Early this morning I left Sawanoya and Tokyo altogether -for good, because I'm not departing from there to get back to France. I was certainly a bit sad to leave Sawanoya, because it was such a nice place to stay, but I was also more than ready to move on. I saw so many different… Continue reading Arrival in Kyoto
Author: Martin Towers
Last day in Tokyo
Yesterday, my last day in Tokyo, was mostly about tying up loose ends. I began the morning peacefully enough, by doing laundry. A little Ueno housekeeping to start the day on the right foot! Sawanoya has a washing machine, a dryer and an iron, and the whole thing adds up to only 300 yen.At around… Continue reading Last day in Tokyo
The Pillow Blog: II
The other day, here in Ueno, I crossed two old ladies on the street who were walking an enormous brown bunny rabbit O_O For real. With a leash and everything.Walking here feels like driving a police car with the siren on. Girls will literally shove their friends out of my way. I like being able… Continue reading The Pillow Blog: II
Kamakura
After five days that have been pretty much all urban madness, today was a day dedicated to reflection, introspection and contemplation: day trip to Kamakura, city of shrines and temples!There are a lot of shrines and temples to visit in Kamakura, so it takes a lot of walking and a lot of fishing for change… Continue reading Kamakura
Ghibli Museum; Nezu Shrine
This morning I went to the Ghibli Museum, the hometown of all things Totoro in Japan and, consequently, the world. Tickets are sold out months in advance, and although the entire journey there didn't seem very busy at all, once inside the museum it was indeed a full house.I was most charmed by the building… Continue reading Ghibli Museum; Nezu Shrine
The Pillow Blog: I
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
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
