First Stop Harajuku

Since this was my first time being in Japan in July, I'm not sure if the weather is always like this. But it was pretty much the same as it was when I left in June. Rainy Season. 

Still, I was not going to let keep me from getting to places. While it was not the best weather to take photos, I did want to get a few of a couple places. So my first day back I headed to Harajuku and Laforet. 

In through the back of the building, a little looking around and then out the front. 

The reason why, besides shopping, was to add a few photos to the MALICE MIZER Locations Map. 

I didn't find anything to buy but I did get photos to add.

But that wasn't my main reason for going to Harajuku. Back to that secret place for butterfly pea flower tea and cake. 

This time I tried their Mille-feuille. Not too sweet and decadently creamy. It was nice. 

Of course there is always Closet Child. I had less luck this time, but I did find a Moi-même-Moitié little square dish in it's original box. These were given away as gifts when a person purchased over a certain amount. I didn't pay much for it, and it's nice to have something to go with my tea cup.

There is also seeing the interesting architectural details in the small streets that surround Harajuku. 

I thought this was a nice way to break up the otherwise cold exteriors here. Someone went to some effort to make this pretty fence work with sculptural iron and stained glass.

I had another reason to be in the Harajuku area. That's in my next post.

Finding Solitude in Harajuku

My first day in Tokyo in May, I wanted to get something before I forgot about it. So I headed to Shinjuku and ESP Craft House. I have taken so many photos of Shibuya, and since nothing has changed since the last time, I forego taking any more. If you are curious about ESP, here is a post about it  http://blukats.blogspot.com/2016/09/finding-esp-in-shibuya.html

As for what I wanted, tear drop pick holders to replace the regular holders. I can report that they are using one of Mana's picks for the display of the new tear drop pick holder. They do look better and it seems I bought one more than I needed. As for the blue roses, I found that at Kyu Furukawa Gardens a day or two later.

My next stop after Shibuya was Harajuku and Closet Child. Nothing changed with Takeshita Dori. Still packed with tourists. As for me, I never stay on it. Once again I wandered down the tiny alleys that surround Takeshita Dori. Less crowded and much prettier with interesting bits of architecture and green trees. 

Where I found a sweet place for tea. And cake. Very pretty surroundings.

I was trying to eat sensibly, but it was Közi's birthday and this fruit roll cake with strawberry jam was really delicious. 

The tea was butterfly pea flower. I remember when I learned about butterfly pea flower, it was at that amazing meal where Chef Gregory Gourdet used it to create a beautiful blue sauce. The flavor in tea is very delicate and nice. 

It's also magical. If you put lemon in it, the color changes. 

Next will be more of what can be found just beyond crowded Takeshita Dori. I found a shrine and a lovely koi pond.