Overgrown Tokyo Summer

Yesterday was cans, bottles and paper recycling day in Shimokitazawa. I'm a little fascinated with ゴミの日, you might remember this post? Something about how tidy and neat Japanese are with their rubbish, and the mesh nets that come out on rubbish days.

I was a little sad to see the cute pink striped flower box that was sent to me go to it's new little home in the recycle center, but it did look lovely sitting neatly next to the colourful かん and びん crates for a short moment in time.



I woke up at 5:55am yesterday in order to go 'looking for shots' before it got too hot.

This overgrown house was first on my list.










A favourite scene just outside my local Lawsons.





















On my way to meet my friend I spied these cute Japanese fruits and vegetables glasses sitting in a pile of rubbish. (I love how Japanese say plural 'fruits', like 'fruits juice' or 'peanuts butter') I'm not usually one to rummage through other peoples garbage, but there were just so many of them, probably from a closed down restaurant or something, and I couldn't resist.

Moments later, and after a little chat with a neighbour who confirmed that yes, they were indeed 'かわいい’, he kindly rushed back into his house to get me a big bag to carry them home in. Love You Japan.



We had lunch just under these trees in Yoyogi Koen. Escaping the heat a little. Sitting on teeny cartoon-like fake log stools. The sound of the cicadas - amazing!



I accidentally forgot to enter through the Torii off-center, which is a bit of a religious no-no as the center should be where the gods enter through.



Back on my bike by now, heading home.












I've always wanted to make these crates into chairs for my apartment, or in a Hello Sandwich warehouse studio. Top one with a ditzy floral cushion cover, and the other in a plaid pattern, and you'd have yourself a cute set. Or maybe this cushion? Or this one? Perfect for informal meetings or for pulling out onto the balcony for afternoon white wine spritzers, no?





Sunny Sangengaya streets.



We're back in Daizawa now. Just around the corner from my apartment.





Do you recognise this?

A hint.






Love You Japan.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Meguro Sky Garden

Quinoa salad, Edamame Onigiri with Goma shio, Gobo salad, Konbu and Hijiki Obento.



Hello Sandwich mamachari parked outside Gracies house.



We were on our way to Meguro Sky Garden, but got a little rained out. Took cover under Family Mart till it passed.



Jitsuwa, we also got a little lost somehow too!





After parking our bikes downstairs at Life supermarket (and also picking up some picnic essentials such as sparkling wine, umeshu, senbei, spinach flavoured chips and cheese) we headed up the stairs to the Sky Garden.



Meguro Sky Garden is a rooftop oasis positioned right on the highway but with it's incredibly clever design layout, not a car can be heard from this lovely city retreat.



The garden opened in March 2013, so the plants are all very mini-me at the moment. I was chatting with the staff and they are growing mini tomatoes, grapes and even pumpkins! One can only imagine how this park will evolve as the plants flourish.

Cherry blossom trees have been planted too, so it's sure to be a popular ohanami location.




An incredible Tokyo view!



The Sky Garden is dotted with a few seats and tables to enjoy.



We set up our mini obento picnic in the undercover Japanese style hut which was the only waterproof covered are we could find.



Chatting away until sunset.



The park is open every day until 9pm and entry is free.

If you're in Tokyo, be sure to check it out.

Address:

1-9-2 Ohashi, Meguro-ku




By the way, the Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guides are back on sale in the Hello Sandwich shop now, but there is only one box left so be quick if you don't want to miss out.


Love Love
Hello Sandwich


xoxo

Hiratsuka Tanabata and Enoshima 2013

We headed out to the Hiratsuka Tanabata festival today in Tokyo's 35 degree heat and crazy humidity.





It's a long train trip from Shibuya, and it was crazy hot, so we headed straight for the ¥300 beers upon arrival.









Summer 西瓜.





So many gorgeous Tanabata decorations. Do you remember my earlier Tanabata posts here , here and here?














These wooden poles were bending under the weight.



This little kid wished that they could work at Mister Donut! So adorable.



かき氷 (Shaved Ice). A summertime favourite.










Colourful okonomiyaki.



Miso cucumber. Yum.




More beers. We drank these ones while wiping sweat from our faces with face washers. Ugh so hot.











Hiratsuka station was madness.



So we took the train to Enoshima.





And headed over to Enoshima Island.





"It looks like a shark egg".



We headed to a restaurant overlooking the beach for dinner. "Is this the first time you've been in an elevator without shoes" said Mr Y.



And spotted a beautiful sunset from our table.





Pre-dinner olives.



After dinner, and while the sun was setting, we took a walk down my favourite laneway to find this lovely sight.







And then it was time to head back to Tokyo.

Thank you Mr Y and Luke for a lovely Sunday.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Hello Kitty stamps!

Yet another reason why I love living in Japan. Japan post always brings out incredibly cute stamps, but these Sanrio characters featuring Hello Kitty stamps really do take the cake.

P.S. I can't wait until these 'Vegetable and Fruit' stamps are released!  And I love the lilac side stripes on these ones!

Love you Japan.

xoxo

Lately in Tokyo, June 2013

Street beers walking around Ikejiri and Sangengaya with Luke.











Tanabata decorations are starting to pop up around town!





Amazingly, this week was the first time I've ever visited Meiji Jingu!






Drawing in the park.





Flowers from Mr Y on my birthday.


Handmade original cookies from Mami-chan!



Look, it's my book cookie!



Mami-chan opening early birthday presents in Shibuya.


And this incredible view of this incredible city from the Park Hyatt, Shinjuku on my birthday!


getting darker...



Breathtaking!

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Qantas Tokyo Article

Hello Sandwiches,

If you fly Qantas this month, look out for the six page article I wrote about Tokyo for the inflight magazine. It's in the July 2013 issue of Qantas The Australian Way Magazine. You can also read it online here or download the PDF here.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Retro Japanese Xylophone Birthday Present!

Sandwiches! It's my birthday! And look at this cute retro Japanese Xylophone I received for a birthday present from Mr Y!

Now I can chime away and dream that I am Lullatone.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo