I had always loved Japanese food, pottery and fabrics. Now being a mom of two young daughters, I live in a house full of Japanese toys and pop culture.
Last year I fulfilled a life long dream and took a trip to Japan. My childhood friend, Karen and I planned our trip to visit my cousin who lives in Roppongi during cherry blossom season. The trees only bloom for a short time so we were very lucky that the timing worked out so well. This photo was taken on our first day in the middle of Tokyo. During cherry blossom season people leave work and school at lunchtime and eat outdoors under the trees. It’s dreamy.
One morning we visited the famous Tsukijhi fish market.
And later that night we met friends at a restaurant hidden in a corner of the market. My cousin has lived in Japan for 17 years. It is common for the locals in Tokyo to know about the best hidden places for food, drinks, shopping, everything
This dish of sashimi has cuts of tuna for all different parts of the fish
The these tuna cheeks were served on a rustic platter. Each dish was served on specific plates suited to presenting that type of food.
This is the famous crosswalk in Shibuya. All of the traffic lights turn red together to allow thousands of people to cross at the same time. I never thought the simple act of crossing the street could be such an amazing experience. A perfect representation of the energy of Tokyo.
CLICK HERE for the rest of Julie’s post after the jump!
We traveled to Kyoto. This is a view from Kiyomizu-dera, one of the most famous shrines in all of Japan. Throughout Kyoto stores and vender were selling all kinds of cherry blossom items from food to things made with cherry blossom pattern fabrics.
I love these school uniforms in Kyoto. The navy and white, the colorful umbrellas, and the hanging green ribbons.
The buildings, the cherry blossoms, the birds. Everything was so beautiful in Kyoto.
This wooden bridge leads to Himeji the oldest castle in Japan.
The roof of Himeji Castle.
The garden next to Himeji Castle.
Here I am standing in front Todai-ji in Nara. Inside is the famous giant gold Buddha.
At the end of March I am heading back to Japan to visit my cousin and see more of Tokyo and Osaka. On this trip, I plan to focus on seeing more galleries, public art, and design in Tokyo.
Here in California Japanese food, art, and pop culture are everywhere. California cuisine was once a fusion of local foods with Italian and Mediterranean flavors. Lately I have noticed that Japanese food has become so popular, that it is now merging with California style food. The influence of Japanese culture is everywhere. This week I’ll share with you how LA is inspired by Japanese design and culture. Thank you Grace for inviting me to guest blog on design sponge. I am so happy to be here. Arigato!
29 Comments
This is great! I love the photos and the insights into Tokyo.
Will there be an Osaka bloggers meet up? I’d love to do that! (I am in Osaka and have been for about 13 years).
Beautiful!
How beautiful. The cherry blossoms are so dreamy. I’ve only been to Hokkaido, but loved it, and would love to take a trip back, especially now as an adult photographer. For now, I’ll have to live through you…lol. Looking forward to your next post.
Hi Jacqui-
I’d love to meet you in Osaka. I will be there April 3-4. You can email me at julie@LAist.com to make plans.
i love japan too! can’t wait to see your posts this week!
I adore the architecture and the gardens in Japan. So inspiring and amazing photos!
Julie,
Thanks for your posts; rekindles fond memories of the sites and graciousness of the Japanese when I visited two years ago. The deer in Nara and the Tokyo fish market were definite highlights.
Hopefully you’ll get a chance to check out Akihabara, the Tokyo electronics district, on your visit later this month, and Mt. Fuji if you’re in shape (my son climbed it and arrived at the summit for an incredible sunrise).
Chris, I will definitely check out Akihabara. Last year we did stay in Hakone and travel up to Mt. Fuji. I wish I had some great photos to share of Mt. Fuji bit unfortunately that day it was a bit overcast. I can’t complain because the rest of my trip was magical and I get to go back in 2 weeks.
these photos are beautiful! great article.
Julie, you do such a beautiful job in words and pictures that you make me feel like I have been there.
Gorgeous photos!
I just wanted to point out it’s ROppongi and KiyOmizu.
Glad to hear you experienced Fuji, Julie. Here is a travel link to my son’s photo site – japan pix are mostly on the first and third rows:
http://www.fremauxphoto.com/travel/
oh – gorgeous pictures! LA is my home town and I’m looking forward to seeing some hidden gems. :)
just more fuel for inspiration to take with me on my trip to Tokyo later this year. :)
Ahhh, your photos brought back memories of my first trip to Japan, visiting both Kyoto and Tokyo. Your beautiful photo of sashimi made my mouth water!
It is a fascinating read. This reminds me the happy time to spend with you last March :-) I am looking forward to next posts!!
great photos and i hope to see it all for myself someday!
I went to Kyoto in college and it influenced me more than I realized at the time. I tend to make and eat more Asian food than American. Luckily we have a large Asian population in my city and lots of Asian grocery stores.
Fantastic post…and gorgeous photos!
thanks for all the enthusiasm everyone. and i love all the recommendations for tokyo= keep them coming!
Hi Julie, if you’re interested in design in Tokyo you might like to see my blog: http://www.plumandindigo.com. I’m posting a lot of designers I discovered while living in Tokyo…more to come.
Hi Julie,
If you’re interested in graphic design,
you might be interested in these galleries:
ggg (Tokyo)
http://www.dnp.co.jp/gallery/ggg_e/index.html
ddd (Osaka)
http://www.dnp.co.jp/gallery/ddd_e/index.html
Ad museum (Tokyo)
http://www.admt.jp/en/index.html
I haven’t seen them in guide books, the visitors are mainly local designers but they are excellent and free to enter.
ggg and ddd are operated by a large printing company Dai Nippon printing, and they host Art Director’s club awards.
Ad museum is inside Dentsu building in Tokyo, a large advertisement company.
Hi. Do you remember where the hidden restaurant was in the fish market and what the name was? I’m going in May. Thanks!
Jessica- I love your blog- I just bookmarked it!! And Kayo thank you so much for the links-I will definitely check out all of those places. The Ad Museum looks amazing.
Keri- I’ll ask my cousin. I have the card from the restaurant, but it is in Japanese. I think it is the only place that is open at the fish market at night, but the door is hidden and even his friends (who also live in Tokyo) didn’t know about it.
We’re going to Tokyo this Tuesday the 24th!!! Hopefully we’ll be catching the cherry blossoms (I heard they were blooming early this year ;-;). Any stores I absolutely need to visit? I’m 4’11” so I’m hoping for the first time in my life I’ll actually be able to fit into everything :3
Keri- when I asked by cousin about the restaurnat in the fish market he sent this: : “The restaurant is called Ichiba no Chuubou. It does not have its own website, but you can find it on a restaurant aggregator site: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g406404/ It lists the phone number and has a map.”
Palomita-
Jessica includes some great design and craft stores in her blog: http://www.plumandindigo.com Jessica wrote about Unpiatto and Mint- I am going to go check out both of those.
Plus I recommend: Kiddieland and Toy Park for Toys, Itoya for paper and stationary, Tokyu Hands (many amazing departments, check out the drug store beauty section).
i just got back from japan on tuesday!! it was amazing! and yes.. the cherry blossoms are just starting to bloom. i only got a few pictures of trees starting but i am sure by the time you get there they will be in full bloom!
i wish i knew about the ad museum before i went! c’est la vie.
I wonder, for your cousin, Julie, and for everyone else who is responding as living in Japan, are you/they all expats? I have such a fantasy of living in Japan. I’ve never been there before (also dream of that, at least!) but I’ve always felt like if there were one place I could live, it would be there. I so admire the Japanese lifestyle and culture… *gahhh*
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