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Maps

Interactive photographic map of the entire world!

Interactive photographic map of the entire world!

Interactive photographic map of Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan!
Interactive photographic map of Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan!

Japanese Culture

Aikido and Shinseido -- The Art of Power
Aikido -- The Art of Power

Photo Albums

The sights and other aspects of Korea
Korean Sights -- The Sights of Korea The World of Flowers
The World of Flowers Faces of Asia
FaceOff -- The Faces of Asia Great Cities of the World
Great Cities of the World Viking Horns
Vikings Horns -- The Warriors of Iceland BlurStream -- Human Movement
BlurStream -- Human Movement Singapore -- January 2003
Singapore -- January 2003

Photo Diary

A Day In The Life -- A Photo Diary Of My Entire Life
A Photo Diary of Every Day of My Life
A Day In The Life -- October 24 2003
Photo Diary -- October 24 2003

Fiction

The 70s Never Died, It Just Smells That Way
The 70s Never Died, It Just Smells That Way Terrorism in the 00s -- EgyptAir
EgyptAir America disintegrates in the sands of the Middle East -- Israel with it!
Greek Start a Holy War!
Start a Holy War

Reviews

101 Reykjavik -- Life In Iceland
101 Reykjavik -- Life In Iceland Mum -- CD Review of Finally We Are No One
Mum -- Finally We Are No One




UNCLONED ACCOMMODATION - taito ryokan
THE TAITO RYOKAN IS PROBABLY UNIQUE IN TOKYO IN THAT IT IS A SUCCESSFUL MIX OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE AND MODERN BACKPACKER STYLE ACCCOMMODATION. Situated in the heart of Tokyo's old "downtown" neighborhood, with numerous historic attractions close at hand, Taito Ryokan offers backpackers the chance to stay in a traditional inn at a marvellously cheap price. But while it looks like a "ryokan" from both outside and inside, this hotel has something extra -- a backpacker feel. The place is reminiscent of the popular guesthouses of Thailand and the Asian overland route, with travellers hanging out in the common room and exchanging stories on how to find the cheapest noodle shop or discount air fare. It is a remarkably laid-back, homely place to stay. Unlike probably every other hotel and youth hostel in Tokyo, this guesthouse was set up to enhance spirituality and raise human consciousness.

Propreitor Kenichi Anazawa is himself something of a veteran of the backpacker route, and spends much of his life travelling the Earth on the cheap, looking for Enlightenment. Anazawa said: "I want to welcome people who want to share and exchange their experiences and to find out the meaning of life. This is the house of spiritual improvement.

"It is a rare wooden-style house built after the war, making it 54-years-old.

" Indeed, the preservation of the ryokan in its original form is deemed more important than catering to the comfort of the guests. Staying in a traditional ryokan would be like staying in a European castle - wonderful atmosphere but at the expense of hotel-style comfort.

However, while the economy has slumped, recycled fashions have risen to a new prominence, as punters seek a cheaper way Anyway, if you want to see some photos showing how funky Shibuya can be, check this website. If you want to hang tight with me, here is a lowdown on some of the recycled clothes stores you might experience in the greater Shibuya neighbourhood:

Some places to check out include:

Ray Beams Remodeled

telephone: +81 (0) 3 3478 5886
address: Shibuya-ku, 3-24-7, Jingumae, Tokyo.
According to the informative, international w-guides site, Ray Beams Remodeled "stocks customized secondhand and old clothing. However, unlike many other "recycle" stores, Ray Beams attempts to keep the loud "hippie" chic style away from its products. Instead, simple more neutral designs are made up from a mixture of old and new materials. The result is a more casual and comfortable range of clothing. The knitwear is particularly good and there are still some more eccentric items in the form of hand-painted and sequined T-shirts. There will soon be a range of imported recycle products from LA." The nearest train stops at Meijijingumae Station, and the shop is open from 11am-8pm daily.

E-Z

telephone: +81 (0) 3 3780 0494
address: 渋谷区神宮前1‐12‐16 和光ビル2F Aフ ロア.
A small, non-descript shop on the second floor of a building on the big road linking Shibuya and Harajuku, E-Z is packed with West Coast, recycled clothes -- basketball shirts and faded jeans, etc. Prices range from 1000 yen up.


 


 

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 links

Restaurant Reviews

Shibuya Underpass
Shibuya Underpass Society
Hawaiian Restaurant in Tokyo
Ono Loa Hawaiian