Kashima by Kandlelight

This was an amazing festival held in a shrine in Kashima. Definitely one of my top picks in the area. Over 20,000 candles were lit over a period of 3 days at the shrine, and hundreds of spectators showed up just to walk around the grounds and take pictures. Like me.

Live tradional music was also played - at one point they played some Irish tunes, and I was all "WTF?", but they did a good job so whatevs. Walked around the downtown area and took part in mochitsuki, where a pile of hot rice is slammed by these wooden mallets until it turns into a sticky paste. Then you eat the paste with some sweet beans in a soup. It`s kinda gross, but some people really like it.

Anyways, here are some of my favourite pics from the shrine!

I Heart Tokyo - Part 4

Tokyo - November 6

Sunday was a little more laid back as we visited Tower Records in Shibuya. Mental Note: one of the best places in Tokyo to chill out when it`s raining – that and the Apple Store.

Later we went to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the entrance of which is apparently the largest hangout for the Goths, Vamps, and Little-Bo-Peep look-alikes.

We even managed to witness a traditional Japanese wedding at the shrine, something which I don`t think I`ll ever see again unless one of my close Japanese friends gets married in the next 2 years!

We finally had some “linner” in Harajuku/Aoyama at a Creperie (where am I?) before heading back to the airport. I was cursing Saga at this point. “Why must you be so far away, $%&##$?!?!” Perhaps I was suffering from Starbucks deprivation? Jya Mattene Tokyo!

I Heart Tokyo - Part 2

Tokyo - November 4

On Friday I went into the city with Tomoko on her way to work, and then subwayed it to the Tsukiji Fish Market. This place is crazy! Its crowded with people clamouring to get the best prices or lining up for an hour to eat sushi at 10:30 am. Hmm, methinks it`s a little early to be eating raw fish – Jayne needs coffee.

Hit Shibuya and walked through the Crossing made famous by Lost in Translation. Had a vanilla latte at Starbucks – I know, how cheesy am I, right? I don`t care - It was damn diddily-icious! I could sit there and watch the people for hours – it`s totally hypnotic.

Once the caffeine entered my nervous system, I was on my way to Harajuku to indulge in some shopping therapy. How amazing is this place? It`s essentially the hub of Tokyo youth fashion trends - both really cool and just frekking weird. Exhibit A:

And the deals are amazing if you`re willing to maneouvre through the street masses. I wish that I had two things with me – a) a lot more money, and b) a lot more time – you could easily get lost in the side streets and never get bored!

I Heart Tokyo - Part 3

Tokyo - November 5

On Saturday we went to Askakusa and managed to make it through the tourist trap of cookie, hasshi, and kimono vendors relatively unscathed to visit the Sensoji Temple and 5-story Pagoda. We later visited the Tokyo Metropolis Government Buildings to view Tokyo from the 46th floor – very impressive, especially at night.

We met up with Tomoko`s friend, Akiko, in Shinjuku and toured around the area before having dinner and drinks in Roppongi. This area is flooded with gaigins and is notorious for its high rents and high fashion stores. I`ll have a Dior with a side of Prada and some Chanel for dessert, thanks.

I Heart Tokyo - Part 1

Tokyo - November 2-3

Arrived in Tokyo on Wendesday night and met Tomoko at Hamamatsucho Station, who was suffering from a really bad cold – aww! We hopped in a cab headed straight for our hotel in Roppongi, which was directly beside Tokyo Tower. Cool.

The next day we set off on foot towards the Imperial Palace and Gardens. We met up with Tomoko`s boyfriend, and went to the Ginza area – a.k.a. Must have gold card to shop area. Later on we drove back to Chiba, where Shigeki lives, and stopped into this great sushi place before deciding to call it a day.