Tokyo Travel Diary – Places I loved and where I stayed in Tokyo, Japan

Call me obnoxious, but I am always tempted to think of Japan as one of ‘my things’. After every stint living there for one reason or another, and then leaving without any intention of returning, I somehow find myself back there again. This time, it was my boyfriend who chose it for our end of year trip. For him, Japan was just a place he’d heard of, and it still held that sense of magic and mystery. For me, it was an opportunity to relive the experiences I had taken for granted the first time around.

Black and white printed blazer and coulottes – BC The Label

Japan is a country of two distinct faces, and in Tokyo, this is experienced in précis. At first we are charmed by the cartoonish touristy devices like anthropomorphised (read: cute-fi-ed) inanimate objects – without exception, mundane food items, modes of transport, and architectural landmarks, all portrayed with cute faces and rosy cheeks. Then there is the constantly emerging new craze or other, yet more outrageously themed restaurants, over the top fashion trends and high-tech toys. This time it was all about Gudetama the unmotivated egg (who, to combine two fads, has his own themed cafe), and OHaNAS, the conversation robot companion targeted toward the stay at home Japanese mum.

While I couldn’t help but take note of the commentary that the above are capable of making on Japanese society, such as the propensity of the Japanese to comically invalidate undesirable (albeit natural) human traits such a laziness, and the perpetuation by popular media of sexual inequality. But by far the juxtaposition which says the most about the Japanese mind-set is the ever observable big city Kaishain (company employee) culture. The cheerless (or blind drunk) black suited invasion of every train station and dining district after 6pm tells of rigid societal boundaries which banish frivolous enjoyment to the realms of the under 25’s (or, otherwise, social deviants). But it seems it’s the demand for an outlet from the rat race that fuels Japan’s crazy eccentricities. Therefore you can imagine that these two social extremes share somewhat of a symbiotic relationship.

Places in Tokyo we loved:

1 Daimon Area
The Daimon Area, while right in the middle of more well known neighbourhoods like Roppongi and Ginza, tourists generally by-pass this station on the train, and it’s therefore a bit of a hidden gem in the centre of Tokyo. The neighbourhood itself is very charming, and coming across Zozoji temple’s big gate (the Daimon) poised astride the busy main road feels like a bit of a discovery.

Salmon Pink Top & Salmon Pink Pants – Duma Official

2 Kawasaki
We only visited Kawasaki because we wanted a hotel close to Haneda Airport, but what we discovered was a really cool place to visit off the beaten tourist path. The various shopping lanes there are eclectic and pretty, and the main attractions like Kawasaki Daishi temple and Nihon Minka-en (an outdoor museum of historical Japanese thatch houses) are free of the tourist throng.

3 Asakusa Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
Nakamise-dori has, for centuries, operated to tempt pilgrims into parting with their money while making their way to Sensoji Temple. Once you’ve exhausted yourself looking at the stall after stall of curios on offer, take a mini break at Asakusa Kibidango Azuma for some Kibi Dango (sweet soybean coated sticky rice dumplings) and Amazake (sweet sake).

4 Omotesando
Omotesando is where you will find the flagship stores of just about every fashion label. Each building is an architectural showcase more extravagant than the last – like Tod’s ultra-modern concrete and glass lattices, Hugo Boss’ hourglass tower and Prada’s asymmetrical glasshouse. But it’s not all about shopping, as Omotesando is also home to some amazing cafes, like the famous Blue Bottle Cafe.

5 Cat Cafe Nyafe Melange Shibuya
If you’re a cat person like me, then being in a room surrounded by about 20 cats will surely appeal. After walking into charming Nyafe Melange in Shibuya, it was hard to leave. Each of the rescued cats which call this cafe home had their own little personalities, but were all extremely calm and friendly with strangers. The name ‘Nyafe’ is the amalgamation of ‘nya’, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow, and ‘cafe’, get it?.

Unique places to stay in Tokyo:

1 Shiba Park Hotel, Minato
Shiba Park Hotel is conveniently located near JR Daimon Station, Zojo Temple  and Tokyo Tower. It’s the sister hotel to Park Hotel Tokyo. From $180 per night. Read the reviews and find the best prices.

2 On the Marks, Kawasaki
Unique boutique designer hotel exemplifying modern Japanese design and hipster culture. From $130 per night. Read the reviews and find the best price.

Wearing:
Black and white printed blazer and coulottes – BC The Label
Salmon Pink Top & Salmon Pink Pants – Duma Official