Tokyo Planning, Shojobeat and New Years Photos

[aimeekitty]

I wonder what are the best places to admire cherry blossoms in TOKYO? 2, 3) People say Ueno park... but I bet it will be crowded and gross. Any other recommendations?

I love going to themed cafes in TOKYO. I'm thinking probably the Vampire Cafe and Jiyugaoka Sweets Forest and The Swallowtail Cafe (Butler Cafe). btw, this is the type where the Butlers are very polite men. Not women dressed like men. (though that would be interesting, too!!)

some of the other restuarants by Diamond Dining seem neat, too. I think Alice Cafe and Princess Heart look cute.
Has anyone been to Ramusement Park/Ramen Museum ??

Thanks to Helene's recommendation, I was thinking about going to Yokohama Bay Bridge at night
then have dinner in Chinatown... but I have no idea what a good restuarant...2 in China Town would be. (suggestions welcome, as always!) I'd like to go to some really really good non-themed traditional restuarants while we are in Kyoto and Tokyo.

I got a copy of the March ShojoBeat! It has an craft article by me on how you can make your own little mini-stuffed Hina Ningyo. :)


lastly, here's a few more photos from New Years:

Comments

[rinuchiha.livejournal.com]

wow XD XD

have fun in japan, for sakura viewing mainly its either the ueno one or the imperial place gardens [i remember reading bout that somewhere XD]

but have fun, oh ya if u could tell me how to exactly get into a dolpha in tokyo [the one in end april that would be good LOL]

[applcheeks.livejournal.com]

I would highly reccomend Namjatown in Shunshine City @ Ikebukuro! It's a food themed amusemnt park. =D If you just want food it's like 300 yen to get in, it's a bit more if you want to ride the rides or see attarctions. =3 My favorite was Ice Cream City with the museum and shop where you can buy flavors like whale or salt flavored ice cream. ^_^ There are a few different other area for foos including Gyoza Stadium and Dessert Republic.

If your intrested I can try to find my directions to Mamechiyo. They are pretty easy to get too and just a few stops east of Ikebukuro. I lucked out the day I went because thier english speaking staff member was working that day, she said to email them if I ever decided to go back so they could help out. ^_^

Sweets Forest looks really fun! I'll have to try that out next time I go to Tokyo. ^_^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

oh my gosh. mamechiyo, please do. I would love to visit her store. is it possible to order items internationally through her?

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

LOL I haven't seen it but my friend told me about Namjatown too (we giggled because in Korean it would be like "Man Town" which it so wouldn't be with the cute desserts but you can tell Mitch that?).

You're going to be surrounded by the sakura whenever you go honestly. I loved that I could step up to the streets from the train stations and you'd see the petals just floating their way down the steps into the subway stops. Ueno's had a big problem with the homeless gathering there lately so you might want to try a few other sites like they have listed here - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_where.html I'm sure Yokohama will have a lot of viewing areas too that will be far less crowded than Tokyo.

[kyubikitsy.livejournal.com]

I've been to one Ramen Stadium in Hakata's Canal City - lots of fun trying to choose just which shop to eat at! :D

This set up looks similar~?

It's unlikely you'll be able to eat more than one bowl of ramen and because they're set up like stands/shops, you can't quite share different styles of ramen in a commons area. But if you love ramen, it's a lot of neat info and eye candy to keep you entertained while there?

I suggest going if you want to try something new, but perhaps not as a major destination if there's a lot of things you want to do during your trip?

Yokohama is a lot of fun, definitely worth checking out!

[darkanticrista.livejournal.com]

I would greatly like to know how you plan your trips to Japan. My fiancé and I have been longing to go but we can never get started.. Where do you stay in Tokyo?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

well, there are lots of places to stay in Tokyo! I wouldnt know how to give you a good recommendation. I stay in Heather from Rinkya's appartment near Nakano Broadway.

if you had particular things you wanted to do, I could give you suggestions on how to plan or decide, etc... :) I've only been twice, though, so I'm not an expert.

