Thursday, May 15, 2008

Confessions of a Shopaholic in Tokyo

I've had a ball my first day in Tokyo. We arrived here around lunch time after a three hour train ride that just flew by.



Our first stop for the day was Nippori Textile Town. Mmmm.. lots and lots of yummy textiles. Of course, I bought way too much, but really, do you blame me?



On the main street of the textile area were many small Mom & Pop fabric shops and we browsed through these as we worked our way up to the famous Tomato fabric store. It had lots of gorgeous stuff, which of course I indulged in, but was so crowded that I maybe didn't buy as much as I could have. Mind you, I don't think I could have carried more than I have already bought.



Here's a few pictures of a small selection of what I bought today. I also bought lots of kawaii fabrics from another store, but they were all wrapped, so I'm going to save looking at them again until I get back home in a few days.





I just love the two fabrics on each end (the black and the red). I bought 5 meters of each as I'm thinking of making aprons or skirts with them.



I would have loved to have taken some photos inside the store, but it wasn't allowed. So for a moment, close your eyes and picture five floors of fabric... good isn't it.


After Textile Town, we headed for the famous Electronics Town, Akihabara. Actually, other than our capsule hotel, we only made it to one store, Yodobashi Camera. It's not just a camera store, but is nine floors and sells most electronics and conveniently has a floor of restaurants. The wood-fired pizzas there helped us regain energy for a few more hours of shopping before the place closed for the night. I splurged. I was very good with the camera equipment, but went a bit nuts with the computer USB toys. I bought three, yep three laptop coolers. One for my home laptop, one for my husband and one for my work computer. I also bought a USB fan, good for these upcoming summer months, a USB computer vacuum cleaner and a new USB hub to help plug them all in.


I don't quite know how I'm going to carry everything home and am very glad hubby will arrive tomorrow night. He's a great Sherpa.




And this, is my bed for tonight. I'm capsule number 803.




It's now time to lay my weary head and get ready for day of Shibuya department store shopping. Good night!

17 comments:

rupr said...

So beautiful fabrics!

Michelle said...

Totally stunning, I love every one of those fabric choices! And golly, look at the sleeping cubicle!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

OMG. Those capsule hotels freak me out. I have only ever seen them on TV shows. You have to post about what they are like to sleep in for us.

And another request. I don't know how much of that Babushka fabric you bought but I would really love to buy a piece off you if you have any to spare. Can you let me know at cathkirwan(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au

Enjoy the rest of your shopping bonanza. I am envious now reading about the first day's loot.

CurlyPops said...

I'm so jealous! I love all those gorgeous florals....not too sure about sleeping on one of those capsules though. I think it would be a little too claustrophobic for my liking!
Almost forgot....I love little usb appliances, they're so cute! I had a usb coffee warmer in my office at my old job.

Little Munchkins said...

I am green with envy! I love those floral fabrics, so pretty. I think it is a good thing I don't live in Japan otherwise I would be broke!

Jenny said...

Sounds like you are having a ball-it must be such an amazing experience-great buys. i have never seen one of those sleeping capsules before-very intriguing!

Danielle said...

Those fabrics are gorgeous. You are a lucky girl... although I'm not sure about the capsules... did it feel like you were sleeping in a wardrobe??

teresa fsw said...

The fabrics are pretty! I am so jealous! Btw, I'd love to see your finished products using the fabrics! ^_^

mizu designs said...

loved the capsule hotel photos! I didn't ever manage to stay in one for fear i would wake up thinking i was in a coffin.
hey thanks the mention about my prints on your blog a few posts ago. i just saw it :)
and sorry to hear you've not been well.

Two Peas In a Pod said...

Sounds like you were in fabric heaven..those floral prints are beautiful. I wouldnt be able to stop myself from over buying gifts for myself either :)
Have a great time in Tokyo!
Cheers Kyla

flossy-p said...

eeeeeeeeeeeeek, sounds like the best fun ever!!!!! Can't wait to hear more.

Reenie said...

Yay!! Thanks for the pics of the capsule hotel... it's great to actually see a person in them, so you can see the proportions. Thanks !!

Jacinta said...

The fabrics are beautiful - you made some great choices. Sounds like the week-end is going well. Lucky you to have such a great range to choose from.

The capsule looks like fun too.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What gorgeous fabric!!! it is hard to imagine 5 floors of fabric - it must have been overwhelming - fabric heaven.

Sasparilla Sue said...

Sounds like a lot of fun (shopping is my favorite vacation activity). I really like that matryoshka fabric but LOVE that blue & white teeny tiny tree fabric behind it. And 5 floors of fabric - good god!

Anonymous said...

shopping fun! the fabric shops sound great! the sleeping things are like rabbit hutches! how many of these are in one room? are there men and women in the same room? are there bathrooms? how does ventilation work? is each of these climatised?

Angela said...

Cool, capsule hotel! That looks like fun : )

And that Babushka fabric!!!! I lurve it! Have fun with Shibuya department store shopping!

Angela x

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