and Shinjuku station is the biggest train station in the world, literally so I had to quickly navigate through the tunnels with a massive suitcase, a giant knapsack filled with camera equipment and my smaller backpack. Finally got outside the west exit and then I have to fight with the tiled streets to get my bag to roll do the street. I made it! 8pm on the dot! Checked-in my credit worked fine which was my other worry. Grabbed a cab, I'm sick to my stomach at this point, haven't slept in 24hrs and haven't eaten in a while. I mimed to the cab driver with my map where I needed to go and after ten minutes of staring at the map he punched the address into the GPS and found my apartment, yay! Now for some more fun, I have to lug a 60lb suitcase up very narrow steep metal staircase. I'm home! It's freezing in the apartment, it takes me about ten minutes to figure out the kanji on the remote for the heating unit it never really warmed the apartment just a small section. I got my futons ready, I went down the street to some vending machine for a bottle of water and another of green tea, then off to the shower and bed.
≈

Gross chicken teriyaki with unidentifiable sweet things on the upper right.

Tokyo: A Certain Style cross post

2011-01-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

Tokyo: A Certain Style, by Kyoichi Tsuzuki, I've had this book for about 6 years when my partner told my sister that I loved this book and didn't have it, so my sister gave it to me for my birthday. I have poured over the pages a million times since. Recently, I pulled it out for three reasons to look at the small spaces especially those apartments that are tatami style apartments since I will be one of those people soon enough and wanted to get some temporary decor tips. Then the second reason is I find that I enjoy sketching things and rooms much more than I use to when I was younger so this is a perfect book to sketch from, just to get my hand moving. Lastly, I am planning to build my photography portfolio in Japan so I was using this book as a jumping off inspirational book of photography which Kyoichi Tsuzuki photographs make it breathtaking. The book is sectioned into different kinds of apartments, like, "Beauty in Chaos", "The Fancy Fetish", or "Kiddie Kingdoms" with a brief note about the person living in the apartment and what they do. Anyway I want to share a few of the photographs from this book which I highly recommend you add to your library.

Sunrise Mart Soho-Japan in New York cross post

2011-01-21T12:29:00.001-08:00

Since I wrote about Panya in my previous post I figure I can write about Sunrise Mart which is where I got my lunch today and it's a great Japanese supermarket, this is the Soho Branch. Sunrise has a couple of locations but this one has an eat-in seating section which is nice. This is a a small but real supermarket, you can get all your ingredients to make any Japanese meal. Of course there is all the fun candy and treats, they also carry Panya treats, like curry pan and yummy fluffy bread loafs, I bought one to make french toast!

There's a whole section were you can get hot take out or just take it to the eat-in section. The have Ramen noodles, in Shoyu (soy sauce), Miso, or Tonkatsu (pork). I got the Miso Ramen, that's usually my favorite and the safest bet anywhere.

In the hot food section you can get all sorts of Donburi (rice bowls). There's chicken katsu don, Tonkatsu don (pork) and shrimp don. Haven't tried theirs yet only Panya's and theirs is yummy.

You can also get the prerequisite onigiri (rice ball with filling) in many flavors. My favorites are the spicy tuna, tuna mayo, or plum, although I really have to be in the mood for these.

This packaging just had me rolling,it's the first thing saw when I walked in, What kinda spaghetti? huh?

I'm having a little crafty get together this weekend and I thought these party toothpicks would be fun. This is just some of the cute stuff they have there. Super cute animal toothpicks, but what's the brown guy a Squid? My favorite though is the faces toothpicks, there are some questionable emotions on some of the faces, and who really wants a dead guy face on their tea sandwich (is it a warning like the skull and crossbones on a poison bottle) or the weeping face (this food is so bad it made me cry, what? huh?)

Dinner at Panya-Japan in New York cross post

2011-01-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

Panya is one of my favorite Japanese comfort food restaurant and sweets bakery. They have everything delicious and cheap! Some of the savory treats from their kitchen are Chicken katsu don or sandwich, traditional Japanese Breakfast set, curry rice and many more yummy dishes.

You can pick up from the refrigerated section more yummy goodness, like onigiri, 4 kinds sandwich set (like the ones at a Lawson or 7 Eleven in Japan, sans the tonkatsu), sushi, salads, and bento boxes.

They have an amazing bakery section too, some of the treats I've tried and loved are the macaroons, the green tea and rose one are my favorites. I also love the green tea tiramisu, cream puff, and curry pan, I'm told the pear danish is outrageous! They have lots of beverages aside from coffee drinks

Aside from all those delights they have a small section where you can pick up dry goods like green tea cookies, big fluffy loaves of bread baked in-house, all sorts of chip-like snacks, pocky, wasabi peas and all sorts of candies and sweets.

This was my delicious Chicken Katsu sandwich for $6.50 plus an Oi-cha (green tea) $2.50 total of $9 for dinner pretty good deal and there are tables so you can have your meal or treat there.

- Posted by misskitty1970

My New Neigborhood in Japan! cross post

2011-01-18T10:18:00.001-08:00

OMG! I was able to locate my new place in Nakameguro, Tokyo, Japan via google maps street view. This is so cool, look how cute the neighborhood is! So the place is the one with the green awning 3 houses in from the corner on the right.

A view of the streets by the corner

The corner house

Then these are pics of stuff three blocks up walking towards the train station

All Set for Japan

2011-01-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Bonill/ Nill Style Cafe, Nakameguro

Yay! I have my plane ticket and today I confirmed my apartment in Nakameguro, a super cute neighborhood in Tokyo! I'm staying in a Japanese style apartment with Tatami mats and futon.

Okay rewind, I have been posting I'm my other blog about the state of affairs and totally forgot no one has any idea here. So I gave notice at my job as a designer at a big clothing company this week. My plans are to work on my real art career as a photographer and painter, so that's where Japan comes in, I'm leaving in March for a month to work on my portfolio. I will be cross posting here all my adventures during my stay, but you can also visit my other blog at craftylove.

So back to the apartment I'm renting. Luckily, I'll have a washer in my apartment but no dryer. Have to figure that out, guess I can buy a small clothes line. The train station is about 7 minutes away according to Sakura House, the agency that helps foreigners with rental apartments and guesthouses. It's going to be weird living by myself, no partner and no dogs, kinda a little sad, but I know its just a month. I leave March 1st the day after my birthday.

Nakameguro is filled with super cute stores, cafes, and music venues. The area is known for its vintage stores and hipster residents. Its like Williamsburg but without the toxic waste and better train line. The pics of the area are from my last trip in 2008.

Side trip to Hakone

2010-12-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

view from our room at Kinnotake in Hakone

A trip to Hakone is a really great and easy trip right outside of Tokyo. You can see Mt. Fuji from many spots enjoy the plethora of hot springs which is the really big attraction to Hakone. You will see lots of Japanese tourists here for a relaxing soak in the hot springs. You can also stay in one of the many amazing ryokans in the area, take nature walks, ride a pirate ship on Lake Ashi, ride a funicular that is practically vertical and enjoy crazy ride on a toy train. If you buy the Hakone free-pass (it's not free) for about $50 USD it grants you a two-day pass which includes the Odakyu Romance car (this is a train that no one knows why it's called a romance car!) to Hakone and back to Tokyo from Shinjuku Station (other starting points available also). The pass also includes unlimited travel on 7 different means of transport including, Hakone Tozan train, Hakone Tozan cable car, Hakone Ropeway(funicular),Hakone sightseeing cruise (pirate ship on Lake Ashi), Hakone Tozan bus (this was great it left us everywhere we needed to go and was really close to the Ryokan), Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus, and Numazu Tozan Tokai Bus. In addition you are available for discounts at tons of attractions including hot springs. You can buy the pass at the Shinjuku station at the Odakyu counter .

