Meiji Shinto Shrine with the Sisters

Hello everyone,

I hope this week has been treating you well. Today I wanted to tell you all about an experience I had about three years ago, just because it is such a good memory. I was very fortunate in this memory to be able to spend the day with two lovely Sister Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on their free day in early spring of 2014.

While living in Japan, I often went to church at a Japanese-speaking ward or group. The sister missionaries however, were both from the States so we spoke together often in English. Sister Missionaries get one free day to get whatever they need to do done as well as take in sites if they are accompanied by a member. As we were super close to Tokyo, the two Sisters asked if I would join them on their day off to visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine in Harajuku (原宿) so that they could experience more of the Japanese Culture and surrounding areas.

While I'll explain more fully about Harajuku in another post, the Meiji Shinto Shrine or "Meiji Jingu" (明治神宮) is the largest Shinto Shrine in Tokyo and was formally dedicated in 1920. Unfortunately, the original building was lost to air raids during World War II, but the Japanese have since reconstructed the Shrine, which has become one of the primary attractions of Tokyo due to its size and Emperor Meiji's significance in history.

The Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, the Empress Shoken, both of whom are buried near Kyoto and the former of which was responsible for the end of the Edo Period. With the end of the Edo Period, the Meiji Restoration took place and Japan's doors were once again opened to outsiders. The building was built for the purpose of enshrining their souls and is still in use today. Many ceremonies and events such as weddings, baby blessings, funerals, Hatsumode (First Year's Prayers and Shrine Visits)(初詣), and the Dezuiri (when the Grand Sumo Champion enters the ceremony ring of the shrine occurs) (手数入り).  And despite all of this, the place remains a calm in a sea of hustle and bustle. Needless to say, it's worth checking out.

I met the Sisters outside of the entrance to the Meiji Shrine. After taking some pictures at the impressively tall torii gates (鳥居), we began our walk down the path to the main building of the shrine. One of the cool things to see was the Imperial Family's crest on the torii gates, which is unique only to Imperial Shrines. On the walk, we passed by loads of Sake (酒) barrels (Sake is rice wine). I took a picture for the two sisters in front of the barrels, who were then stopped by a foreign tourist passing by, who asked if they should be taking pictures in front of alcohol. Surprised that the man recognized who they were, it led to an interesting conversation about what the Sisters were doing at the Shrine (it turned out that the gentleman knew who they were and was pulling their leg). It was a delightfully fun experience.

So that begs the question, why were there so many Sake barrels? At the beginning of the year, sake companies each donate a barrel of sake to notable shrines in the hopes of receiving good luck, prosperity, and fortune in the coming years. If you were to look closely, brands like Kirin beer even had given barrels. Quiet a site!

We then proceeded to the main area, where before going in we stopped at the purification trough where we washed our left hand, then our right, then drank (and/or spit) from the right, and then washed our right hands again out of respect (we would want the same respect to be shown at our holy places too!). We took a photo outside the main building before going in and passed by a small shop where amulets and charms could be purchased on our way. These have always been interesting to me as you could buy any from protection against evil and luck in romance to good luck in passing an exam or traffic safety. There are a whole bunch!

Inside, the center of the Shrine was mostly bare, with the exception of Ema (a place where wishes could be written on wooden blocks) (絵馬), Omikuji (fortune telling slips) (御神籤), and two trees supporting a large Shimenawa (標縄) meant to mark a sacred place.  Up at the main structure where the offering hall was, people went up and tossed coins in, after which they would pray.

After walking around a bit inside the main area, the three of us departed, ending our journey into the shrine. It had been a relatively short visit, but it meant a lot to me being able to appreciate a peaceful place in the heart of Japan's capital with the Sisters. It made me feel that much more connected to Japan than I had before for some reason and thus it remains a very good memory to me.

More than once I've visited this Shrine and it is always a nice experience. It is enjoyable because it is one of the best places to have a chance to gain exposure to Japanese Heritage and Culture as well as gain a higher respect and understanding of the Japanese and part of their Identity. I highly recommend taking time out of your schedule to visit this Shrine if you get to visit Tokyo in the future. It's a good break from the noise of the city to enjoy the peace and serenity of Japan.

Till I write you again,

Kawaii Monster Cafe

Hello lovelies!

Another entry here! This time about one of my last adventures in Japan (for now). This one I actually have to thank my friend Sara for as this was all her idea! We decided to meet up in Harajuku on one of the last weekends that I was going to be in the land of the rising sun (I miss you Japan!). That day though, she surprised me by taking me to the "Kawaii Monster Cafe". I am a little embarrassed to admit, but I hadn't heard of it before this experience. If you walk down Omotsusando from the Harajuku station and turn left, a little past Laforet and before the LINE store on the righthand side, you'll find a building with an escalator. Up a couple flights of stairs from there and boom! You're at the entrance to the "Kawaii Monster Cafe".

