Long long ago in a land far away, two very excited kitties made a journey from Daegu to Japan. This is their story:
Thursday, September 13th
We awoke on Thursday morning at 7:30am in the nearby coastal city of Busan. Cale and Simon, friends from Vancouver, had kindly offered us their couch for the night as our flight to Tokyo departed from the Busan airport. We had slept for about an hour or so after spending the night noraebanging (karaoke) our hearts out with some Korean locals that Cale & Simon know. Needless to say, we were pretty haggard on our way to the airport, but somehow we we made it - half alive and ready to take on Tokyo.
It would be an understatement to say that transit in Japan is efficient - it is phenomenal. We took the express train from Narita airport to our hotel near Shinjuku Station (the busiest station in the WORLD) and were settled by early evening. After taking full advantage of the massage chair in our room, we freshened up and headed out into the madness of Shinjuku:
It would be an understatement to say that transit in Japan is efficient - it is phenomenal. We took the express train from Narita airport to our hotel near Shinjuku Station (the busiest station in the WORLD) and were settled by early evening. After taking full advantage of the massage chair in our room, we freshened up and headed out into the madness of Shinjuku:
First picture in Tokyo - Times Square (Tokyo)!
This insanity is standard for a Japanese drug store - finding advil was impossible, Sash and I had to skillfully act out a headache for the pharmacist.
Our first sushi experience - it literally melts in your mouth, so yum.
Japanese Bowies?
The Gay District, Red Light District, and Golden Gai District are all located in the enormous 'neighbourhood' of Shinjuku.
The Golden Gai District:
Everything in Tokyo feels hidden in plain sight. We probably walked past the entrances to Golden Gai 20 times before we magically found it tucked beyond a garden pathway. The district is made up of a six alleys with countless miniature bars, decorated with the utmost detail in a variety of themes. Since it was Thursday the area was pretty quiet; we wandered and soaked in as much as our senses could handle.
Exploring a passageway between two alleys - it was really freaky.
Something was dripping on me - I ran.
Some bars seemed more open to patrons than others. We had to feel it out for a bit, but eventually found a wonderful, approachable bar decorated all over in red lips. The smiling older woman behind the bar had owned the place for 40+ years. She spoke English well and gave us a large beer, along with some recommendations for our days in Tokyo.
Drink All & Pizza All please.
We stared at this robust and handsome cat for 5 minutes or so wondering if it was a robot - it wasn't until it darted after a mouse scuttling across a clothing line that we knew it was alive.
Tokyo is the biggest, smallest place I've ever been. This bar was three stories of rickety stairs, with a swanky lounge area for maybe 8-10 people at the top. It was decorated extensively in a gorgeous nautical theme. The bar tender was very friendly, let us take pictures and gave us more beer (yay!).
Height can be an issue in Tokyo.
Lounge area above Sash!
Friday, September 14th
ASAKUSA!Based on a recommendation from the lady bartender in the Golden Gai, we decided to trek out to Asakusa for the day. She said it was the one thing to do in Tokyo - and we are so glad we did. The area home to Senso-ji temple, Tokyo Tower, and some shopping districts.
Tourist shopping area.
Bobble-heads.
Monchi
I don't like having my fortune told, into the whole 'you create your own destiny' thing, but it felt like part of the experience.
Read the sheet, it's funny and informative.
I got a "regular" fortune - which I think just means keep on, keepin on.
If you draw a bad fortune, you are supposed to tie it to these racks in hopes your luck will change.
Incense for cleansing.
Being touristy.
Cool guy and his cat.
Sesh and I wandered away from the temple area and found this amazing little shopping district. Here we discovered a funky shop selling variations of typical tourist items designed by Japanese artists.
I nabbed a cyclops money-cat.
I nabbed a cyclops money-cat.
There was a lot of stores in the area selling Halloween-type items, not sure why. And this guy holding a tray with 3 soups while riding his bike - don't act like you're not impressed.
Back into tourist land - I moustache you a question!
I think these have been here since the 50s
The best head-shots I've ever seen.
Tokyo tower!
