Walk with me

to find fascinating places and spaces

[ryoko-ruth]

Sushizanmai: Near the Tsukiji Fish Market there is an amazing sushi restaurant. Extremely fresh, reasonable prices, friendly staff, takes cash and credit cards. Japanese green tea on tap at every counter seat. You can choose a dish from the conveyer belt that travels past the customers or you can request something specific from the menu to one of the five sushi chefs. Each plate corresponds with a price so you know how much you're going to pay at the end. During the weekends there is a line out the door but remember, this is fast food Japanese style: people don't linger after they've eaten so the line goes rather quickly. Address: 4-11-9, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045. Directions: Hibiya metro line, Tsukiji Station, Exit 1. (Note: "Tsukiji" is pronounced ski-gee-key)

[ryoko-ruth]

Tokyo Tower: A telecommunications tower that is about half the height of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Entertainment nightly with DJs, live talk shows, musical performances and all included for the regular price of the main observation deck.  Specs: 333m tall, viewing platforms at 150m and 250m, built in 1958 to echo the Eiffel Tower in Paris. http://www.tokyotower.co.jp

[ryoko-ruth]

Tokyo Sky Tree: If you want a panoramic view of Tokyo and you're not afraid of heights then head here. There are two choices for viewing floors (350m Tembo Deck, and 450m Tembo Galleria) and both give an awesome view of the greater Tokyo area. If you're looking to take a photo of Mt. Fuji in the distance make sure you go on a clear day in the morning when the sun in the east is reflecting off the snow on the mountain in the west. Specs: tower is 634m tall, Mt Fuji is 3,193m (just to put things in perspective). There is a cafe and a restaurant as well as shops on the viewing levels but at the base of the tower in the Tokyo Sky Tree Town where you can find a greater choice for dining and shopping. Directions: Tokyo Sky Tree station or Oshiage station and follow the signs. Well sign posted in English and Japanese. Recommend that you purchase tickets in advance on the website to avoid standing in a long line.  http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en

[ryoko-ruth]

H.Bandle (handle): Another take on the "Furoshiki" or wrapping cloths used in Japan. Furoshiki were used to wrap clothes, gifts and food boxes during the Edo period (1603-1867). Now it can be an extra bag to bring groceries from the store. http://www.wa-ra-bi.jp

[ryoko-ruth]

Some no Komichi: Fabric dyeing festival in Shinjuku, Tokyo along the Myoshoji River. The river is decorated with beautifully coloured kimono fabric draped between wires. Many artisans open their studios for the weekend to sell their fabrics and let you be creative with hands-on events. Here is the link for the festival website (Japanese only, sorry)  http://www.somenokomichi.com/ To get there take the Seibu metro to the Nakai Station then wander the streets.

[ryoko-ruth]

Some no Komichi is a festival so there were fabric banners outside all the studios and shops in the area. Usually they indicated what was specific to the business within. Look closely and you'll notice that the photo shop has film, the optician has eyeglasses, and the restaurant has soup bowls on their banners. 

[ryoko-ruth]

Some no Komichi fabric dyeing festival interior studio spaces. Incredible fabric colours and designs. A feast for the eyes. Uplifts the soul. 

[ryoko-ruth]

Some no Komichi: Fabric dyeing festival in Shinjuku, Tokyo along the Myoshoji River. The river is decorated with beautifully coloured kimono fabric draped between wires. Many artisans open their studios for the weekend to sell their fabrics and let you be creative with hands-on events. Here is the link for the festival website (Japanese only, sorry) http://www.somenokomichi.com/ To get there take the Seibu metro to the Nakai Station then wander the streets.

[ryoko-ruth]

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius

[ryoko-ruth]

Japan: Land of the rising sun. Tokyo