Everyone in Tokyo is well dressed, well coiffed and well, gorgeous. It helps that there are a million fashion and beauty destinations – so many, in fact, it’s dizzying. I could spend days, days, days on Tokyo street style site Style Arena.
I was trying to be responsible, but then when all of the galleries were closed in Ginza, I stumbled upon Opaque – a small(er) department store. The bigger ones were too crowded and hectic, but this one was just my size. I think it was the Parfums de Rosine or Annick Goutal Parfums counters that initially lured me inside.
(Pics of Prada, Dior, Armani and Hermes stores. They’re considered landmarks. Tokyo is my kind of town.)
Although I don’t think that Opaque sells Japan’s best-selling men’s bra (in case you’re in the market)… (?!) [via YeinJee's Asian Journal]
Filed under: Japan
In Tokyo, I stayed at the Claska hotel – and it was a lovely experience. Not only were they helpful, but the hotel was awesome. I got an amazing weekly rate, too. It’s a little far from the center of Tokyo (Meguro), but it forced me to learn the metro system and my way around the city.
Here are some pics from another guest of a similar room (I was in 601; these are from 603). There are only 9 rooms in the entire hotel. So, needless to say, by the end of my stay I was friendly with everyone.
I read about Claska in the Wallpaper guide and ASW.com — it’s a great find. If you go, I recommend it.
My cousin, Kevin Faraci, stars in Zed, Tokyo’s Cirque du Soleil production .
He is the (only) male singer in the entire performance – and he’s awesome. Here’s his standing ovation…he’s in the purple/orange costume in front. I was too scared to get footage during the actual show, but I should have!
doneHere he is – in full makeup that he did himself! – with his co-star.
I did most of my venturing outside of Tokyo in the beginning of trip — not knowing that so much would be closed in Tokyo towards the end. Almost all of the galleries, museums were shut when I went looking…21_21 Design Sight, Ginza Art Space, Tokyo Gallery + BTAP, SCAI The Bathhouse, Gallery Koyanagi — ugh!. I did make it to the Mori Art Museum, thankfully.
Thanks to the Japan Rail Pass, I day tripped to Kyoto, Nikko and Hakone. In Kyoto, I met Matt, a New Yorker teaching English in Nagoya. When I asked where he was from, his reply? ”Nagoya.” Ok, funny boy. I know that trick (i.e., my reply: “Singapore”). Very clever. Anyway, we explored Kyoto — and again, sights were closed. It must be me. Sorry, Matt. Darn holidays.
While having lunch at a small, homemade noodle shop in Nikko, I met an older Japanese couple, Yoshi and Yumi. Yumi asked if she could practice her English…and then she complimented me on my chopsticks skills.
I later asked Matt if that was a 101 phrase, a la “ou est la biblioteque?” He said no.
Phew!
Kyoto & Nikko
It seems silly to say that the sushi was the best I’ve ever tasted (like, duh, you’re in Japan). But it was. Each bite melted in your mouth. Even the funny-looking ones.
Yoshitomo Nara’s A to Z Cafe in Aoyama was a little slice of heaven. It’s in a terrific shopping district (plus) and they serve delicious teas, coffees, food (double plus), and liquor/DJ at night (can I move next door??). Nara mocked up a workspace in the middle of the room — you can’t go in, but you can peer through the windows to see his original work. It’s a mini-gallery. If you’re a fan, I suggest you check it out…
This person got a good shot, too.
I am leaving today. Sad! Back to S’pore. It’s been fun. Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow.
Filed under: Japan
Skinny Bitch is here. Why???? It’s not necessary, and rather rude for Japanese culture, if you ask me.
For some reason, a bit of Tokyo reminds me of Starlight Express. Perhaps it’s the ambulance drivers’ helmets. Or the Shinkansen.
My “awesometown” friends at Claska sent me to Office the other night (more about that later). The bar, in addition to serving lovely wine and teas, was hosting an exhibit of Cho-Chan’s work (click link to see for yourself). I mentioned to the waitress that I loved it….and Cho-Chan was sitting right next to me. We chatted, exchanged emails…and took pics (my wrist, her art!). She included in her blog, too.
(NB: after translation not from Google, but from friends…it states that she was drunk with her 3 friends. I wasn’t with 3 friends. And, she emailed me yesterday. Friends for life, I tell you.)