This is the Toy train in Hakone which we did not ride because it goes over a ravine on crazy scary bridge that my partner was too freaked out to go on, but I know that the sights are really lovely from this view.
We took the Odakyu Romance car directly from Shinjuku station and it was a very comfortable ride. Since we weren't sure about the use of the free-pass, the location of our Ryokan, and we had massive suitcases we took a cab, which turned out for the best for us. It was a long and winding trip up a mountain with a very nice cab driver. Before I left the states I had a Kinnotake employee email me in kanji "please take me to Ryokan Kinnotake" with the address attached so all I had to do was show the cab driver. We arrived at Kinnotake, we were shown the grounds and our room all spectacular. There were communal hot spring facilities, a bar and lounge, a beautiful pond where there's a massage room. Our room was massive and we had a separate dining area. We had huge shower and hot spring. The whole bathroom wall facing the mountains was made of glass that opened up so you were outside! Amazing! The room was a small fortune for one night, about $850 USD! I will never be that extravagant again, way too much, that's almost the price of a plane ticket. But it was worth it for the one time.

Our Room, Mayu, in Kinotake

Our private-in-room hot spring.

Our dinner was an elaborate kaseki dinner and this is just a small portion. The white stuff in the middle with the green bits on top was a yam based goo, it was tasteless but super slimey and hard to eat. We had our dinner in our dining cocoon which was a tiny bit claustrophobic. Later that evening we hung out in the lounge and on the deck by the pond it was really lovely. Breakfast was also a very traditional Japanese meal with tofu, fish, rice and pickles.

The afternoon we arrived we went out to get a peak at Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi, I went solo on the pirate boat my partner gets sea sick. Fuji was being illusive that afternoon so I was able to only see a tip but the ride on the lake was magical with the surrounding mountains. While I was on my free pirate ride my partner took a little nature walk on the grounds she said it was quite lovely and serene. Then off to the cafeteria for lunch since lunch is not served at Kinnotake. I had some Japanese curry rice that had like a salisbury steak slapped on top not too appetizing but I was starving.

The second day in Hakone we had I few hours to do something after we checked out that morning so we went to the the Hakone Open Air Museum which had amazing vistas of the mountains and a great collection of sculptures from around the world. Very different feeling from other open-air museums I've been to like Storm King in New York or the Lousiana Museum in Denmark.

You can definitely do a day-trip of Hakone from Tokyo since it's such a short trip, the Romance car is worth the extra 870 yen each way to save on time.

"For the Romancecar, all seats are reserved and it takes only 85 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. For Express Train, it takes 2 hours and seats are not reserved. Express fee is included in the free pass, but for the Romancecar an extra 870 yen (one way) is needed. Q-Tour covers the fee of Romancecar."

So sorry for no updates

2010-12-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

Kinnotake Ryokan- Hakone,Japan

I have to apologize to those of you waiting for the Kyoto itinerary I've been up to my eyeballs in work. I hope to start posting again soon. I'm also planning a month long stay in Japan in March so I will have lots of info for everyone. I'll be staying in Tokyo but I hope to Travel to the Kansai region again, get a little more Kyoto time and visit Osaka too.

A Day in Kyoto: Part 1 & 2

2010-03-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

"At Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto"

I've had a few people ask me "I'm going to Kyoto for a day, what should I see". Well
first of all, I'll tell you if you can try to go for at least 2 days in Kyoto you will not be sorry. Kyoto is why people go to Japan, you can experience a modern world with traditional culture mixed in and a city with a laid back attitude. And the other plus the countryside is literally minutes away. The first time I went we where in Kyoto for 3 days and we were so bummed we didn't have more time, the last time we went we made sure we went for at least 5 days.

Well let's say you really can't afford to be there for more than a day and when I say a day I mean from at least 9am til 9pm. You can potentially do this if you take the shinkansen from Tokyo early in the morning. So there are a few places you can visit and get a nice feeling of Kyoto. Grab a quick snack in the the Kyoto JR Station when you get off your train, to tie you over for a bit.

Kyoto Station Map page 1

Kyoto Station Map page 2

Your destinations mapped out.

PART 1-Nishiki Market

hours: varies by store, typically 9:00-1800
closed:varies by store, typically, wednesday or sunday
admission:free

Jump on the subway (Karasuma subway line-to Shijo st./karasma st.) to the Nishiki Market, it's an amazing covered outdoor/indoor food market (and other traditional goods, great for souvenirs). Nishiki Market is a great adventure for all the senses, you can find delicious foods, snacks and teas. "Nishiki Market is a narrow, shopping street, lined by more than one hundred shops. Various kinds of fresh and processed foods including many Kyoto specialties, such as pickles, Japanese sweets, dried food, sushi, and fresh seafood and vegetables are sold." The smells can range from the alarming to the sublimely delicious, pick up some tasty treats for your day. Spend 45mins to 1 hour visiting and sampling the stalls.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market

MAP from subway station to Nishiki Market

Getting there: Take Karasuma subway line-to Shijo station/Karasma station
You'll be on the corner of Karasuma and Shijo when you get out, walk on Shijo towards the Kamo river, walk two blocks to Takakura-dori and hang a left, walk one block, hang a right at Nishiki-Dori (hence the name Nishiki Market) and you will see it.

PART 2- Yasaka Shrine (also known as Gion Shrine) and Maruyama Park

Yasaka Shrine
hours: always open
closed:no closing days
admission:free

"Yasaka Shrine Entrance" view from street

You're done at the Nishiki Market and you've bought some treats to eat, now head back over to Shijo-dori and jump on the bus to the Yasaka Shrine. Take the 206 or 100 bus to the Gion bus stop, it's about 10-15 mins depending on traffic. You will know you're there when you see a giant orange and white temple entrance in the middle of the street, there's no missing it! The great thing about this Shrine it's in the center of the Gion so you will get to see Geishas or Maikos in full regalia just walking around. Try to go on a Sunday, during Festival or National holiday when other Japanese tourist are visiting and they dress their daughters up in Geisha or Maiko costumes for pictures, it's amazing! The Yasaka Shrine is connected to Maruyama park and if you saw "Lost in Translation" you will remember Charlotte adding a wish to the wish trees in Maruyama Park, also, she's seen skipping stones in a pond that's in the Park also. If you go during Cherry Blossom Season it's the best place to see the trees. It's a beautiful Park and the walk across it will leave you at your next destination Chion-in Temple.

