One of the restaurants and cafe that I wanted to try when I visited Harajuku is Hanami. The restaurant is best known for showcasing cuisine from different countries and so, the menu is changed every few months to showcase something different. Also, once in awhile, Read More …
Outside of Asakusa Station and not far from the major temples is one of the oldest Japanese sweet shops in Tokyo, Funawa Cafe. Established in 1902, the place is known for selling “imo yokan” (sweet potato paste), various an-mitsu offerings (red bean+ fruit or cream) Read More …
In Northern Tokyo, outside of Shibamata Station is the statue of Tora-san. The character is best known for the long-running film series “Otoko wa tsurai yo” (which translates to “It’s Tough Being a Man”) directed by Yoji Yamada and stars actor Atsumi Kiyoshi. With a Read More …
Located at Tokyo Dome City, right between the Under Armour Tokyo Giants shop and the Japanese Hall of Fame is “The Burgers Tokyo”. The restaurant which is owned by Italian Tomato (who operates restaurants such as Faribeurre, IL VIGORE, Italian Tomato Cafe, Caffe Superiore, Panes Read More …
Nishiarai Daishi (西新井大師), known formally as Sojiji (総持寺), is a relatively large Shingon Buddhist temple located in the northeastern part of Tokyo. It is said to have been founded in 826 by Shingon Sect founder Kukai. This temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism, Read More …
Located in one of Tokyo’s largest park areas is Ueno Zoo, one of Japan’s oldest zoos which was opened back in 1882. Only a five-minute walk from Ueno Station and one that can be reached via train or the Ueno zoo Monorail, the Ueno Zoo Read More …
Located in Arakawa, Tokyo and in an area with loud trains passing by over the location is the Kozukappara Execution Grounds. A location, one of the three of what was then known as the vicinity of Edo, was where criminals were executed by the Tokugawa Read More …
And the Tokyo Ward challenge has been completed! I have visited all 23 Tokyo Wards and it was definitely one of the more exciting adventures I have taken part of. It was a blast! And now to end my final week in Tokyo an Read More …
The week leading up to Halloween has no doubt been incredible but because Halloween takes place on a Monday, a lot of the Halloween festivities took place on the weekend. Still, I had a feeling that people would be out on Halloween Day dressed up Read More …
On October 30th, the 2016 Omotesando Halloween Pumpkin Parade took place. A parade in which parents and their children and literally entire families can dress up and take part in the Halloween festivity (including dogs) was no doubt a success. I have heard about how Read More …
Back in 1953, toy company Kotobukiya established themselves as toymakers that care about craftsmanship. Fastforward to 2016 and the company still prides itself in craftmanship and quality and have become the #1 toy company specializing in collector toys and creator of statues, figures and kits. Read More …
If there is one shrine in Japan that is controversial, it’s Yasukuni Shrine. For those not familiar with Yasukuni Shrine, since 1869, the shrine is where people go to honor the souls of those who died in service of Japan. Known back in 1869 as Read More …
While many countries around the world celebrate October 31st as the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallow’s Day. Somewhere in the past, the day known as Halloween has changed to being a day full of pumpkins, ghosts, witches, spiders, bats and a Read More …
In October and November, I will be embarking on several travel challenges. The main travel challenge is known as the “Tokyo Ward Challenge”. The challenge is quite simple: Visit each of the 23 wards in Tokyo. For those in the United States, think of it Read More …
Shibuya, the trendy city for teenagers and young adults for their shopping needs. And since 1979, Shibuya 109 (Ichi-maru-kyu) and 109Men’s department stores have stood tall in Shibuya. It’s name is a word play on the owner, Tokyu Mall Development. In Japan, 10=to, 9=kyu and Read More …
In Tokyo, one of the more popular department stores is Marui. While most people are familiar with the “○I○I” logo, the symbol “O” is not the vowel but the Japanese symbol for “Maru” and the “1” is pronounced “i”, hence the “Marui”. The first store Read More …
I have written about my final visit to Tsukiji Fish Market but I decided that because I love sushi so much, I had to be in Japan for the final closure of the Tsukiji Fish Market before its transition to Toyosu in November 2016. With Read More …
