Cool Cloths

These disposable wet towelettes are the best thing on a hot Tokyo day.

The "Ice-type" has a bit of menthol and keeps the cool feeling for quite a while.  The Biore Powder Sheets are made for the face.  They are damp and have no fragrance.  The little bit of powder really does take the shine off a sweaty face and I love the way it gives a matte finish too.

Never tried these before and not one has even recommended these despite my complaining about the heat and humidity.  Perhaps it's a well-kept secret among Japanese women?  Not any longer.  I've been using them ever since I came back to Honolulu.  Our summer is lasting through September and these cloths really make a difference.  Can't be taking a shower several times a day!  Must keep these at my desk when I go back to work.  Freshen up after walking out to pick up lunch in downtown at the hottest time of day!

Asakusabashi

One of my favorite places in old Tokyo is Asakusabashi.  Many places are wholesale shops.  There are so many that it would take weeks to explore them and we may not even scratch the surface.
Shimojima is right outside the Asakusabashi station on the red line.  Seven floors of all kinds of office supplies, boxes, packaging, wrapping, craft supplies, kitchen and hardware items to seasonal holiday decor.  Halloween decor was featured last week.  Yes, Halloween in Japan.

Getting Hungry

The sun was setting and we were getting hungry.  After flying for 8 hours, on the limo bus to the hotel another hour, walking around another 2 hours, we needed FOOD.
Susan heard of this terrific tonkatsu restaurant in the area so we asked the officer at the koban (police box) and he gave us directions.  We both agreed, this is the BEST tonkatsu ever!  And having tried this dish at many places, Maisen Tonkatsu is tops!

Walking back out to Omotesando, we marvel at  how quiet and safe the streets of Tokyo are.


Below, more food and beverage.  Can you tell I was hungry?

Rewind

Finally downloaded the photos from my phone.  So these are a little out of order but, no one but I knows this...
Don't we all wish we could fly like this---empty seats around us!  As if...this is an empty plane because we had priority boarding.  Every seat was filled.  I lucked-out with seat-mates and got a nice older Japanese couple returning home.  Quiet, stayed in their seats, no trouble!

Got into Narita a little ahead of schedule.  Limo bus to Shinagawa and right onto the Yamanote train to Harajuku.

It was late afternoon as we walked Harajuku.  I was looking for the Harajuku I had known and loved 25+ years ago...it no longer exists.

Here is the new face of Harajuku, all mirrors, chrome and glass:  the Tokyu Plaza.   What a change!  Even walked over the bridge/walkway over Omotesando and didn't recognize the street.  If it wasn't for the trees down the center median, I wouldn't have recognized the place.  Gone are the little boutiques and coffee shops.  Gone are the cute creative store fronts, each vying for "craziest on Omotesando".  Even the old Hanae Mori building was lost among the chrome and glass.  Sorry, that is the only way I can think to describe the storefronts. The original charm of the area, which used to be part residential and part commercial is what I liked. 

Report from Tokyo

The my-fi wifi did not work quite as planned so am doing catch up now as I sit comfortably at home.
Left Monday, am home again on Monday!  Short, intense trip. The weather didn't help...hot and humid.  I intended to post daily but was wiped out at days end.

Tokyo is a walking city, and though prepared with cool clothing and the best MBT sandals, the heat required cutting out a few items on our planned itinerary.
We hit the ground running shortly after checking into the Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

Rode the Yamanote line to Harajuku Station.  Had to see the area and Takeshita Dori for the first time in 18 years!  Much has changed and I am very disappointed that Omotesando is now slick chrome and glass.  Gone are the little shops and cafes that were so unique and perfect for people and fashion-watching.

As the sun went down, the temperature cooled off a little, just a little, but the humidity remained high.

After a short walk, we found Maisen Tonkatsu restaurant down the street, around the corner, tucked away in typical Japanese way--how people find these little places amazes me.  It was the BEST tonkatsu ever!  Worth the search--take a cab next time.

The site of the Tokyo International Gift Show is called "Big Sight" and is located out in Odaiba, an area of reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay.  It is an amazing place, built recently it  houses many hotels, huge corporate buildings, outdoor concert and entertainment complex, aquarium, shopping centers and on and on.  We did not have time to explore this area, as the show itself was super huge and we intended to finish walking/seeing it in one day.  This was a looonngggg day.  Approximately 12 hours from riding the monorail out to Big Sight and walking the pavilions.  Once in a lifetime is enough for me!  Sorry, no photos were allowed inside the tradeshow.

Here is the map of the monorail route from Shimbashi station out to Odaiba.  What a wonderful transportation system.  And a great view from the elevated tracks.