Wednesday, August 18, 2010

JULY 23-26 - TOKYO, MARS - a pictoral essay, Pt 1

After we finally arrived in Tokyo and checked into the lovely hotel, we set out to tame our noisy bellies by scarfing down some grub at a nearby Yakitori joint:

Post flight Yakitori

Post flight Yakitori

Post flight Yakitori

Then I subsequently passed out, but not before I snapped a photo of the cute origami left on the pillow to greet me (don't worry, I didn't crush it).

Japan!

The next day, we went to the Blue Note early so we could set up for our four day residency.

Bakstage at the Blue Note

They always treat us so well - which includes an excellent feast every night!

Bakstage at the Blue Note

Bakstage at the Blue Note

Bakstage at the Blue Note

After the first show (which was early on a Saturday night), we decided to head out to the Abbey Road club to catch out favorite post show entertainers - The Parrots, an absolutely amazingly perfect Beatles cover band.

The Parrots

The Parrots

The Parrots

And Ade always manages to find himself on stage with them to belt out a few tunes...

The Parrots

The Parrots

The next day I went wondering around to take some photos.

Around Tokyo

Around Tokyo

Around Tokyo

Then we went to the club early again to practice (and who are we kidding, eat dinner).

Blue Note food is oh so good

Japan!

Blue Note food is oh so good

Then one of our biggest Japanese fans, Kazumi arrived with gifts - handmade scarves, because she knew we were going to South America, and that we had to keep warm.

Japan!

Japan!

Japan!

After the second show, we went out for some drinks and snacks with great friends Mune, Aya, and Yoshi. They helped us find a quaint little restaurant, hidden away on the second floor above an otherwise unassuming office complex.

After party for the first show - yes we are very mature

After party for the first show - yes we are very mature

We ordered digitally:

After party for the first show - yes we are very mature

After party for the first show - yes we are very mature

Then we decided to stack the leftovers... I swear we only had a little bit of Sake.

After party for the first show - yes we are very mature

Our Japanese names were written out for us:

Japanese names

On the third day, we went to Harajuku to spend some of our hard earn yen for friends:

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

View from the restaurant at lunch:

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Some ok pasta:

Harajuku

Now fueled up, we were ready to shop 'til we dropped... literally... it was almost unbearably hot and humid that day!

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

On to our favorite toy store:

Harajuku

I was so distracted with making purchases, I forgot to take pictures inside - d'oh!

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Harajuku

Don't worry, we did not go inside.

Harajuku

Hey look - Tower still exists over there!

Tawa-Reko-Do

Tawa-Reko-Do

Tawa-Reko-Do

Tawa-Reko-Do

Tawa-Reko-Do

Shibuya

Shibuya

Shibuya

Traversing the famous Shibuya intersection:

Shibuya

Shibuya

Shibuya

Shibuya

Shibuya

Shibuya

Ah, time to refuel:

Backstage at the Blue Note

After the show we were taken to yet another meal (ay caramba - Tokyo is not good for my diet!)... but this was worth it, as it was much fun and very tasty, in a tourist-y, gimmicky sort of way. See, we went to Gonpachi, the "Kill Bill" restaurant.

Gonpachi (aka the Kill Bill restaurant)

Gonpachi (aka the Kill Bill restaurant)

Gonpachi (aka the Kill Bill restaurant)


Mmm shrimp nests...

Gonpachi (aka the Kill Bill restaurant)

... or hats for silly drummers:

Gonpachi (aka the Kill Bill restaurant)

Gonpachi (aka the Kill Bill restaurant)

To be continued... and stay tuned for the South American tour post...