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1Xtra in Japn
1Xtra in Japan
Benji B at dinner with some of the 1Xtra crew
Benji B:
The Tokyo entries
Wednesday 8th September 2004
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It's 4am, just got in from Skiji, towards the financial district, where I was taken for a late night meal at the very special Sushizanmai. It's open until 5 in the morning and is rated by my Tokyo hosts as the best spot to get the real deal nigiri. We had Sea Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna, Sea Eel, Horse Mackrel, Flat fish and many more... amazing. Definitely one of the best meals I've ever had. I've realised that to have a great sushi experience it's best to head outside the glitz and glare of Shibuya and find a simple, local spot.

Started my day with a look around the shops in the Omote Sando shopping area not far from where we are staying. Loads of boutiques and plenty of places for people into their rare denim and micro label fashion! Didn't have time to start buying but did get lost in Tower Records, 7 floors of selections that put the equivalent stores back home to shame! Checked out HMV too, and likewise, the Jazz and Soul and Classics sections are out of control. The Hip Hop floor takes up most of the building! If there's anything you've lost, couldn't find or didn't buy the first time... believe me they will have it in stock. Prices wise it's exactly the same as shopping in the UK, about £10-£13 for CDs. Stocked up on some old skool Kurosawa DVDs and then headed out of Shibuya to check out the old quarter district of Tokyo, Downtown.

Took the Ginza line to Asakusa, the final stop. It was great to see a more relaxed and traditional area after a spending most of my stay in busy Shibuya. Visited the ancient Buddhist temple of Senso-Ji, once a great pilgramage site and the spiritual centre of this part of the City. The Huge Pagoda next to the temple as well as the giant lanterns that line the Nakimise had queues of people from all over Japan waiting to take pictures in front of them... and the temple itself is stunning. Read my fortune but I'm not telling what it said! The whole area is extremely peaceful and has some great traditional stalls too.

Headed back into Shibuya to hook up with the rest of the 1Xtra crew and compare notes on our experiences. Had a meal together, after which Seani B headed to Yokohama to catch up with Mighty Crown, Ace and Vis headed off to do some karaoke while I checked Jazzy Sport records for their after hours shopping session. Ended up staying there 'til past midnight. They serve coffee, beer, and other things that make the crate digging experience very chilled, all the time playing dope tunes on their heavy sound system. Looking forward to having them in on the show. Today started super early and now it's... super early, so at 5am, Benji B says goodnight. Over and out.

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1Xtra in Japan


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