05.25.07: Lone Adventure in Tokyo Part II - Shinjuku

Before I continue my story, I just want to let you guys know that I had posted my pictures from Tokyo on my flickr.

Lost in Shinjuku Station

Just like Lars told me, Shinjuku Station is so confusing. I couldn't find the South Exit that supposed to lead me to Takashimaya. I roamed around and about and just couldn't find it. I went through a shopping area and some food stalls and finally found and exit. I didn't stop at any of them, I forgot to eat. I was just too excited to look at shoes at Takashimaya. In 2004, me and my family went nuts and buy a couple of pairs there.

Outside, I immediately noticed a lot of cops walking around in pairs. Wow, this must be the safest station ever. I saw one guy getting stopped by the an officer for smoking. The cop took out a portable ashtray and have him put out his cigarette there. This must be what my friend from Asoboo was talking about. You are not allowed to walk and smoke cigarette at the same time in Shinjuku. In some areas, smoking are banned and you have to smoke in a designated area. Later on, Lars told me, if they catch you, you'll be fined greatly.

After deciding that I watched enough for the guy's embarrassment, I started to find my next victim. I spot a guy with a stylish business casual outfit and trapped him. For some reason, I assume that he can speak English, and I was right. I desperately asked him for direction to Takashimaya and he just told me to walk along the station. So I did. I look to my left and noticed that there was fog surrounding the top of the buildings. Beautiful!



After taking some pictures, I realized that Takashimaya is still not in sight. But to my right, I noticed a cool looking interactive box. It is an advertising from MYLORD department store. The screen would glow different colors upon touch. Japanese technology and advertising really amazes me.



MYLORD Box

Mosaic Street

The MyLord box is on the entrance of a cool shopping area called "Mosaic Street." It was by luck that I found it. Aki was going to tell me about this place but though that it was going to be too hard for me to find; she told me later that night. Getting lost is not that bad!


Mosaic Street

The first two stores on this street sells Tenugui, Japanese dyed cotton cloth with beautiful patterns. Without knowing it, I spent 20,000 yen in both stores. Moving up the sloping street, I called Lars and told him that I was in "Mosaic Street." He told me to continue on and explore there. Inside, there were even more cool stores and cafes. I spotted a cool stores carrying modern styled bonsai plants, natural products (soap, loation etc) and many wooden home accessories. I just had to enter! I found a wooden gun that shoots rubber bands made by a supposedly famous Japanese craftman. How cool! I bought picked a type with the least shady spelling for my dad. (I forgot to take a pic of it).

I found Takashimaya!

I asked the store lady for direction to Takashimaya. I tried to comprehend what she was saying and I only recognized "masugu" (straight) and "elefetaa" (elevator). She noticed my confused look and finally draw me a map. Yes! Finally! The map work wonders! (Except that the elevator turned out to be an escalator.)


Direction from the store lady

Under the escalator was a nice cafe. I was tempted to stop by, but I my hunger was for shoes. The escalator lead me to MYLORD department store and in front of it were two cute shops selling zakka (chic house accessories) and beads and accessories.


A Zakka store


Beads and Accessories store

I walked through more stores and finally arrived at Sazan Terrace. It was still raining, but very light. For the first time that day, I can walk without holding up my umbrella. A couple of steps later, I saw one of the more relieving view of the day. I found it! But I also saw the long walk I still had to take.



Sazan Terrace led me to Shinjuku Southern Terrace with tall buildings on the right hand side and two story buildings of cafes and stores on the left hand side. I had to restrain myself to go to Starbucks. (During travel, my family and I turned into a Starbucks pheene.) It was too crowded and I didn't want to lose out on time.



Crazy for Krispy Kreme

There I was thinking that Starbucks was too crowded, there were a bunch of people in front of Krispy Kreme standing in line like they are lining up in Disney Land. When I tried to take a picture from a different angle, I saw a second line stretching across the long bridge. I read about it on Asoboo but I never expect that I would see it on my own eyes. I was right after all, they do put some crack in their icing! Aki told me later on that despite a number of other Krispy stores around Tokyo Area, people rather line up there since it is their first store ever in Tokyo. Oh, please!




Finally at Takashimaya

I was glad to finally enter Times Square. There are two department stores there, Tokyo Hands and Takashimaya. I stopped by the Takashimaya information desk and immediately asked them to direct me to the shoes department. Takashimaya provides English translators for its foreign shopper, but I can survive.

I was drooling for sandals. There were so many pretty ones. I want all! I did not have my family credit card, so I can only buy a pair for me and another one for my sister. I called my mom to ask her if she wants a pair, but she was being bitchy and told me I shouldn't go out of my way. She rather have me buy her some nice earrings. I didn't buy her any sandals and there were no jewelry at Takashimaya that me and my non-existence family credit card can afford. Too bad for her.

****To be continued in 05.25.07: Lone Adventure in Tokyo Part III****