This Week in Tokyo – 6 August 2019

The latest edition of This Week in Tokyo – a review of the Maction Planet week that was and a look ahead to what’s coming up in and beyond the city. Check out photos from our tours and read insights into our explorations as we get under the skin of the World’s Greatest Metropolis, and beyond. This week’s edition is hosted by Mac, our Founder and Lead Guide. This week: Tokyo with Elizabeth Marvel and Bill Camp; Tsukiji Bon Odori 2019; Haneda Himawari; Crow and Dragon – together at last and Sea Salt Takenoko no Sato! 

Featured image – Tokyo with Elizabeth Marvel and Bill Camp: It was an honour to spend three days with actors Elizabeth Marvel and Bill Camp and their son Silas showing them many of the things which make Tokyo the World’s Greatest Metropolis, including attending a Tokyo Yakult Swallows Baseball Game!

Tsukiji Bon Odori 2019: Maction Planet Food Tours are not your standard, run-of-the-mill, take everyone to the same restaurants you took them to last time food tours. Kathy and Mike discovered this on Saturday when we spent a lovely evening together enjoying great food and culture on the East side of Tokyo, including enjoying time at Tsukiji Bon Odori.  Last year we ran a feature on the incredible cosplay often found at the event.

Haneda Himawari: The Japanese name for sunflower, himawari, literally means ‘turning toward the sun’. It dates back to around 1700. Native to North America, they were worshipped as the flower of the sun by the ancient Incas. Louis XIV of France used sunflowers in this royal crests. One of our many Tokyo blooms, we are now entering sunflower season in the World’s Greatest Metropolis. I spotted this mini-field at Haneda Airport International Departures as I was wondering around before picking up Rachel and Dave for a 12-hour stopover tour of Tokyo!

Crow and Dragon – together at last: Bill, Elizabeth, Silas and I (see featured image) were heading to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka when I spotted this crow perched on the head of the lucky money-washing dragon at the Bentendo in Inokashira Koen. I managed to snap this just as it was moving to take off.

Sea Salt Takenoko no Sato: We do not have space here to discuss the many ways that Takenoko no Sato are superior to their rival Kinoko no Yama. This comment would be enough to inflame many of my local readers where your preference between the two Meiji-made treats is serious business. I thought the best could not get better, but this limited edition sea salt variant, Okinawa-made no less, is sublime. Hunt them down in your local convenience store while stocks last!

Maction Planet runs bespoke Private Tours and Experiences in Tokyo, and beyond. To book yours, contact us at info@mactionplanet.com

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