15th Oct 2022 | Tokyo Skytree
Studio Ghibli - Japanese Character stores - Uni Rice -
Hokkaido Ice Cream - Shopping
We had one day with no fixed plans. At first, I thought of going to Odaiba for Teamlab Planets and the Giant Unicorn Gundam. But we were pretty beat up and wanted to regain as much energy as possible for Disneysea tomorrow. Tokyo Skytree was nearby where we stayed, we saw the tower everyday...but it was not in any of my to do list. It was a decision made the night before after finding out what it has in store. Turned out that it was one of the best spur of the moment decisions made during our trip.
Tokyo Skytree from our hotel. We can literally walk there but decided to save some energy and took a short train ride there.
Our usual Kinshincho train station that is just a 3-5 minutes walk from our hotel at Fresia Inn.
The entrance to Tokyo Skytree from the subway.
Such a grand entrance heading up.
At the top of the flight of escalators and over the glass doors, we emerged into the outdoor. Tokyo Skytree was towering everything else from here.
There were short and cute escalators towards the base of the tower where there lies a park. People were seen busking under the perfect weather and kids running around. It was pretty crowded on this Saturday weekend. Side note, I only noticed kids in the weekend. Throughout my days in Tokyo, I've not seen kids on a week day even in the evening.
Back at the entrance before heading up to the park, there was a Studio Ghibli shop. I didn't realize it was so easy to find it. It was pretty crowded inside. I must say the shop took me by surprise. Unlike other character shops that I'll visit later, the product quality and intricacy at Ghibli was in its own league. In we go...
Totoro - the icon of Studio Ghibli.
Let's start with the kitchen wares. As soon as I entered the shop, I was immediately drawn to this section. Look at the delicate paintings on these plates and cups! No doubt they are expensive but if I were to have one of these in my house, no one is allowed to use it! - me included 😳
I liked the Totoro number concept cups. Everyone has a favourite number or a favourite month.
I must admit that I only watched Totoro and Spirited Away. I didn't know majority of the characters shown here. After returning from Japan, I was in a hunt to catch up on the rest of these movies.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Totoro, Spirited Away
I can't leave this place without getting anything?!
After browsing the whole store, I found a cute made in Japan Totoro yunomi (Japanese tea cup at the far left of the pix). ¥1,650 was among the more affordable range here. When I reached home, I noticed each characters were embossed into the cup! I made green tea with this cup ever since while I reminiscence my days in Japan.
I liked how they presented their products here. Using furniture that comes right out of a Ghibli movie. Classic and showing a little of wear and tear. The feels...
Cute kiddos here too 😍
Under the Tokyo Skytree housed the Tokyo Solamachi. A shopping complex featuring Japanese fashion, character shops and gourmet paradise. There were specialty restaurants too - bringing the best of Hokkaido's seafood & milk based dessert, beef from Sendai, Ocha from Kyoto and other parts of Japan. So, you don't need to travel there and easily get them here.
I wanted to visit the character street in Tokyo Station. But us getting lost in the Tokyo Station labyrinth never led us there. I thought of going back there for a second try until I found Tokyo Solamachi has these character shops and more to offer.
Among all the character shops, the Pokemon center was the top hit. I squeezed in a few inches of the shop and backed out. Kids were crying, parents were flustered and there were so many people inside. I took a picture of Pikachu riding on Rayquaza and ran off from the crazy area!
Which one is your favourite shop?
Premium Gashapon!
I loved Anpanman song from BTS. This is the first time I actually met Anpanman. Eh...wait, I just noticed from this picture that the guy looked like Yoongi! Is it him? Why is he even waving to people? 😱
???
This unagi shop got me salivating.
But after looking at the price, I gulped and decided to let my camera eat and quickly back off. I need to get out of here before I change my mind.
I was hungry. I went up and down the escalators following the food court sign but can't find it. Clearly it was showing to be at level 3. I decided to keep walking towards the other end of the building and finally I found it! With my hunger, reaching the food court was like entering heaven.
I decided to try this stall called Tsukiji Kaisen Itadori offering rice bowl with sashimi. I was at the counter ready to place my order for the luxury seafood bowl ¥1,280 and something kept calling me.
Kaisen Hitsumameshi (seafood & uni rice bowl): Psst...
