Golden Gai is a small and fantastic area in Shinjuku. Almost 200 mini-bars are squeezed into just a few small alleys, with some bars dating back to the 1960’s. The area was saved from being burnt down in the 1980’s because bar owners and protesters stayed up all night to guard the area from being […]
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.
A show that will leave you asking “What just happened?” At Japan Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, more really is more. This means you’ll get to experience robots dancing alongside half naked women to the sounds of Psy’s Gangnam Style, soon after watching panda’s ride robotic cows, a mermaid come strolling around on a robotic shark, […]
Japanese Ume Blossoms in Koishikawa Korakuen
February is the time for Japanese plum (ume) blossoms in Tokyo. Not as famous as the cherry blossom (sakura) that bloms in the end av March / beginning of April but even so the flowers have played an important role in Japanese culture through history. In February various ume blossom festivals are held through out […]
A guide to the Tokyo Metro system
Okay, so the good thing about Tokyo is that the public transportation system is fantastic. You can get anywhere, and all the metro and train maps can be found in English at every station. Also, the people here are so orderly, always waiting politely in line, never making hardly any noise at all on the […]
Tokyo in Bloom!
After days of snow, gray skies and wet streets, the sun has finally started showing itself again. And even better, the city is starting to bloom! If Tokyo gives us flowers in the middle of February already, I have high hopes for this spring!
Morning sumo practice in the Kitanoumi-beya
I got up early this morning to go visit the morning sumo practice, keiko, at the Kitanoumi-beya in Kotu-ku, Tokyo. We were instructed not to talk, move, or show the back of our feet out of respect to the training sumo wrestlers and trainees. One hour watching these men train for the upcoming tournament in […]
Shibuya Crossing
A walk across Shibuya Crossing – one of the most famous sites in Tokyo, and certainly one of the most famous intersections in the world. Shoppers, locals, tourists, business men and students crossing from all sides of street, stopping all traffic. TIME calls it one of the top 10 things to do in Tokyo!
China Town, Yokohama
This Sunday we took a day trip to Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, just one hour south of Tokyo. We wanted to catch the last glimpses of the Chinese New Year celebration that took place last weekend. China Town in Yokohama was beautifully decorated with red lanterns. Our new friend Massa showed us […]
Tokyo from afar
Tokyo seen from Tokyo Skytree in direct sunlight, at 450 meters height. The world’s second tallest building, and the tallest tower.
Street food in “Piss Alley”
Friday night we spent in the so called “Piss Alley” in Shinjuku. Loads of small Japanese restaurants serving delicious street food. Most restaurants only with room for 6-10 guests. Some accepting foreigners, others shaking their head saying “only in Japanese” when you try to enter. Yakitori, barbecued Japanese chicken skewers, could be found on every […]
Konichiwa Tokyo!
So, 2014 has started of beautifully. And this will most certainty be one of the most exciting times of my life yet! We just moved to Tokyo, Japan. A country and a city I’ve been longing to visit ever since the age of 10 when I got to know one of my best childhood friends, […]
Shanghai – a fusion between East and West
Enligt Shanghaiborna själva är det blandningen mellan öst och väst som gör deras stad till Kinas främsta. Hit kommer du för shoppingen, för neonljusen och för maten. Men även för den fantastiska historia som gjort Shanghai till en knytpunkt mellan Kina och västvärlden. Här är fransk arkitektur, internationella företag och flådiga brittiska barer ett vanligt […]