Tokyo – Page 5 – Memoirs of Aleisha

I’m Back!

October 26, 2013October 8, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I’m back. And so are the Backstreet Boys! I went along to their concert, like all the cool kids do.

In all seriousness, if you’ve missed my blog ramblings, it’s because I haven’t had Internet connection at home. I have moved apartments so was without Internet for the last couple of weeks. Got lots of stuff to catch up on here, so feel free to clear your calendar.

I fulfilled a life-long childhood dream to go see the Backstreet Boys. Yep, they’re back and they’ve still got all the moves!
Please no judgement on my music preferences. Remember you are friends with me for my awesome personality and not my taste in music.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ssgrBvuamu_9rvbkhXf4g3VPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9z1_1MhZezQ/UmsgM9HpRAI/AAAAAAACZRo/12TTaDOUysA/s640/IMG_5478.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLHJ5YrhtOD9fQ&feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table>
And it was a sell-out crowd:

I was suffering from glow-stick envy! Seriously, where did everyone get these glow sticks from?

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DBDWlCHA3ZWbkeGQOmecTnVPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GfmRHM73F0E/UmsgRpONPOI/AAAAAAACZRo/G9hZtKSKrBs/s640/IMG_5491.JPG” height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table>
The concert started really early. At 4pm. And it was over by about 6-6:30pm. All the young teeny boppers. Bless.

Power Ranger Litter Patrol

October 3, 2013October 8, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

So I was on my way to work this morning, because you know, some of us have to work for a living.
And lo and behold, I saw this:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DqzJPTFFtG8klFE0rKrzEyerwD5wZOY1-jhDSqtRB7s?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/–E8yEBXXcBs/Uk1KI65wb1I/AAAAAAACZKw/zhx9ZT-bHEw/s640/photo%25282%2529.JPG” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/PowerRanger?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Power Ranger</a></td></tr></table>

Yes, a Power Ranger picking up rubbish off the streets.
I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

But I couldn’t help shake the feeling that people thought <em>I </em> was the weird one for taking a photo of the Power Ranger picking up rubbish at 9am on a Thursday morning!

He then went on his merry way with his bag full of rubbish:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OAy9FKSTrisDBpoIVMppsSerwD5wZOY1-jhDSqtRB7s?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Kgjv7KDmPTg/Uk1KJOoKlVI/AAAAAAACZK4/JMpl3EUbzVY/s640/photo%25283%2529.JPG” height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/PowerRanger?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Power Ranger</a></td></tr></table>

Wow. Superheroes do exist. And they care about the environment.

You know it’s gonna be a good day ahead when you see a Power Ranger on your way to work.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XtVLu166Km7vGCISxhdXsCerwD5wZOY1-jhDSqtRB7s?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dg5iCVZGXa8/Uk1KI2K1s7I/AAAAAAACZKo/6Cn33JeJ0JI/s400/photo%25281%2529.JPG” height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/PowerRanger?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite”>Power Ranger</a></td></tr></table>

Go Go Power Rangers!

R*-rated night out: Robot Restaurant

August 23, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Before I get your blood racing, let me preface this by saying this is a PG-blog, so please, curb your enthusiasm.
R* is for “Robot”, “Ridiculous” and “Random”.
The talk of the town in Tokyo has been the “Robot Restaurant” in Shinjuku which opened about a year ago.

The Robot Restaurant is a one-hour show featuring dinosaurs, robots, scantily-clad girls and glowsticks. It had to be done. So yep, a bunch of us went to check what all the fuss was about.
The word “Restaurant” is rather misleading, because it is the worst food on earth. A restaurant it is not. It’s technically a performance show, but they serve you a tuckshop box.

Reservations are pretty much essential and tickets should be booked in adance. There are generally three performances most nights. You get there half an hour early to pick up the tickets. Seats are not allocated.

The venue itself is the seedy redlight district of Kabukicho (Shinjuku). And whoever designed the place was clearly on some hard drugs. It’s bright and gaudy. I cannot fathom how many lightbulbs were used to deck out the place.

During the pre-show half hour wait, most people grab a beet in the bar/waiting area.

From Robot

We went on a Thursday night and I would say the audience was 50% Japanese and 50% tourists. There was clearly a lot of foreigners there. It’s quite the tourist attraction.

The performance is in the basement, down about 3-4 short flights of stairs. The floor, the walls, the lighting is insane.

