Some random thoughts:For something that costs hundreds of euros, the Japan Rail Pass could stand to be a little more attractive. It's a piece of paper with a train ticket taped to it. Honestly, I expected Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket.What with standing out like a sore thumb everywhere I go, if Japan wasn't such a… Continue reading The Pillow Blog: I
Author: Martin Towers
Kabuki and Tarantino
For the afternoon, I had tickets to see a Kabuki play at Shinbashi Enbujo, near Ginza. While Kabuki-za is still being renovated (set to reopen later this month or April, I believe), Shinbashi has apparently picked up as the main Kabuki stage in Tokyo these past few years.Once again, I thought I was hopelessly lost… Continue reading Kabuki and Tarantino
Ginza
Today was shopping day! I headed down to Ginza to check out the shopping heaven of Tokyo. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and it was just a pleasure to be out and about.This is where the flagship stores of Muji and Uniqlo are located. The former is at least moderate in its hugeness, but… Continue reading Ginza
Akihabara
Since I had time to kill after concluding my visit to Yokohama, and the 30 minute train ride had given me some illusion of rest, I thought I might as well take the opportunity to check out Akihabara, which at 2 Yamanote-line stops is relatively close to Ueno.Akihabara is the electronics town, although nowadays the… Continue reading Akihabara
Yokohama
Today I poked my nose outside Tokyo and went to Yokohama! I had to ask for directions to three people in each station I transferred to, and all went smoothly until the lady at Yokohama Station and I hit a dead end on my pronunciation of Tourist Office (I needed a map). "Tourist Office" "Nani?"… Continue reading Yokohama
Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando
After a relatively sedate first day in Tokyo, I thought the best next step was to jump straight into the madness that is Shibuya and Harajuku.The Shibuya crossing is the first movie-checkpoint of this trip, as it featured in one of the posters for Lost in Translation. Every time the lights turn green a flood… Continue reading Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando
Asakusa and izakaya
What is the very first thing you visit in a trip to Japan? Jumping straight into the madness that is Shibuya or Harajuku jetlagged and exhausted would have given me a seizure, so I opted for a quieter approach: Asakusa, the Old Town of Tokyo where there are still some streets that haven't given way… Continue reading Asakusa and izakaya
Arrival in Japan
I am in Japan! I began booking this trip in October last year, but when you take into account the fact that I was learning Japanese at 16, this project has been in the making much longer.So. Let's start from the beginning. In case you've ever wondered, flying on the upper deck of one of those… Continue reading Arrival in Japan
A day in London, London in a day: Part II
In a way very reminiscent of my student days, I switched guides from an accomplished musician to accomplished doctors for the rest of the day. Sandra, Sharmistha and I apparently formed a perfect Canadian flag with our red, white and red coats. After all these years as an honorary LSHTM member, I think by now… Continue reading A day in London, London in a day: Part II
A day in London, London in a day: Part I
My idea for this flash-weekend trip to London was to take it easy and simply enjoy being in the city -but I should have known that plans just make themselves there!Unbeknownst to me, the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone houses a small museum that is open to the public. The whole building is a… Continue reading A day in London, London in a day: Part I
This Is A Lake 