Snapshots Of Tokyo – Out And About

Okay, you know by now that I love my little work trips to Tokyo. And I was lucky enough to go again for a teensy little trip. And this time my darling Ellie was over with me! So for my Snapshots Of Tokyo (see the other posts here and here) for this trip I wanted to show you some fun things I got to experience!

You can probably see by my face that I’m always so happy to be in Harajuku! It’s not quite the fashion mecca it was in the early 2000s, but as a J-Fashion alumni it’s still dear to me.

POKÉMON! I don’t know what it is about Tokyo that makes me want Pokémon everything. Maybe it’s my incessant trips to the Pokémon Centres on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law? All I know is I get very excited about Magikarp and Mimikyu things now.

I love food in Tokyo. Mostly, I love Japanese snacks! I get anxiety ordering food when my Japanese is so terrible, but I can handle ordering snacks! By far, the Magikarp taiyaki from Kurikoan in Akihabara was my favourite – I mentioned I loved Magikarp things!

We went to a flea market at the Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku (thanks for the tip, Lonely Planet!). This is so worth a look – I bought a brand new kimono and a vintage haori jacket for less than £30! It’s a great place for second-hand kimono and antique Japanese collectibles.

They also had a little stall of just Tanuki. And we all know my feelings about these weird little guys.

Even graffiti in Tokyo is good. I love the mixture of ugly faces on the adorable Hello Kitty! We were very clearly excited by it!

Speaking of Hello Kitty – how amazing is this Kitty Gundam in the Hello Kitty Café in Odaiba? She’s still as popular as ever in Tokyo!

Gacha is the main reason I’m poor after Japan trips. I don’t know what you call them in English-speaking countries, but the whole point is your Yen disappear and out come surprises!

This is my top tip for seeing something REALLY cool in Tokyo – The Unicorn Gundam in Odaiba! He’s sixty-five feet tall and hourly gives off a light show that you really aren’t going to see anywhere else in the world!

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