How you wake up on a Japan 2015, trip. The note for guests, notice for laundry service, do not disturb sign were spied on the table, together with the handwritten map lovingly left by the lady at the JR East Travel Service Centre to illuminate us the way to Rail-Go service. And a wooden clock and a white Sadaharu AOKI paper bag conjoining the perfect image of a japanese inn. It was going to be a good day.
Happening Ota ward view at 647am. Not to worry we did not wake that early. Time was an hour ahead in Japan compared to Singapore.
Only in Japan, were there 5 machines for company during buffet breakfast. Breakfast wasn't on the itinerary, but since we were up so early, we might as well fill ourselves with complimentary continental breakfast. My film director, and also my chef. Sesame dressing was decided to drizzle over tamago for breakfast.
SunRise mall at kamata. What which made Ota ward trendy, and more of such shopping arcades you will see at uptown areas in Japan.
Famed Tsukiji market in Tokyo
Sushi Yamazaki, the shop beside Sushi Dai.
Sake anyone? You knew me and my friends like to drink.
Complimentary green tea served to customers during the wait.
Handsome chef preparing the chirashi.
Salmon roe, salmon, pink shrimp, squid, scallop, flounder, snow crab, tuna, egg cake. Fuji (9 pcs.)
A stroll around Tsukiji's outer market, where I caught a familiar orange shop, Japan's first Yoshinoya store at Tsukiji Fish Market.
It seemed to be another planet at Tsukiji Fish Market. Silent workers getting about with their daily activities, and heavy-duty moving around the premise.
Had we gone to the wrong side of Tsukiji Fish Market? The wholesale area was a ghost town at 12nn. This was unlike a busy street selling snacks and grilled scallops I had preconceived.
Meiji-jingumae station/Harajuku:
We were clouded with choices. Traditional Japanese parfait or traditional French chocolatier? Bypassing beloved Harajuku street to Shibuya-ku for Gion sweets and desserts in Tokyo.
At the top of the flyover, you can see the entire sprawling hill of Harajuku.
The Meiji Dori end of Harajuku street built up a dystopian underworld, black painted walls and swanky coffee houses. However, Gion Tokuya was too filled to be true, and we decided to go to plan B, traditional French desserts.
Akasaka:
Foodie's haven. Not to be mixed up with Asukasa.
Black and white and white and black.
On the Ginza line to Akasaka-mitsuke, these showstoppers were caught with bows and glittery hairdos.
Even though it was a heaven, food was not found. Who knew Patisserie Del’immo would be closed from 10 to 16 August, not for business permanently, but for the Obon holiday. The 2 hours to dinner time were spent soaking in Akasaka's 7-Eleven, using its free wifi to surf for places selling prepaid sim card in Japan.
Even though it was a heaven, food was not found. Who knew Patisserie Del’immo would be closed from 10 to 16 August, not for business permanently, but for the Obon holiday. The 2 hours to dinner time were spent soaking in Akasaka's 7-Eleven, using its free wifi to surf for places selling prepaid sim card in Japan.
Motsufuku Akasakaten:
Motsufuku Akasakaten had an atmosphere of a wrestling ring, yet it did not sell the sumo wrestler's hotpot, the staple were motsunabe.
Motsufuku Akasakaten had an atmosphere of a wrestling ring, yet it did not sell the sumo wrestler's hotpot, the staple were motsunabe.
Bit of a cultural shock the izakaya was a free smoking zone, you share space and air with dining comrades.
Hakata Mentaiko Motsunabe. Traditionally Hakata, giblets or offal with an additional topping of mentaiko in rich pork soup
Moving on quickly, as we would be heading to Shinjuku on a mission for sim card.
Shishito peppers and green onion raft yakitori, since we missed them out at Hajimeya.
Shinjuku:
We braced ourselves for madness at Shinjuku. Don Quijote at Yamada Denki and now at Shokuan Dori? We chose to trust Google maps, without data, on Koreatown and convinced each other the grimy and gaudy warehouse was Don Quijote.
Who would have known this would be our saving place. Before we could focus on the fringe activities, such as shopping, prepaid sim card was available at a hidden Don Quijote a few blocks away. After shuttling to and fro the 2 outlets for 5 times, our hearts had been tempered into steel, and we received vip treatment. I almost broke into tears when the chinese speaking staff, Chinese nationals came to us.
Returns of the day was when the caucasian staff at Don Quijote remarked I looked thai, and my travelling companion shopping away for souvenirs to bring back home. Toast with japanese drinks, a purple cabbage and berries juice and japanese soya milk, to cajole myself, from Don Quijote.
Twice the journey brought us to love hotels, the kabuchiko district, love homes, which we would not have taken to, of Shinjuku.
Determinating time was here. When you thought the day was about to end. If we had 2 days left in Tokyo, and the last day for Nikko, what were we going to do for the last, presumably 3rd day in Tokyo. Were we going to take graduation photos, eat Houjicha parfait, visit Gotokuji temple, or an undivulged plan Maison de Julietta if we had so much to do in Tokyo not for the front two days wasting our time. No, we had to not give up on Nikko.
After the confession, it was wiping the blemishes away and looking forward to things anew the next day.