"Yasaka Shrine Vendor"

"Maruyama Park"

"Geisha Model at Maruyama Park"

"Family taking pictures at Yasaka shrine" (kids looked annoyed ;) )

"Delicious bean cake treats at Yasaka shrine"

Getting there:
Take number 100 and 206 and get off at Gion bus stop. The closest train stations are Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
You could potentially walk there from the Nishiki Market it'll take you about 15-20mins

Kyoto Bus Route Map

Next to come on your day itinerary
PART 3-Chion-in Temple
PART 4- via the narrow lanes of the Higashiyama ("Eastern Mountain") district en route to Kiyomizudera Temple
PART 4- Kiyomizudera Temple
PART 5- Dinner in the Gion

Zakka & Cafe FuFuFu

2010-03-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

This is my absolutely favorite place in Kyoto, Zakka & Cafe FuFuFu. It's tiny and perfect, they serve coffee, tea and lovely tasty treats. They have a small handmade goods(zakka)store on one wall of the cafe, and the opposite wall acts as a gallery for some of their crafters' pieces. They have a little seating area where you can enjoy your beverage or snack and just wile the hours away reading or just lost in a daze of a crafter's dream. I highly recommend checking it out.

Kyoto so much loverliness: GETTING THERE

2009-12-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Kyoto is filled with everything that you go to Japan to see and experience, temples, cafe, gardens, traditional architecture, geishas, traditional and new foods, and everything else you expect and some surprises too. There's a lot to tell for Kyoto so this will be more than one post. First things first getting there is very easy, if you're coming by way of Tokyo or Osaka. From Tokyo Go to the JR ticket center in the East building of the Shinjuku station the day before departing to get your tickets, you are buying shinkansen tickets (bullet train), this ticket will only pay for the shinkansen, but you will be taking another train first.

Getting there: Take the JR Yamanote line from Shinjuku station to Shinagawa Station (it's about a 25 min trip)this is a separate ticket if you do not have a JR Rail Pass which I highly recommend you get one in your country of origin, the voucher that is. When you get to Shinagawa station find your gate it's really easy, it's should be on your ticket. Then you find your car # on the ticket also and stand on a line to get on the train, there are electronic signs announcing the trains coming in in Japanese and english, there are train conductor's on the platform too that you can ask if you are confused. The trip is about 2hr 20mins, bring a snack or lunch, it's very common to eat on these trains and the snacks offered by the attendants are pricey and not very nutrious.. You'll arrive at JR Kyoto station, here you'll find buses, local subways, and cab stands, take a cab to find your hotel. You'll also find a tourist information center (info below). Getting there from Osaka is really easy you have a couple of options "The JR Tokaido Shinkansen requires 15 minutes and costs 1380 Yen (by unreserved seat) from not so centrally located Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

Almost equally fast are the special rapid trains on the JR Kyoto Line, which require about 25 minutes and cost 540 Yen from more centrally located Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

By Hankyu Railways:

Limited express trains on the Hankyu Kyoto Line get you from Umeda Station (next to JR Osaka Station) to Karasuma and Kawaramachi Stations in central Kyoto in roughly 40 minutes and for 390 Yen.

By Keihan Railways:

Limited express trains on the Keihan Main Line get you from Yodoyabashi Station in central Osaka to Sanjo Station in central Kyoto in roughly 50 minutes and for 400 Yen." (Osaka info from Japan-guide.com)

KYOTO TOURIST INFORMATION - operated by Kyoto Prefecture
Add: 9th Fl., JR Kyoto Station, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KYOTO 600-8216 JAPAN
Phone: 075-344-3300
Open: 10:00-18:00 daily.
Closed: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and Year-end and New Year Holiday.

Good Kyoto maps
map 1
map 2

Yamanote Line

Park Hyatt Tokyo BRUNCH!!!! Oy-shi Indeed!

2009-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Dessert table @ the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel

Delicious food and fabulous views and you get to hang out where "Lost in Translation" was filmed, the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel, spectacular! Okay, this brunch will be hands down the best brunch of your life, and I've had a lot of brunches in New York, the land of the brunch. It's only on Sundays, so if you are in Tokyo on a Sunday take advantage. It's about $60 USD, and that may seem steep, but you get an unlimited appetizing table (buffet style), amazing entree (I had the steak), multiple beverages including an alcoholic one, and my favorite, a dessert table!!! With unlimited coffee and tea! It's a lovely experience altogether, they seat you in the main dining area and it's truly fine dining service, you can get up to go to the appetizing table multiple times, after your meal is complete they bring you into a different part of the bar/restaurant where a live jazz performer will be singing and playing and you are left to your own devices to attack the dessert table!!!! VERY IMPORTANT, YOU MUST MAKE A RESERVATION!!! Ask your concierge at your hotel or a friend who speaks Japanese to make the reservation for you, we were very fortunate that with one day's notice we were able to get a reservation. Don't forget to visit the lobby where Charlotte and Bob hung out :)

Location:

Park Hyatt Tokyo
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku
Tokyo
163-1055
Japan
Tel: +81 3 5322 1234
Fax: +81 3 5322 1288
Email: tokyo.park@hyatt.com

Getting there: map & directions

View from Restaurant
More desserts!
The swimming Pool at the Park Hyatt Tokyo
And even more desserts! Yum!

Ghibli Musuem

2009-07-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Ghibli Museum is a great treat for the young and old, and everyone in between. The Ghibli is Japan's equivalent to Disney studios. Ghibli studios have put out such movies as "Howl's Moving Castle" and "My Neighbor Tortoro". The museum offers a variety of activities for kids and for Adults, the architect and grounds alone our just amazing to see. When you turn in your ticket voucher you'll get a a ticket made of piece of film strip which makes a great souvenir, this ticket also gets you into a short film in the museum. The museum is magical that's the only way to describe it, but skip the souvenir shop you can get all the same stuff in any toy store in Tokyo like Kiddyland in Harajuku
I actually had booked my ticket for my very first morning in Tokyo which I thought might be crazy but it worked out perfect because it was a day of thunderstorms so it was a nice indoor activity.

First things first, tickets, you must purchase your ticket in advance at a participating agent like JTB or other Japan specific travel agency before leaving your home country. I also hear that you can get them at a Lawson, which are convenient stores in Japan, but I don't know this for a fact. Since they only sell a certain amount of tickets for a day's entrance I would probably not trust leaving the chance that there are no tickets for the time you are in Tokyo, pre-book your tickets, you will need your passport.

Getting there is very easy:

Take the JR Chuo Line to Mitaka Station (approximately 20 mins from Shinjuku station). Walk downstairs outside the station there are multiple bus stops take the one to the Ghibili museum, buy your ticket for the bus at the automatic machine right next to the line que. It's about Y300 round trip. You'll know it's the right bus because there's always a long line. You can ask the Bus driver to let you know when the Ghibli stop is but chances are everyone will be getting off with you.

There is no picture taking allowed inside the museum.

0 Yen house!

2009-07-14T12:57:00.001-07:00

I didn't see these in my travels but I thought this was really amazing.. How these people with no homes but completely resourceful and intelligent have managed to make mini homes for themselves without spending any money.
0 Yen House

Your own Machiya in Kyoto, Machiya, Maeniiya, places to stay

2009-04-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Our block where we stayed.

