Evening Thoughts

Assalamualaikum, everyone and also the older me someday--yes, I do reread my writes here after a while to relfect, to remind and even sometimes to feel grateful for what I'd been thru.

In the midst of searching for somethings. 

Yes, I am currently in middle of searching.
I can say it it might be a new job, my dreams, or what i really wanna do and even life partner.
--As some of my friends , already found their the one.

This time, I wanna write some noted to myself or anyone who might pass this blog. 

"That 'Let's just try it' might be something you regret in the future, so think wisely and never rushed"

 Pathetically or maybe FORTUNATELY I made some decisions impulsively.
I will always like said to myself "Let's try it. I'm not gonna get it anyway" because I have such low esteem. Some turned to be life-changing decision led me to new path. Some also punched me down. Lol. THING HAPPENED, TIME WON'T GOING BACK.
Rite now, I always ask my self before i say yes to something "Do I really want it?" "Am I ready for what might coming next?"


"Don't ever drag someone new into your life unless you've done with your ownself"

 I realized this, after I felt like I have no one to talk to about what I feel, because you know some stories might be referred as Aib, and the one who i chose to talk to might feel uneasy or felt burden afterwards.
So currently I write down on a paper--that later i will throw--things what I felt, and pray.

Currently, I try myself to talk with my ownself as if I talk to someone.
See somethings from different perspectives. It helped me understand other's view and also it helped me to break down what was in my mind.



"Be ready for what might happened after you found the decision, and always think that it's the best way for you"

As a believer, I always remind myself to believe everythings has been arranged waaaaaay back before i came to this world by Allah.
It might be tough sometimes, but please give your logic a rest sometime and let your heart guide you to accept what already happened to you.

I found a quote from a supeeeer kind hearted sister I found on Youtube.

"Leave some spaces in your heart for Allah's surprise" - Aida Azlin.

PHOTO STORIES : KIMONO EXPERIENCE

Assalamualaikum everyone!

Alhamdulillah, i finally got a chance to wear Japanese Kimono.
I went to Asakusa with my friend from Vietnam, Chan.
After a sudden discussion we decided to go to Asakusa for less than half day just to wear Kimono and lil stroll around to take pictures.
Most of the time I went solo when exploring Tokyo but that I went with Chan, so Alhamdulillah We could take each other's pictures.

We didn't do any research for Kimono Rental Services.
As we arrived we started to find Kimono rental services, the range price start from ¥3000~~ for a basic plan (kimonp, geta, hand bag and hair do)
We finally choose one place, that has a promotion board in front of the bulding. On that board, it's written that the price for that day start from ¥2770, and we could just rent the kimono without advance reservation. All was written in Japanese.

BUT, as we arrived in the reception, they said it's only for couple (which wasn't written in the board) they just handed us the brochures for that day plan, it's like an auto mode.
After that we choose the kimono and inner we wanted and wait for our turn to get our Kimono's done.

We took lil alley from Nakamise Dori before heading out to the main temple

with one of the fully bloomed sakura as a background

that "kafungsho" pose

I wish i could make the people behind dissapear.

captured by local photographer as he took ur pictures before with his camera.

can't help when we saw this kind of "wall of fame"

silly pose with early bloom Sakura as background

ain't Japan without vending machine and bicycles

Kinda addicted to Japan's tiny alley

XOXO,

Racita

TOKYO OFF BEATEN PATH II : Tsukiji Market, Kagurazaka, Shimokitazawa, Hie Shrine.

Assalamualaikum. Hello everyone!

This time, I'll write down my story for another Tokyo's Off Beaten Path. So excited because I visited more spots in a day and I got a camera--that I'd been longing for so long--so  yeay, say hello to better pictures (at least compared to the previous one >.<)

If I need to choose what line I prefer to travel from one place to another within Tokyo , I will surely say JR Line! Tho it has less station numbers than Metro's mostly JR Stations is very convenient, located in central area in every district, also has some transfer line to other operators.But that day was another day, after wrote down my itinerary, I found out that most of stations I'll stop at are in Metro and Toei Subway line. 

I chose Tokyo Metro and  Toei Subway 1 day pass to explore Tokyo Area for ¥900

image source : https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/ticket/value/index_img_02.gif

If you come to Japan with Tourist Visa you can have that kind of pass with cheaper price, for details please check out Metro's webpage here.

