A look out an east facing window on the top floor of the hotel. Inversely, I will be travelling westward after breakfast
The Sobu rapid gets you to Kichijoji in 15 minutes from Shinjuku. I have been told that this is a very desireable area to live in. Its close enough to Tokyo for easy commute but far enough away to be less expensitve
I have been to the north side on all past visits. Time to explore the south side
Due south of the station is a park with a small lake. Winter is probably not the best time to visit
During the spring and the cherry blossom season, this open space becomes very photogenic
An odd vending machine to be found in the park, but this is Japan. Who knows, during the spring or summer, you can have a meal in the park but not have to bring. However with the station so close by, you could easily pick up something there
Imagine the lake filled with swan shaped boats tooling around while the banks are awash in pink sakura
Wildlife maybe making a home here. Not a bird watcher myself
So, I dont know if this is a migratory bird or if this is its permanent home
Yes, these swan boats tooling around the lake in the spring. Very dormant now
Map highlights the attractions in the area. At the west side of the park, the Ghibli Museum is open to the public. I have seen some of the films but not a big enough fan to want to visit the museum or theme park at this time
After a quick walk in the park, I went back to the north of the station where theres a shotengai and a number of stores, dining, and entertainment
Satou is a steak restaurant on the second level while they run a butcher shop at ground level. The lines that forms depends on what you want. First line is for meat from the butcher, second is for croqette, and the last is for menchi katsu
The shop next to Satou sells fried fish cake. They were doing a brisk business as people were purchasing foods for the new year
The quintessential japanese donut chain, Mr Donut aka Misdo. One day I will sample one of their offerings but this is not the day
They have alot of seasonal items and do tie-ins with Pokemon quite often. Krispy Kreme also has locations in Japan and some day I will do a comparison of the two
Theres never a shortage of places to eat or snack on
From the north east corner of the JR station.
Down the road to the right is a large Yodobashi Camera store
At a Capcom arcade, there were a number of gashapon. Along one of the shotengai, there was a gashapon store.
I found some animals going number 1 and number 2 into human toilets
Doesnt he look quite the constipated fellow
A few of the same going number 1
I happended to get the lion and another gashapon of an arcade game. The scale works well together. Instead of looking backed up, he now just looks frustrated at the game and not his bowels
An odd looking facade amongst the normal looking stores and shops. Almost Ghibli esque with its rounded edges and organic shapes
Turns out theres a cafe and restaurant inside. The place is callted Petite Mura, small village
I came to Coco's for lunch. These shops have disappeared from the bay area and I can ever recall only eating at one location in Foster City. Lunch details in video
Matcha latte from the drink bar. Similar to the other family restaurants, this is on the sweet side with alot of creaminess
The menchi katsu from Satou. Light an bouncy texture with a nice crunch. The smell of onions fill the nasal cavity while the flavor fills your mouth
If Im in the neighborhood I make a point to stop off and have one or more.
Prices for the deep fried items Satou sells. Croquettes and menchi katsu primarily
The steakhouse upstairs serves A5 wagyu beef teppan yaki style. Depending on cut and weight, it could run up to 15000 yen for dinner. I had kicked around the idea of having dinner here. Even with the exchange rate at 130 yen, I couldnt do it. If I could have gotten in at 150 yen, it would have been easier to pull the trigger
Another store from the past, this sporting goods store is pretty much extinct from the bay area
This picture doesnt do it justice on how bright the inside of the store is. The name says it all
After getting back to Tokyo, I recalled there would be illuminations along the Meguro river that would capture the exuberanceof sakura season. Unfortunatley, I didnt remember exactly where this was taking place. So, I decided to walk down to the river at JR Meguro station.
Boy was I wrong. Turns out it straddles Osaki and Gotanda stations. The walk along the river towards Gotanda seemed kind of long but I was able to glimpse the "light" at the end of the tunnel.
These trees along the river are cherry trees that blossom during the spring. This creates a pink border up and down the river
During this time, the trees are wrapped in pink LEDs to give a romantic feeling
Near Osaki station just across the river but past Gotanda station
Long exposure of a train line passing over the river between the 2 stations
A 360 degree panoramic from the Family Mart on the north side of the Meguro gawa