You can rent your very own Machiya (traditional Japanese house) in Kyoto for a reasonable price. We loved the one we stayed in it was lovely and centrally located. We wished we had a least another two people sharing the house with us since it was quite large. It was still cheaper than any hotel or Ryokan. We had a huge kitchen to make our own food if we wanted to, there were markets really close by too, including Nishiki Market which is a huge outdoor covered food market in Kyoto to by your ingredients for a try at Japanese cooking,helpful in saving money if you are on budget too.
The one we stayed in was called Maeniiya, it was lovely except for the construction next door. This was not the owners fault they actually gave us a discount on the house because of the unexpected construction noise. The house was on a sweet quiet cobblestone street that only pedestrians or folks on their bikes. It had a washer/dryer too which comes in very handy, plus a mini garden and most important a computer with internet!

Master bedroom, there's a second room with the computer which can have more futons put in.

Kitchen (birds eye view)

Shower and bathtub (toilet has it's on room)

Family room (living/dining)

The front of our Machiya

Yoshitomo Nara show in NYC

2009-04-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

Ok this is not in Japan but I have to take you on a side trip in NYC to an amazing Japanese artist show.

Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara had his show at Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York ending March 28th, luckily I got a chance to see it the weekend before it closed. It was pretty amazing, I had some heavy critics with me who didn't like the artist's work, but Nara's not for everyone. The gallery was cool enough to let people take pics of the body of work so you can enjoy it here on my Flickr

The hidden treasures in Omotesando and Aoyama

2009-03-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

2007©janneserojas "Opatoca"

Omotesando and Aoyama are very high class area just around Harajuku, with high end fashion shops, and restaurants. With names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, just to name a few you'll find gaggles of young shoppers with beaucoup bucks to spend. But with the the larger designer stores you'll find gems like Usagi Pour Toi, H.P. France, with exquisite pieces of jewelry, handbags, knits and just some really unique pieces which is what a lot of foreigners are expecting to find in Tokyo.

Location:(it's listed as the Harajuku location)
150-0001 1F, GB., 5-17-24 Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
TEL: 03-5766-3011 / OPEN: 12:00-20:00 Open everyday, except for beginning and end of year.

A sweet little place for a snack is Opatoca which is a bakery chain, but none the less homie. Their website says they are closed as of August 31, 2008 but I was there in October and November of 2008 and they were opened. This is a japanese blog with info on it style-arena to get the more info on them.

Location:
4-26-28 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL:03(3478)5890 TEL: 03 (3478) 5890

In the evening we stumbled upon this delicious izakaya, Samukawa, which you would have no idea that it even was a restaurant, there's no sign it's on one of the tiny streets off of Omotesando dori. We were the only foreigners in the whole place, but they did have a menu in english. The food was delish! But the place was super smokey, I guess you have to expect that from an izakaya, I will find out the exact location and post it later.

Location:
Address 4-28-21 1F 4-28-21 Jingumae,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Building 1F Harajuku Harmony
ＴＥＬ TEL 03-3470-3901 03-3470-3901
ＦＡＸ FAX 03-5414-7671 03-5414-7671
Hours 17:00～24:00 (Mon-Fri)
16:00～24:00 (closed on Saturdays)
Getting there:ＪＲ Walk from JR Harajuku Station 5 Chiyoda Line Meiji Jingumae station walk 3 minutes

3 Days in Tokyo, What to Do

2009-01-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

A very nice gent wrote me this week asking for recommendation on what to do with 3 days in Tokyo so I decided I should post my recommendations for others with the same question.

I would visit the the Tokyo Trinity, as I like to call it, no visit is complete without at least a one time stop at each of these locations in Tokyo. Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Yes, it's cliche' but it's still a must for a first timer,and you can do them all in two to three days.

In Shinjuku:

1.check out for night life the Golden Gai
2. for food you should definitely not miss Yakitori Alley, it's real name being Omoide Yokocho.

Both are within walking distance of Shinjuku Station, Yakitori alley is sandwiched in the alleys between the East and West exits of the Station. Take the East exit walk towards the Epson sign when you get to a very large intersection the Epson sign will be across the street from you stay on your side hange a right walking towards the train underpass, a couple of stores before the underpass there's an alley that's one of the entrances to Omoide Yokocho. I can't recommend what stall to eat at, some will not be friendly to Gaijin (foreigners) all the menus are in japanese, Yakitori is traditionally all chicken parts on a skewer plus veggies. If your stomach is adventures then try it all if not use a phrase book or draw a pic of chicken ( I did this) and point to the parts you want. I have a sensitive stomach and I was totally fine eating there. It can be pricey at some stalls, especially if you drink beer and/or Sake.

The Golden Gai (tiny alleys with tiny bars) is a bit more difficult to find but worth it. If you head out the East exit and walk toward Studio Alta(that's the large LCD screen) cross the street and head through the alleys onto a large street called Yasukuni Dori, you have to be on the other side of the street so cross over, you'll be walking along Kabuki-cho. With your back to East Exit hang a right keep walking, you have to pass a large intersection, Kuyakusho Dori, cross it. now you have to keep an eye out before getting to the next big intersection (Meiji Dori) is a small street with no name, hang a left and you should find a series of small alleys with bars, you are at the Golden Gai. If you want to orient yourself in the day you can look for Hanazono Temple it's right in front of these alleys.

* a bit of a warning, although Tokyo might be the safest of large cities to travel in the world, be careful in Kabuki-cho, especially as a man they'll try to lure you into seedy clubs, and extort lots of money from you, particularly beware of the non-japanese solicitors, mostly African*
You'll be totally fine, I walked around at night in Kabuki-cho with another woman and was completely safe I just walked away from these people, some of them even followed us around, but eventually gave up.

3. Harajuku, best to visit on weekend to see the insanity of young people all dressed up in Harajuku square, regardless if your not there on a weekend it's still a nice trip. Right outside the Harjuku train station you can find the Meiji Shrine it's worth the visit, when your done there take a trip done Takeshita Dori, with all the shops, right before you get to the end(large intersection) on your right is an awesome, Japanese Italian buffet, called Tebasa, where all the young people go. It's really cheap, fun, and delicious. For 1500 Yen you can get unlimited trips to the buffet for an hour and beverages (non-alcoholic, for alcoholic bevs pricey,don't bother). Have lunch here. Then take a walk towards the right on Meiji Dori towards Omotesando Dori, you'll find lots of little streets of both Meiji and Omotesando with, great stores and little cafes and restaurants. There are a few izakayas (these are restaurants that offer a variety of small style dishes to compliment your beer or sake in the neighborhood, so you may want to plan for dinner in the neighborhood.

4. Shibuya, is less intense during a week day, night time it's overrun by teens, but can still be a lot of fun, lots of Karaoke places (lots of Karaoke in Shinjuku too right outside the station), you can't miss them. The greatest thing to watch in Shibuya is during rush hour, the large Shibuya station crossing, you've never seen anything quite so insane (and I live in New York, and I'm still saying that). The one store I say you should check out in this area is Tokyu Hands, it's a great department store, with stuff you would never find outside of Japan. It's not far from the station.

Ok, so those are three easy things to do in 2-3 days

If you want to go and explore some less touristy areas, I would recommend Shimokitazawa, Daikanyama, Naka-Meguro, all really easy to get to from Shinjuku station, I have posted entries for the first two, but I haven't written anything yet on Naka-Meguro, it's really laid back, it's like the artist/neo-hippie area, lots of vintage stores, and cool little cafes. If you are having trouble sleeping and are awake at the crack of dawn check out the Tsukiji Fish Market.

OH! if you saw Lost in Translation you'll remember the Park Hyatt hotel, it's pretty amazing, about a fifteen minute walk from the Shinjuku station and if your there Sunday go for Sunday brunch, it's about $60 USD, but it's amazing. Unlimited Appetizer buffet, gourmet entreé, and unlimited dessert buffet, and the view of Tokyo is spectacular. You have to call for a reservation, the restaurant in the hotel is call the New York Grill. You can go for a drink at night there too, it's $20USD to get in.

Shimo-Kitazawa, a little hip, casual haven in Tokyo

2009-01-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Shimo-Kitazawa is a delightful area in Tokyo that is laid back and filled with sweet stores and dog friendly places. This is the place where the young Tokyoites most want to live. It has great cafes, restaurants,and music venues.

One of the attractions to Shimokita is that it has a lot of small streets and alleys where cars can't go and only small mom and pop shops line the streets, so walking around can be a real adventure.

tiny izakaya:

A favorite store of mine is Marble Sud, it's a small boutique shop carrying beautiful apparel and accessories. I got a pair of lovely wool fair isle fingerless arm warmers, and sweet mushroom key chain there, plus great pin buttons. There are also lots of vintage stores, selling from furniture, housewares, clothing, toys and lots of records. You'll be amazed that you can find some real amazing stuff for decent prices.

One of the many small store, cafe, and bar filled streets:

Another great place was a vintage store, unfortunately I can't find the business card,but it's filled with wall to wall furniture, housewares, toys and just everything you want from the 50's, 60's and 70's. I found I great Japanese ceramic dog from the 50's and my partner found a beautiful Japanese Blenko style blown glass bottle also from the same era. They owner is super cool guy.

A great way to take a break in the afternoon after weaving through all the streets is heading over to Bubbles/Cookie Lab, dog cafe for a snack, coffee, and doggy watching. This cafe is for people and their pooches, dogs are allowed inside the cafe and there is also a really nice outdoor area where you can watch the overly obsessed poodle owners pose their puffy pooches and snap away with their cameras. Next door is their grooming shop where you can look in at the pups getting primped, it's kinda sad to watch.

The train to Shimo-kitazawa

Outside the station:

Dog Cafe

Getting there: From Shinjuku Station take the Local Odakyu line to Shimo-Kitazawa station, it's two stops.

Marble Sud:
2-27-11 Kitazawa
Setagaya-ku
Tokyo, Japan 155-0031
phone# 03-3481-6001

Cookie Lab Dog Cafe:
D*O*G BLD. 2-38-Kitazawa
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
phone#03-3460-1139

Videos I took of Shimokitazawa:

Streets and stores:

Dog Cafe:

Cafes and stores:

***While writing this I just found out the Japanese Government has been planning on putting a large expressway through this lovely little neighborhood, please read more here and sign the petition to stop another neighborhood devastation.

This is an amazing video of Japan

2009-01-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

This guy is really talented and the video is just spectacular!

Japan from Eric Testroete on Vimeo.

Daikan-yama , Tokyo's Little luxury spot

2008-12-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

"Daikan-yama"janneserojas©2008

"Proud" janneserojas©2008 (amazing building in Daikan-yama)

There's so much to write about my last trip this Fall, and I've barely scraped the top of my 2007 trip, there's so much information to share.
Tokyo offers so much shopping and so much variety, just stuff you'll never find anywhere else in the world. Every neighborhood is filled with great shops and places to eat.
Today I'll start with my favorite neighborhood in Tokyo, Daikan-yama, it's really easy to get to and there are so many amazing boutiques. When you first exit the station you'll see a VW van set up as a coffee stand, according to my traveling partner the best coffee she had in Japan. Then you'll also see a pretty popular cafe called "Sign", the prices are reasonable and the food is pretty decent, of Ameri-Euro variety. Smoking is permitted only inside, not in the outdoor seating area, which is strange to a New Yorker, it's the opposite here. Keep walking and you'll hit Hachiman Dori, this is the main drag, lots a high end stores. Hang a right and walk down the hill. Another really fun place to get a snack and a delicious cup of macha is a place called Suruga it's on the left side of Hachiman dori, it's upstairs and you can see it has a small terrace from the street, it's five minutes from the station also.My first favorite boutique is, CA4LA (pronounced Ka-shi-la, means the head, also the top), on the right side of Hachiman Dori. CA4LA has unique hats of every variety, from cold weather knits to fedoras, each is fabricated with something special, be it the materials or just amazing adornments. The store is on the high end market, like most of Daikan-yama, but you can pick up a really spectacular hat for about $50-$70, I bought two, I couldn't help it. Another really awesome little store is, Kutsushitaya , also on a corner on Hachiman Dori. This store carries socks,tights,leg warmers and other soft footwear for women and men. Lots of lovely knit and crochet socks and leg warmers, including really nice wool intarsia socks for men. I never gave a second thought to socks until I went into this store. You'll also find that this is one of the most dog friendly neighborhoods aside from Shimo-kitazawa (which will be my next post). You'll find several doggie clothing and grooming stores in the neighborhood and will see many a pooch taken out for their walks. There is a well known dog store were five corgi females work with their owner and we got to meet them they were totally amazing. Daikan-yama is also the home of the Blythe doll mecca, Junie Moon also located on Hachiman dori, It's a great store for Blythe and Blythe acoutrements but the staff is really unfriendly, unlike many stores in Tokyo where people are super polite and friendly. There are many little streets chock full of stores and cafes at every turn, so Daikan-yama is well worth the visit. If you have any questions please feel free to write.

Cutie Pie Corgi one of five

me in my new hat

Hat store:

Different Locations around Japan and London:

Sock Store:

Sign

Suraga

Getting there:

Take JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya Station,
Transfer to the Tokyu Toyoko line (follow the red signs)
It's two different companies so you'll have to buy a new
ticket at vending machines for the Toyoko line. Shibuya is the last and first station for this line so when you go up the stairs take the train that is on the farthest
left. Daikan-yama is the next stop after leaving Shibuya. Head out the Main exit you'll see sign cafe on your left.

New Pics on the left of 2008 trip

2008-11-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

Will make recommendations of new areas I visited,I'm just pressed for time at the moment. The pics are of Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto

Dirty Japanese Panties!

2008-09-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Had to share this video, because I almost peed myself laughing.