[darkanticrista.livejournal.com]

I'll defiantly keep that in mind when we decide where we're staying when we eventually do go.

I have a question that might be a little forward... how much does a trip to Japan cost for you? We weren't even thinking about anything until we saved at least a couple thousand for air fare -_-

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

airfare isn't huge... have you looked?

I cant really say how much it costs. it really is more of how much shopping you do and where you eat. there are lots of sites online though where you could probably get a better idea.
it doesnt cost more than going to another place for a vacation.
hotel + airfare + food + train fare + shopping ...

food, if you eat at ramen shops and stuff, it's not that much. other places are more.

[chevy49girl.livejournal.com]

I have that issue! I also read your articles in Haute Doll.

[kittytreats.livejournal.com]

I want to go to the Cat cafe XD Whoa didn't know a Vampirecafe exists..that's pretty cool! Ohh that's cool you have an article in Shojobeat, I need to get a subscription to that again.

[velvy.livejournal.com]

I love theme cafes! But I don't know where to find info about them or locations of the cafes. It was a shame when I went because I only really went to one "themed" cafe. -_- However that Swallowtail Cafe looks very familiar. Is it located in Ikebukuro? Next time I plan to take my time and try many cafes!

[screamingmiemie.livejournal.com]

Looks like uber fun!

But you experienced japan, which i reallly want to do. The closest I ever got was eating japanese candy *muches chocobabies* maybe I'll go sokme day :3

[darkanticrista.livejournal.com]

The last time we looked was this past June, planning for around this time of the year.. it was $1200 per person where we looked (united air lines and orbitz) How do you usually fly?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I haven't looked recently, but can you look for deals, or try to use frequent flyer miles? We do our credit cards that way, it helps a lot. this time our flight is totally FF miles.

[darkanticrista.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. I don't think we have any cards that have FF miles, but I forgot all about that. That's something to check into. Thanks!

[gryfeathr.livejournal.com]

For Sakura viewing, the recommendation of Inokashira Park (mentioned in the Japan Guide link) is a really lovely option. I've heard there's fierce competition amongst businesses to get a nice spot, though, so it might be just as crowded as Ueno!

[aoi-no-neko.livejournal.com]

What days are you going to be in Tokyo? I think we may be there a few days before you, and I can hopefully e-mail you if we come across anything good with the cherry blossoms. Sort of on the scene report.

I want to go to Swallowtail but B doesn't :(

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

namjatown is aweomse
my husband loves it!

the ramen museum is great too, i enjoyed it a lot
my husband wont eat anywhere else

when are u here? hope to finally meet you!

[yaso-khuul.livejournal.com]

Dude, that Vampire Cafe looks so awesome! *_*
Right up my alley.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I am there the last week in March! Maybe we can go to namjatown or ramen museum together...? haha...

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

my husband wants to go namjatown anyday

there is a closetchild there as well the dollyteria
i can bring you there if you want ^__^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

my trips are always very expensive to Japan because one of the major reasons I've gone is for shopping, so I'm sorry if I can't give you a good idea. All I could say is, save a ton. Don't buy anything at home unnessesary and then go... buy amazing things, eat at amazing places, and have an absolutely guilt-free time.

[scredbunny.livejournal.com]

When I go to Japan I will definitely go to the Vampire cafe. What could be cooler than eating off a fake coffin? ^_^

[gogolotus.livejournal.com]

jdskljdlkasj I am so going to one of those themed cafes in Japan one day! x< I tried looking for a maid cafe at Akiba on a whim when I went last time but I couldn't find any. I fail. I shoulda just stalked followed the old men who were talking about going to one lol (I wonder if it's creepy there....have you been to one?)

[darth-teca.livejournal.com]

I can't WAIT for the Sakura blossoms to finally bloom, although apparently the ume flowers are going to be blooming soon too.