The big golden chili, or whatever that is, and a better shot of Tokyo Tower.
Super cool no-smoking sign
Clouds!
Their tour boat goes underwater...
Ours didn't, but it was still very nice.
Very, very nice.
The cranes remind me of home :)
Consulting the Lonely Planet - story of our lives.
Useful signs in the subway - there are many of these.
Old man steeze.
SHA BOO YEAH!
We made our way to the famous Shibuya Crossing after a long day of wandering around Asakusa. It was bright and shiny and extremely confusing.
We made our way to the famous Shibuya Crossing after a long day of wandering around Asakusa. It was bright and shiny and extremely confusing.
Sushi again!
This is the equivalent of fast-food sushi - each seat is assigned a number with a personal screen to place orders. After a few minutes the sushi comes flying at you on one of three tracks.
Once you've taken your plate you, press the angry face and the track shoots back into the kitchen. Sash and I were afraid to press it, we thought it meant the food was bad.
So many people.
So DEAD. Back into the massage chair to ease our aching muscles before a night out!
These fantastic robes came with the room. We wanted to take (steal) them but our bags were too stuffed.
There are no pictures from the evening out - but basically we went to Train Bar, a dirty little rock bar covered in bank notes and signatures, owned by a delightful Indian fellow. The bar was tiny and we were the only females so needless to say we made a lot of friends - through a series of events the night ended at an after party at the Conrad Hilton with Carly Rae Jepsen's entourage - it was amazing. The end.
Saturday, September 16th
This was happening outside our hotel when we left.
In the middle of Tokyo?! How cool.
Party cab.
"Don't run for your train. It's dangerous and embarassing if you get caught between the doors."
The graphics really clear things up.
The graphics really clear things up.
EGOISM.
Not sure what this advertisement is for, but it's effective.
Outside Harajuku Station
Getting lost on the way to Meiji-Jinju Shrine
Found it!
After many days of chaotic city life, Meiji Jinju was a total oasis. The tranquility was tangible in the enormous park located in the heart of the city - one of the most wonderful places I've ever been.
Washing our hands clean of McDonald's breakfast.
We were lucky enough to catch a wedding procession!
For a sum of money you could write your prayer on these pieces of wood and hang them outside the shrine.
It was fun and strangely emotional to walk along and read them.
It was fun and strangely emotional to walk along and read them.
A bib for your greasy baby
The infamous Takeshita Street in Harajuku
Poster anyone?
Cat things
Eyeballs, bones, spikes, and coffins are a really big thing in Harajuku fashion...
The prettiest store ever. It would be a dream for the 5 year old version of myself who thought I would dress like a princess when I'm older. It reeked of perfume.
DANGER - photo-banging is addictive.
Harajuku girls!!
Deserted subway at 9:30pm.
HARAJUKU GIRL! At a distance..
Shinjuku downtown
Our hotel
Maybe my favourite item of the day:
After our day out in Harajuku we met up with Chase, one of Sachiyo's friends from Vancouver, who has lived in Tokyo on and off for 11 years. He took us to an amazing hip hop club where they played Ja Rule and Ashanti and people reacted like it was 2002. It was his friend's birthday so we danced and partied with them for a while before Chase took us to another, more intimate bar. Throughout the evening we made more friends but Chase had to leave us early (4am) since he had a meeting the next morning. We ended up getting kicked out of the bar for not ordering enough drinks and found ourselves sitting outside a Family Mart somewhere in Shibuya. Here we met some European friends and a Japanese local who invited us up to a "rooftop party" with "free beer." In reality we broke into a rooftop which involved a lot of climbing and navigating along pipes and ladders and drank beer that was part of someone's inventory. It was so worth it to watch the sun rise and take in the view of the city one last time.
European hipsters.
TOKYUUUU
The incarnations of the devil. They kept us up ALL NIGHT on Sunday upon return from Tokyo, meowing their faces off and destroying everything in the apartment.
Meow.
Modern Romance - yes yes yes
I promise this will be my longest post ever - congrats if you made it here.
xoxo
roro
PS
For more details check out Sashah's blog: Kimchi Gypsy
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