Jonelle Patrick's Blog, page 47
November 18, 2014
Wonder If They’ll All Be Named ‘Sonic’?
See that fluffy-looking little ball to the right of the Hedgehog Palace? This is what your new pet will look like during daylight hours.
The newest pet craze to hit Tokyo: hedgehogs. For full enjoyment of your new pet, it would be best to adopt a schedule that includes all-night video gaming, as they are primarily nocturnal and will Assume The Position (shown above) for most of the day. Also, although they look cuddly, that fluffy-looking fur is actually spines. Just sayin’.
The chronically adorable little critters are being sold right now at the Tokyu Hands in Shibuya, along with all the equipment you need to keep your very own live Sonic. They even sell bags of Hedgehog Chow! Although they’re not as insanely expensive as puppies and kittens, these little dudes will set you back about ¥30,000 each.
Better hope they don’t turn their noses up at it and hold out for fresh insects, snails, toads, snakes, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, grass roots, berries, melons and watermelons. (Which is what they’d be running to the super for if they were foraging for themselves, according to Wikipedia.)
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
November 15, 2014
Where To See The Best Fall Leaves In Tokyo
I hope you’re all rested up from our cherry blossom death march last spring, because it’s time to strap on your camera and a couple of extra batteries to hunt down the best autumn leaves in Tokyo! Here are my picks, from ginkgo season through momiji:
Arranged from earliest to latest:
SHOWA KINEN PARK - Tachikawa
The Japanese maples change color early in the Japanese garden at Showa Kinen Park, because it’s outside the heat island of central Tokyo. Look for them in early November.
The momiji are truly spectacular, with many varieties showing off the whole spectrum of leaves from yellow to red.
This gorgeous promenade of ginkgo trees hits it’s peak after the Japanese maples, around mid-November.
You can walk under the twin promenades through a tunnel of gold.
Bonus attraction: There is a really choice bonsai garden within the Japanese garden walls, and this open tea room displays the most spectacular specimens.
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GOTOKUJI TEMPLE – Gotokuji station
Gotokuji’s wooden pagoda is the perfect backdrop for splendid red and gold maple leaves in mid-November. You’ll find them here earlier than in central Tokyo.
The momiji here turn very satisfying colors of red and orange.
Added bonus: There is a shrine on the temple grounds where thousands of “good luck” maneki neko cat figures have been offered to ensure success in business.
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ICHOU NAMIKI – Aoyama-itchome
By late November, this famous boulevard is attracting thousands and thousands of camera-happy gawkers every day, but you can still enjoy the trees despite the crowds.
Ginkgo leaves at their peak, at Ichou Namiki
DIRECTIONS & MAP
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YOYOGI PARK – Harajuku Station
Towering ginkgo trees are bright yellow, starting in mid-November.
At twilight, you can scuff your feet through a sea of yellow leaves.
By late November, the maples are turning orange and red.
The trees at Yoyogi Park are big – in the fall it’s a forest of yellow and red right in the middle of Tokyo!
Bonus attraction: Yoyogi Park is home to all kinds of free entertainment every Sunday afternoon, from rockabilly dancing to traditional rakugo to the local husky club dressed in manga schoolgirl uniforms.
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HIKARIGAOKA PARK – Hikarigaoka Station
This promenade of ginkgo trees is quite majestic, and extends for several blocks in mid to late-November.
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TOKYO UNIVERSITY - Todaimae
Tokyo University’s gothic buildings are the perfect backdrop for a lovely line-up of ginkgo trees. They reach their golden peak in mid-November, and there’s never a crowd, so you can enjoy a peaceful walk under the canopy.
The entrance to Tokyo University is just outside the Todaimae subway station.
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NEZU SHRINE – Nezu Station
Golden ginkgo trees shade the red torii gate at the Nezu Shrine, starting in mid-November.
Usually the main gate is themost colorful thing around, but the ginkgos and maples make its red lacquer and gold leaf seem pale in comparison. They’re at their best in late November.
This is my favorite shrine in Tokyo, and autumn is one of the best times to see it.
Bonus attraction: you can walk though a glowing tunnel of orange torii gates.
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KORAKU-EN GARDEN – Koraku-en Station
The Japanese maples at Koraku-en Garden are like jewels in a setting of green. They’re at their peak in late November.
Maples of every color surprise you in each of the sub-gardens.
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RIKUGI-EN GARDEN – Komagome Station
Rikugi-en never disappoints, with its 88 views from famous waka poems.
Maple trees flame in all colors of the rainbow in late November.
Bonus attraction: From the third week in November through the first week in December, the garden is lit up at night until 9:00 for your leaf-viewing pleasure.