1. TSUKIJI OUTER FISH MARKET.

Began my journey from Shimbashi as it's nearest station that has Metro line from my area. 

I took Ginza Line to Ginza Sta, transferred by Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Station and take exit number 1, and just turn left as soon as I got out from the underground tunnels. Walks  few meters, and after passing 1 intersection I arrived at Tsukiji Outer Fish Market Entrance. 

TSUKIJI OUTER FISH MARKET

After the inner market for Tuna Auctioning was moved to Toyosu Market ( few stations away still in Hibiya Line) at the end of last year, you still can have a fresh sushi in Tsukiji. Since all the restaurants are still remained here.

First impression after i arrived there, well it's literally a traditional market, since that kind of market can be hardly found in Tokyo. I took a walk around the outer market first and then I had my late breakfast yet my early lunch. 
I chose Maguro-don over Sushi that day at Kanno Tsukiji. Why ? becuase it offers reasonable price, and had availabe seats lol. #brokestudent

It cost me ¥700 for a bowl of  Raw Tuna Slices over rice with a miso soup and tea.

The main store where the sushi-ya san ( sushi chef) stands at.

the outer eating space located right next to the main road.

Maguro don a.k.a Raw Tuna Slices over Rice.

If you can't eat sushi, Tsukiji still can have a chance to be in your itinerary. As I said  it's a traditional market and famous so it's so touristy of course it offers more than only sushi. 

You can have sweets, such as strawberry coated chocolate, taiyaki and so on. 
If you came with a full stomach ( but you better don't :P) you can have yourself some souvenirs to bring back home from Matcha to Pottery. 

ready to Mingle?

Japanese Pottery.

2. KACHIDOKI BRIDGE - SUMIDA RIVER.

My plan was to walk until Tsukushima Station to take train to Ueno Station, and having a lil sightseeing at Tsukushima Monjya Street. A famous area for having Monjyayaki (similar to Okonomiyaki). 
It was a bright and clear day, and it's my first time to walk in double bascule bridge! Tho it has been unoperated since 1970. 

the picture I took with shaken knee since it's so shaky at the center of the bridge  and of course it was so scary!

View from Kachidoki Bridge.

3. UENO AMEYOKO MARKET

Of course Ameyoko4rf Market it's not on  The Tokyo Off Beaten Path list, since it's very touristy. Yet I made stop by because why not?
I visited 3 stories thrifted clothing store, Mode Off to window shopping lol and captured Ueno's area.

AMEYAKOCHO

Early bloomed Sakura Tree in Ueno Park.

4. KAGURAZAKA - HIDDEN ALLEY!

 They said, you can get lost at Kagarazuka's alley, and i literally get lost that day!
 Soon As I took exit from Idabashi Station Exit B3, I bought Peko chan shaped Taiyaki that only sold in Kagurazaka.

Peko chan Taiyaki

How to start exploring the alley ? Just make a turn on every alley form the main road and let your intuition as well as your foot lead the journey.

What to do inside the Alley ? If you're into a photograph capture a lot! if you want to have a descent lunchy or dinner this is definetely your go to place!
 

Kagarazuka's Alley

Atami Yu Kaidan

After struggling to find the famous Atami Yu Kaidan' staircases. I followed a group of Chinese tourist who was lead by a native Japanese guide to see this tiny staircases!  
Kagurazaka area is lil bit hilly area. Embrace your foot!

Kagurazaka Dori

Keywords of Kagurazaka's spot  : HYOGO YOKOCHO, WAKANA, ATAMI YU KAIDAN.



5. HIE SHRINE!


from Iidabashi Station take Namboku Line to Tameike Sanno Station.
I took exit number 5.
 PS: this is the area where Prime Minister Official Residence at.
 From the exit across the street, take a stairs up right next to The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. across the street and voila! Hie Shrine!

the pedestrians across the station's exit

HIE SHRINE GATE  View from the ground.

HIE SHRINE GATE VIEW FROM INSIDE THE SHRINE

THE RED TORII TUNNELS

6. TOKYO CAMII MOSQUE

Before going to Shimokitazawa, I make a stop in Yoyogi Uehara station as the station is the last stop for Metro's Chiyoda line. Meanwhile for going to Shimokitazawa Station, from Yoyogi Uehara Sta, I need to take Odakyu Line which isn't covered by Tokyo Metro Pass. 
So I decided to make a stop and visit Tokyo Camii for a lil rest and pray time. 

