I Can’t Believe It’s Not Real.

Eye popping shopping in Kappabashi-dori – Tokyo’s kitchen town. We keep getting drawn back to Asakusa time and time again. Not only is it the home of fascinating Senso-ji, there’s a warren of narrow streets, indoor shopping arcades, and great street food. It’s busy, noisy, and sometimes frustrating, but there’s always something to see – traditional weddings, rickshaws, kimonos – and kitchenware. Kappabashi-dori is a … Continue reading I Can’t Believe It’s Not Real.

thewonderer86May 8, 20176 Comments

Tokyo, Travel

Watching Morning Sumo Practice.

The young couple outside the metro station paced back and forth. He looked bewildered. She looked impatient. After a couple of minutes she bounded up – ‘you wouldn’t happen to know where Azumazeki Beya is, would you’? Like us, they were hoping to watch morning sumo practice. It wasn’t far. Just a short walk, but during the course of conversation I learned that they’d already … Continue reading Watching Morning Sumo Practice.

thewonderer86May 1, 201710 Comments

Tokyo, Travel

Tokyo – Pretty In Pink.

We’ve been here for five weeks. And all that time Sakura fever has been with us. At the beginning of March there was a flurry of sakura packaging, flavours and food. Beer suddenly got pretty in pink. Starbucks sold cherry blossom cream latte and frappuccino. Traditional rice cakes were wrapped in cherry blossom leaves and garnished with slivers of dried cherry blossom. Blossom was everywhere … Continue reading Tokyo – Pretty In Pink.

thewonderer86April 24, 20174 Comments

Food, shops, Tokyo, Travel

Surprising Senso-Ji.

We wanted to go somewhere typically Tokyo. We choose Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple, thinking it would be calm; hoping it would give us a glimpse into the life of Tokyoites and a gentle intro. to the mega metropolis. Approaching the great Kaminarimom or Thunder Gate we were taken aback by the number of people. Rickshaw drivers touted for custom. Japanese students asked if they … Continue reading Surprising Senso-Ji.

thewonderer86April 17, 20177 Comments

dogs, Food, shops, Tokyo, Travel

Monkey Mind, Zen Head in Tokyo.

I’ve never researched a place so intensively as Tokyo. I spent hours pouring over the Lonely Planet, and many, many more on the internet. Usually in this planning stage, things stand out for me, hit me in the gut. I know where I want to go, and what feels right for me. Once I have a springboard, I leave the rest to fate. With Tokyo … Continue reading Monkey Mind, Zen Head in Tokyo.

thewonderer86April 10, 20177 Comments

Food, Tokyo, Travel

We’re in Tokyo!

Two pairs of grey slippers on a round green mat. Lined up and waiting for us to step into them and our new life in Kaminoge, Tokyo. We’d been travelling for three days, delayed by fog in Istanbul. The slippers made an impression. ‘Leave the outside behind you’, they seemed to say. ‘Your’e home now. Turn your attention inwards’. We did and collapsed into bed. … Continue reading We’re in Tokyo!

thewonderer86April 3, 201713 Comments

Wondering Woman

Tag: Tokyo