022_prada aoyama

When I first started this urbanomania blog series, I decided to try not to talk about architecture at all. But it’s a bit hard now since many of designer’s boutique flagship stores have become tourist attraction themselves instead of the things they sell and the choice of architect, as a selling point, is as important as the location of the store. Prada Aoyama is another catalyst that will transform the future of Aoyama area to a further step after the success of its neighbouring predecessor, Comme des Garcons.

021_super bowl

I think the Japanese eat quite a lot. The food here is served either in big portion or set meal. Try not to order big-sized noodles or extra-large curry rice just to show off to your girlfriend if you aren’t really confident with your stomach’s capacity because they are real huge! Remember the champion of hotdog eating competition, Kobayashi? He really trashed the American competitors next to him even though they were almost triple of his size. The ramen in the picture was extra-sized and only cost 900 yen. By the way, I finished everything in the bowl including the last drop of the soup and almost couldn’t walk after that. But you know what, a guy sitting few chairs away from me was eating the same thing with a bowl of rice and another side dish. He was almost half of my size only…

020_fastest food

The idea behind fast food is to provide quick service in preparing and serving meal for people who don’t have much time to waste for eating. But the irony is, in our modern society, we spend a lot of time in fast food restaurants. They have become our favourite places for waiting, meeting and killing time. The real busy people then end up having no place to sit and are forced to buy take away instead. In Japan, not to worry, there are ramen/ udon shops providing super quick service and the best part is there is no seat available. Yes, you need to stand and eat at the counter. Try it if you have a chance, this kind of shop is easily found on the platform of major train stations

019_leave me alone 03

This is one of the greatest Japanese innovations. Reasons?
1. I have Monday blue. Don’t wanna talk to anyone.
2. I have a sore throat. No voice.
3. I’m a tourist and can’t speak Japanese.
4. I’m a waiter and don’t know what the hell the guy on no.3 above is talking about.
5. Will I get a surprise when I later pay for my meal?
6. I’m the owner of the restaurant. Will my staffs cheat me on my money?

Bla bla bla…

How to use? Very simple. Pick the food you feel like eating then put money in (banknote acceptable and change provided!), after that the machine will issue you a coupon for you to pass to restaurant staff. There is no food coming out of the vending machine. Sorry.

018_leave me alone 02

Need some ice during your stay in a hotel in Japan? Don’t bother calling room service, just walk out to the corridor, there will be a room equipped with an ice-making machine. Take as much as you want, as many times as you wish without feeling guilty or seeing service staff with sulky face!

017_leave me alone 01

I found this service in most hotels I stayed in Japan, which is really good, I think. Normally you need to call hotel front desk to set a wake-up call. But if you are anti-social or would like to rely a bit more on yourself, this self-service alarm is fantastic.