Tokyo - Day 5

It was the last day of the International Bazaar today. We finished at 2pm and after packing up and saying sad goodbyes to the dear friends I've made there, we headed off to enjoy our last day and a half in Tokyo. The first stop was food and we dipped into another ramen restaurant in Shibuya for some dipping noodles and gyoza....

...and then round the corner for a spot of karaoke, a great stress buster!

All the 80s classics came out including Culture Club and Madonna.

Then on to the Mori Tower in Roppongi to check out an exhibition, and the view from the 52nd floor. It has a pretty stunning view of Tokyo Tower.

From there we headed down the road to meet a dear friend, Tatsuya. He took us to a very authentic Japanese restaurant where every course was a work of art.

Tokyo trip - Day one

Well, after quite a while of not posting on my blog, I should have quite a lot to talk about as I am now on my annual trip to Tokyo! I really have hit the ground running, and with limited time to fit in everything I want to do, it just has to be done. I easily found my way from the airport to my new home for the next week, a lovely little apartment in Shibuya found through Airbnb. 

I dumped my suitcases, had a quick shower and then headed out to Roppongi Hills to meet up with my friend Tatsuya to see an exhibition of Takashi Murakami's work. He is heavily influenced by anime art and works on grand scales and in vibrant colours.

After a scrumptious meal of juicy tonkatsu (deep fried breaded pork) we headed over to Blue Note, old school-style supper club, to see the wonderful Kamasi Washington and his band play a mix of jazz, funk soul and all sorts in between!

The evening ended with the obligatory bustle through Shibuya where the hordes came out en masse to celebrate Halloween. It was fun to see all the random costumes but I have to say, I was glad to get back to the safety of my lovely little apartment and the comfort of my bed!

Hankie pankie

I am not a handkerchief girl and would have never considered using one or even going near a hankie shop until the other day when I was passing one in Roppongi Hills. For some reason, I was drawn in and I was amazed by the selection. Apart from the array of rather flouncy lady numbers, there were some gorgeously fun ones, ranging from a men's choice of golfing, fishing or cycling-themed items, to the more typical cutesy animal-themed ones. They were rather exquisite and I wanted to buy them all, but I wouldn't even want to wipe my sweaty brow with one, let alone blow my nose on it!

You can see their website here.

I love the packaging and the way that the handkerchief is folded to show both images.

The perspective is great on this one with the golfer far away and the ball up close.

I love this view of a swimming pool from above.

This idea is so cute. The embroidered cat is hanging from the top of the hankie and looks like it's pulling down the edge. The dog looks like he's pulling the hankie from the side with his teeth. Kawaii!