Continuing taking you with me on my recent Textile Tour to Japan…….
We were asked if we wanted to go to the street with all the famous designer shops, but none of us were very interested in that, so we just drove through it past all the big names like Dolce and Gabbana.
I would have been interested to look inside Vivienne Westwood’s shop,
as V.W. is one of my all time heroines and it would have been fun to see what goes down well in Tokyo.
Instead we chose Tokyo’s equivalent of Carnaby Street in London and walked through it, standing out as European tourists of a certain age! (You don’t see many grey haired people out and about in Japan.)
and enjoying the weird and wonderful
I can’t help wondering why the Japanese aren’t all overweight with pancake shops like these doing a roaring trade.
All the samples on display are plastic and wonderfully garish.
Look what’s on the menu: ‘Strawberry Chocolate Brown’, ‘Blueberry and Whipped Cream’,’Custard Chocolate Special’ and yes, of course, ‘Tuna Curry’!
I wish I had tried that strawberry one now.
A mountain of candy floss anyone?
And this, can you believe it, is a boutique for dogs!
I was surprised to see a lot of English signage around. It pleased me too as it made me think that Japan is a place I could go to without going in a group, I feel confident I could find my way around.
When I needed to go to a camera shop as my camera was playing up I could communicate via a translation App on my iPad and the shop assistant replied to me via a translation App on his phone – brilliant!
‘Moshi moshi’ means ‘Hello’ especially when answering the phone, or trying to get someone’s attention.
I love this wonderfully mad clock – would love to make one!
After this wander through the shopping street – no time for shopping, just looking! Our wonderful guide, as usual, assembled us all on the pavement and call up the coach driver to come and collect us.
The pelican crossings in Tokyo all had electronic bird sounds tweeting as you crossed – (ours just go beep-beep here in UK) – one even sounded like a cuckoo – sweet!
back in the coach watching the modern city go by.
and off to a craft centre ……….
Pingback: Street – Japan 3:5 | Wild Daffodil
Pingback: The Textile Tour of Japan continues | Wild Daffodil
Pingback: Japan. Day Two 5: Crazy Cats and a Hare in High Heels | Wild Daffodil
I loved reading about Japan through fresh eyes! It’s so exciting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE that you are reading my posts Wren – it’s really good fun having you along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry I got too excited commenting on everything… It’s just so much fun to see worlds collide. Craft and Japan, my two loves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why sorry?! Don’t apologize! I’m loving your comments – there is more of my trip to come, I hope you enjoy my posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh am hoping you took pictures of the craft centre. The clock looked great fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did! Next ‘Japan’ post 😉
LikeLike
It all looks so bright and colourful there Daffy. I reckon you should have a go at making that clock, it seems right up your street! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, I think I will! I’ll start collecting now – Christmas cracker toys would be perfect to add to the mix! Thanx for your encouragement! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they would be ideal. what a great idea. Go for it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t get over how different it all is! Why do you think that grey haired Japanese are not seen much? Hair dye or something else?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really not sure – I think that maybe Japanese people go grey later that we do, but it could be hair dye – I didn’t think to ask.
LikeLike
There are grey haired Japanese people everywhere. But yes they do dye it, both men and women, so easy and cheap here and a simple colour to do. Also, a lot of older people don’t live in the center of the city, too expensive, you’ll find them in towns on the outskirts though, along with young families. And dare I say it you went to the young and hip area of town, you’ll find the oldies have haunts of their own. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha Ha! I bet they do! Thanks for your inside information, it’s great to know. We were mainly in the cities on our trip, so that probably explains why I saw so few grey heads. Than you so much for your comment. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person