Preparing for Japan trip

2008-09-28T09:48:00.001-07:00

The countdown is on, I leave to Japan October 22nd, I am so jumping out of my skin. In my preparations for this trip I've neglected the blog so I apologize to those looking for info and didn't get what they needed. I started in May to formulate my plans and doing my research and first thing was buying the tickets. Going with Japan Airlines again, unfortunately flying coach, was hoping for the new premium coach but the plane we are on doesn't offer it. The have a few new planes with this feature, 24" seats lots of leg room and a leg support for sleeping and relaxing. Kinda bummed. But I decided to go with JAL goes I wanted to rack up the points and their service is amazing even in coach. My planned itinerary is Tokyo for 6 nights at Oakwood Apartments, then Hakone for one night, staying at Kinnotake, but we will leave Tokyo early to take advantage of the whole day in Hakone and leave late afternoon the next day to Kyoto. Kyoto we'll have 4 nights and we will be staying in a our own Machiya called Maeniiya, and we plan to make a day trip to Osaka, since it's a 30 min train ride from Kyoto. Then we are back in Tokyo for 2 nights giving us time for last minute shopping. The great thing about staying at Oakwood is that they will provide a similar service as many of the main train stations do with luggage. They will hold our luggage until our return for about $20 a piece, which is great, that way you don't have to lug a giant suitcase around Japan with you. Plus, Oakwood has a washer/dryer and so does the Machiya, so we don't have to pack a lot of clothing because we can wash what we wear, making more room in the suitcases for stuff we buy and travel light!

We are staying at Kinnotake in Hakone which is a Ryokan with your on onsen in your room, it's pretty amazing! The Machiya is pretty exiting too, there aren't many left in Japan, but Kyoto had quite a few that have been restored and are rented out to tourist. Many Machiya have been converted into restaurants, hair salons, and bars.

Derishious treat!!!!

2008-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Ok if you are anywhere near a japanese supermarket or convienence store I highly recommend this delicious treat called "Cho-pan" It's the first packaged green tea and chocolate treat I've had that actually taste like green tea and chocolate!

Kyoto outskirts Ohara

2008-07-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Sanzen-in Temple grounds©2007

Wow I haven't posted in a while, been kinda swamped. I have more info on Tokyo, but figure I'd mix it up a bit with Kyoto and Ohara.

Ohara is a small farming town in the mountains outside of Kyoto proper. It's really lovely you don't have to stay there at all you can take a city bus from Kyoto Station
and you will be there in 40 minutes. The bus will make stops along a regular bus route with many stops, so if for some reason you have a car or moped, it'll probably take you 20 minutes. If you have the cash I would highly recommend staying in a Ryokan in Ohara for one night, it's lovely. We stayed in Seryo, pricey, but worth every penny. In the price is included dinner, which you can choose from Kaiseki or Sukiyaki, all very delicious (oy-shi). Each of these dishes takes a better part of a day to prepare them and then about 2 hours to eat them, really amazing. Also the use of outdoor onsen baths which are just relaxing and beautiful. If you stay ask for the western/japanese combo room, it's the loveliest. You also have your own mini deck, that leads out to the garden.

Seryo Ryokan pics:

What's in Ohara? Well there are gorgeous temples all walking distance from Seryo and you are surrounded by the woods. Sanzen-in Temple is the main attraction in Ohara it covers a lot of ground and it's in the middle of the woods, the temple grounds are simply a marvel to behold. Another really worth visiting and the YP500, is Hosen-in temple it's all of a 3 minute walk from Sanzen-in. It's not a large temple but it's lovely especially when you are allowed to go sit on the elevated garden deck and they bring you matcha and cinnamon mochi, it's so serene.

Sanzen-in Temple grounds©2007
Hosen-in Temple

Hosen-in Temple

Getting there: it's actually pretty easy. From Kyoto Station take bus number 17 or 18, they will leave you right at the Ohara bus stop. It's about 40 mins, only because it's a city bus and makes every local stop, but it's a really nice bus trip. Costs about Y580 each way. If you stay in a ryokan they may offer pick-up service from the Ohara bus station, Seryo does.

The Elusive Golden Gai

2008-07-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Golden Gai are these tiny alley ways filled with miniature bars, were 5 people at most fit in most of them. It looks like a movie set. This is where the artists, actors, directors and those obsessed by film go to hang out. If you are gaijin good luck, cause either you will be met with icey stares, or get over charged. Also you have people that are just the regulars and since there are approximately 4 to 5 spaces at the bar and no standing room you kinda have to get there early to actually be able to get in. Now I'm not saying everyone's unfriendly, I did not myself partake at the bars just perused. BUT I'm going back in October and I plan to avail myself of these fine mini establishments,becuase the rumor is that big companies and the government are bullying these guys to shut them down much like Yakitori Alley, also known as Omoide Yokocho, or as the locals delightfully call it "Shonben Yokocho" (piss alley). So if you are in Tokyo try to not miss the Golden Gai or Yakitori Alley, they are what you are really looking for in Tokyo.

OWND Cafe-bring your dog!

2008-06-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

OWND Cafe is located in Yoyogi Uehara and it's another crazy japanese spa/cafe. You can get oxygen treatments and so can your pooch! And then share a snack!

Kabuki-cho! Pachinko, Putas, and Puke.

2008-04-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

2007©janneserojas,
"Cool Dude", Kabuki-cho, Tokyo
Kabuki-cho is kinda like the red-light district but with panchinko
(gambling) palors, puking teenagers, and high-priced crappy eateries,
besides the sex and "host" clubs. Don't get me wrong it's actually a
lot of fun just to take a walk around and be a voyer of the chaos just
as the crowds get started and when the crowds start dashing for the
last trains home. It's great to see the stragglers who were just to
wasted to make it a few blocks to the train station for their last
train. After 11pm it's kinda surreal because it's still all flashing
lights but really dead, except for the foreigners from Africa trying to
lure customers (especially other foreigners) into their seedy little
clubs. We had a couple of them follow us for a couple of blocks and
tried to invite themselves back to our hotel and "give us happy times",
eeewwww! If you go before midnight it's quite safe and just
overwhelming with lights and sounds, lotta fun.

Here's a little taste of a walk through Kabuki-cho

All Images Copyrighted 2007
"Hostess" Club
Pachinko, Gaming, and Spa!
Panchinko, Everything's gonna be fine.
Gateway to Kabuki-cho
Kabuki-cho flashing lights
Kabuki-cho after the crowds
strange all-night puppy store with van to go
Heading into Kabuki-cho

Murakami exhibit was brilliant!

2008-04-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

I will post some pics later but this is a video that was on exhibit, it's freakin' funny.

April 5th! Murakami! and Japanese festival at the Brooklyn Museum!

2008-04-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

Just want to give everyone a heads up, if you are in Brooklyn this Saturday it is Target free Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum which means it's a free all night long. The only thing that is not free is the Murakami show, but that's $10, well worth it. Here's the schedule:

April 5, 2008

Japanimated! Arts and Cultures of Japan

5:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Cosplay Photo Contest
Rubin Lobby and Hall of the Americas, 1st Floor

Come dressed as your favorite anime or manga character, and get your picture taken for a chance to win a © MURAKAMI catalogue!

5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Music
Hall of the Americas, 1st Floor

Taiko drumming group Taikoza performs traditional Japanese music and dance.