(The Monster Girls)

Reservations are not needed, but you might want to get there early if you are planning on going during a rush. If you go during an off day (aka, not a weekend day) during an off time (aka, not during the dinner rush), you should be fine going in and not worrying about getting a table. (I say this assuming that the place's popularity hasn't risen astronomically since I went, though I'm sure it will become more popular over time).

(Strawberry Smoothie)

When you get to the entrance, you can choose from 5 areas, the Sweets Go Round, the Mushroom Disco, the Milk Stand, the Bar Experiment, and the Mel-Tea Room. We choose to go to the Mel-Tea Room, which was adorable! Decorated in chocolates, teacups, and the like, we were instantly in love with the place. We were greeted and served by the Monster Girls, who were decked in trendy and cute monster-inspired attire. We asked if their wigs were heavy and they actually let us feel. They had to be at least a few pounds, much heavier than the wigs I've worn. Talk about dedication!

(Non-Druggy Cocktail (Experiment))

But by this time, boy were we hungry. We started out with drinks. Sara got the Non-Druggy Cocktail (Experiment) (Non-alcoholic) which she got to mix together herself, while I got a fruity strawberry smoothie (Non-alcoholic). Talk about yum!

(Popcorn Shrimp and Dip!)

We added an appetizer, popcorn shrimp, before we got our main dishes. Sara got rainbow spaghetti while I had rainbow spaghetti in Fettuccini Alfredo sauce. Sara's dish also included a variety of dipping sauces as well that made the dish look like a paint palette. To my knowledge, the menu tends to change, so every time you can experience something new!

(Rainbow Spaghetti)

(Fettuccine Alfredo Rainbow Spaghetti)

Totally a super enjoyable lunch out. The atmosphere was very light and fun, a great spot for young adults to go for something new or even a little relaxing. After we finished, we got to have our pictures taken with the Monster Girls, went over to the gift store, and proceeded to enjoy a day out in Harajuku (whoot for shopping!).

(Myself with the Monster Girls)

So if you're looking for a fun place to have lunch at in Harajuku, check it out! It's a great place for young women and teens especially. You'll be sure to have a great time. For more information, check out their website here: Kawaii Monster Cafe (which is in English! ^_^ ).

Till next time,

TMR in Ibaraki 2015

Hey everyone!

I hope you're all doing well! I'm playing a bit of catch up as of lately, so today I'd like to share with you my experience in Ibaraki seeing T.M. Revolution live!

Let me preface this entry with a bit of information about T.M. Revolution and my past knowledge/experiences with T.M. Revolution. T.M. Revolution, or TMR for short, is a stage name for Takanori Nishikawa (西川貴教) that stands for "Takanori Makes Revolution". TMR has been active since 1989 and is well known overseas for singing opening and closing songs for a variety of Anime, including, but not limited to, Gundam (ガンダム), D. Gray Man (ディー.グレイマン), and Soul Eater (ソウルイーター). He has also performed with the group abingdon school boys and has teamed up with famous singer, Nana Mizuki (水樹奈々), for two singles. While he has done a variety of things over the years, it is also notable that he is a Cultural Ambassador for his home prefecture, Shiga (滋賀), where he now annually puts together the Inazuma Rock Fes (イナズマロックフェス).

I have seen T.M. Revolution live before in the States, but this was my first time seeing him live in Japan. Furthermore, I was actually lucky enough to attend a panel Q and A with him in Baltimore, Maryland at Otakon 2013, which was very interesting as he talked about his inspirations, interests, and things that he wanted to do for his fans. I had heard many of his songs in passing and had a couple favorites by him that would remain on my current playlists.

(Tickets to see TMR!)

Thus when I got the chance to see him up in Ibaraki 茨城県(which is just north of Tokyo), I was very happy to be able to see him live again. The location was out  at the Yuki Civic Cultural Center (結城市民文化センター), close to the Yuki Station (結城駅) on the Mito line (水戸線) on the 7th of June. It took me about an hour and several train switches to get up there, but when I got there, I was honestly a little surprised as the area didn't seem very crowded in comparison to most places that I had been. I had a friend that lived up in Ibaraki who told me that Ibaraki was much more rural than Saitama or Tokyo, but it didn't really hit me until I got there. It was a nice change though in comparison to the busy and crowded area in the cities that I was used to.

(A poster for this concert tour at the train station in the staircase going out)

I wondered if I was in the right place until I saw two girls dressed in TMR attire heading away from the platform and down the route I was following off of my GPS. After only about 10 minutes of walking, I came to the concert hall. Like most concert halls I had been to, this one did seem to have a goods line open early as most attendees had already gotten their goods and were now currently waiting for the upcoming concert's doors to open. I got there about 30 minutes prior to the show starting, so I missed the big rush.

