Japan 2019: Christmas In Tokyo

It seemed as though the weather knew that we were leaving the city soon and remained g loomy throughout the entire day, making it hard for u...

It seemed as though the weather knew that we were leaving the city soon and remained gloomy throughout the entire day, making it hard for us to spot Mount Fuji from the Tokyo Skytree viewing deck. The 360-view of Tokyo would have been better with some cheery rays but Mr. Sun decided to hide away this Christmas. Instead, we bumped into two cute Santa window washers who were in the festive mood and hopefully, enjoying their work at such a "high level".

[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200[Film] Tokyo Skytree, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200

One of the most memorable moments in Japan has got to be the episode where I got an earful at Nakamise Street. It was here, at the premise of Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, that I got an unexpected etiquette and cultural lesson to not walk around while munching on food like how we normally do at the pasar malam in Malaysia. Instead, finish your food at the store where you bought it from and all related food packaging must be disposed at the same stall too. Don't go throwing a paper cup at the trash bin of a mochi stall, unless you want to be nagged at in public. There you go, Japanese culture and etiquette 101.

Kibi dango store owner did not like the fact that I was savoring my strawberry mochi from another store while queuing for his store's kibi dango. I honestly did not know how to react because I can't understand the language but he did stop and walked away when I shove the entire mochi (with whole strawberry) into my mouth. I suspected that my kawaii mochi-stuffed hamster face must have worked some wonders too.

[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Senso from Temple, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200

While on our way to Suzukien Asakusa for the world's strongest matcha ice-cream, we passed by this small alley cafe and stopped by for coffee. It's a small space but very cozy. I fell in love immediately going into Sukemasa Coffee shop as Tamia's "So Into You" (one of my favourite songs) was playing in the background while Audrey Hepburn's "War & Peace" (one of my favourite AH movies) was projected on the cafe's main wall. Cute alley cafe, decent coffee, 90s music, classic movies, my heart!!

By the way, I had a really great time at Suzukien Asakusa tasting the various levels of matcha ice-cream there. The hojicha + No. 7 matcha combo was my favourite and I enjoyed every scoop of smooth, nutty, bitter goodness in that ice-cream cup. Would get a fix of this everyday if it was near our Tokyo stay, seriously good!

Sukemasa Coffee, Tokyo
Suzukien Asakusa, Tokyo

Our second attempt to Meiji Shrine was a success after we missed the closing gate time on our first day in Tokyo. The stroll towards the shrine was well-shaded, relaxing, and cooling with a lot to see along the way. I was impressed at the upkeep of the forest hence I googled about it and found out later, that a century ago, Japanese arborists implemented this fantastic idea of planting different trees in this artificial forest which will regenerate independently without any human interference for 150 years. How clever of them!

Speaking of trees, upon entering Meiji Shrine's courtyard through the main shrine gate, I saw two identical trees and remembered being astonished at how these two trees have almost the same shape and height after 100 years! Upon closer inspection, I realized that there were not two but three camphor trees in the courtyard, two trees to the left and one on the right (refer to last Meiji Shrine photo below). 

These two trees on the left of the main shrine were planted side by side with a string tied to both of the trunks, bonding them forever. This Meotu kusu a.k.a Couple Tree was said to represent Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken as they were known to be lovebirds in real life. It's not every royal story where the emperor loves the infertile empress until the end of time (yes, she had no child of her own and the emperor did not abandon/banish her which was most of the case for monarchs back then).

[Movie] Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
[Movie] Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200
Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

Of course, I had to take a photo of the iconic 96-year-old Harajuku Train Station building which the world will say goodbye to soon.

Takeshita Street did not disappoint me with it's quirky stalls and cool fashion. I really wanted to get a few items but my luggage was almost filled up and I had one more week in Hokkaido after this, which I was afraid, might need the extra space. So I guess, Tokyo shopping trip will have to wait until I come back another time.

Harajuku, Tokyo
Harajuku, Tokyo
Harajuku, Tokyo

Afuri Ramen killed it with its yuzu-infused ramen broth and I wished I had another stomach for an extra serving. The hint of citrus makes the entire bowl lighter and less greasy unlike the traditional pork broth which has a much more richer after taste. I had my share of various ramens throughout my trip here and I always find it hard to make it to the end of the bowl because of the pork broth. Aside from Suzukien Asakusa, this ramen gem needs to find its way to Malaysia too, PLEASE!

Before hopping on the last train for the night, we ventured to Akihabara for anime, gachapon, and of course the well-known adult stores. Although we joked and laughed at all the quirky items in-store thinking who on earth would get these things but in actual fact, there are people shopping and seriously enquiring on the products. Naturally, we also encountered with men from all walks of life emerging from hentai shops and maid cafes, looking at us girls with a weird gaze that definitely sent some chills down my spine.

Afuri Ramen, Tokyo
Akihabara, Tokyo

I know I will madly miss Tokyo after this and I really want to come back because there is just so much more to this place that I want to explore. Not to mention that I didn't got to do the shopping that I wanted.

It was a tiring night for all of us and we still had to do our last minute packing for the next day as we were to fly in to Chitose, Hokkaido. I remembered packing halfway through and my eyes were about to shut yet my heart was feeling excited at the thought of seeing snow for the first time in my life! Can't wait to post up on Hokkaido! Till then!

xx
R.


Photos were taken on film camera and by phone. Film photos were taken on the Canon SXL with Kodak Colorplus 200.

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A water bearer that travels the world through Google Streets when curious and occasionally capture life's moments with analogue cameras. Drives a car named Marco Polo and talks to plants and animals on a daily basis.

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