Braving the downpour, we headed straight for Parco to go check out a branch of Junie Moon, Blythe doll's carrier shop. I spied a lovely Blythe dress set there that I may have to go back and buy if I have funds left.
...and that's the lovely Lisa Shinohara and I photo-oping
We decided to check out some of the trendy boutiques the dotted along the streets of Shibuya. You couldn't tell from this photo but for a weather this dismal, there were still a LOT of people shopping and hanging out.
From Shibuya we trotted towards Daikanyama, which was the section that had higher end boutiques and stores. This new My Melody Cafe just opened, lots of people are queued to enter. Everyone loves whatever it is that's new and novelty. Lisa told me eventually this kind of frenzy ends after a week or two.
The reason for going to Daikanyama was to visit the mecca of Blythe doll collectors, Junie Moon! This is the official Blythe doll store. I promised myself that I will get a Blythe doll straight from there once I get to Japan and I made good of that.
I was hoping that the Blythe October release would have the style I would really love so I was so thrilled when they unveiled Mischa Tebya Lyublyu whose Russian folkloric look I am really digging!
We went to this traditional shop where they mostly sell "tenugui" which is a rather thin towel made of cotton. It's mostly a multi-purpose piece of fabric. You can use it as a hankachi (handkerchief), a scarf, kendo head gear, a wall decor, and well...a towel. Before the advent of terry cloth, they were a household must have. They are still considered a popular souvenir item. Thad bought three of them.
After that we went and had a late brunch at this non-Japanese theme cafe called Urth. I had an Italian omelette and this kawaii usagi matcha latte.
Two of the very popular toy lines to ever come out from Takara: Transformers and Licca dolls.
The ever trooper Thad, not minding being the cool presence amidst my squeals of delight
at every kawaii turn.
Lisa surprise me and bought me that super cute Hello Kitty eyeglasses so that we match. We sat down for some cake and tea before heading out to get some omiyage (souvenirs) from this shop called Oriental Bazaar. I bought myself a yukata (light kimono) because I've been wanting one for ages! Thad wanted to get a pair of geta sandals but it was getting late, dark, still dreary and we were getting hungry plus trains stop running around 11 going to Lisa's direction in Shizuoka. We want to come back another day anyway when the weather is not working against us.
This was still a wonderful way to spend a rainy day in Tokyo. Thank you Lisa for taking me out on this most epic of dolly and toy dates! I've had the most amazing time. By epic, it doesn't really pertain to the amount of money spent on amassing toys and kawaii knick knacks. Today was more about hanging out and getting to know Lisa, more than anything.
Thank you, Thad for all always being a trooper.
My love for you is greater than any ten million Kiddyland stores!