Tokyo Camii's Exterior

Tokyo Camii Interior

7. SHIMOKITAZAWA

If you love to hunt great thrift goods, it's a go to place. 
My impression it's like Bigger version of Takeshita Dori in Harajuku.There's some local cafe and bar too, and ofcourse the current hypes bubble milk tea or locals here called that as "tapioca drink"

Shimokitazawa's Fashion

Hero totetabag

If you're muslim and feel hungry around here, there's Kebab Cafe!

Sandwich Kebab

Well, it's a wrap for this post! 
Hope this will help you to see the other side of Tokyo!


XOXO




racita

TOKYO OFF BEATEN PATH I : Nezu & Yanaka Ginza

Assalamualaikum, everyone!



As I live near Tokyo, it's such impossible for me for not exploring Tokyo's off beaten path.
That day I got JR Tokunai Pass in my hand. With that ticket I could explore JR lines lay within  23 special wards in Tokyo Metropolitan Area. 　（東京23区）

1st stop - Nezu Area.

Start the journey from Shinagawa Station, because it's only 8 minutes away from my station by JR Tokaido Lines. I purchased the ticket from the Reserved Seats Vending Machines > Discounted Ticket > JR Tokunai Pass (指定席券売機＞おとくな切符＞都区内パス) for ￥750.

After purchasing the ticket I took JR Yamanote Line to Nishi Nippori Station, and transferred to Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Nezu Station (this line is not covered by JR Tokunai Pass). I took Exit 1. and turn left. a few meters walked I arrived at Nezu no Taiyaki store on my left. That times It was 11am, but there was a line of people already--from local people to tourist. I waited about 10 minutes and got 2 pieces of Taiyaki for ￥340. 
There's only one options for the filling, Adzuki or sweet red bean paste. I'm not sure wether you can have the taiyaki on the spots but based on what I saw mostly people take away their taiyaki. 

 

Nezu No Taiyaki Store.

Nezu no Taiyaki!

I continued walk for a couple minutes to Nezu Shrine. I wanted to see the Red Torii Tunnels in Nezu Shrine. 

the path between the red tunnels and the main shrine

view of inner gate of main shrine

The tunnel of red torii.

The shrines is not packed at all, since its not a very touristy area. So it's one of go-to-place when you want to visit Shrine.

The entrance of inner gate to the main shrine

Main Shrine

2nd Stop : Yanaka Ginza Area

After strolling the Nezu Shrine, I continued to walk to Yanaka Ginza area which has a retro image of Tokyo.
It took about 15 minutes to reach the edge of Yanaka Ginza. Mostly people get in from Yuuyake Dandan Gate which is near to Nishi Nippori Station. But since I took a walked from Nezu Area so I ended up on the opposite entrance gate.

What to do in Yanaka Ginza?

Culinary Adventure, from savoury dishes to sweet desserts. 

There's a famous store for its cheap tempura and katsu near to Yuyakee Dandan entrance. I don't know the name of the store but it's the biggest store for tempura-ya. It has a lot of option. From Vegetables Tempura to Chicken Liver Katsu. But It's really famous for its   Menchi Katsu (contained pork). So I chose Chicken Liver Katsu and Chicken Namban (It's Japanese Karage topped by Tartar Sauce). I have nothing to complain for the cheap, delicious tempura and katsu galore but the services isn't at its best. Since I dont eat pork, i ask to make sure wheter this or that contained pork or not:")

Tempura, Chicken Katsu, and Renkon

Chicken Liver Katsu and Chicken Namban

Grilled Chicken and Ebi Furai.

If you don't want deep-fried food like that, you can try a lot of desserts with Cat-theme store. Yanaka Ginza is also known for Cat Area, but that day  I didn't see many cats around. You can also get yourself Japanese Souvenirs such as  pottery, chopstick to seal.

Japanese Pottery

Yanaka Ginza Icon

The famous Yuuyake Dandan, they said it's good spot for Sunset watching

After exploring one of Tokyo's old town .
I continue that day trip to Asakusa  > Okachimachi - Ueno > Tokyo Station > and last stopping Shibuya for go-round- sushi dinner. But since all the places is already popular so I won't write it down here. 
See ya in my another Off Beaten Path Trip Post!


XOXO,

raCita!