Category Archives: Japan

Tokyo food fashion style

Tokyo food fashion style, my first trip to Japan was April 2007, I loved it so much I went back in December the same year. As I said Tokyo is a great city for food and Japanese was always my favourite cuisine before I ever came to the country, and now that I have experienced the best Tokyo has to offer it will certainly remain my favourite food.

For great hotel deals book here and choose to either pay now, or pay later when you check out.

One square meter of land in the Ginza center is worth more than ten million yen (more than 100,000 US dollars), making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan. It is where you can find the infamous $10 cups of coffee and where virtually every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics has a presence. Ginza is named after the silver-coin mint established there in 1612 during the Edo period. Modern Ginza began in 1872 when, after a devastating fire, the district was rebuilt with two- and three-story Georgian brick buildings designed by the English architect Thomas Waters, along with a shopping promenade on the street from the Shinbashi bridge to the Kyōbashi bridge in the southwestern part of Chūō Ward. Most of these European-style buildings are gone, but some older buildings are still there, most famously the Wakō building with its clock tower.

The Ginza in Tokyo 

Popular opinion states Tokyo is an expensive city but I tend to disagree, I believe 20 years ago it was, however the prices seem to have remained at the same level it was back then. For instance a coffee in one of the popular chains is under $3, as is a delicious ham & lettuce sandwich. My hotel was only $100 per night, 10 minutes walk from the Ginza. Of course if you wish to can stay in a 5 star hotel and dine on Kobe beef every night and it will cost you a fortune, similar to London or New York. I eat in the fantastic little traditional cafes & restaurants where the prices are very reasonable.

The wonderful Harajuku girls gather every Sunday morning.

Harajuku style originated among teens on the streets near Harajuku Station in Shibuya, Japan. It may have been brought to many people’s attention by American singer Gwen Stefani, but the evolution of the style certainly didn’t begin with her and it certainly won’t end with her. Like many “street fashions” it is difficult to characterize because it is constantly changing and because it has many manifestations. 

I believe Tokyo is the food capital of the world.

To me Tokyo is all about food, food and more food, interestingly the Michelin guide has Tokyo comfortably ahead of Paris (10 three-starred restaurants), New York (7) and London (2), with a total of 350 establishments making it into the guide this time around. Six new places were awarded two stars, a couple of them – French restaurant Esquisse and the Japanese-style Ginza Okamoto. Tokyo is without a doubt the fine food capital of the world.

Fresh Tuna at Tsukiji market

The Tokyo great city Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as the Tsukiji Market (築地市場 Tsukiji shijō?), is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. The market is located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and is a major attraction for foreign visitors.

Tsukiji Market in Tokyo great city

You really need to arrive here around 5 am.

Crossing the road like ants at Shibuya.

The name “Shibuya” is also used to refer to the shopping district which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo’s busiest railway stations. This area is known as one of the fashion centres of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area.

I often stay at the Granbell Hotel in Shibuya, great location 200 meters from the station. Use this link to book and receive a great rate.

Shibuya at dusk.

Certainly one of the best districts in Tokyo.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda area of Tokyo close to Tokyo Station and contains several buildings including the main palace,  the private residences of the imperial family, an archive, museum and administrative offices. It is built on the site of the old Edo castle. The total area including the gardens is 3.41 square kilometres (1.32 sq mi). During the height of the 1980s Japanese property bubble, the palace grounds were valued by some as more than the value of all the real estate in the state of California.

A traditional Japanese tea room near the Ginza

Sometimes you can be lucky enough to capture a perfect Japanese moment.

Welcome to Shabuzen at the Ginza.

A fabulous Ginza restaurant.

Kobe beef at Shabuzen, expensive but magnificent.

Best to go at lunchtime for a lower price.

David herd & the Thomsons at Shabuzen in the Ginza.

My good friends from Australia Phil & Junko love the Kobe Beef at Shabuzen. I was very lucky to be shown around Tokyo great city with Phil & Junko acting as my guides.

A beautiful Japanese wedding at Harajuku.

Another perfect Japanese moment.

Tokyo food fashion style, Togo Shrine

This seems to be a very popular wedding venue. The shrine is dedicated to Admiral Togo, famous for defeating the Russian fleet when they fought the Russo-Japanese War way back in 1905.

Bride & groom

A truly beautiful traditional Japanese wedding, I was so pleased to witness this delightful event.

Sushizanmai, my favorite Tokyo restaurant, chaotic & crazy.

Forget all the Michelin starred restaurants, my all time favorite is the Sushizanmai near the Tsukiji fish market. Dining here is pure theater and fun, 3 floors and open 24 hours a day. The ground floor is the place to be, but be prepared to wait in a queue for up to 45 minutes. Believe me however it is worth the wait. The food is fabulous and the atmosphere chaotic, 6 chefs work furiously to feed the hungry patrons in between shouting weird welcome cries each time someone enters or leaves the establishment. If you are looking for a romantic setting to propose to your sweetheart, cross this place off your list. If great sushi and organised chaos is what you enjoy then get on the end of the queue and wait your turn. Situated near the Tsukiji markets it is fast cheap and fabulous.

Here we are again

Hamish Elton & I enjoyed another wonderful meal in September 2015, still as great as ever. A few days later I also had dinner at the Osaka branch with also was excellent.

I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.

Happy chef at Sushizanmai

located almost next door the the world famous Tsukiji fish market where their produce is sourced daily,  guarantees what they serve is as fresh and you will ever experience anywhere on the planet. 

To prove my point  check out a video of the chaos.

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                      Super travel tips. From the airport take the limousine bus, by far the best value. I catch to bus to Tokyo station then take a taxi to my hotel, taxis are not expensive in Tokyo and like everything else in the city they are spotless. Super value hotel. I stay at the  Higashi Ginza Toku, however they have hotels in other locations as well. For the best hotel deals book here and choose to either pay now, or later when you check out. Super sushi. At Sushizanmai 4-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. 81-(0)3-3541-1117

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Here is my visit to Tokyo in February 2014

A very quaint Tokyo Street

Fabulous Sky Bar in HCM City.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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