Tag Archives: District

Tokyo, Japan: Shopping and Architecture in Roppongi

TOKYO CITY GUIDE: DISTRICT / ROPPONGI

Tokyo-Midtown-Roppongi-Shopping-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

The refined Tokyo Midtown 

Incredible blue sky! I get in one of the six buildings of Tokyo Midtown, hosting the Suntory Museum of Art.

A luxury mall. Tasteful minimalist decoration, with staright light wooden and picture windows with a view to the small park. Zen feeling in the cosy atmosphere. 

Comfortable leather sofas to relax between two shops (exhausting shopping, lol!). Check out the high end multibrands Restir and The Cover Nippon for refined arts and crafts: beautiful fabrics for home, ceramics and traditional bags.

Tokyo-Midtown-Roppongi-Shopping-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

For ceramics, I also recommend Asakusa small shops (a traditional district of Tokyo).

At the food level, stop at Toraya for the incredible look of the Japanese pastries (on the picture above)! I was so happy to find “my” Dean & Deluca too, soulful Soho! Could you believe it?

Then I sat in the small park under the sun. Lazy, lazy. Maybe tomorrow I’ll visit the Issey Miyake and Tadeo Ando‘s 21_21 Design Sight: “The first center in Japan dedicated to Design, where the creation process will be exhibited” (Issey Miyake).

The National Art Center Tokyo

Now I head to this amazing Museum with a glass wave front designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurukawa, located five minutes walk from Tokyo Midtown. 

Relaxing bright inside, thanks to the wooden in this all glass and concrete architecture. And big surprise: the two huge concrete cones in the hall! Finally I’ve more enjoyed these cones than the beautiful front! 

Tokyo-Roppongi-The National Art Center Tokyo-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

At the Museum shop, I found an eclectic selection of art books and various items. My fav: some sushi USB keys and traditional bags of a young fashion designer.

After four hours in the big exhibitions halls, I need fresh air, greenery and blue sky (again!), let’s move back to Tokyo Midtown. Yes, the sky is so blue!

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations

Metro station: Roppongi 

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DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE 

Tokyo, Japan: A walk and Shopping in Harajuku

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : DISTRICT / HARAJUKU

Tokyo-Harajuku-Shopping-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Takeshi-Dori,

the pedestrianized famous street of Harajuku, I‘m not a big fan for shopping. Cheap bazaar for teenagers and teens alduts. Each tribe has its own shop.

There are also H&M and cie… near the super famous La Forêt building: metro station, Meiji-Jingumae or Harajuku. Let’s go “crazy” and jump in this streets maze, to discover some interesting shops.  

Tokyo-Harajuku-Shopping-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

I liked Jack‘s Vintage Clothing

for some 50-60’s Rock‘n Roll vintage outfits, accessories and shoes for women and men. Really cool owner , also the leader of a Punk Rock band.

Have you ever tried a Japanese Punk Rock Karaoke? I DID! Kind of a blaze for my ears! But it was really fun too, Lol! For the complete adress of the shop: [email protected]

Stop at the next door in the very inspiring Nihon Manga Fetichist Shop: so what do you do after school or job? (pictures below).

Tokyo-Japan-Harajauku-Manga Girls-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Myself and I become a Manga babe.

A trashy suga babe inspired by Japanse cartoons, with fluorescent pink and green lens. It started here in Tokyo years ago, as a Pokemon acid princess. “Oups!” : metallic eyelash fluttering, I stood on my 50 cm lemon platform shoes.

When I got in the shop, they  were shooting a flyer. Domo arigato gosaimasu to Aya, Coco and all the team. And if you are really sweet, maybe I will post a picture of me dressed up like a Manga doll, surrounded by all my supa supa cool Pokemon friends : )

Tokyo-Japan-Harajuku-Shopping-Beams-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Then let’s cross Meji Street

to reach the underground fashion designers side and head at my Beams favourite concept store (which is more a gallery and bookshop): TOKYO CULTuART by BEAMS

Thank you Katsuhiro for the Beams shops guided tour! The toys for willing grown-up are extremely tempting!

I’m still a huge fan of the Transformer “Cyubu 01″ of Moderhythm (picture below) and colourful plastic mini bike monsters (pictures above), so great!

Tokyo-Japan-Harajuku-Shopping-Beams-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations

This post is not a shopping list, it is more to give you the different vibes of Harajuku. Metro sations: Meiji-Jingumae or Harajuku. 

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Tokyo, Japan: Exciting Shinjuku!

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : DISTRICT / SHINJUKU

Tokyo-Japan-Shinjuku-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Shinjuku

Like in the Melville movies or  late 60’s/early 70’s Toei movies: the giant crab “logo” of an expensive seefood restaurants chain.

Shinjuku: the other nerve center of the megapolis, with its looks, tribes, folk. And its famous mascot (scoop): on his bike (picture on the second board below), the “Healer” never leaves the area. He is considareted like the Shinjuku star for the residents.

Then I meet the georgous Manga designer and ex Hip Hop DJ, my friend K San at Mixing (pictures on the first board below). Some say, generations of Yakusa bring their familly in this 50’s brasserie. Kitsch decoration. I order a kobu cha (seaweed tea).

Tokyo-Japan-Shinjuku-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

A quick visit to the golden melon, at “master” Takano (picture above), the label of luxury fruits, specialist in perfect melons (150 Euros / picture on the board below).

Now we walk in front a suehiro (on the board below, picture with the old man), a comedie theatre in small streets leading us to the old red lights area (prostitution), Golden Gate (b&w pictures on the board below).

Today really popular for having drinks in the tiny bars of few narrow streets. A detail: I’ve seen a dead rat in the daytime. At night, it’s crowded with locals and tourists.

I prefer cosier and more exclusive atmsophere, like the izakaya (a small tavern bar) of K San in an anonymous area of Tokyo and four great customers (always the same) and the warm owner. 

Takano fruit bar: 3-26-11 Shinjyuku, Shinjuku 160-0022

Tokyo-Japan-Shinjuku-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Shinjuku Goyen Garden

There are few peaceful places such as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Early spring pictures just before hanami (the cherry blossom viewing).

About hanami, you can have an alarm on your mobile phone to look at the cherry blossom in Japan. Fantastic, isn’t it? The hugh park has approximately 1,500 sakura (cherry trees) and three different gardens styles.

Including a gorgeous Japanese traditional garden with a strange (sort of) velvet lawn and unrealistic gnarled trees. Like in a fairy tale. Eyes free the spirit. Comtemplative. 

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Tokyo-Japon-Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Domo arigato gozaimasu M & K San 

Informations 

Takano fruit bar: 3-26-11 Shinjyuku, Shinjuku 160-0022 

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

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DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE