J-emine's reflexionando

During the week, work is my center of focus and existence. I clock in long hours to ensure the milestones (and objectives) for me being here in the first place, is achieved.

Now, when weekend rolls in – I’ll make it a point to be out and about doing something – and usually alone. I’ve been chided and asked to stop hermit-izing myself. There are people in this city that I can do stuff with, but I thoroughly enjoy the solitude of exploring nooks and cranny of this city, that I’ve never had a chance too on my past few trips here. So, socializing is kept to the minimal to keep the energy for the flow of visitors that I’ll be receiving come mid March.

This Saturday, after a wonderful hair treatment  (gave the manes some new color) in Harajuku, I hopped onto the Tokyu line towards Jiyugaoka.  An old Japanese friend grew up in this neighborhood and had nothing but beautiful things to share of his and his family’s life in this area of Southern Meguro, Tokyo, that I had to pay a visit. Known to be an upscale residential area- which  embodies a certain urban lifestyle that many Tokyoites yearn for.

Nice, spacious streets filled with beautiful houses, quaint cafes, enticing bakeries, and abundance of  lifestyle shops (or otherwise known as zakka shops) that houses unique designs and ideas with strong elements of Japanese and European influence. I had a lovely time walking away from the central vicinity towards Ryushoji, looping back towards Kumano Shrine and thereafter Green Street and area surrounding the station.

Along the walk towards Ryushoji, I saw old rustic Japanese-styled manors, little walk-up apartments lined with pots and pots of flowers and town houses that resembles the fond memories of Irvine, CA and Bronxville, NY – a juxtaposition of architecture and living elements that demonstrates the urban lifestyle, then and now, old and new, of Jiyugaoka.

I have an immense draw and fondness towards temple and shrines, and coming across neighborhood shrines in most of my strolls has sparked off some curiosity towards Shinto – digressing here; Kumano Shrine was a nice respite from all the walking, stood around to soak up the positive energy, serenity and the stillness of the sacred ground.

Sitting down at one of the cafes, savoring sweets or local brew, was far from my agenda – all I wanted to do was walk, see and inhale the vibes of this neighborhood. Will probably head over again for a meal or coffee with the girlfriends, that’s if, I can pry them away Shinjuku, Ginza and Ometasando :).

Popped into a small bakery when the tummy started protesting and got myself a lotus root bun to accompany me on the last stretch around the neighborhood. Washed down with a can of black coffee (no sugar) from the vending machine along the road.

Such simplicity, just the way I like it.