Kimono Day in Asakusa ❀

It's getting colder again... most people wanna go out but at the same time they wanna be warm, too. Which means... cafes and restaurants in Tokyo will be almost always full. So if ever you find yourself in Tokyo whether you're a tourist making the most out of your stay or a resident just lurking 'round the city that we all love, why not immerse in the rich Japanese culture by wearing a kimono? Its many layers will get you covered from the cold plus you'll get to roam in the city in (Edo-) style! 

Last May, my friends and I decided to cross one out of our bucket list/s! 

Yeah, you guessed that right...

*drumroll*

walking along the streets of Asakusa wearing a kimono

*drumroll* lol

There are a handful of kimono rental shops in Tokyo but we opted for Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo because it has a branch in Asakusa (just nearby Senso-ji) and it has various packages, one of which is the very affordable couple kimono package that my beau and I have chosen. In addition, you can swiftly book through their English website as long as you have a working credit card. Easy peasy!

So yeah, check out our fun-filled kimono day in the streets of Asakusa below! Enjoy! ♥

 Kimono selection... ahhhh so hard to choose if everything's pretty!

Picked a red flowery kimono and this traditional hand bag <3

 Being in a kimono is kinda difficult; it has lots of layers, the belts are put tightly to secure the layers, and it'll be hard for you to use the toilet (so they advise to go to the toilet first before putting it on) but for a once in a blue moon experience, I'd gladly do it!

The staff at Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo is very skilled at putting kimonos so just sit back and relax, or maybe I should say stand back and relax heh~ In the package that I've chosen, hair setting is also included so they asked me to pick one hair accessory in their vast collection and did my hair! Included in the package were the slippers and the socks, which you can take home as a gift. Just the socks, okay haha!

Tsaraaaannnnn~
Dou? What do you think?

   After less than an hour getting dressed and glammed up, off we went to the streets of Asakusa to... well... walk around in our kimonos, trying our best-est (heh) to play tourists, taking photos and yeah make memories, ofc *tears*

 We picked a bad day to stroll in our kimonos- it was raining that Saturday. But you gotta do well with what you've been given so yeah...

 Anyway, I love how the obi was tied! I cannot do the tying myself, I'm not skilled at it and I don't think I'll ever be hahaha

That face hahahaha luv u

We roamed around the streets leading to Senso-ji. In my four years of stay in Tokyo, would you believe that this was my first time setting foot in that temple? Haha yeah, shinjirarenai~ But it really was my first time *grin*

Lookie! Gorg hair setting!♡

Passed by a manju shop in Nakamise Street

This is how manjus are made~

 Bought these cute manjus that are shaped like traditional Japanese thingies; too cute to eat but we ate them anyway because we're hungryyyy haha!

Also bought ice lollies! How hungry can we get hahaha

 We finally reached Senso-ji yay

Nice to meet youuuuuu

We waited for our couple friend Allie and Lando somewhere in Senso-ji; they wore kimonos, too! Roamed around the temple's confines and took pictures, of course! Haha!

Lando and Kenji

Allie and I

Group photo ♡

Miss you guyssss

Nakamise Street and nearby streets have lots of shops and come dusk, as those shops close, you can see lots of artsy window shutters like the one above~

Haiiii chiizuuuu

We looked for an arcade place for purikura, and took some photo inside, too! I love how juxtaposed this photo is: traditional versus modern~

Afterwards, we headed out on the streets once again for ice cream! Got a vanilla one, of course! The beau was feeling adventurous so he opted for a yokkan-flavoured one. I got to try that too and it was delish!!! 

Hungry from roaming around in our kimonos for hours, we changed into our normal clothes and looked for a Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) place in the vicinity for some grilled mutton! Tummies filled, yay!

Went to a karaoke place for some drunk singing in costumes before calling it a day!

'Twas all sorts of fun! I suggest you go now while the weather is great and don those beautiful kimonos! And oh, don't forget to bring friends with you for some added fun!♡

Love,

Alyssa

Bijutsukan Valentine ♡

If Kenji hadn't come months ago, I probably would be staying in on Valentine's day, killing time with whatever I fancy at the moment (art/ asian drama/ novels), steering away from crowded malls, restaurants, trains, and streets. Valentine's Day in Japan is always big; malls red with heart ornaments and cupids, couples wearing matching clothes and whatnots going on dates, kiosks selling fancy chocolates, and everything in between. Quite similar with how Valentine's day is celebrated in the Philippines in that context; the only difference, I may say, is it being more of a day in Japan when men are adored and given presents (most likely chocolate, either bought or handmade), and women being the generous givers. Fret not, women! We have our own adore-me day, too-- March 14th a.k.a White Day! *wink*

So, given the whimsical "Japanized" Valentine's Day and the fact that I am one and currently residing in Japan, too, I'm expecting that day to just run its own course. But lo and behold, while I was waiting for Kenji at our usual rendezvous, I saw him running and panting towards me, with pink roses in one hand! <insert princess wave here> ♡ The initial thought of reprimanding him because of his tardiness melted away like the chocolates I melted the night before for him haha! 

