Author: bluebalu

Food lover, photography fan and avid traveller - living in Hong Kong since 2011
Japan

Tokyo: Käfer at Mitsukoshi in Ginza

bluebalu

While in Ginza, we visited Mitsukoshi, one of the famous department stores in Tokyo, and had a great time exploring the different departments. Not only was there a wide choice of classic and modern designers, but there was a special kimono section (even featuring a kimono repair service) and an amazing food court in the… Continue reading Tokyo: Käfer at Mitsukoshi in Ginza

Japan

Tokyo: Ginza, Mariage Freres and Kabuki

bluebalu

The next morning we wanted to go and explore a different part of Tokyo and we picked Ginza. This district is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes. One square meter of land in the district's center is worth over ten… Continue reading Tokyo: Ginza, Mariage Freres and Kabuki

Japan

Tokyo: Nighttime in Shinjuku

bluebalu

After our visit to Shibuya we went back to Shinjuku, where we were also staying in our hotel. We walked around the area to the West of Shinjuku Station, between the station and the post office. In this area are lots of shops, including Yodobashi Camera. This is a chain store mainly selling electronic products… Continue reading Tokyo: Nighttime in Shinjuku

Japan

Tokyo: Center Gai and love hotel hill in Shibuya

bluebalu

The birthplace of many Japanese fashion trends, Center Gai is a busy pedestrian zone in the heart of Shibuya lined by stores, boutiques and game centers. In the evenings the street is crowded with young people heading to night clubs, restaurants and bars, or just loitering around. We just walked through it on a Saturday… Continue reading Tokyo: Center Gai and love hotel hill in Shibuya

Japan

Tokyo: Shibuya and the crazy street crossing

bluebalu

After our visit to the Yoyogi Park we walked past Harajuku Station and towards the Shibuya district, which is known as 'sakariba' (party town) for Tokyo's youth. Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Over a dozen major department… Continue reading Tokyo: Shibuya and the crazy street crossing

Japan

Tokyo: Sake barrels at Meiji Jingu

bluebalu

Down the path from the main entrance are two racks of ‘offerings’ to the Emperor and Empress. On the right side are beautifully decorated barrels of sake, donated each year for generations. The barrels are called 'kazaridaru', which means decoration barrels, as they are empty. I've read in one of the guide books that in… Continue reading Tokyo: Sake barrels at Meiji Jingu

Hong Kong

First hours in Tokyo: Hotel Century Southern Tower and Yoyogi Park

bluebalu

We took a night flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo, which meant that we arrived at 6am local time at the airport. This was too early for the Narita Express, so we had to take the bus to Shinjuku Station, where our hotel was located. This was fine as well, the traffic on early Saturday… Continue reading First hours in Tokyo: Hotel Century Southern Tower and Yoyogi Park

Hong Kong

Tokyo here we come (and a book recommendation)

bluebalu

We have been talking about this for months and finally we've made it: We are going to go to Tokyo for four days and take in the culture, the hectic city, tranquil parks and shrines, the fantastic food and try to understand some of the traditions and habits. I am really excited about this, especially… Continue reading Tokyo here we come (and a book recommendation)