Shopping in Tokyo

During my stay in Tokyo, their fashion is what struck me the most. Known as one of the most renown shopping destination in the world, it came as no surprise to me that designers' clothes can be spotted on the street most of the time. The most impressive thing is that each person has their own individuality in fashion sense. Not to mention their concept stores are the most creative stores I have ever visited. There are three main shopping districts you must drop by if you are in Tokyo.

One quick tip of shopping in Japan is that it would be better to buy local Japanese designers than some imported high end luxury brands. Most importantly, always bring along your passport, you can have a deduction of 5% on purchases that are over 10.000 yen for non consumable goods and 5000 yen for consumable good (on condition that these consumable good are unused until you go back to your country).

Ginza

Ginza is known for the destination of mega brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Celine, Chanel, etc. I would say Ginza has all the high end stores you need to see. However, one of the store that make me visit Ginza is Dover Street Market, which is the concept store own by Rei Kawakubo (founder of Comme Des Garcons). 

Harajuku

Compared to Ginza, Harajuku has more local designer boutiques and some imported high street brands such as Supreme or Stussy. Probably when think of Harajuku, you would imagine seeing Japanese young Otaku dressing in Lolita costumes or cosplaying. However, Harajuku has more than that. For secondhand designers store, Harajuku is one of the must go destination. You must visit Rag Tag or Rinkan, good bargain on designers clothes from Chanel, Celine to Comme Des Garcons can always be found. 

Shibuya 

First thing comes to my mind is definitely Shibuya crossing - The busiest crossing in the world. It took me quite a bit of time to find a good spot at Shibuya Starbucks to find a good view of the crossing. However, the effort was really worth it haha, sat there for almost an hour with my boyfriend, we were drawn into the crown below, hurried on their feet walking across the crossings and some tourists tried to take pictures in the middle of the street as well. 

Back to the topic, shopping in Shibuya is extremely popular for young Japanese and Tourists. Having all kind of stores, from global fast fashion stores like Zara, Forever 21 or H&M to home wares and stationary stores. Shibuya is clearly a shopping heaven. Definitely check out United Arrows for local designers as well as high street designers clothes. Also Shibuya 109 fashion building is one of the most popular shopping destination. 

Thanks for reading guys!

-Anne 

Tokyo Must See Pt. 2

Continue with my post last week, today we'll dig more into the historical side of Tokyo.

Tokyo National Museum

Located in Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum is a must go destination for those history junkie. Known as one of the biggest museum in Japan, Tokyo National Museum possesses the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. The collection ranges from ancient pottery, Japanese sculpture, Samurai swords to ukiyo-e (woodblock print). 

If you have no time limitation, you can as well check out the Gallery of Eastern Antiquities (Toyokan) with a collection of Buddhist sculptures of Asian countries as well as Chinese ceramics.

As Tokyo National Museum located in Ueno Park, you may as well visit the Kaneiji Temple and Shinobazu Pond.

You can get access to Ueno Park via the Ueno Station's "Park's exit". 

Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple)

Sensoji is a Buddhist Temple located in Asakusa, one of the most popular temple. You will find a 200 meters shopping street. Best place for buying souvenirs!!!

Also there are plenty of shops selling Japanese traditional sweets and street food. Prepare to have sugar and carb coma hahaha, 

-Anne

Tokyo Must See - Pt. 1

Tokyo is a fantastic destination that is a mix of historical and modern culture. Visiting Tokyo can not only give you the impression of visiting a foreign country but also probably visiting another planet. From the historic sphere influenced by the Edo era, the mesmerizing animation world of Ghibli Studio museum to the timeless Meiji Shrine. All will be briefly introduced in this week post.

Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine)

Constructed in the late 19th century, Meiji Shrine is known as one of the most important as well as popular Shinto shrines of Japan. Tokyo is known for its concrete jungle with a lack of green within the city, 100,000 trees that were planted in the Meiji Jingu's forest during its construction is surely a place of tranquility and to escape from the hustle of every day busy life of Tokyo.

At Meiji Jingu, you can toss the coin into a box, clap twice, bow once and clap once more for wishes and good luck. Also, you can write wishes on provided paper and tie them on the prayer wall.

The shrine is located 10-minute walk from southern entrance near Harajuku Station and northern entrance near Yoyogi Station.

Ghibli Studio Museum

As a foreigner. obtaining ticket to Ghibli Studio Museum is slightly more difficult and expensive. If you are from Australia, you can buy the ticket from JTBtravel - a Japanese travel agency. However, they just have a limited amount on hand so you have to book for the tickets 1 or 2 months in advance as they are sold out very quickly. Or else you can get them at govoyagin for last minute tickets but it surely will be a lot more expensive. Luckily, I got my Japanese friend buy them for me in Japan since they are sold wildly in Japanese convenience store.

Unfortunately, due to the no photo policy of the museum, I could not take much photos. However, if you are a fan of Mr. Hayao Mizyazaki animation like Totoro, Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, it is a must go destination. The experience there is truly amazing that I would recall it as one of my favorite place in Tokyo.

To get to the museum, take the Ghibly schedule bus from Mitaka Station (Bus stop #9).

To be continue..

Anne

Tokyo At A Glance

'Wandering in a smart Tokyo neighborhood is like wandering in a box of Quality Street: everything is different, everything tastes the same.' - Donald Richie 

Mr Richie got it right exactly how I felt when I first stepped into that fascinating land. For years and years fantasizing about one day visiting Japan, reading their manga and watching anime, it stroke right at my heart that this would be the country I would fall in love with. I finally made it to Tokyo last July and determined a goal to come back their at least once a year haha. You see how deeply in love I am with Japan.

Me at Meiji Jingu

It is true that no matter how much I heard about the Japanese people, I was still struck by how immaculate and professional they were right when I arrived at the airport. Everything was white, clean and shiny. With a minimalism freak like me, this kind of architecture really gave me somehow exciting satisfaction. The staffs there were the friendliest customs I had ever dealt with. Good impression right from the start.

Inside a subway carriage

Another thing that impressed was their train system. Trains arrived literally every few minutes and you would not have the feeling that you have been waiting for ages like here in Sydney and most importantly, THEY WERE NEVER LATE. Even though it was peak hour, people were stuffed inside one carriage but still very organized and people were exceptionally quiet and polite. You would not find people pushing each other on the train. I was always wondering why while Japanese hustling during peak hour to catch the train, they were always staring at their feet, this really gave me the feeling that these Japanese people are sad and depressed. Until a month ago, I read 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of His Years of Pilgrimage' by Haruki Murakami, and I finally found the answer. It is simply that they just don't want to lose their shoes. How interesting it is!

On the way from the airport to city central

Tokyo is beautiful both at day and night. I seriously cannot stop praising about my adoration for this city. I think I'd better save it for the next posts. My intended plan is to go through everything from very touristy spots to some hidden secret places I discovered. Stay tuned for some more interesting tips and reviews.

Tokyo to me is full of unsolvable enigmas and beautiful endless melancholy 

Till next time guys!

-Anne-