Are you going to be wandering out of Tokyo at all? If you're coming anywhere near the Kansai region, maybe we could meet up!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually gotten to go to one yet! I've only seen lots of maids passing out flyers and seen stuff about them online. XD

I want to go to the Butler one though more than the maid one.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

we'll be in Tokyo and Kyoto. :)

[lovemeeko.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend Sweets Forest. That place is so full of awesome, I want to go back. ;oD

I've been to Vampire Cafe and Princess Cafe. Both are equally nice but the food is only So-So. It's worth a trip~

Namjatown is great too. Gyoza, ice cream, and CREAM PUFFS!!!

There was a ramen mueseum in Yokohama, although I don't know if it's there anymore. OH yeah, there is another Ramen Museum in Kyoto at Kyoto station, upstairs where all the shops are. Yum~~~~

[darth-teca.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! Well, I am going to be getting my cell phone soon and once I do, I'll give you the number if you do want to get together. Or you can always email me at
wildwoodcosplay at gmail dot com

Don't worry if you want to spend the time doing other things, I totally understand! But I would love to catch dinner with your or something. ^.^

about the themed cafes..

[dibei-chan.livejournal.com]

personally, the butler cafe is intriguing (know if the butlers are really male? XD) and has more stuff on their site.. and i've been itching to go to Princess Heart. a close 2nd would be the Vampire Cafe. =^w^=

o, and i checked out the diamond dining site.. speaking as a gothic lolita and Phantom of the Opera fan, i really liked ---> The Wizard of the Opera

[darkanticrista.livejournal.com]

"Don't buy anything at home unnecessary and then go... buy amazing things, eat at amazing places, and have an absolutely guilt-free time."

Those are our new words to live by. ^_^v

[her-red-dreams.livejournal.com]

Oops kinda late.
This is theme cafe, Edelstein Cafe. The theme is a boys school and the waiters wear private school uniforms hehe. I don't have much more info but it looks cute.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

we might go on the 25, 26th or 27th... we're not sure yet. would you be free?
I'm waiting to find out which day we are going to Ghibli. *_*

Namjatown sounds so cute!

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

i got you guys free tickets to namjatown
so if i dont end up going, at least take the free tickets ok?

alas i have to work those days but if you are up for maybe dinner one of those days, let me know?

let me know where your hotel is or something and we can work something out

i'll message u my phone email on poupeegirl

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

can we go to namjatown for dinner? LOL.

can you email me your phone info? aimeeATaimeemajorDOTcom
I think we can use our apartment phone once we get to tokyo.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

hey, so can we go to namjatown for dinner some night with you? or does that not work?

[bittenbefore.livejournal.com]

it probably wont work as i finish work next week at 7pm [its probably too late for dinner ^^;;;]

T__T i really wanted to meet you

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

that's ok! I'm sure it will happen sometime! (just maybe not this time!) :)

[applcheeks.livejournal.com]

I don't know about ordering through her store without using a shopping service, though it might not hurt to email them. =D

Sorry it took me so long but here are the directions to Mamechiyo. =D

Mamechiyo is located in Nishi-Ogikubo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-Ogikubo_Station)

Which is on the Chou Line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D_Main_Line)

The map from Mamechiyo (http://www.mamechiyo.jp/html/newpage.html?code=19) Is easy to follow, the station has JR on it.

Be sure to check the calender on the website to make sure they are open. ^_^;; I actually ended up having to go twice because they were closed for a holiday.

Y's Cafe across the street is an fun experiance. It's Okinawan style curry, there were lots of mechanics hanging out there at lunch when I went, the food was delicous! I've haven't had curry to compete with it since then. They also gave us free tea. ^_^ So if you feel like trying something different get some curry from the Okinawan-Curry-Biker-Cafe while you are in the neighborhood. ^_^


Mamechiyo is very easy to get too from Shijuku and the next stop over is Kichioji(as in the Manga, Cafe Kichioji =3)
They have a nice selection of antique kimono fabrics for RIDICULOUSLY cheap. It was like 300yen for a Han-eri sized cut of fabric. Some of them were even pre-WW1!

Good luck! I can't wait to here about your new trip. ^_^