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Poetry
Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Forum, 4th Floor

Kimiko Hahn reads from her book The Narrow Road to the Interior. A Q & A follows. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Film
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor

See the anime classic Kiki's Delivery Service (Hayao Miyazaki, 1989, 103 min., G) about a young witch in training. Free tickets (330) are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Hands-On Art
Education Division, 1st Floor

Draw a cartoon alter ego. Free timed tickets (380) are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m. Curator Talk
Meet at the entrance to Utagawa, 1st Floor

Join Curator Laura Mueller as she gives a gallery talk in Utagawa: Masters of the Japanese Print, 1770â€“1900. The talk is Sign Language–interpreted. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

8:00 p.m. Young Voices Gallery Talk
Meet at the entrance to Utagawa, 1st Floor

Student Guides Kimberly Macron and Judith Barnes discuss the prints of the Utagawa school and popular culture.

8:00 p.m. Film
Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Forum, 4th Floor

The documentary Smoke and Mirrors: A Geisha Story (Artemis Willis, 2004, 63 min., NR) chronicles the relationship between an elderly ex-geisha and a young Brooklyn filmmaker. Free tickets (30) are available at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.

8:30 p.m. Film
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor

Journey into outer space with the classic anime film Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (Toshio Masuda and Takeshi Shirado, 1979, 95 min., NR) ) from the series that inspired Takashi Murakami. Free tickets are available (330) at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.

9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Music
Hall of the Americas, 1st Floor

The Brooklyn-based Japanese bands Love Etc. and Sakura Madams perform their blend of pop and rock music.

9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Dance Party
Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor

Japan's top DJ, Muro aka King of Diggin', spins his legendary mix of hip-hop, funk, and soul.

Yakitori Alley!

2008-03-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yakatori Alley, Shinjuku, 2007©janneserojas
Yakitori Alley, also known as Omoide Yokocho, or as the locals delightfully call it "Shonben Yokocho" (piss alley). It's really not like that though. It's what you expect when you go to Asia, small eateries in tiny alleys. Yakitori Alley, is just that, a winding alley filled with small yakitori stalls, where most can only accomodate about 5 to 6 people at most. Mostly locals go there, but on occassion you will see a foreign face squished in the back chugging back an icy cold one, or a delicious sake to go with there tempting meat skewers, yum! Yakitori Alley is hidden between the train tracks and Shinjuku station, so it's easy to miss. Head here any time of the day or evening they are open 24 hours which is great if you missed the last train home and don't want to spend 10,000Yen on a cab.

Getting there: Get out the west exit at Shinjuku station walk towards the Epson sign along Otakibashi-Dori until you get to the corner of Yasukuni-Dori, hang a right you'll see the elevated train with the underpass right in front of you, about 20-30 feet from the corner you will see an alley on your right (look for restrooms sign) walk up this alley and it will lead right into Yakitori Alley.

Tokyu Hands, the Greatest Store on Earth!

2008-03-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

Tokyu Hands, Shibuya, Tokyo, 2088©janneserojas
Tokyu Hands, might just be the most amazing store ever made. If someone thought to invent a product chances are you'll find it here. From dog umbrellas to lucha libre costumes, you will be amazed and will want to buy everything. The best one to hit is the one in Shibuya, don't bother with the one in Shinjuku. The most fun is checking out all of their crazy costumes. My favorite was the craft department, and don't miss out in purchasing a folding piece of luggage on the ground floor, that's my greatest regret, not getting that, because I sure needed it when I was packing up all my Japan finds. It's definitely a minimum of a couple hours needed at this glorious store, but be sure to check it out you won't regret it.

Getting there:Take the JR Yamanote line to Shibuya Stn.
Head out Hachiko Exit, walk to the large intersection and cross the road toward QFRONT. Go right and turn left at the next traffic light. Follow this road and Tokyu Hands will be on the right.

more Tokyu Hands pics:
All 2008©janneserojas

A little video tour of Tsukiji Fish Market

2008-03-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

This is sort of part two of my previous post, I wanted to include this short video of the fish market but I hadn't uploaded yet. Enjoy. The res on it looks like crap through youtube, but what can you do. Here it is, please excuse my strangely elfin voice at the beginning and mis-pronunciation of the market's name it was 7am

Tsukiji Fish Market

2008-03-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Tuna Freezer, Tsukiji Fish Market 2007©janneserojas

Okay, so when you get to Japan take advantage of your jetlag, because chances are that you will be getting up before 5am for the next 3 days and you can visit Tsukiji Fish Market. The key to going is getting there between 5am and 7am, I know that sounds awful but you will be trust me. If you get there early enough you can watch the Tuna auction which we missed only because we couldn't find it once we got there, the place is humungous! You say why in the world do I want to go to a fish market, that's what I said, and I tell you it was freakin' amazing. It's the largest fish market in the world, and it's madness. Be really careful because there a guys on mini forklifts zooming around like the Tasmanian devil, and they will run your ass over, these people have been up since you went to sleep. When you are done clicking away on your canon, which you will, I have about 800 pictures to prove how coll fish can look in pics, make your way outside and find the small eateries right on the fish market's permises. You will have the freshest sushi ever and at the very late hour of 8am, or you can have some very slimey chicken katsu at one of the other counters. It was a lot of fun. And you can walk over to Ginza afterwards from here it's not far.

Getting there: Don't go on Sunday when the market is closed. Take a taxi if you want to arrive really early. Otherwise, the Tsukiji station on the Hibiya subway line will get you within a 5-minute walk.

Mama & baby,Tsukiji Fish Market 2007©janneserojas

In the Thick of It,Tsukiji Fish Market 2007©janneserojas

Red Tentacles,Tsukiji Fish Market 2007©janneserojas

Down the Aisle, Tsukiji Fish Market 2007©janneserojas

Eateries,Tsukiji Fish Market 2007©janneserojas

Toys, Toys, and more Toys

2008-03-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Kiddyland, Harajuku©2007janneserojas

Tokyo does not lack in the toy department, everywhere you go you are overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of video games, over-sized stuff creatures, and licensed characters. Going to the big toy stores is an awesome experience especially on saturdays and sundays when everyone is able to go. Kiddylandin Harajuku on a sunday is just sheer insanity, but fun as hell. The great thing in Japan is that you are never to old to play with toys so no one looks at you like you're freak for hugging a doll in public even if you're a guy! You'll find dolls of every variety, anime characters, Liccas (Licca headquarters at Hakuhinkan Toy Park in Ginza, which are the Barbie of Japan, and tons of licensed characters. One of my favorite floors in Kiddyland offered all sorts of merch with illustrations of some really cool japanese children's books illustrators. Two of favorites are marini-monteany and Michiko Tachimoto/Colobockle, check them out there beautiful. Then there is Junie Moon for the Blythe fans like myself, it's a really cute store and located in a great neighborhood Daikanyama. The staff is not the friendliest but the store is wonderful. You'll find Blythe at Kiddyland and Hakuhinkan Toy Park(in Licca Department) also if you can't make it. Oh and they are closed Mondays, found out the hard way.

PLACES TO GO: Toy stores

KIDDY LAND - Harajuku
6-1-9 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3409-3431
[Open] 10:00 am-9:00 pm
Closed on the third Tuesday of each month.
GETTING THERE: Take Jr Yamanote Line to Harajuku station

Hakuhinkan Toy Park - Ginza
8-8-11 Ginza
Chuo-ku.
Phone 03/3571-8008
On Chuo Dori, near the overhead expressway
GETTING THERE: Shimbashi or Ginza stations(4 min.)