(The entrance to the concert hall)

Seats were assigned at this location and there was no number system like 'pit' styled concerts that I had been to previously. While part of that was a bit of a bummer (I would have liked to be a bit closer), it was kind of nice too since everything was assigned and you didn't have to worry about your seat being taken or not being able to see. Everyone had a great view of the stage, which was much closer than I would have thought (and I was in one of the back rows). One of the nice things about my seat was that it was on an aisle though, which helped me with the view and made up for the seat being farther back.

Another nice thing about the seats being assigned was that I could easily go up to the goods desks and not worry about losing my seat or place in the theatre. New CD, Towel, and Pamphlet FTW y'all (along with a free poster too!). I choose to get 天 (read "ten"), which translates to "Heaven". I've listened to it many times since and it doesn't disappoint.

(My goods score!)

Speaking of living up to expectations, TMR did not let any of us down. I suppose this was my first 'full-fledged' experience at a TMR concert so to speak. The level of involvement from the audience was what made this experience different. People really let loose, head banging, jumping up and down, fist pumping, the once cool theatre quickly became hot with body heat and TMR just kept ramping it up as the concert went on.

(Inside of the concert hall before the concert began)

Even a full two hours in, lights were still pulsing and TMR had ripped his shirt off twice during the performance (not that I blamed him, it really was hot and it made for a dramatic effect). During those 2 hours some of the songs that he played were: "Flags", "Heaven Only Knows ~Get the Power~", "Summer Blizzard", "Salvage", "Resonance", and "Preserved Roses". All were awesome and the performance was pretty well paced. The only thing was at the end, there were kind of two encores, but I didn't know the second one was coming (I don't think any of us did). Otherwise though it was a smooth performance and very enjoyable.

TMR himself was great at pleasing the crowd, enduring through the physically draining two hours, and putting a lot of emotion and soul into each song. Whether it was fast or slow, softer or heavy rock, TMR, at the risk of sounding cliche, gave it his all and left us all feeling satisfied and pumped. He may be known for his shorter stature, but he lives up to tall expectations and makes others' pale in comparison.

Upon leaving the theatre, I was sweating thoroughly, despite maybe not being as involved as some of the others in attendance. I walked back in the crowds of people to the station and waited, probably 30 minutes for a train (I missed it by like 30 seconds the first time!), all the while texting friends. The cool air was a bit muggy and it didn't really help relieve my sweating, but it was enough and cooler outside than in (go figure, right?). I finally managed to catch a train though (also good because my phone battery was on its last bars) and made my way home.

(I saw this while standing in line to get inside; so cool!!)

Overall, I had a lot of fun at this concert. I wish I could have gone with friends as I think it would have been more fun, but I liked the music and since buying the CD, I often find myself coming across one of the songs from it on my playlists. TM Revolution is quite good. ;)

So bottom line, if you get the chance to see TMR live in Japan, do it. You will not be disappointed.

For more information on TM Revolution, you can check out his following sites:

English Official Homepage

Japanese Official Homepage

You can also find out more about the Inazuma Rock Fes here:

Inazuma Rock Fes

Till my next post,

My First Onsen Trip

Hello everyone!

So this happened wayyyyy back when I first got to Japan, but I wanted to share my first experience at an Onsen with you all! Onsen (温泉) literally means Warm Spring or Fountain. At Onsen, people bathe in hot water that comes from underground springs heated by the earth. It is a part of Japanese culture that continues to be enjoyed even today in the big cities. It can be done in both private and in public, though to bath in public is more common. So today I wanted to share what it's like, what you do/don't do, and how to make the most out of your own Onsen experience.

(Myself outside of the Odedo Onsen Monogatari)

My first experience was when my friend Ikumi took me to the Oedo Onsen Monogatari (大江戸温泉物語). Oedo was the respectful name of Tokyo during the Edo period of Japan when Tokyo became the capital. Monogatari literally means 'Story'. So at this particular Onsen, hosts attempt to let guests experience a piece of old Tokyo (with messages, omiyage/souvenirs, and yummy sweets of course).

(Puppets told a story above the entry way inside similar to how they were created in the Edo Period)

We got up early in the morning to take the train to the onsen which was located on the man-made island of Odaiba (お台場). Odaiba is full of fun and entertaining things to do with a shopping mall, several museums, the Fuji TV building, and a theme park to boot (Oh, and a giant robot that moves, no big deal). But today our sites were set on the onsen. Getting off at ---, we proceeded down the elevator and walked over to the Onsen. Yeah!!

 (The Entrance Outside)

This onsen is a bit like a get away resort, for both young and old and everywhere in between. I was surprised as I learned that they regularly have themed events/seasons and this time their theme was "Tiger & Bunny: The Rising" an anime movie out in theaters at the time. As a series I recognized, it just got me more pumped (and slightly embarrassed in front of Ikumi) to go into the hot springs!

