In Inokashira Park Zoo is the oldest female elephant in Japan, her name is Hanako. She became 64 years old in January 2011. She came from Thailand in 1949 and became popular. We all wish her long life. However, there was a tragedy that Hanako accidentally stepped over the staff working there and killed him. She was called “murderer” at that time.

Another good found in the Nihonbashi area where I usually stay in Tokyo. The sourdough based toast simply stole my heart and inspired me how to enjoy sourdough as a healthier base of nutritious and simple breakfast. It was impressive how popular he bakery place is - long line started soon after the opening time in the morning. Apparently they are one of the local favorites who is well known to the foreign visitors too like me:-) Fortunately they manage it properly to maintain a quality experience. Located right beside a community playground, Parklet also has a lovely grocery inside where you can find their selection of artisanal food and drinks. Will come back next trip! 

Calm and quiet place to drink tea and enjoy a nice conversation.

The Tsukiji Market ( Chuo-ku ) If you want to eat Sushi, you should go to Tsukiji not Ginza. This is the biggest market in the world. You can get better quality fish than anywhere else. The auction and cleaning of big fish are worth seeing. I aways come by the first train, take some photo, eat rice bowl dishes.

Citylight Book at Yoyogi-uehara is the type of independent bookstore where I would wish to hang every week. It opens in the afternoon and runs through late night as a bookstore, as well as a meet-up place, a bar for book lovers. Founded by Kaminaga-san, a veteran who had worked with publishing industry for many years before creating his own version of bookstore, this is a cool place to browse for new titles of books and magazines of a wide range of genres/topics. The second floor works as a nice study room too. CABO, the mix place where the bookstore is located also offers other original selection of snack bar and fine dining. You can easily drift in and out, encountering interesting souls in the hood. I had a book launch and talk event here in May, 2024. It's been such a wonderful experience, good crowd and good vibes only!