Tokyo diary: day 4 - today's finds

Here are my finds for today :D

tokyo diary: day 4

As usual....today has been a BIG TIRING day :). In the morning we went to Tokyo Tower and I was being smart....decided to get out at Toranomon station instead of Onarimon station...BIG BIG BIG mistake, it was sooo far away from Tokyo Tower...ooopps....anyway, we got there and took some pictures....From there, we passed by Zojoji temple, a very touching sights...it is a temple dedicated to the souls of stillborn children...the little statues are called Jizobosatsu :'(...I saw one dad, praying to one of the Jizobosatsu and putting on the red crocheted cap to it :'( so sad...

From here, we went to Akihabara...my husband was ecstatic! I bet he gets the same feeling I get when I go to fabric stores :D. We went to the big department store next to the JR Akihabara station, Yodoba....totally makes BH Photo in NYC looks like a small specialty shop (I love BH Photo, though). On the 7th floor, they have a big bookstore and this is where I got my cute Japanese fabrics and books. This big building has everything! From electronics to make up!!!! I will try and go back here again before I go home :).

After Akihabara, we went to Asakusa...a very interesting place...finally, a place where I can take pictures with some "authentic" Japanese background...not just big city's neon lights. In front of the Nakamise dori, we found a cute store selling all things Hayao Miyazaki's characters, mostly Totoro...I looooove all things Hayao Miyazaki :). We drank hot sake...though I think there's no alcohol in it...more like fermented rice drink....VERY VERY delicious...we came back here again before going home and drank another cuppa :). We saw the Kannon temple, ate newly fried rice cracker and had some tako yaki too (cuttlefish ball).

Finally...we're on our way home and I stopped by Okadaya-the fabric store, this time. Found some nani iro fabrics double gauze fabrics! yay! finally and a bunch of other things...I don't think they have a good selections of pvc fabrics nor other japanese fabrics. I shall try my luck at Nippori...The thing I like about Okadaya is the fact they accept credit cards! So I can use my credit card here and save my cash for Nippori :). By the way, do you see that yellow sakura japanese type of fabrics?! I HAVE that exact same one from Tanah Abang!!!!! At a fraction of its price hihihihi so happy....I saw a bunch of flowery fabrics I got from Majestic market too :). Then we bought dinner across Shinjuku nishi gotchomae station and ate at the hotel, where I finally had my hot bath tub moment again....ahhhhhh so nice....nite nite...off to Kyoto tomorrow for a day trip :).

tokyo diary: day 3 - the rest of the night

We've finally found Kiddy Land in Harajuku/Shibuya! And I've finally found one of those tapping disney toys for misfits! They're quite expensive! and Made in China :( I'm sure they have these in Hong Kong at half the price...each of it costs around 2000 yen, about USD 22....I got 4 and misfit asked where's goofy? ooops...Mommy left goofy...I guess we have to go back there again and get goofy...I found a bunch of useless cute things there hahahaha...Outside Kiddy Land, there's hello kitty cake...forgot what's it called? I love the cream cheese one...yummy :)...From there, we went back to Shinjuku station and had our dinner and went back home...where I finally able to submerged my tired body in the warm tub :D. I am BEAT....nitey nite all :)

tokyo diary: day 3

I could barely open my eyes now...It is now 12:36 am and I have just finished up researching places to go tomorrow. Today, we started our day at a little over 10 am, and finally got back to our beloved hotel at around 9:30 pm....We were planning on going to many places...but ended up going to only a few (a lot of distractions along the way hehehehe)...I was going to Tokyu Hands but ended up probably at Tokyu Department Store. We found this cute shop selling name tags!

Along the way, we also found Food Show (underneath Tokyu Dept. store)...it is filled with rows and rows and rowwwwwsss of food stalls...sweets, bento, and everything else you can imagine...but they don't really have places to eat, so I guess only take away :)

From here, we went to Ebisu, since I'd like to go to a store called cocca and a few others from the Tokyo Little Shops zine I bought before I left, but I could not find the 3 shops on the map (Le Petite Bleu, Champagne and tres cotton). I was sure I was not lost, because I did finally find cocca, though I hope the map on the zine would've been clearer (such as street names, etc)...so those shops might have been closed for business??? No idea...or they might have moved or not opened??? Anyways...I didn't get much from cocca, since they're very expensive! and I am yet to go to Nippori...hence, no crazy fabric shopping just yet...I did also find Aranzi Aronzo!!!! I am SO VERY HAPPY!!!!!! It is a little shop haven..filled with Aranzi Aronzo's cuteness!!! Everyone must definitely go here! Cash only, though! I bought a few fabrics from here :) only 1 m each, though...since I didn't bring a lot of cash. The place is very very close to Daikanyama Station (Tokyu line).

From here, we went to Ginza and found my favorite tea store called Karel Capek...they have really nice tea, packaged nicely in cute tins!

From here, we went to Sony building, Mitsukoshi and My friend bought some macaroons from Laduree, which I don't really fancy....I don't really like macaroons :). Since Laduree's queue was too long, we went to Ginza Karacu Patisserie, the wait was about 15 minutes and they had seats :). Had a quick tea then off we go to Kiddy Land! But before that, we finally found Sanrio World in Ginza. Forgot the name but it shouldn't be too hard to miss...it's called Ginza something...and Sanrio world is on the second floor. Okay, I'm too lazy to move my uploaded pictures all the way down, so I'm just going to do a new post. Does anyone know an easier way to arrange pictures in blogger?! Do share your knowledge :)

an architect's blog

My beloved sister, Stephanie, is finishing up her master's degree in architecture from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (I'm always so very proud telling people where she goes)...and she just started a blog about her final project :)...hence the name degree project. Enjoy!

tokyo diary: day 2 - the rest of the day

I think I'm quite satisfied of my 1 day at the quilt show...I then went to Okadaya, I truly was in craft HEAVEN!!! Good thing they accept credit card :D...I went to the accessories building...all 7 floors of it! yes...SEVEN..oh, 8 including the basement! Anything you could ever imagine and want and need....all there...in 7 floors! Too bad they wouldn't allow pictures...I found out only later...after I took 3 photos in the yarn department... :)...they have section for leather, sewing, quilting, beading, embroidery, sewing machine, knitting, etc...etc...Then as I was out of the building, I just realized, the building next to it is also Okadaya....filled with fabrics...probably 7 floors as well :( but I was late for my dinner appointment :) ow well...there'll be other stores...I am yet to venture Nippori :). Nitey nite from Tokyo :)...how I wish my masseuse is here.

tokyo diary: day 2 - 2010 tokyo quilt show

I don't think I have the energy to write anything...so I'm just putting up pictures...I just want to share my little experience about entering Tokyo dome...It was a LOOOOONGGGG queue(the queue in the pictures were actually very close to the entrance...I started waaaaaaaaayyy back), It backlogged between door 10 and 11 and the entrance is door 22, if I'm not mistaken....that's probably half of Tokyo dome! But it only took 20 or so minutes to enter...very impressed :)...overall, it was an interesting experience...very interesting... :)