(The line to get inside the onsen)

When you go into any onsen, you take off your shoes at the door and often you will find little lockers off to the side. Put your shoes inside, grab the key and take it with you when you check in (just don't forget your locker number!) We did this and lined up to check in. At this onsen, they gave us bracelets with locks inside them as well as a barcode. We would use these to access the lockers in the first locker room and the barcode was there so that we wouldn't have to carry cash around. If you wanted to buy something, you had them scan the barcode and like that, it was added to your final bill (reasons to be watchful of how much you spend: it could add up quick without you even realizing it!).

After receiving these bracelets, we went to the side where we were able to select Yukata (浴衣), cotton robes similar to the style of a Kimono (着物) as well as an Obi (帯), a sash or belt for the Yukata. We went inside and left most of our belongs in the women's locker room, save for our phones. We then changed into the Yukata.

(One of the clever Promos showing two male characters in Yukata)

Inside there they had signs in several languages showing us how to put on a Yukata. Most important of all was which side of the Yukata went under the other. In Japan, if you do it the wrong way, it is reminiscent of how the Dead are prepared! The correct way is to place the left side (your left) over the right side (your right). Women and men can wear undergarments with Yukata too if that makes them more comfortable. While there are other things that one can do to create a nicer finish for a Yukata because this was a resort, no one particularly took a lot of time to make them look super nice aside from that. Once we took care of that and tied our Obi into bows, it was time to go off and explore!

 (Part of the main area; they really got into the T&B theme!)

Upon exiting the locker room, we found ourselves inside a large hall filled with food shops, games, and snack shops. We looked around, taking in everything that there was to see and do before deciding to go to the Onsen itself. Onsen in Japan are separated by gender, with no possibility of seeing the other. This Onsen was a public onsen and thus once you got into the onsen locker room, everyone takes off everything, puts it in their lockers (you put your keys and phone if you have one inside and take the new locker key into the onsen on your wrist), and goes into the onsen.

(Sorry, but once you entered the onsen area itself, no photos are allowed for obvious reasons, so just text for a bit!) 

Having never done this before, I found it reallyyyyyyyyyyy awkward at first. I remember holding one of two towels that I received in front of me hiding myself from others as we walked from the lockers into the actual onsen area. Before going in, at this onsen there was a small little house like structure with buckets and water used for washing one's self off before entering the pool. It was at this point that I sucked it up, removed the towel and washed my body quickly before grabbing the towel again. While if you wish, you can go around, sit down at one of the sinks and wash yourself with soap, you can also go into the onsen straight after this. You are asked to wear a hair tie if you have long hair, but aside from that and your key bracelet, nothing else is to go in the water, including your towel.

So finally it came down to getting in the water with nothing on in front of everyone. Removing the towel, I quickly entered the water, which did a good job at hiding most of my body. Many onsen have minerals in the water, making it less clear to see through. But my sheer embarrassment was soon replaced by a thrilling relaxation that came from entering the onsen. Pure bliss.

As we jumped from various onsen to onsen, I became less self-conscious about myself and started to appreciate the nature of the onsen. At the onsen, no one really pays any heed to what others look like and if I did see someone, I just thought 'huh, I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't look like a supermodel' and it felt good to realize that. Everyone has this part or that part and everyone is there to bathe and relax. The only thing that surprised me was when I saw a little boy in the women's area with his mother, but I was informed that when children are that little, it is very common for them to bathe with their parents in Japan and not to worry at all.

The Oedo Onsen Monogatari had several onsen, both inside and out. Outside, walls went up high to hide the bathers, so we could calmly relax in one of the busiest cities in the world. Talk about irony, right? I learned to keep the small towel on my head so that heat wouldn't escape my body, which in turn kept me from getting light headed. I also found sometimes raising my feet out of the water to be helpful in preventing myself from feeling overheated (some of these pools were over 42 degrees Celsius!) After going to the majority of the onsen, we went into a sauna room to blow off some steam (literally) and rest. It was a good end to the onsen.

At this point, our stomachs started to growl, so we left the onsen and returned to the onsen lockers to redress and enter the common area again. We went through a bunch of stands till we found one that looked (and smelled) delicious! I ordered Melon Soda and Takoyaki / たこ焼き (Octopus Dumplings). It was absolutely wonderful!!! The only draw back to some of the eating locations was that smoking was allowed inside, but this is very common in Japan. My mind was taken off of it by the fun Tiger and Bunny decorations and themed items that were surrounding the area.

(Another dish they were serving inside)

Most games were rather expensive to play, but we did find a scavenger hunt for Tiger and Bunny and proceeded to do that after finishing our meal. We ended up finding all of the locations, gathering all the stamps needed, and turned in our passbooks to earn ourselves Tiger and Bunny bags and fans, which we placed in our (normal locker room) lockers. The last thing we indulged in was walking through the wading area (across rocks that hurt my feet and weren't so nice) and then sat in a pool where little fish ate away the dead skin cells off of our feet! It tickled, but it was so fun! And my feet felt wonderful afterwards! Highly recommend this if you get the chance to go.

