Shopping in Ikebukuro

There are so many things to blog about today! We went shopping and I appear to have bought all the things! 

We went to Ikebukuro as I fancied going to the cat house at the top of the DIY  and home shop Tokyu Hands. I wish Homebase was like Tokyu Hands and not just because of the cats. This was my favourite cat. His markings were spectacular and I love his bandana. 

But Tokyu Hands is more than cats and DIY. You can equip yourself with a whole chemistry lab. 

I didn't buy any chemistry gear :-) I did buy a load of washi tape and some notelets. It's lovely that there is still a culture of writing by hand in Japan. 

We also went to Bic Camera and I bought myself some hair straighteners. They're pink they have dual voltage so work anywhere in the world, which will be handy for my trips to Paris, New York and San Fransisco over the next 11 months!  They have loads of accessories and a carry case. They were a bargain at £17 - in the U.S. they cost $70 which I think is about £40! 

I can't wait to try them out tomorrow! 

While we were in Sunshine City Shopping and entertainment centre in Ikebukuro there was a J-Pop girl band performing. I took a picture from above the performance as we were looking for something to eat. 

We had a lunch of curry at an Indian restaurant. The waiter seemed to be pleased to talk to us in English. I had a delicious Japanese style chicken and vegetable curry. 

On our way home we stopped by the food hall in Shinagawa station. It has some amazing food stalls and restaurants including the oddly named bakery Buzzsearch. This bakery specialises in cakes, usually bought when travelling to share or give as gifts. I've always wanted to try one of the fruit rolls. They're a bit like Swiss rolls. An outer layer of sponge filled with creme pat and fruit or other sweet things. I couldn't resist today and bought a fruit roll pictured below. We didn't have a knife at the hotel room so it didn't cut very elegantly with a spoon. It tasted amazing! We have a lot more left for later too. The fruit inside is banana, kiwi, strawberry, orange and peach. 

Of course it being Japan the cake comes in a beautiful box with packs of ice beneath it and the cake beautifully wrapped in celephane. 

I also bought myself some nail varnish from the local chemist. 4 bottles for under a tenner. It is not true that Japan is expensive! 

So it's been a successful day of shopping!