Finally! T-Site at Daikanyama: The Ultimate Bookstore
I Don't Care About the Heat Wave,
I Wanna Go to Japan!
The first time I saw the T-site, I felt a sense of wonder because the structure was able to capture a lot of points of interest: books, fashion, culture, art, film, food. Even with my lousy timing of traveling to Tokyo, it was STILL worth the trip.
You’d think that a heat wave in Japan would stop me from traveling to one of my favorite cities… obviously not. Because I insisted on going to Tokyo in August, it would have been easy to write about how lousy that particulatr Japan trip was, right?
Dead wrong. Despite the sweltering heat and inevitable sauna-like experience, that trip in 2018 was as enjoyable as the rest. Well, okay, I could have done without the wet shirt- sticking-to-your-back experience. But the rest of the adventure was worth the inconvenience.
Mission for the Day: To See the T-site
Now where do I begin my tale??? Oh okay. Let me start by saying that part of my plan was to see the T-site at Daikanyama.
Every article I saw on the place made me more eager to put it as part of my itinerary. You see, when we travel to a city we’ve already visited before, I make it a point to do two things: visit the familiar and discover the new.
Ii decided that for this year’s Japan trip, the three-winged building that housed books, music, a coffee shop, gift shop, a gallery among others will be part of the list of discovery. Well, I do hope you remember that I started with the words. “part of my plan” because before we saw the T-site, there were a bunch of other sites worth mentioning to you.
The Art of Misdirection
photo above take from the internet.
Given that I was risking the forever “I-told-you-so!” from the hubby, I HAD to make sure he forgets (or nearly forgets…okay…quickly forgives then) the sticky unbearable weather. How do I do that? How else but to find delightful spots that will make up for the discomfort!
Judging from how he talks about the trip years later, I know I did well (whew!).
picture on the left: i chose shibuya hotel en for the location, the amenities and reviews. We were very happy with it!
Side Trips On Our Way to T-site
When we got off the station, we met Audrey Hepburn and had a picture taken with her. That was a fun way to start our day in Daikanyama. Before you get your hopes up to get a pic with her, I have to confess: the very next day we went to Daikanyama, and she wasn’t there anymore. But aside from the style icon, there are other great reasons to visit the trendy place.
For coffee lovers out there, word of advise. Look for Mocha cafe – kind lovely lady owner barista wil greet you warmly and brew delicious coffee, poured in lovely cup and saucers. We met her the same day we met Audrey!
You can read about those experiences in blog I wrote previous to this one.
Look at all of the places we went to, even BEFORE we arrived at the T-site! Even in the heat, I knew it was all worth the sweat (literal and figurative!).
After Coffee: Bags and Scarves before Books
I bought bags at trendy Rootote shop. I liked how stylish the products were. Even their signature roo pocket (a secret pocket, much like the, you guessed it, the secure and loving pouch of a Mama Kangaroo).
After my happy stash, we hit a few more design stores that it seemed as if we were on an Artist’s Tour. One of those shops is Okura (picture seen on the right, taken from a website). Looking at the exterior, you already know that you will spend quite some time and money in the place — and I did just that. Their products were of high quality that I knew it was money well-spent. Buying a piece is also my way of honoring the artists who kept the Japanese tradition alive.
The shop creates textiles using traditional Japanese techniques. It was part of my list of must see shops, which I read about in the Mabuhay magazine (Philippine Airlines’ inflight magazine). I bought a lightweight blue (traditional blue dye) scarf from the store. It was dyed the natural indigo dye in the same traditional method.
Traditional House in a Trendy Spot
Coming out of a traditional japanese style warehouse, I wanted to keep the mood going. I wasn’t ready to see modern Japan.
Having this mindset, I was determined to visit a historical house that represented the old Japan. And it didn’t take long for me to find it. The name of the landmark was Kyu Asakura house. Looking at the archway, the stone, soil and greenery that led to the house, I knew I was in for a treat. It was like being thrown back in time.
picture below: garden at Kyu Asakura, already using the Rootote Snoopy bag I just bought an hour ago.
We were lucky enough to visit the traditional Japanese house on a quiet day. For the first half hour, there were just about five visitors in the sprawling house and garden. I guess others were turned off by the heatwave to venture out – translation: they weren’t as stupid as we were haha!
You know what? The floors were cool to my bare feet (yes, that’s me, barefoot. my friends know how squeamish I am to go barefoot but I am not going to pass up the chance to see an authentic Japanese house locked in time!). Aside from the thin partitions, the cool wooden floors, the trees and garden outisde provided a natural breeze that flowed throughout the house.
Look at that view. You don’t need the ocean to feel at peace. Just this view will do.
Okay... Really,... FINALLY, the T-Site
The picture above is from Gaijin Pot Travel website.
It was late afternoon when we finally saw the T-site.
Despite my weariness, that did not get in the way of admiring the beautiful facade. My gosh, even the exterior was enough reason to see the place.
Because I was sooo tired by then, I planted myself into one of the comfy nooks by the books!
By the way, that’s a food truck right outside that side of the building (right behind me). We couldn’t eat another bite so just admired it for
I quickly told the hubby that we need to go back to the place tomorrow– perhaps after we visit Tsukiji Market. Obviously the market was another landmark that I couldn’t miss! Well, I loved it so much that the year after this, I made sure it was in my itinerary for my friend when I acted as her personal tour guide for a weekend 🙂 You can read more about that in my other blog.
