Well day 3 dawned in Tokyo. It was hot – some might say too hot – especially if they were from Hobart. We woke slightly groggy from the cultural overload of the previous day and night. But there was no denying it, by now we were fully addicted to “experiences.” We had two planned for the day ahead – but first coffee and pastry at our “usual.” Check.
Staying in Shinjuku has its benefits but as the home to Tokyo’s largest train station, getting in and out is intimidating and challenging. The station footprint feels like it’s about the same size as Hobart. But it’s a challenge we accepted as we successfully navigated our way across to the gloriously brutalist National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo. They had a “trio” exhibition on featuring contemporary art from Paris, Tokyo and Osaka. The building was great, the exhibition was OK but what would I know? I’m just a dilettante.
On the way to the museum. Why waste space with a river when you can build a train line above it?
Like I said – gloriously brutalist.
Taking a sneaky peek. From the “Trio” exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art.
More art and that
After a trio of gelato on the Museum lawns it was over to Harajuku for lunch. Hand rolled sushi at Gon Pachi – gorgeous. Then it was time for our next “experience” courtesy of AirBnB. This time it was the “Tokyo Street Style Shopping with Local Experts in Shibuya” experience. We met our guide Hiroyuki “Hiro” (seems it’s a common name in Japan) under a busy building in Shibuya. I liked him straight away. His message to identify himself: “I’m waiting to meet you. My style black cap, LV bag” – in case you’re a fashion idiot like me LV stands for Louis Vuitton. Clutching his LV bag, Hiro led us through a series of small shops stocked with clothes by local designers – it was cool and intimidating at the same time. The best place he took us to was Rag Tag, 4 floors of “select” vintage clothes. Hiro was patient, we bought a few things – nothing too extra mind you – all tasteful, before saying ciao to Hiro.
Happy shoppers outside the Nike concept store Shibuya.
Hiro and two fashionistas. LV bag not pictured.
To round out the night we recklessly decided to head to a bar in Shinjuku that we had heard about called Open Book. Famous for its lemon sours made with shochu. We had no idea were stumbling into the Golden Gai district – four tiny alleys jam packed with bars, some no bigger than a shipping container – which was about the size of Open Book. It was packed. Lemon sours were consumed, babbling with the locals occurred etc etc. we stumbled upon the bar and stumbled home – it was a set.
Open Book in Golden Gai. No books were opened.
We were drinking. They were working.
flyeelookee 