Around Kichijoji Station (JR line and Keio Inokashira line)

 Yes a break at last! I was able to walk around Kichijoji station this weekend. Located on JR Chuo line and on Keio Inokashira line. Lots of Japanese people choose Kichijoji as one of the best place to live due to the popularity of shopping street and how well organized the city itself is. Also Kichijoji is well known for the highly energetic shopping streets in Tokyo!

Kichijoji station (still under construction of 2013)

  

  One of the reasons they say its energetic is due to the huge amount of people visiting in a day. According to statistic I saw on a television program in Japan, it is about 80,000 people in a day which is higher than the amount of people visiting Tokyo Disney land o.0!

Harmonika Yokocho, small shopping street from the existing from showa era

          There are lots of reasons why so many people come here to shop. From what I saw, the city is well organized even though there are famous department shops like Parco, Tokyu, Atre, and Yodobashi Camera (electronic giant shop) and also small unique shops like as if they are coexisting well. I actually took some photos there that I found interesting.

耳をすませば (Whisper of the Heart) Visiting Seiseki Sakuragaoka station

First thing I see, a guide to seeing the actual location in film

    I am one of the many Japanese people who love Studio Ghibli's animations and recently found out the anime "Whisper of the Heart" (Mimi wo sumase ba) 1995 was made from an existing location in Tokyo. During the movie, the station that appeared is called "Sugi no miya" station, however it is actually portrayed after Seiseki Sakuragaoka Station (one of station on Keio Line). Last weekend I was able to take some photo of the locations to show the settings in the anime shown is really similar to right now.




                                                          

I am actually surprised, finding many couples visiting this site. After all, this movie was actually about a young love story. =)








 Chikyu-Ya, an antique shop that stood on top of the hill at the rotary road (in anime). Although it didnt exist in real, the mayor of this town actually built one as a memorial. It is said that if you insert your message, there is high chance of getting it granted, its a post box and you can insert msg inside.

Barron on left and Louise on right

The rotary road on top of the hill

rotary road in the anime

inside a shop i found this ^^

Kappa Bashi - Home of kitchen goods & Food Samples!

 I have been in a hectic situation because school started in Japan and was unable to update my blog. My overall goal is to become a professional photographer one day so while I continue going to photography school,  I will try to update my blog with contents on specific locations in Tokyo/Japan with photos, hopefully giving you guys info and also continue reviews on Camera goods for those who are interested. ^^

   Ok so over the weekend, I visited a downtown street called "Kappa Bashi" located near Tawara Machi Station (Ginza Line), Tokyo. This street has been long known for selling goods such as kitchen goods/crafts/glassware etc. and also...FOOD SAMPLES!?.

For some people this may be new info but this street has been famous for creating the 元祖(Ganso)-Original food samples. The food samples are actually made out of polymer material and the majority of restaurants in Japan typically have a showcase of food samples, replicating what they serve in restaurants.

A cold sweet desert sample :P

 
   Although its plastic, they are actually really well built, high chance to mistake for the real one. I have added some photos during my trip to show you guys what they are.
      These are actually one of famous souvenirs many people buy as a gift just because they looks soO real! I actually bought a salmon sushi key chain to attach to my camera bag and it looks good.

Old fashioned Coffee shop selling kettles

     
     The town feels being time slipped in the past by the way the streets are formed. Like traditional Japanese stores, these stores are actually small and you never know what kind of store is beside each other.
   So if your interested on visiting, Kappa Bashi is located on the next station to the Asakusa station (Ginza line) so for people visiting Asakusa it might be a good idea to visit this place as sort of an adventure.

 I actually favored the less rowdiness  during the weekend compared to Asakusa temple.

Jindaiji & Jindai Botanical Garden

I recently visited Jindaiji a famous temple located in Chofu prefecture (Tokyo). According to historical facts the temple itself was created in AD733 by a monk who studied buddhism in India. It is also said to be the next oldest temple to the Asakusa Temple that I visited earlier this year. Besides the Jindaiji, there is a Jindai Botonical Garden located right next to the temple itself and I looked to see if any cherry blossom blossomed.

Unfortunately I wasnt able to get good macro shots. I might consider buying a Nikon Micro/Macro lens. 

Asakusa Revisited!

Photo using Lightroom 4 "Kamen" (Mask)

    Today I visited my grandfather, and I also revisited Asakusa, in Taito Ku (District) in Tokyo a really well known sightseeing location for both the locals and tourists. In the early 20th century Asakusa was known for entertainments, along with the most famous buddhist temple Sensouji. 

   It was a nice day-weekday, I took some nice photo's of the alley and shops nearby but was shocked with soo many people walking around.

Soo many people >.<

   I also forgot I am starting to get used to Lightroom 4 by Adobe when editing photos. Its becoming a nice program, adding finishing touches + "watermarks" effect/method of adding a copyright to your photographs A MUST for aspiring photographers. 

Lots of cute gifts