As the day was coming to a close, we soon got ready to leave by going to the normal locker rooms and changing into our street clothes. We did our hair and make up again (we had taken it off before) and exited to the lobby where we handed them our key bracelets, which they scanned and rang up for us. We paid and then returned home from a very relaxing day. It was a wonderfully light hearted pleasure and I was so glad that Ikumi was willing to take me for my first onsen trip (you're awesome Ikumi!!). :)

(On the way out near the entrance)

I have been to this onsen several times now and one other. In particular, I feel like if you are visiting Tokyo, this one is convenient, fun, and very family friendly. The onsen itself is pumped out of the earth (it doesn't naturally flow out), but it is enjoyable none the less. The other thing this onsen has going for it is that it is affordable considering everything that you get to do and see. Other onsen can be pretty cheap, but might not pull out a lot of stops. Ones that do go all out tend to be a little overpriced I sometimes feel.

(Me in a Yukata while there)

This onsen was also wonderfully helpful to those who's native language isn't Japanese and it is pretty easy to get by and understand what to do and what is going on with helpful signs showing the way. Sometimes I felt like it was a little too much like a theme park, but it was cute and fun to experience and didn't detract too much from the onsen itself. So if you're looking to experience a piece of old Tokyo and go to an onsen while on vacation, check it out! You can find more information about it here.

Thanks for reading and till next time,

Top Places - Mt. Fuji

Description: The tallest Mountain in Japan measuring at 3776 M tall, Mt. Fuji is actually an active volcano that provides one of the most scenic views in all of Japan. No need to worry about eruptions or lava flows though. Instead you can enjoy one of the many views around the mountain, such as those from Hakone Park, Lake Ashi, and Lake Kawaguchiko. Nearby attractions include Fuji Q Highland (an amusement park, especially worth the visit around Halloween), Shibazakura (a field of beautiful pink Moss Flowers), and the many Onsen (Ofuro) in the area.

Climbing Mt. Fuji: Mt. Fuji is closed to climbers most of the year, due to heavy snow. It is open from mid-July to early-September. It is possible to ride in a car/bus up to the 5th station and climb the rest of Mt. Fuji in a day. Prepare properly as weather can be unpredictable. Furthermore, Altitude sickness is common. For a real site, do the night climb to see Mt. Fuji at sunrise.

When to see Mt. Fuji: Winter makes for the best time to see Mt. Fuji as there is less humidity in the air. During the other seasons, humidity causes much cloudiness, reducing the likelihood that Mt. Fuji will be visible.

Recommended to: Anyone!

Rating: 5 Stars (not 5 during reduced visibility though)

Climbers' Website (English): http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/

Nippori

Hello everyone!

Tokyo is chalk full of exciting places to visit and see. However, one of the less famous, but equally worth mentioning places that is worth going to is the Fabric Haven of Nippori (日暮里). Nippori has 繊維街 (Sen-i-gai), Tokyo’s Fabric Town. I had been told about it by my mom, who went to Tokyo a second time and visited it, bringing me back some beautiful fabrics and souvenirs. Since I’d been sewing as a hobby for about 5 years now, it was a must see spot on my list when I first got to Tokyo again. Since going, I’ve been back many times and enjoy every one of my visits.

(South Entrance to Nippori Station)

To give one a basic idea, Senigai is a lot like the Garment District of New York City, but on a smaller scale. However that does not mean that it doesn’t compare in products. Senigai is located right out on the East Side of Nippori Station (日暮里駅)  (located conveniently on the Yamanote/山手線 and Keihin Tohoku/京浜東北線 Lines) and very quickly, you can find yourself emersed in a beautiful and colorful area. (Check out the sign below!) Filled with a variety of different products from different suppliers, you can go through out all of the stores always finding something new.  

(Momoji Bridge, ももじばし, the south entrance of Nippori Station, east side)

(Sign to Nippori)

The most popular of these stores is Tomato, with four different locations, each catering to different needs. I personally always hit up Tomato first as it’s perhaps the easiest place to find what I need and then I branch out to the other stores.

(Another sign to Fabric Town)

A wonderful thing about Nippori that I’ve found is all of the shops catering to trims, buttons, and necessary tools needed for sewing. My latest project, a Shingeki no Kyojin (進撃野巨人) or Attack on Titan uniform, required belts and lots of them. Normally, that would mean digging around for super long already made belts in large numbers or making said belts yourself. Imagine my elation when I found 11 meters plus some of continuous belt/strap material within Tomato. This kind of product, I am also pretty sure is what Reika Arakawa, one of the world’s top cosplayers, used when making her Levi Ackerman cosplay from the same series (as I noticed it when I saw her Levi in person). And who could blame her? It’s absolutely perfect for that kind of project!

