Shinagawa district

Shinagawa Station @ 8:00pm

I'm at Shinagawa district... So I guess it is my temporary "home" while I'm here in Tokyo!

Prior to coming to Tokyo I had no idea what was the significance of Shinagawa... to me... it was nothing more than a name. Of course, I did SOME research, only to learn that it was a newly developing business district. 

When I got here, I realized just how convenient and significant it is and how conveneient it is for travelling to different places.

I seriously regret not stopping to take a clearer photo

When I got here I was quite shocked at how busy it was, it was nearly 4:00PM when I first set foot there... my thoughts were 1. this station is HUGE... 2. There are so many people... . You might be wondering... why didn't you take a picture inside the station with all the people... my answer is: you can't... it is simply too crowded... I had to avoid getting run over by those people... 

It seemed that everyone at the station had something to do or somewhere to go... but for me? I just want to experience this city!

I got a purse!

If you have ever shopped with me... You will know just how picky I am... But I finally managed to find a purse... That I like... A lot!

It's actually quite funny how certain brands you can't find at the origin country but they are popular in Hong Kong, Koji accessories is one of them... It is a Japanese brand founded in 1984... Yet, when I was in Japan, I couldn't find it... Hmm...

Anyways, back to the purse... It is small, which means I do need to think about what to bring with me every time I use it...

Hello Japan! :D

view from my hotel suite

The purpose of my trip to Tokyo was not to do tourist things, instead it was to observe and enjoy the city without a real agenda. It's been quite a while since I have had a real trip where I can really relax and not think about things that aggravate the mind.

half an hour later

Over the years, due to being in the same environment, I have ended up building stress upon myself... Sometimes, even just being around certain people or even going to the same social places cause suffocation and nauseating feelings... I know I must escape... I need to start doing things differently... I had hopes that this trip will answer some of my pending questions (I'll talk about these questions later... Perhaps on my wordpress blog).

mosquito bites

how many times do I need to tell those Mosquitoes? I DO NOT TASTE GOOD!!... I thought I would be less of a target in HK... but NOOoooOOOOOOOO.... I got 15 mosquito bites in 2 days... sigh... :(

why am I always being targeted? there are 5 people in our house... and I was the only one who got targeted :(

SOGO 30th anniversary

SOGO's 30th Anniversary Mascot

SOGO has always been my go to department store every time I return to HK. I love what they sell and their prices are usually quite reasonable.

It literally survived all the economic disasters and competition.

It is currently one of the last remaining Japanese department stores* in Hong Kong. There are 2 stores: 1 in Causeway Bay and 1 in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Sogo from a far

I had the opportunity to go to both stores this time. I was glad the Causeway Bay store was able to remain "a department store" but am sadden by the fact that the Tsim Sha Tsui store has given in and became a tourist store (more specifically, main land China tourist). 

They have moved to a more convenient location and has a very nice looking interior (because it is new), unfortunately, as nice as it looks, it looks nothing like a department store. They have revamped the mall (which used to be in it's current location) and changed it into a store where all you can buy are cosmetics, skin care products, designer purses and some jewelry... When I asked the concierge where the clothing, grocery and lifestyle sections were, the staff told me that there weren't any... I immediately had a look of disappointment on my face so they told me that there "might" be a possibility that these sections/departments will soon be added to the store later. (I sure hope so... I miss their clothing and grocery sections :( )

It's so sad to see one of these older stores change to become something else. It had gone from being a nice traditional department store to a "I want to make lots of money off of Chinese Tourist" store. It hurts to see that more and more Hong Kong stores are taking this approach.

*There is also YUTA, Uny and Apita remaining.

K11 mini Concert

Podium at K11

There was a mini concert/music show at K11 today! I was super excited. I love how K11 gives an open space for performers (especially musicians) so they can go crazy... 

Today was a nice day... I got to feel the Ocean breeze and enjoy lovely music.

One of my favourite things about HK is being able to feel the Ocean Breeze <3

Standard Charter weird looking building

Standard Charter's "new building"

After lunch, I decided to take a small walk around Central. It was such a nice day... To my Canadian senses, it felt like summer... Though I think most did not agree (as they were wearing down jackets)

I have been hearing about Standard Charter's new building for quite a while now and today I finally got the chance to see it! (and no, my camera wasn't lopsided... the building is really slanted like that!) 

It is indeed a weird looking building... My cousin told me that before the building was built, it used to be a podium where people can eat lunch and just hang around during lunch and breaks. It seems quite unfortunate they have turned this place into another building :S.

other buildings nearby

Back to the building... I find that the architecture is good... but it doesn't really fit the landscape... or surroundings. Buildings in Central are usually more traditional looking... so it really does stand out... I hate that the height... I hate how it isn't proportioned with the other buildings and the colours do not complement the other buildings...

what are your thoughts?