Friday, December 3, 2010

Day 7 In Tokyo - Shinjuku (Cocoon Tower), Harajuku (Fancl) & Odaiba Venus Fort (Ferris Wheel)

Hubby and i went back to Shinjuku on day 7 of our stay in Tokyo as we did not have sufficient time the previous day while we were in Shinjuku to revisit our favorite bookstore and cafe in Cocoon Tower. We discovered this interesting bookstore "Book 1st" while we were staying at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku last year and love that it has a huge selections of books and magazines and its unique cafe. My cousin and her family have also arrived in Tokyo for holiday and we decided to meet up at Harajuku as they wanted to go Kiddy Land and i can also go to the FANCL store there for some shopping :> 

We went back to Odaiba after that as we planned to go Venus Fort at Aomi station to shop around, have our dinner and take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. It was a lovely day and i could not resist taking some pictures of the beautiful view from our hotel room.

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I loves going to Shinjuku station as it is really huge and has lot of shopping malls nearby. However it can be quite confusing and overwhelming for tourists. The area surrounding Shinjuku Station is a huge business, commercial, and entertainment center located atop the world's busiest railway station complex. We spent several days last year during our trip in Tokyo trying to familiarize ourselves with the station and its exits :> There are alot of interesting eating places at the station which offers delicious and reasonably priced food and you can sometimes find great bargains at its underground malls. 

On the west exit side of Shinjuku station are the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings, super-high-rise buildings and first-class hotels (including my favorite Keio Plaza Hotel). Enjoy the night view from the free observatory at the top of the Metropolitan Government building or from one of the skyscraper restaurants.

I also loves shopping at the various department stores in Shinjuku. Odakyu is the largest department store on the West side of Shinjuku Station. Keio (west and central west exit of Shinjuku station) is similar to the Odakyu department store in terms of goods and services. The depachika is smaller and more cramped than Odakyu. Lumine has 3 buildings around the JR Shinjuku Station. Lumine 1 and 2 cater to all ages with average priced goods. Both buildings are located at the South Exit. Lumine Est is located at the East Exit and Central East Exit. Lumine Est focuses more on haute fashion for younger women and famous restaurants. Takashimaya (New South Exit and the Southern Terrace Exit from the Shinjuku Station) is the Southern most department store in Shinjuku located between the JR Shinjuku and JR Yoyogi stations. Look for Tokyu Hands and Books Kinokuniya at the Southern end of the department store. I wish i could have more time during this trip to explore all the department stores again.

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We had our lunch at this little restaurant at Shinjuku station as i wanted to eat ramen and hubby was craving for rice. The restaurant has a ramen and fried rice set for 780 Yen which is the perfect choice for us :> I also ordered its gyoza and it was really delicious and comparable to my favorite gyoza at Nantsuttei!!! Love that it has alot of garlic and is fried to perfection!

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I spent some time shopping at this DHC store at the underground mall of Shinjuku station :>

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We discovered by chance an underpass in front of the station that leds directly to Cocoon Tower. Book 1st resides in this eye catching building designed in the image of a cocoon. The magazine area in the first basement floor of the Shinjuku Store is particularly an amazing sight. The first floor cafe and gallery exhibit bookshelf displays and a wall gallery space.

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We saw lot of people queuing at this pastry stall inside Shinagawa station and decided to join the queue and buy some to try. Its actually bread with delicious cream that comes in various flavors like chocolate and green tea. I love the chocolate flavored bread  :>

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Chanced upon this lovely shop "Afternoon Tea" @ Shinagawa station which sells alot of pretty bags and accessories. I ended up buying this Iphone 4 cover which looks really lovely :>

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Waiting for the shuttle bus

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Back at the Sanrio Vivitix store at Aqua City

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How I wish I can buy this back! Too bad my luggage is bursting :<

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Fuji TV Building 

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At Palette Town (Venus Fort)

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We had Omu rice for dinner at the Snoopy Cafe in Venus Fort.

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My dream camera Panasonic GF1 White color!!!

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Bought all this skincare products from a DHC store at Shinjuku station as the promoter was really friendly and helpful. She was trying her best to explain the products to me in simple English. I also bought this limited edition Hello Kitty DHC set (travel size eyelash tonic and mild cleansing oil in cute Hello Kitty packaging). I wanted to buy another box as gift but there was no more stock. I was given some free samples and a bottle of collagen drink with my purchases :> I also bought lot of skincare and cosmetic products at FANCL and the duty free shop at Venus Fort.

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Free calender from FANCL

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(Source: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/shopping/shinjuku.html)
(Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Shinjuku)

1 comment:

ReDiscover Hong Kong said...

the food is look like deliciouse
have you read the hong kong travel guide?