Shopping In Tokyo

Alright, boys and girls.  I attended the panel after mine last night on “Surviving the First 6 months in Japan”.  It was great fun.  Emphasis on fun.  There were some people who wanted to know the ins and outs of actually moving to Japan and pretty much relocating there for life.  I have to interject with a few things at this point because I did not want to interrupt the wonderfully energetic panelist too much.

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And yes, I was nervous like crazy (my first panel talk ever)

I thought the panel went reasonably well, despite the technical issues at the onset.  I really wish I had been feeling better (just getting over a concussion really played havoc with my ability to articulate as clearly as I’d like).

I had given the panel a run through the night before and went majorly overtime.  At the actual panel I went under time which annoyed me because I really had so much more to say.

I would like to give another panel, except I think focus on a couple of specific points.  I wanted to tell more stories and anecdotes (stripped those out as I went over time the night before).  But I have no idea what people would be interested in learning.

So, whether you are passerby of this website, or someone who attended my panel, please let me know what you’d like to hear more about (reply to this post or send me a message).  I would really appreciate that and then next year, if there’s interest, I’m happy to talk some more about my favourite subject.

And finally — thanks to everyone who attended my panel.  I seriously did not expect to see so many people.  Arigato gozaimasu.

Photos of the day below…

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This will perhaps be one of the most open, and unabashed public pieces of writing from yours truly. Part of me is shy (believe it or not), but another part of me does not feel that openly divulging my personal feelings benefits anyone. I am really not that interesting, but I am a consummate explorer and sharer. I live to learn and pass it along, just as I learn from the influence of others. Curiously, I’ve always viewed a subject matter pedantically, even if I, myself, am passionate. An example is this site (Shopping in Tokyo), filled with numerous resources. It’s far more matter-of-fact, offering (hopefully) objective information, than it is oozing with the true excitement that I actually feel for this topic. Below, I will attempt to convey my deeply personal feelings regarding the oft perceived crazy side of Tokyo.

So… Tokyo…

The main strip in Ikebukuro

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Harajuku is one of several major fashion shopping districts in Tokyo, home to the famous Takeshita Street.  One could argue that all of Tokyo is one massive fashion shopping district, but if you are young, wish to be seen, and buy the latest fashions, Harajuku should be on your list.  Even if fashion isn’t your “thing”, it’s well worth a trip (especially on a  weekend) to experience the delightful mayhem.  Trust my when I say you will not be the only tourist with a camera snapping pictures of the local wildlife.

Saturday morning train from Ikebukuro to Harajuku — the closer we came to Harajuku, the more crowded it became (so don’t let this empty train fool you)

Let’s talk about this wondrous Tokyo district, now, shall we?

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Wakey wakey!  Cat clutch in Ikebukuro at about 5 AM.

One of the curiosities that I discovered in Japan was that their classist society bleeds even into their feline culture.  There is the bobtail cat, dwelling predominantly on the streets (see above).

A JaLaLa cat in Takadanobaba

And the pampered puss found pimped out in neko cafes.

Oh, don’t worry, I’m not about to launch into any sort of a Peter Tosh “equal rights for cats” diatribe.  This is merely may way of writing — very tongue in cheek.  But now I digress…

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There is nothing quite like emerging from Akihabara station, rounding the corner and finding yourself faced with a building high Sebastian from Kuroshitsuji.  I remember being in Tokyo about when the second volume was released — up until then I’d only seen the first.  And I remember thinking to myself, “Xan, this one is going to be a hit in the West.”  And so it is!  Regardless of that, I was enthralled during a subsequent trip to find the main character gracing the side of a building!

A view pulled back

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