The first stop on my trip is Tokyo, but to me it almost feels like a completely different trip. For the first time in a long, long time since I've started travelling by myself I feel something that is approaching - though is not quite fully realised as - fear. In actual fact I think it is probably a cocktail of nervousness and excitement, a jumbled up mess of anxiety over whether or not I'll be able to navigate the city and sheer elation at seeing a place I have, for a long time, had on my wish list. All of this fear is for nothing, of course, because for the most part I will be with my family, and that's the way I want to see it. Sandwiched between my two brothers singing karaoke and slurping at bowls of salty soup. I think I'm a good traveller, or at least I hope I am, but sometimes, especially in a city you have never been to before, what you want most is familiarity.
But despite of this - or perhaps because of it - I am also eager to explore. So, for the last time, I'm going to beg you for some tips for my trip. You've all gone above and beyond with your tips for Austria, Italy, Prague and London, and I thank you. As always I am reliant on this is naive's lofi diary, practically perfect in every way. I'm staying in Shinjuku and would love any tips on places to eat in the area. I have a feeling that instead of addresses Tokyo will be more of the find-your-own-way persuasion. But that's all part of the fun. I can't wait to find my own corner of Tokyo where I can feel just like this.
X
6 comments:
Oh Tokyo will be so exciting! Have you read the Hello Sandwich blog? Lots of Japan tips and her Tokyo guide is AMAZING! Enjoy your trip!
I'll have you know that I did eat at the Park Hyatt and had my own mini Lost in Translation experience.
Definitely check out Omotesando and explore the alleyways because there are some really great vintage stores and boutiques. I have no idea how addresses work in Japan - I was determined to visit the Rag and Bone store, had the address and everything and I was this close to giving up when I found it hidden in a back alley sandwiched between terrace houses. You'll love it :)
But in all honesty, the food is incredible there no matter where you go! Even the food sold at convenience stores is ten times better than the sushi they sell at shopping centres here. Good luck x
hi! you will come to TYO ? that's good cuz i'm Japanese. i wanna tell you about TYO's best places.if you have enough time, please visit Kamakura. it's not far from TYO. anyway i hope your trip is gonna be great. xx
One night, I couldn't sleep with jetlag so I left my hotel room at 4am and went exploring on my own. That's how safe I felt. Probably ill advised in hindsight but there were so many people around lit up by all the neon semiotics that day and night were interchangeable.
Step inside Tokyu Hands department store for things you don't need but have to have.
i went to tokyo years ago and so can't remember the exact location of places but everyone is so incredibly friendly and the city is like a little treasure chest - you will make some amazing discoveries just by wandering.
as for london if you want an amazing bagel hit up brick lane! just google brick lane beigel. there are two bagel houses right next to each other - personally i loved the one on the right (if you are standing looking at them it is on the right hand side). everything in brick lane is awesome! second hand stores, cute little bars, galleries, food, street art. and Definitely check out broadway markets (spotted ms alexa chung when i was there) and must must must is borough markets (oh the food!) and the book markets under south bank bridge.
see http://landofwunderings.blogspot.com.au/search/label/LONDON
for more info :)
have fun!
*soph
Oh I hope you have the most wonderful time in Tokyo! It's one of my favourite cities in the world; I love it precisely because it feels so strange and foreign and in a world entirely of it's own.
Shinjuku is a wonderful base to stay (you won't be bored!), but I'd mostly just recommend wandering the streets and eating at tiny places that only serve one kind of food and and shopping at KiddyLand and Isetan and the local pharmacies for wonderful Asian beauty products.
Do let me know when you're headed for London and we must meet for food and chats!!
Briony xx
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