(Leather Straps)

I also could not believe the number of shops that supplied real leather at a decent price too. Perhaps due to the demand in the states, real leather is extremely expensive and often people shy away from buying it due to that (and the fact that if you mess up with actual leather, then you have just wasted your purchase). The one piece I've bought so far was amazing and I personally love digging through the various kinds of leather that are outside of the stores for customers to browse through.

(Real Leather Pieces Outside Stores)

There are also shops with bazillions of buttons and trims too. Some of these were classic in designs but others seemed very fresh and trendy. They also had rows upon rows of different lace products too, something not as easy to find back in the States. Many of these, I also thought, were sure to include material for the costume designer or (probably more likely) the cosplayer! With tassles, sparkling embroidery designs, and flowing materials, Nippori is a cosplayer’s dream. I will note that yes, like any place, you will find some of these more costume-y elements to be on the lower end of the quality spectrum, but most of these reflected in price too. Just like everywhere else, if you want quality, you have to be willing to pay for it. But hey, at least they have it!

(Trim)

A final note on Nippori. It is located in Japan. So naturally at your disposal, you have hundreds of beautiful fabric choices used to make Kimono (着物) and Yukata (浴衣). How freakin’ cool is that? They also have a good number of kits for different projects ranging from full scale Yukata to bags and little key chains you can make. There are also a good number of character products available for purchase too. You can find many iron on patches, fabrics, and kits for Anpanman, Doraemon, Disney Characters, Hello Kitty, Pokemon, and even the occasional American Superhero such as Batman or Spiderman. 

(Outside Various Shops)

Speaking of American products, many of the fabric stores had American Cotton sections, which I found very amusing (I say that in the best way), as I had tended to take that for granted in the states. In addition to American Cotton though, fabrics from all over the world are available in Nippori. From Italy, England, Russia, Germany, Africa nations, practically any country you could think of has a product currently being sold in Nippori.

(Sign for last year's Fashion Design Contest)

So how does it compare to New York City’s Garment District? I found that I liked both as they both have their strong points. New York has a vast amount of stores, but many of the fabric stores have a basic set of fabrics that many of them all sell and then they branch out to find their own unique suppliers. In Senigai, they all have unique suppliers, so even though it is smaller it’s more contained. However this does mean you have to go to several different stores to get what you might need/want. In regards to Trimmings, I loved both. Both have unique products and for me, since I was so used to NYC’s offerings, Nippori offered me a new set of supplies that brought me new inspiration (and I’m sure it would be the same way if it were the other way around).

(Fabric Town)

In conclusion though, whether you sew or not, whether you cosplay or not, whether you have a project you’re working on or not, if you’re in Tokyo, Nippori is a place to visit just to see all of the vast amount of supplies that you never knew could exist all in the same place. I enjoy it and continue to make the train ride out there whenever I am in need of fabrics, trims, buttons, and any other supplies I need for whatever I’m working on at the time. So if you go, be sure to share your pictures and experiences below!

Till next time,

About "Top Places in Tokyo"

Hello Everyone,

(Kaminarimon, 雷門)

It has occurred to me that many people go to Tokyo, not realizing what exactly it has to offer. Granted, most people may know Tokyo Tower (東京タワー), Akihabara (秋葉原), or Tokyo Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド) (which is actually in Chiba, the Prefecture adjacent to Tokyo) and some might know the Ghibli Museum (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館) , but that tends to be the extent of most people's knowledge.

Most people I meet who are not familiar with Tokyo will say to me, "Oh cool! You live close to Tokyo? What're some cool things to do there?" As I list off the many things to do, they become surprised by all of what there actually is in Tokyo.

I think this may be due to the fact that a lot of places have names that are difficult to pronounce, say or even remember if one is not familiar with Japanese. Furthermore, Tokyo is HUGE. So there are a lot of things to do, but with so many names, confusion can occur which leads to a lack of knowledge on sights to see in Tokyo.

So I wanted to compile a list of places that I believe are worth visiting within Tokyo. Each place is divided by area, has a description of said place, who I would in particular recommend should go see said place, and a personal rating (5 being the best).  Some will also include links to more detailed reviews of locations that I have been as well. But yes, anyway, that's what this section of my blog will be for. I will tag general areas to help everyone find what things are close to one another as well. Anyway, I hope that for some this helps you plan your trip to Tokyo!

Swallowtail Butler Cafe

Hello everyone!

(Advertisement on Otome Road for "Swallowtail")

This time I wanted to document another adventure I had a while back (and my semi-reoccurring experiences too): Dining at Swallowtail Butlers Café. Japan is known for having a variety of interesting ‘cafes’ including Cat, Dog, Owl, and Maid cafes just to name a few. Perhaps the most well-known are the “Maid Cafes”, where your waitresses literally become your ‘maid’ the second you walk into the café. This kind of café has some variations, but generally, all of the waitresses dress in Maid Uniforms, address the customer as “Master” or “Madam/Mistress/Princess”, and often your food follows some kind of style, be it cute or fine dining. These cafes have seen much success and have been popular in Japan for years.

