TOKYO - JAPAN - ROUND 2

 

 

                

                 

More familiar with the city from our previous week's travels, we adventured through Tokyo with extra vigour... all the more aware of what a big place it was.  There was still so much we wanted to see and do and we had less than a week to do it! Pounding the pavement with extra zeal, we managed to fit in a good bout of shopping, too much eating, too much sake and a whole lot of sightseeing.  

A highlight for us as lovers of vintage attire was accidentally stumbling across 'vintage alley' in Harajuku.  Facing the Harajuku Street sign, it is to the left down an alley near the Meiji Street crossing.  Here we found a plethora of vintage from old Dr. Martens to well-preserved rock t-shirt memorabilia and everything else in between.  On the same day, we also discovered 'Cat Street' aka Nekko Dori.  This little alley offered a mix of stores from high fashion boutiques, vintage and chain stores (e.g. American Apparel). 

Other highlights of this Tokyo stint was our visit to Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills where the 10th Anniversary Love exhibition was on show.  Located on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower, this little gem is a double whammy offering amazing views of Tokyo as well as modern art that will really get you thinking and feeling.  

Food-wise, a real treat for us was dining on the 50th floor of what otherwise looked like a drab office building.  There are heaps of these around Shinjuku when you venture to the business area (Nishishinjuku).  Here we enjoyed the freshest sashimi, traditional Japanese decor and the most amazing illuminated night view of Tokyo city...
it was the perfect way to end the Japan leg of our world trip!

AIR NIGHTCLUB - TOKYO

Like all good techno clubs, finding the venue is half the fun. After ducking and weaving through the dimly lit back streets of Shibuya, we finally arrived at our chosen destination for the evening. A rather swish-looking yet casual eatery. And underneath it... the formidable techno bunker knows as AIR.

Renowned as Japan's premier venue alongside Womb, the opportunity to step behind the console and join the list of dance legendary's that have graced the AIR decks was a super exciting yet nerve racking prospect. Fortunately I had one of my best mates Danny T on the bill alongside me sharing this rare opportunity. Our wonderful host (amazing Dj, and all round legend) Jaxx Da Fishworks (known to his mum as Nao) told us that the people go out in Japan to listen purely to the DJ and he was not wrong.

For the whole hour of my set, I was able to handpick every record I really loved (you know, the ones you always wish you could get away with playing to a floor but never do).   I played them to the  enthusiastic crowd in front of me as they danced away squarely focused on the music, heads down and feet moving. To have these records play through a literal wall of speakers that could've supported a main stage festival was a truly amazing experience; one I will never forget.

After doing my liver plenty of damage and wearing down my feet on the dance floor to Danny & Jaxx's sets, it was time to call it a night. We headed upstairs out into the sunlit street and took ourselves home.  We later found out that Sven Vath came down and played an impromptu set from 7am through to 2pm! Guess we will have to catch him next time.

Thank you AIR for giving my soul what it needed.

TOKYO - JAPAN

Tokyo is one of the most unique and astonishing places with its endless city-scaped streets filled with people, bright lights and fast-paced style.  Despite being home to 13 million people,  the city seems almost unbelievably efficient and orderly.  The first thing we noticed as we weaved through the busy streets and navigated the underground metro is that the people here are really respectful, polite and methodical.  In other places around the world this type of busy and hectic environment would normally lend itself witness to road rage, angry confrontations or at the very least a little bit of exasperation.  Not the case here!  The orderliness of the Japanese people allowed us to take pleasure in the sensory overload that Tokyo provides, making the city less overwhelming and all the more enjoyable.

Like a well-oiled engine, Tokyo can be described as 'organised chaos' in the best sense of the word.  The best place to see this?  The underground metro to start with, as well as Shibuya's famous intersection where over 1 million people cross everyday!

The beauty of Tokyo city lies in a harmonious relationship between its deeply rooted, rich history and its adoption of all things new and novelty.  Within our first few days, we visited the beautiful Bhuddist temple  Sensō-ji in Asakusa,  witnessed the crazy hairstyles and fashion in Harajuku and visited the aptly named 'Electric Town' in Akihabara (showcasing more than enough electronic tech gear for the biggest geeks amongst us).

When it comes to dining experiences, the options are limitless and the same contradictions can be found.   In the same week, we bought our dinner and drinks out of a vending machine, we also ate ramen in lightning speed standing up in the metro, discovered 'Yakitori Alley' nestled between the train tracks and Shinkjuku station, as well as enjoyed one too many sakes at the Golden Gai (a small and interesting area within a network of of narrow passageways in Shinjuku).  

On a whole, Tokyo is a city which seamlessly and effortlessly draws together all its amazing elements into a contrasting yet cohesive landscape.