Kimono experience in Asakusa

Friday, March 20, 2015 3:39 AM Posted by wens
I have always wanted to have some photos of myself taken in a Kimono. It's Spring and I initally wanted to have pictures in the cherry blossoms and kimono. Sadly, very little sakura had bloom at this time.

There are many studios in Asakusa that offered kimono experience and photoshoot. I managed to find a reasonably priced one. It's called Sakura photo Kimono. http://www.sakuraphotokimono.com/english/

They have a few packages
Simple Plan - 3000Yen
Basic Plan - 5000 Yen
Luxury Plan - 10000 Yen
Photo service at another 5000 yen.

The difference between the simple and basic plan is the waist band and the Basic plan was definitely more elaborate and complicated. You can walk around with the kimono till 5pm, so its pretty worth it. For Luxury plan, it was only an hour of walking around.

I took the package which was 10,000 yen - includes the Basic Plan kimono and a 1 hour photo cum walking tour.

I only made up my mind one day before the photoshoot. I did ask some colleauges if they were interested in it but they don't really seem interested. Then this girl told me this kinda thing have to do it with friends. So I was thinking, yea it's true, they are just colleauges which I wouldn't see in future so I probably prefer my personal portrait. It was late at night after dinner, I emailed the lady, Sakura and the next morning she replied that my timing wasn't possible. I gave her a call and somehow it was possible! It was quite impromptu and I'm glad it managed to work out.

Putting on the Kimono was rather tedious. There was 2 aunties putting on layers of cloth on me and tying it with a string. Then I chose my kimono. I was contemplating between a few design but decided on one that Sakura recommended. The waistband tying took up quite some time as the 2 aunties put on layers of bands, twirl the colourful strings around, and folded the back sash into an elaborate pattern! I was impressed. The whole process took about 20 mins.

The photographer is Hiroshi and he basically walked though Asakusa with me and explained the history and culture of Asakusa. Asakusa is a very old and cultural place full of history so it was interesting to know more about it.

It was quite funny how while he was snapping pictures of me, other tourists especially the China peeps all started taking pictures of me. I felt like I was an exhibition item.

The photos took 2 weeks to edit and process, and I'm super pleased with the turnout!



























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Spring in Tokyo, Sakura

Sunday, March 15, 2015 5:04 AM Posted by wens
I always make it a point to make a trip to Japan during the sakura season. I wasn't able to catch the full blooms but I still managed to capture some of the early blooms.

My favourite park is still Shinjuku gyoen over Ueno Park. Ueno park is way more crowded and touristy while shijuku gyoen is more of a local picnic place. More space to breathe and enjoy the blooms. Just pretty annoyed with the troops of chinese tourist stealing my photo spots and loitering in my background. I'm pretty anal when it comes to photobombing.

I was still pretty happy I managed to snap some nice shots.















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Star Struck in Hollywood

Friday, March 13, 2015 5:58 AM Posted by wens
This is my second time to the Hollywood Sign in 2 months. I remember how badly I wanted to go this place yet no one wants to go, so I was with another colleauge and attempted to drive here. We got lost and gave up! This time, just when I'm not exactly keen in visiting, it happened that most people wanted to visit. It's always the case - Murphy's Law.

Address is: 3000 Canyon Lake.


On the other side of the hilltop, this is the breathtaking view of the city and a beautiful lake.

Always welcome the view of this 2 rows of palm tree - which is oh so califonia! But I do love California for its abundance of sunshine and everthing-seems-so-chill, yet so lively and happening. It's hard to get out without a car and at times you have to just tag along whoever drives.


Stopped by at Hollywood downtown and we split for an hour to do our individual shopping.

It came as a surprise that we could get into the filming of  American Next Top Model Cycle 22. We had to register, state our hair skin clothes colour and get a Orange band, then the staff was taking an individual picture. We are all getting excited!



While waiting, this cameraman was going around interviewing the audiences and this chinese guy pointed to our group and said we seem interested appearing in the video. Well, since he already laid us a chance why not! It's an experience anyway and I doubt its easy to come by.




 Was supposed to start at 4pm but only near 5pm did they fashionally arrive at a fashionably late hour. 1+ hours of waiting! This open-top bus drove and parked right behind! The models are all so skinny and gorgeous! There's this particularly attractive male model with tan skin, well built. Guess he will be quite popular! Girls in their nipple popping unpadded swimwear, guys in their tanktop which they take any possible chance to take it off.

 J-Alexandra strutted in, did his stuff.
then TYRA BANKS strutted in and gave a speech which had the crowd roaring. She spoke about how a model doesnt need to be a size 0 or size 2 as long as she's confident, so inspiring.



Didn't catch the entire show as we had plans to catch the sunset at santa monica.

It was a memorable trip to the hollywood and I didn't regret or got upset a single bit that my friend went to Disneyland without me! But i really do wanna go Disney my next trip . Ive been a disney fan ever since watching Cinderella on theatre!!


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