(Day 2) Sacred Places

Maybe I love Japan because when I’m here, the people are so polite, accommodating, and most of all, good at flattery! Perhaps it is the food – there is almost nothing here that makes me gain weight. Maybe is the complete mystery at what lies ahead in any particular day – what language barrier will I meet today? What will come of it? Or maybe it’s, “What will I buy today?” That could be it.

Waking up at Maya’s house has a very home-like feel for me – I stayed there a year ago and they give me so much space to stay in. It’s quiet and it just seems very “Japanese” to me.


Outside the bedroom window.


Three futons high! I sleep like a princess.

We had an exciting planned today, so we needed to get our strength up with the fluffiest pancakes one can imagine, all thanks to the mix from The New Otani Hotel.




This is what they give for maple syrup. Canadians need a separate jug. Enough said.

I was also fortunate enough to be given a bowl of leftover curry from last night. Curry for breakfast! I’m surely in heaven.



Our first destination was the immensely popular Asakusa-jinja,or the Asakusa Shrine. I had been here previously, but that was at the most ungodly hour with nary a soul in sight. Today, the exact opposite was true. But first, we stopped for a look at the Asahi Flame.


Though the golden flame is supposed to represent the “burning heart of Asahi beer”, it is more commonly referred to as kin no unchi, or the golden turd.


Down Nakamise Dori, the shopping street leading to the shrine.









Like all good flea markets the world over, they sell all kinds of little chotchkies that are oh-so-hard to resist.




You know, just in case you ever wanted to dress up as Michelle Obama.


Hottie man-boy keychains.





They were also selling all kinds of treats which confused yet tantalized me; take, for example, this strawberry confection:



Looks pretty and shiny, right? Well, it turns out that it is covered in like a corn syrup – 100 percent sticky goo in my mouth. Yikes! Messy messy.

Here’s my youtuber of the action as it happens:








I don’t care what kind of Nishikido it is – as long as it’s the Ryo kind. I kind of want that bag. I’d cherish it.


November is also the month of shichi-go-san, where seven-year-old girls and three- and five-year-old boys dress up for their first visits to shrines. There were many cuties this day, but perhaps this one was the cutest :



As you can tell, the shrine was a flurry of activity, as was the actual building that housed the deity.






Be sure to waft incense for good luck!




What a creeper behind us. What is his issue?




Lots of whities here too – check out the himmelschtende whitie on the left.

I wanted to get some nice pictures of the Sumida River, so we headed back towards the golden turd and basked in the growing heat from the sun.


Beside the turd is supposed to be a beer mug with froth at the top – can you see it?








Not very picturesque, is it…

A panoramic of the scene (click to enlarge):



Alright, time to partake in some delicious foods. One of my most-desired places to eat at while in Japan is Ichiran – a ramen shop. I’ve eaten here before, and my jowls just smack at the thought of one of their savoury bowls steaming in front me. I love you, Ichiran. But before my ramen, I must complete the worksheet.






The Perfect Solitary Experience.





After sweating to the noodles, we took off for Nihonbashi, the skyscraper district where Maya works. I do like this area, but I like business-y kinds of places.



Her building was immediately near the old Nihonbashi Bridge, which strangely has a freeway built on top of it.









As this day had been pretty sparse for shopping, we began that segment by hitting up the Mitsukoshi department store located here. Fancy, expensive, and spacious, it was the perfect introduction for our walk to Ginza.




*Freeway not shown*


I’m not sure, but isn’t there some copyright infringement going on here?





We stopped in at Takashimaya for a bathroom break and I got such a kick of it.



Next to the ladies washroom, they’ve generously decided to equip us with all the essentials, right at hand. There were several stations that included makeup mirrors and lighting, a hairdryer, tissue, and a small sink to touch-up any imperfections one might perceive to have. No wonder the majority of these ladies are flawless.




Not this one though.

Back on the road again, Ginza was ever-nearer.









I was on the hunt for a branch of one my favourite shops, Ragtag, and we ended up getting mildly lost. It can happen strangely quickly in Japan. One moment, you are in the midst of flashing lights and people, and the next you are on some deserted block with strange blue-lit empty shops on all sides. We stopped one man for directions and he pointed in the opposite direction of which we were heading, though he admitted he didn’t know which way to go. Given my past experience in Ginza, we continue on according to my gut, which magically landed us at the shop! Yeah, that’s kind of a long story short, but whatever. I ended up buying a lovely and cheap Issey Miyake blazer. So worth it.

All that walking and getting lost made me hungry. Let’s go home for dinner. Goodbye Ginza!



Another great thing about staying with Japanese people is that every meal is an adventure. I seriously have no idea what is coming next – pickled sour plums? Fermented soybeans? Cow tongue? A whole little fish with scales and all?







Yummo! I never leave the table hungry here. Tomoko makes sure of that. Chobi also likes to snack on some Canadian treats while I eat – not just the peanut butter cookies I brought him, but apparently my leg is tasty also.



I always like to collect some small necessities when I travel – check out this cute little toenail clipper I acquired:


”Hellow to you!”

Evenings are pretty chill as we are stuffed and tired from walking all day. I don’t mind – in fact, I welcome it. This type of experience isn’t outlined any guidebook.

Tomorrow is a weekday, which means I’m off to explore the city on my own. Small town girl goes big city. Classic tale. Tokyo is mine! And tomorrow I’ll become another Harajuku girl. AGAIN.