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SHINJUKU GYOU-EN GARDEN – Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Gyou-en is most beautiful in early morning, when the pond reflects the changing Japanese maples and cherry trees.
As November moves into December, the garden only becomes more colorful.
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ARISUGAWA PARK - Hiroo Station
This hidden gem of a park is perfect for a stroll before heading out for a night in Nakameguro, Ebisu or Roppongi.
Trees of all colors reflect in the serene pond by mid to late-November.
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Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
November 14, 2014
Doughnuts With Ice Cream And Popcorn On Top
Yes, that’s a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed topped with (healthful HAHA) vanilla frozen yogurt, caramel sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and caramel-coated popcorn AIEEEEE!
Every once in a while you see a food mash-up that nearly sends you into insulin shock just by looking at it. I admit I say yes to sugar about 99% of the time – rain or shine, day or night – but when I saw these doughnut sundaes at the Shinjuku Krispy Kreme attempting to capitalize on the current popcorn fad* I JUST COULDN’T.
Here’s a shot of the thing as it’s actually served. (Thank you Red Hot Much for the photo.)
*Hour and a half lines outside the popcorn store in Harajuku WHY?
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
November 12, 2014
Fall Is When The Vending Machines Change Colors In Japan
Blue tags are cold drinks, hot ones are orange
Here, you don’t need to go out and commune with nature to know when autumn has arrived – all you have to do is check your corner vending machine to see how many of the cold tea offerings have switched over to hot tea.
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
November 11, 2014
Where To See The Best Chrysanthemums In Tokyo
These eye-popping exhibitions will change your opinion of those humble fall flowers forever! Here’s where to see the best chrysanthemums in Tokyo:
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Life-sized historical figures, made from…chrysanthemums!
Great balls o’ chrysanthemums, each of these is ONE PLANT.
Prize specimens vie for top honors. This style requires the grower to train the plant into three stalks of exactly the same height, then coax three perfect flowers to bloom at the exact same time.
The Elvis bouffant is a Thing.
The shrine bridge, with its fancy on.
Admission: Free
Dates: November 1-23
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The most perfect of the perfect bigger-than-your-head blooms
Yes, each of these is just ONE PLANT I’m seriously not kidding.
Elvis bouffants on parade.
And if that isn’t enough. gorgeous plantings in full bloom, throughout the garden.
Admission: ¥200
Dates: November 1-15
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In addition to the bouffants, balls and prize specimens, the Kameido Shrine features this model of Skytree, with the real thing helpfully standing around for comparison in the background.
Admission: Free
Dates: October 23 – November 23
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What the Meiji Shrine chrysanthemums lack in artistic innovation, they make up in perfection. I dare the gods to find any flaw at all in those white ones.
Admission: Free
Dates: October 23 – November 23
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Nearly every big shrine (and some temples) host chrysanthemum competitions in the month of November. If you’d like to see the chrysanthemums the next time you’re in Tokyo, directions and maps to the Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Kameido Shrine, Meiji Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine, Shinjuku Gyouen Garden and Senso-ji Temple are on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
Monster Chrysanthemum Battle Royale
Want to go see some chrysanthemums? Ugh, who goes out to look at chrysanthemums? Well, in Tokyo, you’ll be glad you didn’t decide to weed out your old email instead, once you check out what’s on offer at the annual autumn competitions!
Here’s where to see the best chrysanthemum exhibits in Tokyo:
•
Life-sized historical figures, made from…chrysanthemums!
Great balls o’ chrysanthemums, each of these is ONE PLANT.
Prize specimens vie for top honors. This style requires the grower to train the plant into three stalks of exactly the same height, then coax three perfect flowers to bloom at the exact same time.
The Elvis bouffant is a Thing.
The shrine bridge, with its fancy on.
Admission: Free
Dates: November 1-23
•
The most perfect of the perfect bigger-than-your-head blooms
Yes, each of these is just ONE PLANT I’m seriously not kidding.
Elvis bouffants on parade.
And if that isn’t enough. gorgeous plantings in full bloom, throughout the garden.
Admission: ¥200
Dates: November 1-15
•
In addition to the bouffants, balls and prize specimens, the Kameido Shrine features this model of Skytree, with the real thing helpfully standing around for comparison in the background.
Admission: Free
Dates: October 23 – November 23
•
What the Meiji Shrine chrysanthemums lack in artistic innovation, they make up in perfection. I dare the gods to find any flaw at all in those white ones.