So in a way, it only makes sense that a “Butler Café” would be the next thing, especially with the popularity of Butler-themed inspired television shows, books, animes, movies, etc. The “Butler Café” has had a hard time starting off, with several of them crashing and burning after their initial openings. Customers complained that it was too ‘cheesy’, Host Club like (Not Ouran Host Club like, Actual Host Club like), or awkward. Finding the correct approach to creating a successful “Butler Café” was a challenge.

(Photo of the entrance from the "Swallowtail" booklet)

“Swallowtail” is perhaps the result of perfect execution in the creation of a “Butler Café”. Why? Well, because it’s not just a “café”, it’s "Fine Dining". “Swallowtail” is located on Otome Road in Ikebukuro, just down from Sunshine City. Honestly, you would likely miss it if you weren’t looking for it or were unaware of its existence (I did several times to be honest). However, it’s likely that this is intended. Before going to Swallowtail, one must make a reservation (likely about 2 weeks prior to said date of attendance). Its secluded location thus is likely to keep from an unprecedented amount of customers coming without a reservation.

(Entrance from a distance)

(Entrance sign)

(And then down the steps you go to the cafe!)

Unlike its female-counterpart, “Swallowtail” instead of the more common, flirty-cutesy approach, takes a more sophisticated and elegant take on how to entertain their guests. Décor within the location is based off of the Victorian Era with some modern updates. In some ways, it reminded me of stepping into the 1^st class section of the RMS Titanic. There are elegant displays of silverware, only the best mahogany wood adorning the walls, beautiful roses and chandeliers, curtains of lace, and the classic old books sitting on the shelves. The lighting is dim, but not hard on the eyes. Perfect. It is quiet save for the hushed conversations between guests as they eat their food and the occasional bell for a butler. When one pictures this in their mind, it’s easy to understand why one needs a reservation. If too many people entered, one could see how such an illusion of time might shatter. (Oh, and no pictures of the inside are allowed, save for of one’s food!)

(Shot of the interior from the "Swallowtail" booklet)

The first time I went to Swallowtail, I went with my friend Katey. Going together, we went down the steps to the entrance, waited outside for a moment before going in and being greeted by our waiters, who were of course now, our butlers. Their greeting was “Welcome back, Princesses” (English translation) with a humble bow, and it was about the only similar thing to it’s Maid-Café counter part. (Believe it or not, they ask for what one wishes to be addressed as when you make a reservation; princess seemed like a good option). After this occurs, bare in mind, we are here trying to keep straight faces and not blush beet red, not because it’s funny, but because really, how does one respond to that?

They take our coats and lead us into the main area, which is stunning. Upon seeing it, I remember thinking ‘I want to shoot costumes here’ because it was just that beautiful. We’re led over to our seats and are given two menus, both in English and in Japanese. When our Butlers finally leave us be, we can breath a sigh of relief that we can giggle slightly at what we have gotten ourselves into. I remember the second time I went, our butler spoke some English as well which was very helpful too. So if you're not fluent in Japanese and feel more comfortable with English, feel free to request a butler who speaks some English.

A bit now about the food. It was the best food I’ve ever eaten in a long time. One meal here is about 50 USD, so you better believe that it better be good and it was. For that you get a 4 course meal, each plate coming out elegantly and in perfect display of each dish. Fish, chicken, vegetables, soup, salad, parfaits, the list goes on of what there is for each Dinner Set. Each Dinner Set is named using names like “Elizabeth, Catherine, etc.”. They serve a variety of Juice, Tea, and Wine. And of course, desserts, which were by the way, simply divine. Needless to say, their menu, while expensive, is worth every yen. It is another part of why Swallowtail must be so successful.

(Shots of some of the menu choices from the "Swallowtail" booklet)

As your mouth waters a bit from the various options above, let me go on to discuss another reason, and perhaps the main reason why “Swallowtail” is so popular. Their butlers. Their butlers are the difference between dressing up like a butler and being a butler. They do not merely put on a tailcoat bought from a second hand shop, slick back their hair, wear a pair of costume store gloves and call themselves butlers. Each and every one of their tailcoats are made of high end material, are tailored, embroidered with the Swallowtail Emblem (a butterfly), and worn neatly, respectably, and properly. I was even impressed to see the beautiful stripe down the side of their pants. Every part of their outfits was beautiful and stunning. To top it all off, they were all well groomed men. What I mean by that is that they made sure that their presence was impeccable. They keep their faces from showing any signs of weariness. They stood with the grace of one waiting upon a queen. And for goodness sakes, it must have taken them all at least half an hour to get their hair to be so neat and incredibly stylish, reserved, and perfect.