From Robot

The venue was heaps smaller than I imagined it would be.
It’s basically rows of school-type seats lined opposite each other against the wall. It felt like we were on the set of a game show.

From Robot

On your little “desk” you eat your bento box and Japanese tea. Ticket entry includes a bento meal box and Japanese tea. Beer and other beverages are available to purchase.

From Robot

And the most bizarre extravaganze begins. There’s loud music, there’s flashing lights, there’s girls in bikinis, there’s taiko drumming and so much more. It’s not just robots. In fact, there are dinosaurs and animals.

From Robot

They even give out awesome glow sticks to the audience. I am embarrassed to admit that I think I was more excited than I should have been about the glowsticks (sadly they have to be returned at the end of the show).

From Robot

During intermission you can go down and get your photos taken with all the robots.

From Robot

Argh, I’m being attacked by a robot:

From Robot

Back to the show:

From Robot

The panda riding the cow was unexpected to say the least:

From Robot

The giant female robots:

From Robot

It was certainly unique and entertaining. And definitely unlike anything you’ll ever see. It was good, clean fun. Children are allowed (there are no age restrictions). Photos are welcome and they even give you floor time to take additional photos with the robots etc. However, extreme close ups are not permitted, and they will kick you out for any unwelcome behaviour.

At 5000yen a ticket (with meal box included), they are certainly making a fortune). I’ve heard it’s not as good as used to be when it first opened. You used to be able to sit and ride on the robots!!! But there was none of that when we went). Expect tacky, bizarre, fun and you’ll certainly enjoy it. Cirque du Soleil it is not, nor is it a strip joint. It’s more like every nerd boys dream fantasy – dinosaurs, robots, music, lights and girls in bikinis.

And just when you thought your regular Thursday night couldn’t get any more weirder….

From Robot

That’s me, feeling somewhat inadequate. That was my “Quite frankly, I am not amused” facial expression. Could you tell? 😉

Ok. I’ll confess that the woman in the red dress above is a wax mannequin. (Yes, only one of us is real in that photo). For the record, I should make it clear that I do NOT make a habit of standing next to bra-less quadruple D-sized women (humans or dummies).

Brunch with a view (Park Hyatt Tokyo)

July 22, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I can never turn down an invitation to brunch. And hell, I deserved it after the previous day’s half marathon walk.

I had a most perfect Sunday.
In the morning, I went to the Tokyo metropolitan photo museum to catch the annual World Press Photo exhibition. I go and see this religiously every year. The exhibition ends in Tokyo on Aug 4, so I finally got around to seeing it. Very sobering pictures. You should definitely go and check it out before it finishes.

I then met up with a friend for a late brunch (late lunch?) with a view – at the New York Grill on level 52 of the Park Hyatt hotel (of Lost in Translation fame). Awesome brunch was had. It’s basically a course that consists of a glass of champgane, unlimited bread, a gourmet appetiser buffet, a choice of main protein, a dessert buffet and tea and coffee. That’s a lot of food.

To our surprise we had scored window seats that look out over Tokyo:

From brunch, park hyatt

Time for Brunch:

From brunch, park hyatt

I could get used to this:

From brunch, park hyatt

The appetiser buffet is a spread of gourmet goods – cheese, smoked salmon, salads, prawns etc.

From brunch, park hyatt

And it’s all you can eat!
I managed to stop at one hefty-portioned plate.

For the brunch main, I opted for the Aussie lamb cutlets. It’s been yonks since I’ve eaten lamb cutlets.

From brunch, park hyatt

A nice leisurely brunch indeed.

Once you’re ready for desserts, they move you over to the lounge area where you can enjoy a pot of tea and the dessert buffet. I might add, that the lounge area is right near the buffet. Rather dangerous! In addition, you get a different angle view over Tokyo.

From brunch, park hyatt

I didn’t get through all the desserts, but I damn well tried:

From brunch, park hyatt

The highlight of the dessert buffet was the whole bowl full of gummi bears! I absolutely loved that at a 5-star hotel you could get your fill of gummi bears. Very classy. I’m rather obsessed with gummi bears. I dared to take a photo of them.

From brunch, park hyatt

I was suitably impressed with the service here too.

A very pleasant long brunch. Can’t complain of going hungry here nor the prime piece of real estate.

