Tokyo Archives - City and See Travel Blog

Cherry Blossom photo diary & and what Sakura teaches us

Katherine — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:43:28 +0000

Cherry Blossoms in Japan have a special, bittersweet meaning and is an important reminder once a year. But I think even now, with the season we are currently in – the meaning holds more weight. The Sakura season doesn’t last long (it can be a fickle season to plan travel for). For a few weeks, Cherry Trees all over the country bloom in an explosion of pinks and whites to be viewed together with family and friends. However, soon after they bloom, they begin to drop and another season is eagerly waited for. The symbol of the Cherry Blossom is how fragile life is. It can be beautiful and full, but is also fleeting. You often see them in cemeteries for this reason. This metaphor teaches us to live in the now – to be present in the moment as we enjoy the height of the blooms. This is lived out through “Hanami” in Japan. The old custom of viewing and admiring flowers (and it is still done all over Japan today). Hanami often includes having a picnic among the trees with food and drinks to admire the beauty that they bring, and to simply enjoy. This may not […]

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Cherry Blossom Season in Japan: Tokyo local spots

Katherine — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 00:41:38 +0000

There are a few go-to touristy spots to Hanami under Cherry Blossom trees, but for the most part I found Sakura viewing a local experience. One of my favorite days while living in Japan was stumbling upon what seemed to be an untouched neighborhood. A stream flowed through this area, surrounded by gorgeous Cherry Blossoms. Although the busier spots have their own excitement, some of the best Sakura moments were sitting down in local Tokyo Cherry Blossom spots for Hanami. Read my blog post Cherry Blossom Season in Tokyo: Places to have a Hanami Picnic to learn more about this amazing tradition! I highly suggest participating if you are visiting during this time in Japan. If you are hoping to escape some of the crowds, I hope you find your own moment to truly embrace the Sakura season and all that it symbolizes! Grab some delicious Sakura inspired snacks and stay awhile. Local Tokyo Cherry Blossom spots: Shukuragawa Stream A beautiful spot to bring Hanami snacks from the nearby food store and take it all in. This was a dreamy scene and if I went back to Tokyo for this season I would make this high on my list. It […]

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Cherry Blossom Season in Japan: The iconic Chidorigafuchi

Katherine — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:33:30 +0000

Cherry Blossom season in Japan is starting yet again and I find myself reminiscing about living near Tokyo during this time. My first Cherry Blossom post of this year is one of the more famous places to view these flowers, Chidorigafuchi. Over 200 Cherry Trees drape over the Northwest moat of the Imperial Palace creating a picturesque Sakura viewing. You may have seen photos of the row boats with couples or friends along the river making the scene that more beautiful. There are numerous iconic spots all throughout Japan, many during Cherry Blossom season. As I have mentioned before, I am usually found walking through cities, sitting in cafes or when in Tokyo, living the big city dream. During Cherry Blossom season though, these flowers took center stage through my lens. I knew this season would be stunning but I had no idea how much I would truly love this time of year. Japan in a sea of pink and white was like nothing I have ever seen! This time last year my friends and I were fervently planning the places we wanted to see covered in Sakura blossoms. The rowboats on the water outside the Imperial Palace easily […]

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How to experience real life Mario Kart in Tokyo

Katherine — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 01:52:52 +0000

This post is a long time coming! This past April we finally marked another item off of our massive Japan bucketlist! Dress up in your favorite character, step into your very own Mario Kart in Tokyo and explore the busy streets. Need I say more? Everyone who has this experience often has the question – “how in the world in this legal?” In most cities it wouldn’t be, but somehow in the largest city in the world – it is. Whenever people ask me about must do’s on their visit to Japan- I have to mention this heart racing experience because it is so unique, and Mario Kart in Tokyo really is an awesome way to see the iconic sights! Note: As of October 2018, Mario Kart won their lawsuit in Tokyo District Court, where MariCar needs to cease and desist using costumes that resemble Nintendo characters. But they have plenty of other costumes to wear while adventuring through the streets. You can now Go Cart like a “Real Life Superhero.” The Details of Go Carting in Tokyo: Paperwork: / This is the most important thing to mention! You need one of the following to be eligible, and […]

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The ultimate guide to Tokyo Coffee Shops

Katherine — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 03:22:08 +0000

In a city filled with “hole in the wall” cafes and hidden coffee shops on tiny alley-like streets, it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. If you are like me, you immediately begin to google where the perfect coffee shops are before you travel. After compiling all my coffee shop explorations, I have finally completed my ultimate guide to all things Tokyo coffee shops! First, there are SO many coffee shops in this ever expanding city. After all, it is the largest in the world, and specialty coffee is making some serious waves. I spent over a year living in Tokyo and much of it was spent loving on all things coffee. Visiting small coffee stands with their artisan slow drip and searching for the perfect latte art were always on the agenda. Simple, beautifully designed interiors, as well as friendly talented baristas are not hard to find in Tokyo coffee shops. Although I like to think of this as the “ultimate guide” to Tokyo coffee shops, I of course have not been to them all. That is the magic of a large city though, right? With so many neighborhoods each have their own coffee scene […]

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15 places to grab a drink in Tokyo

