Searching for a suitable hairstylist the previous night, AZ finally found one that offers a unique hair-cutting experience that you probably will not be able to find in Singapore…

“Haruka Mitsuzawa, a hair stylist acclaimed by cultural figures, actors, and models at Frederic Fekkai, a top salon in New York, which caters to numerous celebrities, has opened a private salon for professionals here in Japan.

As the pupil of Frederic Fekkai, the world’s most praised hair stylist, and Michel Aleman who is known as the “sculptor of hair”, Haruka’s skill of bringing out the beauty of each individual without being swayed by the latest trend has led her to become the first Asian female to be awarded the title of Hair Stylist by Fekkai…”

Read more about Haruka Mitsuzawa

Finally after some help from two ladies, we managed to make a reservation at Haruka’s salon located at Harajuku. Had to take a cab from Roppongi to Harajuku as we were not familiar with the location.

The cab fare wasn’t too expensive (as compared to current Singapore prices..) and the taxi driver made sure that we got to the front door of our location before leaving.

Greeted by a warm smile, Haruka introduced herself and lead us to her private salon located within the residential area of Harajuku.

Haruku Mitsuzawa

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Simple, Cosy and Homely

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A short chat before the haircut…

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AZ getting his hair washed before the cut…

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Hair cut while standing

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During the haircut, Haruka shared with us the story behind this salon. How she overcame the difficulties, the doubts, the disapproval and finally turning her dream into reality. Looking at how well she is doing now, I’m sure her determination to fulfill her dream definitely paid off.

We also shared with her the purpose of our trip and wanting to have a deeper understanding of the culture in Japan and we were really lucky, there was an art exhibition going on later in the evening and Haruka invited us to attend it.

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Before the art exhibition, we roamed around Harajuku area…

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Front view of Mcdonalds

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Speedo Shop

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Dinner at Lotteria

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Around 8.00pm, we headed over to the art exhibition where Haruka introduced the Iranian artist who drew the art pieces and her friends. After the exhibition, we headed to a nearby yakiniku restaurant for dinner.

Yakiniku Dinner

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Night Rush

Will be in for a 13 hours train ride to Otaru in Hokkaido the next day…

How often will that stranger invite you to an art exhibition after knowing you for less than an hour?

How often will you have a meal together with a group of artists, film directors, film curators, hairstylist and trainer from Germany, Japan, Russia, Thailand and Singapore?

That actually happened to us today…

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Today’s Plan:

1. Explore Ikebukuro
2. Reserve seats for our 13-hour Shinkasen + Train ride to Otaru, Hokkaido
3. AZ’s haircut at an unusual salon

And a totally unexpected day unfolded itself…

The day began in Ikebukuro where we went around taking a few shots of the surrounding area…

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“Children, we are crossing the road now…”

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After which, we went to the newly-renovated JR Ikebukuro Station: JR Ticket Reservation Centre to reserve our tickets. For the first time in Japan, my mada-mada Japanese (not up to standard Japanese) was put to use. After a few rounds of broken Japanese, “Hai! Hai!” and sign language, the patient lady serving us finally understood what I was trying to say and reserved our tickets…Haha it was a really classic scene when a gaijin (foreigner) interacts with a Japanese.

Smile!

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A Robot? Machine? to help you carry stuff up the stairs

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Lunch was at a small shop close by the ticket reservation centre. A quick one before we head over to Roppongi for AZ’s haircut…

Hot Soba and Salmon Flakes Don

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AZ had the impression in his mind that the store is located somewhere in Roppongi and we did not have the map to the store so we started to search for the salon based on pure instinct. We went up and down the streets of Roppongi.

Japan, the land where Transformations was born, the land where internet is everywhere, but NO, there were no free internet around including Starbucks! Probably because most of them get their internet connection on their super advanced mobile phones (imagine iPhone on steriods!).

Intersection at Roppongi

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Soft-o Bank Showroom

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FUJIFILM Camera Museum

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19th Century Studio Camera

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Antique Lens on display.

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Antique Camera Accessories (Loupes)

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To be continued…

We will be climbing Asahidake, Hokkaido’s tallest mountain tomorrow!

Will be back with more stories and photos…

In my mind now, I kept seeing this image of myself putting both my hands on top of my head and running around in circles shouting: “AHH! I’m in Japan!!”

やっと　日本へ　来て、とても　嬉しかったです！

Narita Airport’s Starbucks

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Awaiting to board the Narita Express Train to Shinjuku

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Narita Aiport -> Shinjuku -> Ikebukuro

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En Route to Shinjuku

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Shots of Old Buildings from the Train

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Lost in Direction

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Recycling Bin in Shinjuku Station

if there were more of such modern looking recycling bins in Singapore, maybe…

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My first experience with the Japan’s Railway system was even more orderly than I expected it to be. People will queue up into two straight lines behind the yellow line (like when we were lining up during our primary school days). When the train arrives, the two lines will shift to their respective sides - the left will shift left, the right will shift right AND they will wait for everyone to alight from the train before boarding the train.

After arriving at Shinjuku Station, we transferred to the Japan Rail (JR) Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro where we will be our first two nights before heading to Hokkaido…

AZ leading the way…

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The sky is the limit…

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In the end, both of us got lost and had to trouble this kind Japanese lady who lead us directly to the hotel, which was a small building cramped between two buildings.

Hotel New Star Ikebukuro

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And the Oterai (toilet)…

I am still fascinated with the number of functions they have for just a toilet bowl.

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After settling down into our hotel, we went back out onto the streets again to hunt for our first meal in Japan. And our first meal is…

AZ’s Katsu Don

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Hmm can’t recall what this set meal is called…

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Shiratama Cream Zenzai…

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Ikebukuro West

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Night life of Ikebukuro

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Cigerattes

Was quite surprised when we saw this…

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Streets lined up with Takushi..

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To sum up my first day, the subway system is not as complicated as many described it to be, food in Japan can be cheap and delicious and I simply love this place…