Junie Moon
4-3, 1F, Sarugaku-cho, Daikanyama
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033 JAPAN
hrs open: Tue -Sat ... 12:00 - 20:00
Sun + Holiday ... 12:00 - 18:00
Mon ... Closed
GETTING THERE: Take JR Yamanote line to Shibuya station and transfer to Toyoko line to Daikanyama, it's one stop! Follow map below to walk there, very easy.

map to junie moon

map to kiddyland

Toys at 3 stores

Harajuku Square Dress to Impress

2008-03-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

Lucha Libre in Harajuku Square©2007jannese rojas
Harajuku has some really amazing stuff and can get a bit overwhelming,
but the first thing you see when you get out of the Harajuku JR train
station is Harajuku Square. This is where the young and the stupid come
to hangout (much like the cube at Astor Place in NYC, once upon on
time)and dress up in their Lolita, Gothic Lolita, Fruits, or other
"subculture entire" from 1995. Now I know I sound a bit bitter but
that's because I was so excited to see these kids and photograph them
like Shoichi Aoki
of "Fruits" book and mag fame, instead I got the "talk to the hand"
hand from these little snot-nose brats, when I politely asked to take
their pic. Anyway I did get some pics against their will or not,
whatever, they want the attention. There are other fun things that
you'll get to see in Harajuku sq, is dang fools performing, highly
entertaining. More on Harajuku later, there's so much. getting there:
take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku station.
Harajuku Square©2007jannese rojas
Harajuku Square©2007jannese rojas
Harajuku Square©2007jannese rojas

Bullet Trains!!!!

2008-03-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Narita Express ©2007 Jannese Rojas

Ok, I'm sure you have heard of the shinkansen,"bullet trains", in Japan, well they are fucking fast as hell. We took one from Tokyo to Kyoto, it was a 2hr 20min ride. It was really cool because we were blasting through mountains, the train felt like it was going to fly off the rails on turns, but it didn't and it was amazing. Well if you are planning to visit somewhere besides your incoming destination I would highly recommend getting a JR railway pass it will save you some money, they come in 7 day, 14 day, and 21 day passes. The less days on the pass the cheaper. The are only sold to foreigners so you must buy it in your own country, before you leave for Japan. The pass is good for all JR trains including the express train from Narita Airport, and the Yamanote line which is the central line in Tokyo and you will be using a lot. We were in Japan for two weeks so for the first week we didn't use the pass because we wanted it for Kyoto and the Narita express back to the airport, since we got the 7 day pass which cost $243 when we bought it, it various on the Yen at the time you buy it. So this is a pass to buy your ticket. When you get to Japan and when you are ready to start using the pass you take it to a JR station which are at every major train hub to cash it in. There are always very nice english speaking staff on hand so no worries.

Fabulous and cheap!

2008-03-12T13:25:00.001-07:00

Lounge near elevators Oakwood©2007 Jannese Rojas

When we went in September to Tokyo we stayed at a very swank hotel/apartments. Oakwood Apartments in Shinjuku, the studio apartment comes with a full size bed, full kitchen, megascreen tv, cable, dvd player, bose radio, and the bathroom was amazing! Toilet and vanity/sink are separate from the traditional Tub/shower room, yes room! The toilet had a sorts of accoutrements to freshen your tushy and other parts. The tub is made so you have to have your knees up by your chin, but you are fully submersed in a temperture controlled tub, plus the shower is separate so you can shower pre-dip, which is the correct thing to do in Japan (just fyi if you ever go to a public bath or spring). The shower/tub room also acts a dryer for clothing if you need to hang stuff and dry, but you also have your very own washer dryer in the kitchen!!! You also have a balcony with a sweet view of Tokyo. They also have free internet in there lower level lounge and a beautiful 360 view of Tokyo from there Sky lounge. The hotel/apartment building is kept spotless, the front desk staff is super helpful, they will print maps out for you, tell you how much a ride from one train station to another will cost you, pretty much an entire staff of concierge service, just beautiful. The block is on is very quiet at night and there a bunch of 24hr restaurants right by the hotel. Shinjuku station which is THE main station in Tokyo is a 5 minute walk, and you are within walking distance of Kabuki-cho, major shopping area, there's a huge Kinokuniya bookstore, Takashimaya, Isetan, the Studio Alta building, and pachinko and karaoke galore. The rate there runs between $113-$125 a night which is amazing for a nice hotel in Tokyo. The one in Harajuku is awesome too but pricer but if within your buget well worth the stay.
View out Balcony,Tokyo©2007 Jannese Rojas
©2007 Jannese Rojas
©2007 Jannese Rojas
©2007 Jannese Rojas
©2007 Jannese Rojas
©2007 Jannese Rojas

Yakitori! Oy-shi!

2008-03-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Yaki-ton was a delicious (oy-shi)standing yakitori (grilled meats on a skewer)place near Oakwood Apartments (where we stayed). The chef(and we think also owner)was really friendly, eager to practice his english with us and throughly psyched that we were from NYC. We tried the chicken and pork yakitori. Pork of course comes in different varieties so we had to point to various parts of our bodies to indicate what we wanted because pork loin really gets really lost in the translation. You can have it with a spicy sauce or just salt and pepper, I highly recommend the salt and pepper version.And you can wash it down with an ice cold mug of beer or a yummy sake. As with many of the restaurants in Tokyo reading the menu is pretty much a complete loss, unless they have pictures. Yaki-ton has only a Japanese menu (which I didn't expect anything else, we were in Japan after all)but the chef is really sweet and is happy to help and the food is pretty delicious and inexpensive including the beer.

Yaki-ton
Shinjuku-ku
on Otakibashi-dori

Get off at the Shinjuku Station use the West exit walk straight towards the giant Epson sign. You will cross a big street called Yasukuni-dori(you'll see elavated trains on your right) when you cross over you will see a giant pachinko parlor and a shoe store on the corner, stay on that side (right side) of the street (this is Otakibashi-dori) it's about 3 blocks it will be on your right. Map below, walk toward the Oakwood Apts sign on the map.

Map of Shinjuku
click map for larger view

Nippori- Textile district in Tokyo

2008-03-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

Those of you who craft your little hearts away like myself a trip to Nippori is essential. There are many fabric and notions stores in Nippori, but if you have limited time hit Tomato, it's huge and you will find all you need there, and it's easy to get too.
JR Yamanote Line, Nippori Station.
Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (subway) Nishi Nippori Station. About a 10
minute walk to Textile Town from Nishi Nippori.

This person also has some great pics and recommendations for other place to visit.Tokyo crafty shopping

Will post also Kyoto textile shopping in another post.

Welcome!

2008-03-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

vending machines, shinjuku. ©2007 jannese rojas
check out vending machines in japan blog

Hi there, I've been wanting to put this blog together for quite sometime. Basically I will recap my trip to Japan and give you lots of good info on shopping, eating, and places to stay. Plus I will post resources and other good stuff, like trends in Japan.

If you want to visit Japan first put the thought away that it's too pricey. It's on par with NYC. No a coke doesn't cost $5. You can find reasonable priced places to stay, cheap meals and cool stuff to buy that won't break the bank.

Hope this helps those that want to experience japan