Aug 1st - of bittersweet endings

How time flies! Are my 3 months really up?Woke up with mixed feelings about it being my last day of vacation. Part of me was eager to get back home while a part of me was reluctant to be tied to a routine. After much deliberation, I decide to pass on the shiatsu massage - language and logistics being such a deterrent at times. Headed instead to kabuki-za, hoping to catch a single act. Turns out the kabuki theatre was closed today - just my luck. Anyways, decided to try my hand at making my own obinomoyaki. It was a bit arduous trying to find the place in the noon heat but was relived to get out of the sun, only to be seated in front of a hot plate for the next hour - which I cooked on as well as ate off! Was quite an experience and to add to it, the entire place was set next to a design gallery and was covered in beautiful japanican graffiti. Was a sight for sore eyes! Walked down omote-sando - the park ave equivalent of NY. And hopped on the subway to takashimaya department store. They say it's a must experience in Japan. 12 floors either various brand names, stores and boutiques. And the basement was full of all kinds of Japanese gourmet food and sweets you can imagine! This was the one day in the last 3 months where I did do enough shopping to carry out 3 big bags out of the mall. Though that did put a wrench I my plans of catching the fireworks next. Navigating 2 subway transfers and a 30 min walk during rush hour and dealing with a sea of people with 3 shopping bags was not an option. So I smartly decided to shop some more instead. Loaded up on some more goodies wand snacks and some sushi rice. And some last minute souvenirs. And off to the hostel to finish my leftover eggplant and soba noodle dish. Packed up and went to bed thinking 'this is it' - the end of my 3 month break from life. Now - it's back to life for the foreseeable future...

July 31 - of make believe impressions

Started this day by exploring my own backyard. Asakusa is tokyo's oldest neighborhoods and is a popular tourist spot , not only for the sensoji temple , but as much for the shopping street namiske surrounding it that lures tourists with fresh sembei( rice crackers ) , souvenir trinkets and of course Japanese sweets and fried snacks - I felt I was just inhaling calories there. 

Stopped at ueno, whose ikeburo arcade had a reputation for being the black market of all tourist goods. Also walked around the ueno park - which is the greenest , biggest parks in Tokyo. It was sweltering hot but the lotus pond was breath taking. And I envied the turtles who were cooling off in the water. 

Before I caved in to the temptation, I headed to odaiba - tokyo's Bay Area. The train journey itself there was stunning as we crossed through the rainbow bridge and saw stunning examples of modern architecture buildings as we whizzed past. After the mandated Statue of Liberty picture ( apparently the Tokyoites had put it up one year to celebrate the Japanese French and people liked it so much it became a permanent thing) , treated myself to some spicy tofu dish at monsoon cafe - south Asian fusion food. I'm Indian and it was too spicy for me - did I mention it was hot outside?? Anyways more walking around the aqua city mall, diver city where i indulged in a godiva ice cream cone, and The Fuji building convinced me why Tokyoites are said to eat and shop till they drop. My favorite part was Venus fort - the shopping mall was set in 17th century Rome with the lighting of the sky inside changing to reflect the time of the day. They also had an interesting Toyota showroom with all cars - past , present and future on display. And the obligatory tokyo's eye Ferris wheel dominating the skyline. 

Last but not the least  - the oedo  onsen. It was a mini village set in the edo era ( 6th century) with cute shops, games , restaurants and tea houses spread across. And they had a huge public bathhouse - separated by gender of course , with 13 different pools with varying temperatures and a wet and dry sauna, and finished up with a Korean scrub , massage and a facial. New born baby bliss!!

Back to the city in time for the last call at ten-itchi $$$$ tempura place in Ginza. A quick peek into how the rich and famous eat every day - the set meal was $150. I settled for ala carte - ordering a few vegetarian tempura on the table. It was fascinating watching the chef prepare the tempura right in front of you. It was light and crisp and melts in your mouth and I felt I could go on and on eating but at $10 a piece for an eggplant or a mushroom, my stomach quickly filled itself! 

Might be a more comfortable experience if I were not picking up the tab I imagine ;). But the experience was worth the price this once. Fell into a dreamless sleep the minute I hit the bed - walking the streets of Tokyo in summer did have its effects!

July 30 - of big city impressions

First full day in Tokyo. Slept in, had a leisurely breakfast and them ambled out to harajaku. A cute shopping district - the Takeshita dori was a sight. Shops and lane ways drenched in princess pink ware - everything from socks, to hair accessories and everything in between. Thankfully It wasn't Sunday - am told girls dress up as their favorite manga/anime characters and pose for pictures on Sundays. That's called cosplays - girls waiting to be discovered into fame and stardom. 

Anyways onwards to yoyogi park - an urban tranquil retreat in the middle of Tokyo. An historic shrine - its uniqueness was brought on by all the drums of sake that were donated by people over the ages ;). I wonder if there will be a party someday to drink it all - I wouldn't want to miss it!

Onward to shinjuku - which is kinda like the Times Square of Tokyo. Met up with corina over some prosecco - we had so much to catch up on. Time flew by. Onward to exploring the city by night. Tokyo was lit up with neon lights - towers , sky rises , the works. Stepped into a sushi place - surprisingly my first in Japan after all this while, and enjoyed a scrumptious meal of vegetarian sushi. 

Onward to the Tokyo metropolitan building - a stunning structure of two buildings whose observatory on the 45th floor providing an amazing 360 degree view of the city by night. Ended the evening by strolling through roppongi hills - the nightlife district of Tokyo. Absorbed it all in my heart and in my blood by taking in a deep breath and headed back to K's for a restful night.