As gleefully noted here it snowed yesterday (!!!) so we wrapped up in extra layers before heading into Shibuya. This is one of the big shopping areas of Tokyo and we had several stops in mind, particularly Loft – imagine a department store, where all the boring things are taken out and replaced with awesome things – and Tokyo Hands – imagine a store where you can buy anything. Seriously, anything. Theremin? They’ve got one. Beakers and other labware? Yep! Fourteen different types of thing to separate your toes while you paint the nails? No problem. It’s pretty amazing, though it makes me a little sad not to live near an everything-store.
We stopped at a Japanese curry house for lunch, and I can barely communicate the deliciousness. Perhaps it was just that we were cold and wet and hungry, but the tonkatsu and rice with curry sauce seemed to be the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
Spoils for the day included a large, soft body pillow in the shape of a disgruntled monkey, who will be excellent for taking couch naps with, and some “Breath Palette” toothpastes. They offer 32 flavours! Having learned my lesson with the cheese chocolate we did not get the curry or soy bean options, but I’m looking forward to brushing with grape, orange and pineapple.
Today we checked out Nakano Broadway, which is an amazing mall that is the hub of vintage, retro and second-hand toys and figurines in Tokyo. There were so many stores selling amazing wares you’d never find anywhere else (except maybe eBay), including “cube” spaces where people can rent a portion of a glass case and run their own mini shop. Some of those had hand crafted toys and accessories, and I’m sure some were professional dealers, but most seemed to be collection overflows. I’m nosy so I love to see people’s focus and what kinds of things they were selling. The other interesting type of store that I haven’t seen elsewhere were those that opened up lots of capsule and blind box toys, repackaging them into clear bags and pricing according to rarity. I would like to run one of those shops!
We also stopped in at Nekobukuro, the “Cat’s Playland” in Ikebukuro. After paying an entry fee you enter a series of rooms with perhaps 20 cats running, climbing and sleeping. You can pet them as much as you want! We petted a lot. There were lots of different kinds of cats, but our favourite was the biggest cat we have ever seen. Sitting in the normal cat stance he must have been at least 45cm tall, and I bet when he stretches out he is over a metre! We thought Mr. Kitty had been a big cat, but this guy was easily half his size again. We couldn’t read the sign but I looked him up on the website and Google translation confirmed that he is a Maine Coon – I think there may be one in our future…
We’re suffering quite a bit from sore feet, after days and days of walking, but hot baths and resting at night is keeping us up and about. Tomorrow we will visit Harajuku!
|
|
RSS feed
Not only are Maine Coon cats big but they are generally very sociable and sweet. :D
However, Savannah cats are even larger than Maine Coons. I saw one the other day and my jaw literally dropped.
Enjoying your blog posts! Can’t wait to see your photos.
Posted by luneray on March 1st, 2009.
I love reading your daily recaps! How wonderful to be in Japan!!
I can’t wait to see your pics either, and pictures of all the loot you’ve purchased so far.
A Nekobukuro sounds like a fine place to be when feeling depressed, it would be better for me than taking medication. Have you had a proper Japanese bath and used a soaking tub? I can’t wait to read more!
Posted by Lunamarysol on March 2nd, 2009.
@Lunamarysol Nekobukuro put us in an excellent mood for the rest of the day – if I lived here I would try and negotiate a season pass :) And no, we haven’t had proper baths because we’re too shy!
Posted by Annette / Nut and Bee on March 3rd, 2009.
Wow, Nakano Broadway. I found it hard to describe but you did a good job. OMG, a cat’s playroom? That is amazing!
Posted by Amber on March 3rd, 2009.
@Amber I didn’t know about Nakano Broadway last time I was here, but it’s been one of our favourite places. Next time we might devote a whole day to it :)
Posted by Annette / Nut and Bee on March 3rd, 2009.
hi annette, congratulations on your wedding and it sounds like you really enjoyed your trip to tokyo, please would you mind describing how to get to nakano broadway? ive not heard of it before, but it sounds great and would like to try and find it whenever im lucky enough to visit japan again..must visit the ghibli museum too! thanks a lot xxx
Posted by rach on March 12th, 2009.
@rach No problem – Nakano Broadway is pretty easy to find, unlike many places in Tokyo!
Take a train to Nakano station, which is on the Chuo line. (You can transfer to the Chuo line from other trains/subways at Tokyo station or Shinjuku station.) Use the North exit, and you will see a covered pedestrian arcade/galleria directly in front of you. Walk along that, and the end of it leads straight into the mall. The first floor is quite normal-looking, all of the toys are on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors :) Hope that helps!
Posted by Annette / Nut and Bee on March 12th, 2009.
thanks a lot annette!
Posted by rach on March 13th, 2009.