Katherine — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 04:34:39 +0000

Known for small hard to miss bars, or quirky entertaining bars – Tokyo has something for everyone wanting to grab drinks in Tokyo. Whether you are craving a perfectly crafted cocktail to your liking or easy to miss whiskey bar – look no further then the city of Tokyo. Although the ever popular places like The New York bar are fabulous – it is always nice to switch it up right? I guarantee there is a place for you on this list. Hoping to bring a little bit of everything from speak easy to a laid back hangout space – here is my list of spots to grab drinks in Tokyo! 15 places to grab drinks in Tokyo 1/ Code Name Mixology Akasaka Google Maps Location Visit for: Unique specialty cocktails with friendly baristas ready to recommend their favorite. (PSA – they have peanut butter vodka)! 2/ Old Imperial Bar Google Maps Location Visit for: The feeling of yesteryear and dive into a historical bar set in a beautiful hotel. 3/ Zeotrope Google Map Location Visit for: Hole in the wall vibe with plenty of whiskey. 4/ Bar Benfiddich Google Pin Location Visit for: Speak Easy that will create […]

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Fuglen Tokyo: Coffee, Cocktails, Design

Katherine — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 03:49:07 +0000

Fuglen Tokyo is where retro design, vintage furniture, coffee and crafted cocktails live in perfect harmony. In other words, if I could be a part of any small business venture, this would be it. This cafe by day and cocktail bar at night is a unique Tokyo establishment that I love visiting. Situated on the quieter streets of Shibuya the cafe is spacious with plenty of seating on the outside. You can find it only a short walk from Yoyogi-Koen station. Barista champion Einar K Holthe, hailing from Norway brought together the best team. A cocktail specialist named Halvor Digernes and Peppe Trulsen who grew a love for vintage style furniture. Holthe loved the idea of opening a location after spending time in Toyko and took Kojima Kenji under his wing. They then opened Fuglen Tokyo. A small Norwegian cafe now had it’s second location that has slowly grown in popularity for locals and foreigners alike. In order to not have to import beans from Oslo, Fuglen Tokyo has a roaster in the city, that can serve you up a cup right in their facility. The roaster and cafe is quite small so I highly recommend visiting Fuglen Tokyo’s main […]

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Glitch Coffee Roasters: Craftsmanship & Community

Katherine — Tue, 08 May 2018 00:17:47 +0000

Glitch Coffee Roasters I often talk about the coffee scene here in Tokyo, but it is one topic I always crave to know more about. As I was exploring all the “on my list” coffee shops, it was hard to pick a favorite. Now, a year later a few come to my mind that really stick out. One being Glitch Coffee Roasters. Impeccable slow drip, and creative roasting process – this place should be on everyone’s radar. If you are off to explore the Jimbocho neighborhood, this would be a great stop as they open early for a Tokyo cafe (7:30am)! Owner and barista Kiyokazu Suzuki became intrigued with the coffee process as a whole. He believes in using the imperfections of roasting or the “glitch” to create new flavors. Beauty in the imperfections? Who knew roasting coffee beans could teach us life lessons. Bringing out the flavors of their single origin beans with light roasting, and cultivating new flavors is at the center of Glitch Coffee Roasters. What makes them unique, is their concept of a “share roaster”. Glitch opens their doors to small cafes so they can work with them to trade experiences and move forward together as […]

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Cherry Blossom season in Tokyo: Places to have a Hanami picnic

Katherine — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 00:20:41 +0000

I am not someone who is aggressively researching gardens on my travels but Tokyo Cherry Blossom season changes you. It seems that everyday I find a new reason to never leave Japan but the last few months sealed the deal. It consisted less of crowded tourists and more of serene, peaceful, and gorgeous places to have a Hanami picnic. What is Hanami? Hanami in Japan is the custom of viewing and admiring flowers. Hanami often includes having a picnic below the trees with food and drinks. If you plan to partake on your trip to Japan, Japan monthly web magazine has some great items to bring and rules to respect those around you. This tradition is over 1,000 years old and is still widely practiced today. Not only is it relaxing and breathtaking but the meaning behind Sakura is pretty powerful and a great reminder to all of us. Cherry Blossoms bloom for a short amount of time, being a metaphor for how fleeting life can be. It is so much more than a picnic beneath trees, but a time to be in the moment, in the now. How many of us need to be more present? *Waves hands […]

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Coffee stands to visit in Tokyo

Katherine — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 08:47:33 +0000

Coffee in Tokyo, who knew you were so wonderful? Not only are the cafes spot on with aesthetically pleasing interiors, dreamy espresso and delicious coffee, they have a few adorable Tokyo coffee stands that you must visit the next (or first) time you are on the go in Tokyo. From busy Shibuya, to quiet streets outside of Shimokitazawa, hopefully you find this post helpful when looking for “the spot” to grab you coffee. It also needs to be mentioned, that although these stops are perfect for “on the go” the owners of these places have been incredibly friendly, and I could talk in my poor Japanese/some English for a long time. When seeing Japan there will be TONS on your list, so it doesn’t hurt to know a few spots that are quick and accessibly right? Tokyo Coffee Stands About Life Coffee Roasters Two things make this at the top of my list – location (hello a short walk from the heart of Shibuya) and how tasty their coffee is. This would be a great place for the morning before your busy day of walking, taking trains or wherever you go! A very well known spot, because of their […]

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