Today, John explores Nakano Broadway, a shopping Mecca for anime fans and collectors of toys, figures, music, antiques and other goods. Dominated by a a store called “Mandarake,” Nakano Broadway is like all the stores in Akihabara crammed under one roof but smaller and without the annoying gauntlet of maids…

It’s a rainy, dreary day in Monzen Nakacho and only a fool would go exploring on a day like today yet exploring Harajuku is exactly the fool’s errand I embark on…

Today, John visits the Railway Museum in Omiya. Japan has a long and venerable rail history and extensive system of trains and train lines in a country which, because of limited real estate and natural resources, relies heavily on public transportation.

This weekend is “Design Festa”, an exhibition of crafts, art, jewelry and creativity, at Tokyo Big Sight! While I’ve been to Big Sight in the past, this will be the first time I attend a show in Big Sight’s exhibition halls and I have a free pass, courtesy of Sakura House apartments!

Today, I journeyed back to Tokyo Sky Tree in the hopes of making it to the observation deck before sunset. Well, I managed to get the *ticket* to the observation deck before sunset… and enjoyed a glorious view of Tokyo at night.