下北沢駅前市場 (Shimokitazawa Station Market)

The historic Shimokitazawa Station Market is almost about to be pulled down to make way for the new train station and it's breaking my heart. Many of the small bars, vegetable shops and restaurants that were located in this traditional Japanese market when I first moved to Tokyo two and a half years ago have already closed down. There are only a handful of shops, one bar and a yakitori restaurant still open for business.

I took my 50mm lens out today looking for photos (is there any better way to pass a sunny afternoon?) and, with it's moody lighting and rich textures, the Shimokitazawa Station market was a perfect location.

If you get the chance, please come to Shimokitazawa and wonder through this market before it's gone forever.

Panya Cafe Curry, Shimokitazawa

Panya Cafe Curry is an awesome cafe about two minutes walk from my Shimokitazawa apartment. I love this place so much. It's a tiny ten-seater with the most lovely of atmospheres and some of the best curry I've ever tasted. Today it was a one man show run buy the cutest girl with giant odango hair, so while she prepares your curry there's enough time to play 'spot the alpaca' hidden on shelves and walls throughout the cafe. If you get sick of 'spot the alpaca' you can also make use of the provided origami paper squares located on the chopstick holder.  This place is super popular and can be very busy at times (Mr Y once waited 30 minutes for our takeaway)  but it's well worth the wait! If you're in the area pop on in!




UPDATE - I just visited tonight and the sweetest odango lady has left because she's moved away from Shimokitazawa because she will be married soon (OMEDETOU) BUT...it's nowhere as lovely as it used to be. So sad! The curry and atmosphere is completely different and unfortunately not as cute. Such a pity!!!


Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide

Hello Sandwiches!

I am very happy to announce the launch of my new  Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide! Thank you to everyone who has emailed me about the release date for being so patient.

The Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide reviews my favourite Tokyo suburbs including Shimokitazawa, Harajuku, Shibuya, Kichijoji, Nakameguro, Daikanyama, Shinjuku and some cool up and coming suburbs. My previous Tokyo Guide was a review of the places I loved to visit whilst holidaying in Tokyo however this new guide is a peek into all of the amazing places I've discovered since moving to Tokyo in 2010.

The Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide is a guide for people who like travelling like a local and visiting hidden places off the beaten track. There are tips on where to rent a bike, the best bike path, the best coffee, the best craft shops, the coolest shops, the cheapest drinks, the most delicious pizza, the best izakaya, the cutest cafes, the best rooftop bar, the coolest hotels (and the cheap and cheerful hotels), the loveliest parks and even details for a girl who rides a courier bike to a local park to sell her hand-baked goods... It's a list of all of the places I frequent, making it a local insiders guide to Tokyo. Also included in the Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide are language essentials and travel tips. It's the bloggers guide to Tokyo and if you'd like to visit the places seen on Hello Sandwich, then this guide is the zine for you.

The Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide lists over 100 fun places to visit! The content of this zine is almost completely different to my previous Tokyo Guide with almost double the amount of listings, so, if you've already travelled to Tokyo on my previous guide, then you might fancy this updated guide, too!

To make life easier the Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide comes complete with maps and links to the Google maps to make it just that little bit easier to get around. Load them onto your iphone or ipad and getting around Tokyo will be a breeze!


Details:
60 pages hard copy zine
Printed in Japan
Uncoated paper stock
A5 size
Saddle stitch bound
$25 AUD
Posted internationally with love from Tokyo


Important Delivery note:

The zines are currently being printed and will be posted to you with love from Tokyo in March 2013.
The printing run is limited so please be quick to get your copy as all of the previous Hello Sandwich zines and books have sold out.


Get your copy from the Hello Sandwich Shop here.


Enjoy your trip to Tokyo!

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

(Thank you all for your comments below - it's hard copy only xoxo)
If you are a brick and mortar store looking to stock this zine please email me for details: hellosandwichblog (at) gmail (dot) com

 

A photo an hour

Hello Sandwiches!

Yesterday, inspired by the gorgeous Miss James, I took a photo (at least) per hour. One day, one camera, one lens, one Tokyo suburb, one photo per hour.  It was so much fun! I told my friends Luke and James that I was doing this and they joined along too. It was pretty awesome getting hourly photo update emails from Luke.

So, here is a day in Shimokitazawa!


7am






8am






9am


10am






11am





12pm
 



1pm






2pm


3pm














4pm


5pm






6pm


7pm


8pm


9pm


10pm



xoxo

NEX Snow

Hello Sandwiches!

I arrived back in Tokyo this week to this most beautiful snow.

Here is a little video from the NEX. (With music as always by Lullatone)





Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Kotatsu Train!

A kotatsu train?!!! I wanna go on the kotatsu train!



Click here for more details.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

2013

Hello Sandwiches!

I just wanted to say thank you so much for reading Hello Sandwich and for all of your support along the way during 2012. Thank you for all of your comments and for reaching out on facebook, pinterest, twitter and instagram. It means the world to me. Thank you also to everyone who have bought my books or zines. I hope you were able to enjoy crafting or travelling Tokyo with them.

Warmest wishes for 2013! I'm really looking forward to another year of sharing daily life with you.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Image source: Pinterest