To cut the chase cos this post is getting longer and downright cheesy, we heard mass, drank vendo coffee in the nearby Sophia University, and rode the train to Ueno for an impromptu museum visit, hence the title of this post; Bijutsukan = art museum/gallery.

So, here are some snaps from our unplanned Valentine's artsy fartsy date at the 

Tokyo National Museum. ♡ 

*photo-heavy post alert*

First things first, ticketsssss! Museum tickets in Japan are usually sold near the museum gates via ticket generators. All you have to do is put the bills/coins in, press the number of tickets you want to purchase, and wait for it to be released. However, there are days when the lines are long and you have to wait for a couple of minutes for your turn. What we did was to purchase tickets in the ticket office near Ueno Station's Park Gate exit. The ticket office is foreigner-friendly and tax-free, plus you don't need to line up for too long! (Adults-620 yen, University students- 400yen)

Getting the 620yen ticket allows you to access almost all of the galleries in the museum compound except for those with special exhibitions (you need a different ticket for this) and for those that are being renovated just like the Hyokeikan above.

For this visit, we decided to explore the Japanese Gallery, Honkan. The two-floor gallery houses 10 rooms providing  an overview of Japanese history and culture through the chronological development of Japanese art plus a few other temporary exhibitions on sculptural art and  modern art.

Welcome to Honkan! Imagine my awe as I see this staircase x golden door x intricate clock combo! Lovelyyyy~

We weren't able to see all of the rooms in this gallery given 2.5 hours so what you'll be seeing as you scroll down are just the rooms we were able to explore! I suggest allotting half a day just for exploring Honkan haha!

We started with Netsuke: The Prince Takamado Collection. This is a room full of tiny eccentric sculptures made with amber, ivory, boxwood, and others (even walnut shells and stag antlers)! Personal favorites are Ancestor Fukurokuju (10) and Hagoromo (15).

A room of Kosode garments and Ukiyo-e (prints depicting merry-making scenes mainly of Kabuki theatre, actors and actresses, and landscapes). 

This is what fashion looks like during the Edo Period. Everyone, say hello to the predecessors of today's Kimono, the Kosode robes! Interesting colours and embroideries! 

Noh costumes. Noh is a Japanese performing art based on traditional court dances dating back to the 14th century. In between Noh plays are comical acts called Kyogen and from there the known performing art Kabuki was born.

Folding screens and sliding door paintings during the Edo period. The one above is entitled Four Elegant Pastimes for Court Ladies by Kaiho Yusho dating back to the 16th-17th century. 

Another folding screen design.

 

From townspeople fashion during to the attire of the military elites during the Edo Period! Yep, armours! Yep, samurais! On the left is a Domaru-type armour with variegated lacing; on the right is an Ichinotani-style helmet with iris leaf design.

The art of tea ceremony during the Muromachi Period (1392-1573) to Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1573-1603).

Tea kettle with thick rim, Tenmyo ware (Muromachi period)

Courtly Art- Kokin waka shu Poetry Anthology, ink on decorated paper by Emperor Fushimi.

Buddhist Art- Sixteen Arhats: Fourth Arhats, colour on silk

 

Buddhist Art

Left: Standing Bishamon Ten (Vaisravana), wood with polychromy, gold leaf, cut gold leaf, and inlaid crystal eyes

Right: Kei Gong

Chandelier

Random door and wall

 The Dawn of Japanese Art- Bronzeware from the agricultural Yayoi Period, featuring the bell-shaped dotaku

The Dawn of Japanese Art- Haniwa or terracota tomb figurines

Gotta love this window!

Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana, Kamakura Period (My favorite from the Japanese sculpture collection)

Standing Juni Shinso / Twelve Heavenly Generals, Kamakura Period. (Kenji's favorite)

Lacquerware collection

Lacquerware collection- Writing Box, made using the maki-e lacquerware method

Lacquerware collection- Cabinet

Lacquerware collection- Stationery Stand, scene of Sumiyoshi and poem design in maki-e lacquer

Water Droppers or Suiteki, used in the preparation of ink in calligraphy or painting. Suitekis are usually made of ceramics but the ones above are made of metal. These animal-shaped water droppers are part of the 442 metal water droppers donated by Watanabe Toyotaro in 2013.

 Modern Art gallery- paintings and sculptures from the Meiji to Taisho period.

Ogiwara Morie's sculptures

Exploring Honkan was exhausting yet fun! I just totally dig the idea that I got to spend this year's V day with history, culture, art, and love, a very far cry from my previous V days haha! We left the museum a few minutes past five and saw this glorious scene! What a superb ending to a superb day! 

  Ending this post with my most favorite work of art in the whole wide world, my Kenji! *cheesy haha*

 I hope your hearts were happy last Valentine's Day, are still happy today, and will be happy for the rest of the year! ♡