Admission: Free
Dates: October 23 – November 23
•
Nearly every big shrine (and some temples) host chrysanthemum competitions in the month of November. If you’d like to see the chrysanthemums the next time you’re in Tokyo, directions and maps to the Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Kameido Shrine, Meiji Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine, Shinjuku Gyouen Garden and Senso-ji Temple are on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
November 8, 2014
Tokyo Design Festa 2014: Zombie Matryoshika & More
You can do this with FELT?!
If you’re in Tokyo, get thee to Design Festa RIGHT NOW! It’s on through Sunday the 9th, out in Odaiba at Big Sight. You definitely don’t want to miss seeing (and buying!):
Handpainted zombie matryoshka dolls.
Elfin anime-style figures, mind-bogglingly crafted from felt.
Eyeball clasp purses, leaking a little O Positive.
Scarily lifelike felted cat head pins.
Gorgeous little mushrooms that light up.
Handcrafted horns of Satan.
Fake fur Mt. Fuji tissue dispensers.
Decidedly non-traditional New Year’s figures for the upcoming Year Of The Sheep.
Steampunk bird masks (in case you don’t already have a dozen in every color.)
Froggy coin purses
Your big chance to make your mom faint when she sees the oozing gash applied with painterly skill by the Amazing School JUR special effects makeup students.
Cuter-than-thou cosplaying vendors
The Tokyo Zentai Club, that gathers regularly to beetle around Tokyo in their head-to-toe featureless lycra suits.
Design Festa is on from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. through Sunday November 9 at Tokyo Big Sight convention center, near Kokusai-tenjijo Station. Tickets are ¥1000 at the door. In addition to thousands of vendors selling quirky handmade merchandise, music and theatre performances run continuously throughout the day. Artists also are live painting murals thoughout the venue.
This mural features thousands of flowers, drawn on the spot with Spirographs.
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
Tokyo Design Festa 2014 This Weekend!
You can do this with FELT?!
If you’re in Tokyo, get thee to Design Festa RIGHT NOW! It’s on through Sunday the 9th, out in Odaiba at Big Sight. You definitely don’t want to miss seeing (and buying!):
Handpainted zombie matryoshka dolls.
Elfin anime-style figures, mind-bogglingly crafted from felt.
Eyeball clasp purses, leaking a little O Positive.
Scarily lifelike felted cat head pins.
Gorgeous little mushrooms that light up.
Handcrafted horns of Satan.
Fake fur Mt. Fuji tissue dispensers.
Decidedly non-traditional New Year’s figures for the upcoming Year Of The Sheep.
Steampunk bird masks (in case you don’t already have a dozen in every color.)
Froggy coin purses
Your big chance to make your mom faint when she sees the oozing gash applied with painterly skill by the Amazing School JUR special effects makeup students.
Cuter-than-thou cosplaying vendors
The Tokyo Zentai Club, that gathers regularly to beetle around Tokyo in their head-to-toe featureless lycra suits.
Design Festa is on from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. through Sunday November 9 at Tokyo Big Sight convention center, near Kokusai-tenjijo Station. Tickets are ¥1000 at the door. In addition to thousands of vendors selling quirky handmade merchandise, music and theatre performances run continuously throughout the day. Artists also are live painting murals thoughout the venue.
This mural features thousands of flowers, drawn on the spot with Spirographs.
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
November 5, 2014
Freshly Fried Potato Chip Sundae
Deep in the labyrinthine dungeons of Tokyo Station lies Tokyo Confectionary Land, where they fry up potato chips before your very eyes! Even if they stopped there, it would have been enough to spur me into searching out this only-in-Japan destination, but when I heard they offer them topped with either squeezy cheese or soft-serve and fudge sauce, who could resist?
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix. If you’d like to try fresh fried potato chips (or really go for broke and order the sundae), I suggest you try the Calbee store on Takeshita Street in Harajuku instead of tackling the difficult-to-navigate underworld of Tokyo Station. The Harajuku Calbee store is about halfway down the street, on the right, if you walk down Takeshita Street from the Harajuku JR station.
Freshly Fried Potato Chips With…Hunh?
Deep in the labyrinthine dungeons of Tokyo Station lies Tokyo Confectionary Land, where they fry up potato chips before your very eyes! Even if they stopped there, it would have been enough to spur me into searching out this only-in-Japan destination, but when I heard they offer them topped with either squeezy cheese or soft-serve and fudge sauce, who could resist?
Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix. If you’d like to try fresh fried potato chips (or really go for broke and order the sundae), I suggest you try the Calbee store on Takeshita Street in Harajuku instead of tackling the difficult-to-navigate underworld of Tokyo Station. The Harajuku Calbee store is about halfway down the street, on the right, if you walk down Takeshita Street from the Harajuku JR station.
