Japanese Markets in NYC

Tokyoshoes has become my own person reference site. In fact the word “blog” derives from weblog, literally a log of websites. The Google can’t help with things like “what is the name of that fabulous Japanese photographer girl who does these crazy self portraits.” (Well, actually that search returns one of her photos in #4 under images, but that’s not my point). Since I wrote about her I could easily find her name on my site. So that I can find them again, here is my list of the Japanese supermarkets in NYC near me:

  • M2M (55 3rd Ave btwn 10th & 11th St) – a good selection of Japanese and Korean staples.
  • Sunrise Mart (29 3rd Ave between 10th St & 2nd Ave) – a great place to pick up some Calpis.
  • Jas Mart (35 St. Marks Place btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave) – Japanese food and beauty products.

roppongihillsvending

Japanese Contemporary Photography in NYC

Last weekend I saw Heavy Light: Recent Photography and Video from Japan at the International Center of Photography (ICP).

Sawada_school_daysa_650By far my favorite were Tomoko Sawada’s series of Japanese school class photos in which she plays the role of every girl, piecing together her own self portraits.
I just uploaded my own self portraits on Flickr.

The show is on through September 7, 2008
ICP: 1133 6th Avenue at 43rd Street

Tokyo Fashion Update: Spring 2008

I have been desperate to do an update on Tokyo street fashion. The look this season is all about the legs. Long gone are the bright colored outfits of the ganguro and while Lolita is still important it doesn’t influence mass fashion to the extent it once did. Outfits are quite bland, but from the knee down the action happens. Either bright colored stockings: hot pink, purple, yellow (as if they took a highlighter to their legs) or black thigh high socks with white, neon yellow, or neon pick patent leather shoes. Shoes include thorough scuffing.
On the other hand, it is the guys who have it this season. Think James Dean meets Sid Vicious: spiky hair, skinny jeans, studded belt, boots. Tragically hip and way too cool for school.
too cool for school

Back in Japan

I am in Japan for a visit. It is 4 years, almost to the day, since I left after living here for 3 years. I covered a number of my very important to do’s:
– Sushi at Gonpachi
– Ramen
Onsen (spa baths)
Took a visit to Koyasan (Mount Koya), famous for its temples and shrines. We stayed in a temple with monks, called Fukuchi in, tatami floors, no furniture except for a low table with a heater underneath, and one of those massage chairs. Vegetarian meals or “shojin ryori” were served in the room and included about 20 different dishes (who knew fiddlehead fern could be prepared in so many ways), many the consistency of raw egg white, others cubes of aspic shaped like lego, but most of which delicious. Breakfast was pretty much the same as dinner.

Photos from Tibet

 

Tibet, “Rooftop of the World”, and perhaps one of the most difficult trips I’ve taken. I was overwhelmed, especially by the noises and the smells. In the end, no regrets as the scenery, monasteries, and people were beyond lovely.

All photos taken with a Nikon D80 that my wonderful parents gave me for my birthday.

Don’t go all crazy clicking around, if you start with the first photo, and go in order, it tells the story.

 

Trip to Tibet

Tomorrow I am leaving for Tibet for 2 weeks. In planning the trip I found these beautiful pictures of Tibet on Flickr and reached out to the photographer. He was kind enough to send me a long email worth of tips and suggestions. My gawd, I love the internet sometimes!

In the last email from my tour operator they imparted this advice, “Keep the happy mood and take it easy, the Acute Mountain illness would be happen more or less. It is very common! So you do not worry more about it!”

Thankfully my bohemian aunt suggested I get a prescription for Diamox for altitude sickness.