Me: Who's that?
Uni: You know you want me...
Me: Oh nono, you're too expensive!
Uni: Didn't you say you wanted to try fresh uni for once? Well, you've come all the way here. Don't regret it! You're gonna cry.
Me: Staff, take my money & give me that uni rice bowl.
When I went back to collect my rice bowl, I was shocked. It looked even nicer than the picture. They even gave me an instruction card on how to enjoy the rice bowl. I must say, I am a clumsy person. It was the most stressful part of the day as I walked to find a seat with the seafood of my dreams. Don't drop it! Don't drop it!
Loooook!
Watch the video above on how I followed the instructions to enjoy this heavenly dish. I mean literally, I flew to heaven, got a halo and drop right back to enjoy the next slurp. I enjoyed every bite of the chopped sashimi and fish roes. Isn't the plating so beautiful too? About the uni. The other time I tasted uni was in a Japanese restaurant in Penang. It was served on top of a sushi in an extremely small piece. The uni was so stinky. Now, I have never tasted uni before so had nothing to compare with but I doubt it tasted like this if it was fresh.
This one was the second uni meal in my life. Not only did they put generous amount of uni according to the price I paid, the uni tasted like the sea but it wasn't smelly at all. It was creamy and umami!
After the epic meal, I went to search for some dessert.
Saw a long line of people at Okoppe Milk Stand. So I joined the queue not really knowing what to expect but I knew I won't be disappointed looking at their dessert display. After all, it said the milk ice cream is made from Hokkaido milk.
I was getting a bit flustered as all of them looked so good. Which one should I choose?
I decided on this one but with chocolate syrup...
Omg, the real thing again looked even better than the display.
The taste? The ice cream has a strong but pleasant milky taste. The strawberries were succulent and fresh. Not overly sour. And the base was filled with something like a light cheese cake. Mmm... another heavenly dessert!
The food court was clean and well equipped. Look at the hand wash area and paper cups for patrons to get drinking water. As it was Halloween season, a cute Halloween pumpkin wash appeared.
I finally found the indoor entrance to the Tokyo Skytree deck. I shall photoshop my face into this frame showing today's date.
I was curious and decided to check the Tokyo Skytree area.
Look at the queue!
There was a souvenier shop and the high end toilets. I can't believe I am such a fan of Japanese toilet. Squeaky clean and all those buttons.
Next, I am off exploring what else the place has to offer. So many things to see, so little time.
The famous green tea shop from Kyoto. I told myself I wanted to try it after a meal but I never managed to come back as I wondered too far.
The outdoor patio
I headed back to the ground floor entering the Shotengai Shopping District. There were so many things to see here but the shops are very tiny. I bought a couple of stuff from Matsumoto Kiyoshi which is a Japan famous drugstore. After awhile, I felt claustrophobic. It was getting warm and more people gathered. The picture here was taken during the closing hours but the crowd was three times the size when I was there.
I headed outside again and saw another mall opposite. Central Square Life.
The moment I stepped in, I felt like I can finally breathe. No crazy crowds. The aircond was cooling and a lot of groceries to shop!
Unagi at a cheaper price than that restaurant earlier.
Eye catching sushi and salad boxes.
I wished I can carry these milk back to the hotel.
I got some mochi! They were really soft and yummy.
This area is a gem and is a must visit to get all the Japanese snacks you need at an affordable price. Checkout the speciality Kit Kats here too.
Going back to the ground floor, I found some good Japanese toiletries.
I still have one of this sitting in my fridge. No one has the heart to open it.
This place also offers a tax return for tourists. However, when I was there, the elderly lady tried to explain to me that the system was down and apologized to me in English. I was taken aback by how courteous they were and almost felt guilty receiving an apology from an elderly lady.
Time to pay up. Erm, why are there so many liquors here?
Well, I fell for the trap and bought some.
I was heaving two large bags of my unexpected haul. I gotta sit here awhile to catch my breath. Totoro was even more prominent at night.
Ah... drinking the Hokkaido milk yogurt while enjoying this spectacular view. The temperature was perfect to busk around without any jacket.
I am sure there were many more places and shops that I have not covered. Tokyo Skytree, I am going to save up and come back here again one day!
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