Karaoke Houses - Tokyo - Japan

As you probably know, karaoke is a big thing is Japan. There are Karaoke buildings almost near every train station. These, have small rooms that you can rent for as long as you want (most are open 24 hours).
Each room has a couple of tables and chairs, a big flat screen TV and professional microphones. The song book has thousands of songs to choose from (in English too).
When singing in a private room, with a professional microphone, alone or with friends, you can be tricked to believe that you sing like Tina Turner, Madonna, Aretha Franklin or Pavarotti. In most cases, like mine, it also saves me from some public embarrassment, but I have to admit, it’s a lot of fun.
Sayonara

Landing Away in Tokyo

Ueno Park & Sakura Season - Tokyo - Japan

 This weekend marks the official start of Sakura –the Cherry blossom season. There are several places in Tokyo (mostly parks), that are famous sights for Sakura.
Ueno Onshi Park, that I have visited today, is one of them.
This area has a few Temples and Shrines, the Zoological Gardens, and several museums including the Tokyo National Museum, and the National Museum of Nature and Science.
I have ended my tour, walking from Ueno Station to Okachimachi station; this part is called Ameyoko and is full of stores and restaurants.
Sayonara

 

Landing Away in Tokyo

Pet-Spas in Tokyo - Tokyo - Japan

I am very surprised with the number of pet spas that you can find in Tokyo. First of all, the concept of pet spa is quite new to me. There are some pet hotels in Europe but I've never heard about pet spas. Here, they are all over town, I have seen more pet spas than for example baby shops.
The pet spas normally have a shop where you can buy outfits, colorful necklace chains, leads, water and food buckets, carry on bags, food etc. They also have the spa/saloon where pets are pampered (hair trimmed, body massages, full wash etc). Some companies even design pet outfits that match wedding dresses.

Landing Away in Tokyo

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Portuguese Art in Japan - Japan

A few days ago, I have contacted the Portuguese Embassy in Tokyo, to request information about Portuguese monuments in Japan. The Portuguese-Japanese relations refer back to the 16th Century with the presence of the Portuguese in Japan.

I was informed that the Embassy has published a book about it, ''Portuguese Art in Japan'' and they have been kind enough to send me a copy by post.

The book showcases the work of 16 Portuguese contemporary artists that have their masterpieces in public areas of Japan (public parks, museums, galleries, subway station, etc).

My aim in the coming months is to visit some of these places.

If anyone would like further information or a copy of the book, please contact the Portuguese Embassy at centrocultural@toquio.org.

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Artist: Jose Guimaraes, these are at (from left to right) the Maritime

Station of Naoshima, Kagawa and in Amagasaki

Artist: Bela Silva, these pieces can be seen at Yokoseura Park in Saikai

Artist: Bartolomeu Cid dos Santos, this piece can be seen
at Metropolitan Station of Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Artist: Antonio Duarte, this can be seen at the Interchange Square of Hirado Port

Artist: Antonio Duarte, this piece can be seen

at the Port of Nishinomoote, Tanegashima

Postcards From Kamakura - Kamakura - Japan

Landing Away in Japan

Kamakura - Japan

Yesterday, the weather was excellent circa 20 degrees so, I went to the city of Kamakura. It is a seaside town, circa one hour away, south of Tokyo, by train.

Kamakura was the capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333, and it's full of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and many cultural attractions. It is worth at least a two days visit. The last Temple I went to was The Great Buddha Kamakura a national treasure. My trip ended at the beach...such a lovely one...a lot of surfers catching waves...and the smell of the sea…very relaxing.

I am certain that I will return to Kamakura as soon as possible!

 

Landing Away in Kamakura

Sunshine, Sushi & Out!!! - Shinagawa - Tokyo - Japan

Since Sunday, I have spent most of the days at home… relaxing. But today I look outside my window and… the sun is shining so there’s no excuse, I must go out!!!
When I finish my lunch, Sushi (tuna, 680 yen)…

I will definitely go out to the city centre!

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Kitashinagawa to Aomono Yokocho station - Tokyo - Japan

Below pictures have been taken during my walking tour from Kitashinagawa station to Aomono Yokocho station. It's a 20 minute walk...but...I did it in circa two hours. It is a very lively area, full of restaurants and small shops and I had a certain sense of ''real Japanese life'' as I didn't see any Western tourists. I saw a surprisingly high number of temples and Shrines for such a ''small'' area, for example the Shinagawajinja Shrine and the Ebarajinja Shrine.
The highlight of the tour was Tokaido ''Shinagawa-syuku'', there, I felt that I was going back in time. The street has the same width as it did in the Edo Era.

The Edo period or Tokugawa period is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868. It marks the governance of the Edo or Tokugawa shogunate, which was officially established in 1603 by the first Edo Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The period ended with the restoration of Imperial rule. The Edo period is also known as the beginning of the early modern period of Japan.

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Japanese Pastry - Tokyo - Japan

I had absolutely no idea that Japanese pastry was so varied, delicious and had such an amazing presentation. I will let the pictures ''do the talk''.
Sayonara

Landing Away in Tokyo