Shortcuts to Tokyo

The sprawl of electric appliance shops and the design of the billboards in Akihabara may remind you of 1980’s classic, “Blade Runner” or a Hong Kong gangster film. Besides computer and electric appliance shops, lots of Otaku-related shops (maid cafes and kinky porno shops) have sprung up like mushrooms in the last few years. In Ueno, there are two big museums and they always hold interesting exhibitions. Taking a walk around Shinobazu no Ike (Lake of Shinobazu) is definitely fun! And if you are a Panda bear fun, don’t forget to check out Ueno Zoo!

◆Akihabara
Akihabara is probably the most well-known place for foreigners. This is the best place to buy electric appliances and PC-related goods at a discount price. In most of the major stores, the shop clerks speak English and duty free service is available. The closest station is JR and Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Akihabara station (H15)

◆Duty Free Shops
There are so many options about this subject. Please refer to this site and choose the one that meets your needs.
http://www.e-akihabara.jp/en/freetaxshop.htm

◆Ueno Area
If you are interested in Japanese traditional arts or crafts, the museums in Ueno are must-see places (see the details below). Besides arts, you’ll be impressed by the beautifully designed old museums. This area is known as the gateway for those who come to Tokyo to work and live from the northern part of Japan, but now it seems like the gateway for shopping lovers from foreign countries. Ameya Yoko-cho (see the details below) is always jammed with the tourists who come to buy reasonable priced sneakers and clothes.

◆Take a walk around Shinobazu no Ike (Shonobazu Lake)
If you come to Japan in summer time, you should walk around Shinobazu no Ike (Shinobazu Lake) where you enjoy the magnificent view of blooming lotus flowers in the lake. Around the lake, there are lots of small shops selling antiques, used books, foods and etc. Also, there are some temporary cafes where you can rest and enjoy the views of the flowers. You may feel like becoming like Li-Po (a Chinese poet) and writing poetry while enjoying sake! Get off at JR Okachimachi station and go out from the north exit. Turn left and turn right at the intersection of Ueno Hirokoji, and once again turn right at the corner of the convenience store “Sunkus”. Then, you can see the lake.

◆Ueno Park
Get off at JR Ueno station (One stop from JR Okachimachi station) and go out from the exit “Kouen Guchi”(Park Side).
Cross the street and get in Ueno Park. In Ueno Park, don’t forget to check out The National Museum of Western Arts (http://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/) and Tokyo National Museum. (http://www.tnm.jp/en/servlet/Con?pageId=X00&processId=00). Their exhibitions always feature world’s well-known artists from all over the world, and the permanent exhibitions of the Japanese traditional arts are quite impressive.
Both are closed on Mondays.

◆Shops Around Ueno
Ameya Yoko-cho (shopping street) アメヤ横丁
Some people say that the name came from the fact that the Japanese armies who came back from Manchuria after the World War II would sell the American goods (in this case “Ame” means American), and other people say that this name came from the fact that there were so many stalls selling candies (“Ame” in Japanese) right after the war. Anyway, now this street creates a South East Asian feel, which may remind you the backstreets of Philippines or Thailand. Among the young shoppers who come here to buy new sneakers or Native American style accessories, old and middle aged Ueno people drink sake and beer outside the bars from noon. To get to this street, get off at JR Okachimachi station and go out from the north exit. Then you can see the sign “アメ横”. The street stretches from JR Okachimachi station to JR Ueno station.

Shortcuts to Tokyo

2008年11月24日月曜日

The 8th Cut – Electric Lady Land and Dreams of Lotus Flower (Akihabara and Ueno area)

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