Japan is the country that consumes most raw fish so where better to visit then Tsukiji fish market, the world's biggest wholesale fish and seafood market. They have this tuna auction, where tourists are allowed to observe the auction process. Open for tourists only from 5am to 6.15am, we had to drag our asses out of bed at 4.30am to make it down in time for the auction. When we arrived, there were trucks driving everywhere, fork lifts with boxes of produce weaving through the small lanes and the lost tourists. It felt as though at every single moment, I'm blocking someone's way.
All directions in the market were in Japanese so we had to let our bellies guide us to the tuna. We managed to make our way to the auction house and laid on the ground were these huge frozen tunas. Middlemen are hired to help inspect and place bids. It was a very orderly process.
I think the tuna is about the same size as me
After the auction, we went hunting for breakfast and we spotted this queue from far. There wasn't that many people when we joined the queue at about 630am but we still queued for over an hour before we got a seat in the restaurant. There're at least 40 people in the queue.
The restaurant is really small. Juz a sushi bar counter and seats around it. 15 people max can fit in at each time, hence the long wait. Good things don't come easy right. Once we were seated, our food were served almost instantly.
Presenting the best sushi set I've ever eaten. Tuna belly, fresh shrimp, sea urchin, salmon roe and tuna, salmon belly, tamago, squid and sea water eel. My favorite has to be salmon belly. It totally melted in my mouth. The feeling is indescribable... Of coz, the price to pay for freshness is S$60 for a set of 7 pieces and miso soup. S$60 for breakfast, a first for me.
2 very satisfied customers, stomach filled with fresh fishes. Totally worth the money spent, the queue and the chill. Sushi will never taste the same again back home....
Headed to Tokyo Tower and Nithe decided that it wasn't worth paying to go up a replica when he has been to the original Eiffel Tower before.
Next was Ginza. The street was closed and pedestrians were able to walk freely alone the whole street, with benches set up for tired shoppers. I had no idea that Sonia Rykiel for H&M part 2 was launched today. When I walked pass H&M prior to it's store opening, there was a long queue outside so I happily decided to join in. I'm no fan of the collection but the crowd left me not wanting to get anything.
Got a few basics from Uniqlo though, stuffs that I wanted to get back home but was juz too lazy. Visited Burberry Blue Label and was tempted to get a trench but why do I need a thousand dollar trench when it's perpectually 30 degrees in SG.......
Harajuku was next on my list and we started off with some crepes. It was so yummy. I'm not a fan of cream but crepes with fresh cream, strawberries and cheesecake was to die for. No wonder there's always a queue for it. It seems that Japanese love to queue for things. hahahaha
We've walked for more than 12 hrs today and our soles are blistered and flat. It doesn't help that Tokyo's subway and metro isn't the easiest thing around....
top: Billabong, pants: Zara, necklace: F21, heels: Jeffrey Campbell
asos.com
blazer: Zara, tee: Uniqlo, shorts: Uniqlo, bag: Balenciaga, belt: Miss Sixty, leggings: Zara kids
blazer: Uniqlo, top: h&m, denim: 575, clutch: Furla
My dear friend introduced me to this brand a few months back and I felt that it was pretty good. It's kinda on the same level as SKII but less well known locally. Only after buying it, I realized that SG don't bring in this particular product =) Next on my to-get-list is Aqua-Collagen-Gel which is a 5-in-1 gel consisting of toner, milky lotion, makeup base, beauty essence, brightening essence.
I'm hoping that all these new products do not clash and cause me a major breakout. Last time I combined Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil together with SKII Facial Treatment Essence, it didn't turn out too well...
Katsu-don
Beef udon
Have pretty much given up hope on shopping for clothes so we roamed around the supermarket of Takashimaya =) Look at the delicious skewers.
Eventually, we decided to try this giant bbq squid (S$6). It's like 20cm long and it was awesome.
I'm so sad that I've to leave this beautiful country and can't wait to be back. Next time, I'll definitely reduce the amount of walking/shopping and focus on eating and skiing =) With a very sad bank account, it's time to hibernate and stop spending to save for my next trip......
Highway bus terminal
Look at the brand listing! All my favorite brands and I left the place 6 hrs later empty handed =( The selection of items at Balenciaga was pathetic whereas Bottega, Prada, YSL had decent stuffs. Maybe the fact that my traveling cost for the entire trip can buy 2 regular priced Balenciagas guilt me into not spending any additional money. 
My boy on the other hand managed to pick up some really good deals from Hugo Boss. With discounts ranging from 50-80%, he bought yet another Hugo Boss leather belt (3) and a full leather messenger bag. Bag, belts, blazer, shoes, sweater, watch, now who's the boss......
After 1 whole day of shopping, we were totally drained and recharged over shabu shabu at some local eatery near our hotel. It's surprising to me how the younger generation Japanese still don't understand basic English. We had such a hard time trying to order and had to depend on photo pointing.
I think the tuna is about the same size as me
The restaurant is really small. Juz a sushi bar counter and seats around it. 15 people max can fit in at each time, hence the long wait. Good things don't come easy right. Once we were seated, our food were served almost instantly. 
Presenting the best sushi set I've ever eaten. Tuna belly, fresh shrimp, sea urchin, salmon roe and tuna, salmon belly, tamago, squid and sea water eel. My favorite has to be salmon belly. It totally melted in my mouth. The feeling is indescribable... Of coz, the price to pay for freshness is S$60 for a set of 7 pieces and miso soup. S$60 for breakfast, a first for me.
2 very satisfied customers, stomach filled with fresh fishes. Totally worth the money spent, the queue and the chill. Sushi will never taste the same again back home....
Headed to Tokyo Tower and Nithe decided that it wasn't worth paying to go up a replica when he has been to the original Eiffel Tower before. 
Next was Ginza. The street was closed and pedestrians were able to walk freely alone the whole street, with benches set up for tired shoppers. I had no idea that Sonia Rykiel for H&M part 2 was launched today. When I walked pass H&M prior to it's store opening, there was a long queue outside so I happily decided to join in. I'm no fan of the collection but the crowd left me not wanting to get anything. 
Got a few basics from Uniqlo though, stuffs that I wanted to get back home but was juz too lazy. Visited Burberry Blue Label and was tempted to get a trench but why do I need a thousand dollar trench when it's perpectually 30 degrees in SG.......
Harajuku was next on my list and we started off with some crepes. It was so yummy. I'm not a fan of cream but crepes with fresh cream, strawberries and cheesecake was to die for. No wonder there's always a queue for it. It seems that Japanese love to queue for things. hahahaha
What do you expect Harajuku to be on a Saturday night? Packed with people of coz....
One of their local delicacy, fried locust. Really tasty =)
Our final stop was Zenkoji Temple. It's one of Japan's national treasure and has over 1400 years of history. It's like the mecca of the Japanese as most try to visit this temple at least once a lifetime. 
Really can't bear to leave the beautiful snow city but Tokyo awaits =) I'll surely come back to Nagano for more snow action.
Authentic char grilled unagi. Taste totally different from those back at home. Love love love unagi, not a state of total awareness =)
