Tokyo Disney’s Halloween 2008 got an early start on September 12th and will run through October 31st.  Feel free to visit the park in costume but be sure to check the costume guidelines before heading out.

Adults will enjoy the Metroplis GlitterBall 2008 at WOMB in Shibuya from 7PM on October 30th. All-you-can-drink (until midnight) presale tickets are available online for Y2,500.

Just because you are in Tokyo this Halloween doesn’t mean you can’t dress up and celebrate!

Image Credit: Flickr, Donguri Garden Halloween

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One hundred and sixteen classic cars will compete in the 12th running of this race where the average driver is 50 years old and no replica automobiles or cars built after 1967 are permitted to race.  A 1923 BUGATTI BRESCIA T22 is the oldest car in the race while a 1967 TOYOTA 2000GT MF10 is the youngest.  Ferraris, Aston Martins, MGs and Alfa Romeos are also among the cars competing in this grueling four day event. The flag will fall, signaling the start of the 2008 La Festa Mille Miglia, at 11AM on October 11th from the south gate of the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku and will continue through the Roppongi Hills area before leaving Tokyo behind.

On October 14th the racers will return to the Tokyo area with a spin through Chiba’s Baytown and Makuhari Messe areas just after 10AM.  They will then head towards the finish line in the Motomachi area of Yokohama between 4:30PM and 7PM the same day.

The time plan for La Festa Mille Miglia provides estimated times for the various checkpoints along the 1,000 mile route and will help you find the closest one to you.

This is one event that vintage car lovers in Japan won’t want to miss!

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons, L2 Magna 1933

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In reporting on the openings, Japan Marketing News describes the various locations and talks about the challenges that H&M faces entering the fickle Japan fashion market.  H&M was established in Sweden in 1947 and has over 1,400 stores in 28 countries.  H&M has offered collections designed by Madonna and has a line of beach wear dedicated to Kylie Minogue.

I haven’t been in many H&M stores but I will definitely be checking them out to see if they offer anything larger that a US size six – but don’t get me started on finding clothes or shoes that fit in Japan….that’s a whole different story!

Image Credit:  FLicrk, Toronto Retail Window Display

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A great photo of a rainy Shibuya crossing was featured at Intelligent Travel.

Learn more than you ever wanted to know about Japanese socks including why they are good for the health of your feet.

Japan’s surf culture is alive and well in ancient Kamakura.

Innovation in Japan is being held back by an ageing population.

This week marked the anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. 

Lastly, don’t forget to participate in the Japan Blog Matsuri by submitting your Impressions of Tokyo by August 20th. I am really looking forward to reading all of the great submissions to this recently revived blog carnival.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Phone call from Harajuku

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“When foreigners go to Japan, Tokyo tops their list of places to see. Seven of the 10 most-visited destinations in the country are in the capital, according to the Japan National Tourist Organization.”

The article offers a brief overview of Asakusa, Ginza, Harajuku, Shinjuku and other areas that have been mentioned here at The Tokyo Traveler and it is worth a read if you are planning a trip to Japan.

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection

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Located in trendy Omotesando and opened in 1996, this innovative mall boasts six floors of retail space, three of which are underground, and two floors for residential use. There are three wings, all of which front Ometesando Dori which is lined with beautiful Japanese zelkova trees the entire length of the mall (almost three blocks).

In the mall you will find a selection of restaurants, gallery spaces along with many fashion and lifestyle stores. Most of the stores are Japanese but some American brands have a presence in the mall. Here are just a few:

• DOLCE & GABBANA
• QUIKSILVER STORE
• THE NORTH FACE
• JIMMY CHOO

Omotesando Hills is located midway between Omotesando and Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae Stations. (map).

Photo Credit: Personal Collection

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In the basement you will find Kinomo, Yukata, Geta, laquerware, decorative panels and toys. The main floor has a wide selection of Japanese china, postcards and stationery and the upper floor offers a selection of antiques, screens, art prints and books. The store definitely caters to the tourist crowd but it’s enjoyable to browse through and you would be hard pressed to find the array of goods that they offer at any other store in Tokyo.

The main branch of the Oriental Bazaar is located in the Harajuku area of Tokyo, approximately halfway between Omotesando and Harajuku/Meiji-Jingumae Stations (map -look for the salmon colored push pin). Hours of operation are 10AM – 7PM daily, except Thursdays (closed).

There is also a small branch in Terminal 1 at Narita International Airport in case you forgot someone on your list!

Photos: Personal Collection

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On a visit to the branch in Harajuku I was amazed by the variety of hashi available. The walls were covered with hashi in almost every color of the rainbow and there were sizes and styles that I had never seen before.

When you purchase hashi the correct length is estimated at 1.5 times the distance between your thumb and index fingers when extended. You should also considers the finish, thickness, shape and weight of the hashi when deciding which pair is right for you. Hashi should never be put in the dishwasher or left soaking in water. Just wipe them down with a damp sponge and dry them with a dish towel before storing them. If your chopstick are wooden they will dry out over time but a periodic rub down with rapeseed or olive oil will keep them in good shape.

Ginza Natsuno also sell hashi rests and the variety on display was mind boggling. There were turtles, samurai, fish, castles, and I even spotted a baseball glove with a ball. These little ceramic gems were so adorable that you could start a collection and the uninitiated would never suspect that they were meant to rest your chopsticks on so the table cloth wouldn’t get dirty!

The Harajuku location is actually composed of two stores. The main store holds the hashi and hashi rests and the satellite store (next door) carries dishes, toys and figurines.

What better souvenir is there than one that you can actually use that will bring back fond memories of you trip to Tokyo?

The maps of the Ginza Natsuno locations are in Japanese but I have provided you with the station name and exit number which should make the maps easy to navigate using the Tokyo Transfer Guide. Here are the links to the maps:

Harajuku location, Exit A2 from Omotesando station.

Marunouchi location, 4th floor of the Shin-Marunouchi Building near Tokyo Station.

Ginza locations, Exit B5 from Ginza station.

Photos: Personal Collection

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The quarter mile long (400 meter) strip is one of the symbols of the Harajuku area and has been know to spawn many fashion trends in Japan. Even if you aren’t hip and young you will enjoy Takeshita Dori for the people watching alone!

The last time I was on Takeshita Dori I saw a mod star wars character posing for photographs, a couple of french maids and a number of different hair colors on some oddly dressed young people. It was definitely entertaining and the next time I’m in the neighborhood I’ll be sure to check it out again.

Takeshita Dori is located across the street from the Harajuku Station about a block down on the left.

Photo Credit: Personal Collection

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