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I’m back from my little “vacation” (as if I needed one) and I figure it is time to get posting again. Today, I bring you 2 rather interesting areas in the prefecture of Tokyo. I’m actually doing a post on Shimokitazawa in particular because I just found out a friend who was once in Toronto on working holiday is now living in Shimokitazawa. The other is an area of Ueno which sells the display foods for restaurants, which is also a really interesting place to walk around. (more…)

Moving on to my next picture set, today we will be looking at the area of Roppongi（六本木：ろっぽんぎ）in Tokyo. Roppongi is an upscale area of Tokyo with many bars, nightclubs, lounges, shopping malls and other sorts of expensive things. It has 2 relatively well known landmarks, the first being Tokyo Tower, and the second being the newer area of Roppongi Hills（六本木ヒルズ), which was opened around 2003. There are many foreigners who work in Roppongi as it is also a rather large business district. If you are the type who enjoys blowing off large amounts of cash in exchange for some entertainment, I would highly recommend you check Roppongi out. (more…)

Possibly my favorite part of Japan by far would have to be Yoyogi (代々木：よよぎ). This is probably due to the fact that when I spent 2 months in Japan, it was at a place in Yoyogi, Tokyo. There is just so much to like about Yoyogi for someone like myself. Firstly, it is conveniently located right inbetween Shinjuku (新宿：しんじゅく) and Harajuku (原宿：はらじゅく), which are amongst some of the best urban areas in Japan. Also, it is significantly more quiet than lots of places in Tokyo, but not too quiet. Almost like a perfect balance. (more…)

The picture to your left is a view of what it is like in Asakusa during possibly the busiest 3 days of the year. The Asakusa Sanja Matsuri (三社祭　さんじゃまつり Three Shrine Festival), held on the 3rd week of every May, attracts around 2 million locals and tourists. It is considered one of the 3 great Shinto festivals in Tokyo (Shintoism being the primary “religion” in Japan… yeah I’ll post about that later too). If you are in Tokyo during the month of May, I definitely recommend you check this crazy event out!

Asakusa on any other day is about as quiet as anywhere else in Tokyo if not quieter, but over these 3 days it is absolutely packed beyond all comprehension. I was getting mowed down by Obaasan’s (おばあさん Old ladies) and they didn’t seem to care that I could have stepped on them if I wanted to. But there is literally NO room to move around, especially on the 3rd and final day as room has to be made for 神輿（みこし Mikoshi), the Portable Shinto shrines that each district proudly haul through the streets, while everyone stands there and gets their toes crushed.

An example of a Mikoshi is shown in the picture to your right. However pretty you might find it, I’d refrain from going near one and trying to snag a touch. Each Mikoshi is approximated to weigh in at around one ton, and costs around 40 million yen (approx. $400,000 USD). Not to mention it is lugged around by scary looking dudes like the one in this picture. 

Don’t take my word for it, but I’ve heard that the majority of these festivities are run by Yakuza (ヤクザ Japanese organized gangs). So try to be careful about your valuables while visiting, and don’t step on the wrong person’s foot, because it could cost you.

 

Check out the Asakusa gallery for the rest of the Sanja Matsuri Festival pictures I managed to take.

 

Also drop a line in the comments and tell me what you think of all this madness! 

Akihabara (秋葉原) is the dream location for every male who has never had a girlfriend & every girl who has never had a boyfriend. I don’t think I’ve been anywhere in Tokyo that has so blatantly stuffed every corner with erotic merchandise as Akihabara. Of course, it could be easy for one to spend their entire day indulging in the dozens of stores which supply stack-loads of ero manga, hentai merchandise, Japanese idol DVDs, and more. But why do that when you can simply save your money and stare at hundreds of french maids that pass pay nearly every second. If you are into electronics, figures, anime, manga, and pretty much anything otaku related. You will love it here.

 

Akihabara is totally mind numbing with the massive amounts of media and technology, which is jam-packed into every corner, bill board, and alley way  possible. I’ve never found cheaper computer parts, and in such abundance, anywhere. I will definitely get into more aspects about Akiba when I have a chance, such as the maid cafes, game stores, arcades, and so on. I haven’t fully explored the area yet, but what I have explored I will definitely post about in the future. I have a feeling maid cafes might be under consideration for a post in the near future, as I’m sure many people are interested in what those are all about, and how they work.

In the mean time check out the Akihabara picture gallery located at the top left under “pictures,” and let me know if there is anything else about Akiba you’d like to know. Thanks.