From brunch, park hyatt

Whilst it is a brunch, you won’t find traditional fare like waffles, pancakes, eggs benedict etc here. Nor is it cheap. But very reasonable and worth it for the quality. Reservations essential to secure a seat (tip: request a window seat if you can). Check the hotel website for the menu.

By the time we left at around 4pm, we were positively satisfied and full. Practically had to roll out the door!

Half marathon walk

July 20, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I did a half marathon walk over the weekend. A walk, not a run.
It was part of one of the Tokyo Walk events. There were three different distances and I signed up for the longest one – 21km.
I figured it would be good training for the half marathon run that I have entered. I know, I should have learnt my lesson the first time around. Not only did I convince myself to do another half marathon run, but I’ve also managed to convince a friend to do it with me too. It will be her first half marathon.

A solid 21km walk in the stinky Tokyo humidity and heat was probably what I needed after eating my way through Seoul. I did the walk on my own. It was not a timed event. You could start whenever you like provided you made the checkpoints by certain time.

The starting point for the Tokyo Walk day:

From Half marathon walk

The walk was completely flat. Yay. And most of it was shaded too. The first 8km was a river walk and the remaining portion was through streets and then along a cyclepath.
It was a very easy walk, albeit very long.

From Half marathon walk

Found these awesome berry shrub:

From Half marathon walk

As it was not a timed event, I timed and mapped the distance on my iPhone:
A total of 21.68km in 4 hours and 13 minutes. That included a toilet stop at a conbini and lots of stopping at traffic lights through residential streets as well.

From Half marathon walk

Got a lot more training to do!
I can walk a half marathon distance. Now I just gotta run it!

Gonpachi

July 8, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I am soooo behind on updating this blog with the goings on of my life.
Not enough hours in a day. This year more than ever, I am so behind on things. I have a neverending to-do list and not enough time. Not enough hours, not enough weekends! How is it July already.
I have so many photos to sort through. It’s getting a little out of hand. I am almost tempted to buy another computer just to hold all my photos, despite the fact that I own half a dozen HDDs.

Here is a brief post, albeit belated one.
A restaurant that had my sitting on my list for a while but wasn’t sure if it was going to be any good. More for novelty rather than anything else. Finally got to check out Gonpachi – the restaurant that was the inspiration for one of the scenes in the movie Kill Bill (which I admittedly haven’t seen).

It’s an izakaya restaurant but extremely touristy, mostly filled with foreigners. And they definitely cash in on the novelty.

From Gonpachi

The hallway entrance has a wall full of photos of all the celebrities and famous people that have dined there, including actors, musicians, former presidents etc.

The food was better than I expected it to be. Was surprisingly decent…portions were small and a pricey. Not the most value for money venue but if you’re a tourist in Tokyo it’s an easy option. Japanese-style dining, novelty factor, and very foreigner friendly (English speaking staff, menu etc, so no language barrier hassle).

The yuzu mojito was definitely a winner. I have a bit of a thing for yuzu.

From Gonpachi

And the food whilst decent, was not the most filling nor value for money.

Had me some asparagus and bacon. That’s how you get kids to eat their greens: wrap it in bacon!

From Gonpachi

Fried prawn gyoza with a lot of crispy noodley thngs that kind of scrape the inside of your mouth:

From Gonpachi

Yakitori:

From Gonpachi

A very small unappetising pizza:

From Gonpachi

This fish is awesome. Love me some cod:

From Gonpachi

The upstairs dining booths:

From Gonpachi

Tick. Done. Don’t plan on going back there….well, maybe on someone else’s dime.

Inage OWS: Medals and mullets

July 1, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Without any swim training, I went along to yesterday’s OWS race at Inage, Chiba. A beach it is not. The Inage seaside park OWS race is in fact in Tokyo Bay. At least the race venue was close to get to. Can’t say much about the scenery though.

I had signed up for this race at least a month ago, and with the burn injury in early June, I haven’t been able to do any swim training. It was painful to wash in the shower, let along jump in the pool. In spite of lack of training I went in the race – my first swim since the burn. I wore a wetsuit, mostly because I was dubious about the water quality of Tokyo Bay. Water temps were pretty warm though. Actually, this race was probably had the highest number of people competing without wetsuits that I’ve seen so far in the last 3 years.

The Inage swim venue is surrounded by industrial factories and airplanes overhead from both Narita and Haneda airports.

