Consume Like Me

Tokyo is one of my favorite cities. And, from time to time, people who are heading over there ask me where I like to go, eat, and shop. Here’s an abbreviated list of the places I always hit every time I’m in town.

This list is current as of my last visit, which was September 2013.

HOTEL
Century Southern Tower. (Bare bones, but great location, price.)

IPHONE APPS
Tokyo Rail Map
superfuture Guide

GREAT GUIDE FOR WHAT’S NEW
superfuture

COCKTAILS
New York Bar at the Park Hyatt
Tender Bar
Polestar
Jus de Pesch

MEN’S SHOPPING
Isetan Men (Best department store)
Lovelesss & Guild Prime
Beams
Uniqlo Flagship
White Mountaineering
Tomorrowland
Ato

OTHER SHOPPING
Solakzade (Vintage Eyewear)
CDG Good Design Shop
Lisn & Shoyeido (Incense)
Muji Flagship
Tokyu Hands (Shinjuku)
Porter (Bags)
Ranking Ranqueen
Tanagokoro (Charcoal)
Takashimaya Times Square

RESTAURANTS I ALWAYS HIT
Two Rooms Bar
Din Tai Feng (Takashimaya Times Square)
Pierre Hermé

OTHER THOUGHTS
Credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as you’d think. And not every ATM accepts foreign cards to get cash.

Bring your passport with you and always ask if they have tax free shopping.

There’s very little free Wi-Fi (consider renting a hotspot).

That fish market? You can totally skip it.

Kabuki: Surprisingly worth it.

Sumo: Definitely worth it.

Bear Pond Espresso (Pop by if you’re in that neighborhood.)

Shiseido Parlour (The Japanese Ladies who Lunch)

KYOTO BONUS
Kaikado (Canisters)
Ichizawa Hanpu (Sailcloth Bags)

They may not have access to the latest looks from Paris (or fashion magazines, for that matter), but many of the women of Pyongyang do make an effort. Here are a few snapshots from a recent visit.

A math teacher.

On the Pyongyang subway.

A brief flash of individuality in the form of a pig hair accessory.

A docent at the War Museum. (Her version is not the same as Wikipedia’s.)

New and old traditions together.

A modern take on a traditional Korean dress.

Every North Korean wears a loyalty pin. (It’s kinda a big deal if you don’t.)

Librarian and patron.

On the streets of Pyongsong, a town an hour or so outside of Pyongyang.

Hotel employees in Pyongsong.

A spirited performance by school children.

Traditional dress at a mass dance in Pyongyang.

Dusty rose coordination.

Mom chic.

Wearing her finest for National Day.

So wrong, it’s right.

Color blocking while paying her respects at the cemetery.

This is probably as short a hem as she’s allowed to go.

A pop of color and plaid.

Lady in red.

A conservative look for day.

A moment at the Monument for the People’s Founding.

Most of the traffic cops are young and gorgeous.

Pattern on pattern in the park.

Blue on blue when you’re blue.

Crossing the major square in Pyongyang in traditional dress.