Tokyo JAPAN (not a must list, but seriously...)

If you’ve been to Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, you would have encountered the gigantic spider in Roku Roku Plaza. The ten metre bronze sculpture called Maman is the work of French artist Louise Bourgeois who passed away in May 2010 at the age 98. She was born in Paris and later moved to New York. Known for controversy in some of her works which have been inspired by her childhood experiences. Her series of spider sculptures have featured around the world. If you see closely in the body of this statue, it carries eggs. :)

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You can spot this in Asakusa area, on top of Tokyo's Asahi Beer building is the famous kin no unchi, Japanese for “Golden Turd” (Locals also call it the unchi biru or the "poop building") The 300-ton stainless steel sculpture designed by French architect Philippe Stark was meant to look like foam rising from a beer mug... :D

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Asakusa Ekimise is a building linked to Tobu SKYTREE. EKIMISE revives the Neo-Renaissance architecture of the original structure completed in the early Showa period (Des 1926 – Jan 1989). The symbolic grand clock has made a comeback, too. EKIMISE comprises a total of 177 stores, including Matsuya Asakusa, which enjoys a presence there since the original building first opened, and 52 new shops. The biggest attraction is East-Tokyo Market Wanoichi, on the seventh floor. It features a collection of varieties items representing quality design and honoring the tradition of Japanese craftsmanship. Be sure to check out the rooftop terrace, offering good views of the nearby Tokyo Skytree.

Ok, wait. This is a compulsory photo opt, behind me is a major Japanese character shop, at Ekimise ground floor. :D

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TOKYO SKYTREE is designed in an original color "SKYTREE White", representing harmony with the surrounding scenery, its name and the design concept: "The creation of city scenery transcending time: A fusion of traditional Japanese beauty and neo-futuristic design". It is an original color based on "aijiro", the lightest shade of Japanese traditional indigo blue. The color of SKYTREE also replicates the technique of indigo dyers, with a hint of blue added to the white color, giving a delicate pale blue glow, like that of white celadon ware.

Colors created by indigo dyers represent the legacy of Japanese traditional craftsmanship as conserved in the downtown area housing the tower. Encounter the tower and this artisan culture will become the starting point for the creation of a new culture. Dressed in "SKYTREE white", the new tower will stand tall against the blue sky in downtown Tokyo and transcend time with eternal brightness. (source here)

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UNIQLO Ginza, is the 9th Global Flagship Store and World’s Largest UNIQLO store opens in Ginza on March 16, 2012 (its first global flagship store in New York City in 2006).

Located at Ginza’s main street Chuo Dori  with total 12 floor varies in all collections based on season collections, gender, and Ginza specials.

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and again, and again...

If you are to ask me what is my favorite food and restaurant while in Tokyo, I must say that it's Japanese company called "Nakau". Nakau operates chain Japanese restaurants which are specializing in gyudon (bowl of rice topped with beef), oyako donburi (bowl of rice topped with chicken and eggs) and Japanese noodles.  This Japanese chain restaurants are not expensive and serve yummie tasty food.

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If you asked me what my snacks in Japan? dugh... obvi I love rice crackers! Rice crackers called Sembei in Japan. The crackers are made with the base ingredients rice, oil and salt, but can come in several flavors such as black sesame, or maccha as the one above here. Rice crackers supply small amounts of protein and they're low in fat, although it also lack in fiber... it's a snack! what do you expect?

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oohh... oh! I love mochi too!! 

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and everything maccha naturally! :D

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The JR Harajuku station was opened in October 1906, this station is served by the circular Yamanote Line. It is also adjacent to Meiji-Jingumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Lines, and is marked as an interchange on most route maps, although there is no physical connection between the two stations. The station consists of a single island platform serving two tracks. An additional temporary platform is located on the west side of the station usable by trains traveling towards Shinjuku which is used when major events occur in the area, especially around New Year when many people visit Meiji Shrine --remember this when you want to visit Meiji Shrine!

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Walls of Zojoji Temple 

Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, standing 332.9 mtr, it is the second-tallest structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations. Built in 1958, the tower's main sources of revenue are tourism and antenna leasing. A four-story building directly under the tower, houses museums, restaurants and shops. Departing from there, visitors can visit two observation decks (main Observatory is at 150 mtr & the smaller Special Observatory reaches at 249.6 mtr). The tower acts as a support structure for an antenna, intended for television broadcasting, radio antennas that were installed in 1961, but the tower now broadcasts signals for Japanese media outlets such as NHK, TBS and Fuji TV. Japan's planned digital television transition by July 2011 was problematic, however; Tokyo Tower's height, 332.9 mtr was not high enough to support complete terrestrial digital broadcasting to the area. A taller digital broadcasting tower = Tokyo Skytree was completed on February 2012. 

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Uobei Sushi is probably the cheapest sushi that we have encountered. Its a computer operated waiter that is ready to deliver your food at your finger tip (literally). It cost only 108 yen each plate. Its the cheapo food you can get!

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BAKE’s freshly baked cheese tarts have their origins in Kinotoya, a long-established Western confectionery store in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Their tarts started out as delectable chilled blueberry cheese tarts. How did they originate in Hokkaido? Shintaro Naganuma, the BAKE representative who is expanding the sale of BAKE cheese tarts into Tokyo, is the eldest son of Kinotoya president Akio Naganuma. Read more here

An outlet might already open in the city that you live in right now (like Jakarta?)... but guys.. common!

This one is situated before the exit of Lumine Est.

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Wrote a letter or postcard to your love one! and then take a trip to Tokyo central post office in 2-7-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku 100-8994

It's a nice area! We did a 2-min. walk from Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nijubashimae Station

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Walk a bit to “Kitte” mall; the building was previously the premises of Tokyo Central Post Office.

The word “kitte” means postage stamp in Japanese. It also sounds similar to the word “kite–which means “come in!”. It has a rooftop garden that is nice to hang out and -free!- what a great stop by.

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Line store in Shibuya

 This is not compulsory, I just need a hug from experiencing a very short yet compact yet happy yet tiring holiday...
I think I need a holiday from my holiday.. don't you feel like that sometimes? LOL

thank you all for stopping by and viewing the post...

xxx