From Inage seaside OWS

The water was super flat on arrival, but got pretty choppy by the time it came to race:

From Inage seaside OWS

The conditions got too choppy and the wind really picked up, so they had to shorten the race distances – the 1.5km would only be a 1km race, and the 3km race would only be a 2km race. I was a little relieved. I had signed up for the 3km! Was grateful that I would only be doing 2km especially without any swim training.

From Inage seaside OWS

The “beach” had more pebbles than sand. One of those rocky beaches.

From Inage seaside OWS

I ended up swimming not too badly, all things considered. I swam the 2km course in a time of 35minutes and 7 seconds, which was decent for me. I got second place in my age group, which was enough to score me a medal.

From Inage seaside OWS

I got 6th place female overall. Granted, there were only 10 of us. The girl who was first female, I later found out is currently training for the Olympic Games — pretty impressive. But I actually did pretty well, out of all the competitors – of which there were about 60.
A couple of friends even came along to the race to watch and we had a bit of chill out day at the beach.

I think the highlight of the day, was not the medals, but rather the mullets. Yes, plural!
The only thing better than a mullet on a Japanese kid (or any person for that matter), are twins with matching mullets!!! Pure gold. Twice the mullet, twice the fun. You know what they say about mullets – business at the front, party at the back!

From Inage seaside OWS

Just too goddamn adorable. Twins and mullets. Just kill me with cuteness now.

Seriously, what did these kids do to deserve such a hairstyle? Do their parents take joy in child cruelty?

Mohini – mini high tea

May 25, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I’ve been slack on my high tea consumption.
I partook in afternoon tea last month with a friend made through this blog. She contacted me and told me she was a fan of high tea, so we arranged to meet up. Coz, that’s how I roll.
We ended up going to a small tea cafe called Mohini for a mini high tea.

Served on a single tray platter we got tiny finger sandwiches, a small piece of pound cake, some fruit, and the tiniest scones I have ever seen! It was very cute. The set is called “small afternoon dish” and not bad for a mere 700yen. Pots of tea are 550yen and there is a very good selection of teas. It’s a tea specialty store. A simple afternoon tea which made for a pleasant change from a hotel high tea. I’m finding that the service at hotel high teas are terrible. There are no shortages of plenty of cute cafes around Tokyo.

It was nice simple old school, home-style afternoon tea, something you’d whip up if your neighbours were to drop by. A nice light refreshment served with a pot of tea.

From Mohini – mini tea

The tiniest scones ever:

From Mohini – mini tea

Cute tea cafe:

From Mohini – mini tea

Mohini website.

Spring again

April 2, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

It’s that time of year where the cherryblossoms are in full bloom. They were really early this year. Practically came and went before April even started.

Here are a couple of obligatory cherryblossom photos to see in spring.

Bread Brunch: Le Pain Quotidien

March 27, 2013October 11, 2016memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Another brunch venue ticked off the list.
If you like bread and got the dough to spend, check out Le Pain Quotidien (means “The Daily Bread”) right near Shiba Park and Tokyo Tower.
Here you’ll find a great bakery with real breads – a bit of a luxury in Japan.
Breads and pastries galore and tarts to boot, including lemon tart!

From Le Pain Quotidien

I got a pot of tea (surprise, surprise), but I highly recommend ordering a large cafe latte or cappuccino, or any large coffee for that matter. They are served in awesome bowls (oversized handle-less mugs).

From Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien is open for breakfast/brunch, lunch, afternoon, and dinner.
It’s a great breakfast spot because they’re open from 7:30am in the morning – a rarity in Japan. Throughout the day they serve quiche, mezze platters, open-faced sandwiches, waffles, breads, cakes/pies etc, and even serve alcohol. It’s a great all-day venue.

The first time I went there was in the afternoon for a late lunch and cake break with friends.

From Le Pain Quotidien

The second time I went was for breakfast/brunch. Note that the breakfast menu stops at 11am. They have an assortment of eggs they do. I opted for another open sandwich – prosciutto, fig, and ricotta.

From Le Pain Quotidien

The restaurant itself is comfortable. There’s an open street terrace out the front perfect for summer al fresco dining.

From Le Pain Quotidien

Tokyo Tower in the background:

From Le Pain Quotidien

Tower reflection:

From Le Pain Quotidien

Drool over the menu here.

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