(Shot of the butlers from the "Swallowtail" booklet)

But perhaps even more amazing was that their butlers not only looked the part, but they acted it too. They were charismatic. They were knowledgeable. They were professional. They were gentlemen. It was not like a host club where the waiters’ job entailed that they hit upon/flirt with the women. They were there to wait upon and allow their guests to be at ease and enjoy a quiet, relaxing meal. All of this allowed myself and my friends to enjoy our meal, chit chat amongst ourselves, and at the end, be given a beautiful fairwell (and get a nice cake to go too!).

(Shots of the cake from "Swallowtail" both with and without candles)

So how does Swallowtail work for the English customer? It’s not too bad. The English menu is excellent. Their butlers are not all fluent in English, but they try when they can to help the customer. Sometimes, you do have to just take a guess at what they are saying though. They speak somewhat formally, so even with my Japanese I did have some trouble understanding them at times. But otherwise, it was still a smooth and enjoyable dining experience (especially the second time around when our butler knew a good bit of English as well). Perhaps the most difficult part is just making the reservation online. While they do have a guide in English, I still recommend using Google Chrome's automatic translate to assist you if you are not familiar with Japanese.

Now let's say you can't make it to the cafe. You only have a limited amount of time in Tokyo, but you want to experience it, if only a bit. Since opening, Swallowtail has opened numerous small shops around Tokyo (some are even small cafes, minus their butlers though). Across the street from the café, Swallowtail also operates a Gift Shop with CD Albums, DVDs, Tea, Cakes, Scones, etc. available for sale. It generally has one or two butlers on staff and is the only store I know of where they do so.

(The outside of the Swallowtail Gift Shop located directly opposite the Cafe itself)

(The inside of the Gift Shop from the "Swallowtail" booklet)

Swallowtail has also for some time had a little stand, known as "Patisserie Swallowtail" outside of the Ikebukuro "Tokyu Hands", located on Sunshine City Street (通り) on the way to Sunshine City from Ikebukuro Station. It's primary function is for selling cakes and desserts.

Another stand that is attached to the Swallowtail franchise is in the new Radio Hall (Rajio Kaikan or  ラジオ会館) in Akihabara. This one is new to my knowledge as Radio Hall just recently re-did their entire store which they had been growing out of for quiet some time. It is on the second or third floor I believe within K-Books. If you are googling where it is on your map, type it in Japanese because you probably won't find it if you type in "Radio Hall". To give one an idea though it is outside of the Akihabara Electric Town Exit on the left side across the street.

(Patisserie Swallowtail in Akihabara)

My favorite outside of Swallowtail itself however, is the cafe run in Shinjuku's Marui Annex Department Building on the 6th floor. If you're a fan of gothic or steampunk styled clothes, you can browse around at the clothing stores on that shop and then grab yourself a scone from the cafe which is located to the right of the up elevator (if you are coming up it that is, not down towards it). While you can sit down inside of you want, you can also get things to go ("mochikaeri" - 持ち帰り), though I don't recommend eating what you buy as you look around on that floor.

(Patisserie Swallowtail Annex - Shinjuku)

(Cute little Scone from the Annex)

Finally most recently the Swallowtail line has expanded into the cosplay supply market, popular within Japan, with both online shops as well as several in person shops through out the country including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Kanagawa, Hyogo, Hokkaido, and in Chiba. I can't say much about these as I have not been to them, but their online shop has an impressive selection of wigs, colored contacts, shoes, and other cosplay supplies. You can visit that shop here: http://swallowtail-wig.com/ (warning though, it is all in Japanese and they only accept yen).

Appropriately it would seem then, Swallowtail is also known for doing collaborations with other major well known brands and pop culture shows. Most recently, it's collaboration menu was with the "Black Butler: Book of Murder" anime (Kuroshitsuji / 黒執事 : Book of Murder) including a Phantomhive dinner option as well as several desserts available at their various smaller shops. The collaboration menus change about every two months give or take and they have various specials that they change as well. Overall though, their products are general a nice way to take a piece of Swallowtail home with you or indulge a bit something you find enjoyable (chocolate, am I right?).

(Left: Collaboration Menu Poster, Right: Chocolate Top Hat Cake Set)

(Chocolate Top Hat Cake; image courtesy of Swallowtail)

(Bromide that accompanied the cake)

In conclusion, I highly recommend visiting Swallowtail. It has perfected the art that is a "Butler Cafe" and is worth the visit. For those interested in Swallowtail, you can check out and reserve a table on their website here: http://www.butlers-cafe.jp/  (note: the website is in Japanese, BUT, if you open it in Google Chrome, you can hit the translate button in the upper right corner and it will help you significantly if you don't know Japanese). It is a fabulous experience and one that will not disappoint, my number one favorite place to dine in Tokyo.

(Swallowtail Pamphlet)

Till Next Time!