Tokyo – Home To More Than Just Beautiful Watches!

Now, I was out of the country and in Japan for their watch fair when Justin Lee Collins presented ‘Turning Japanese’ on Thursday but I’m guessing some of what I’m going to say here may have been already covered by the bearded Bristollian himself!

So, to the land of the rising sun. A place that probably invented the concept of “WTF?” Japan makes me smile because I’m constantly baffled by it. Sumo wrestling; the art of two large men trying to push each other outside of a circle of salt. Tea ceremonies; Tea, served methodically to set rituals depending on the time of year. Anime; cartoons for grown men. And don’t even get me started on ‘Cosplay’; Adults going out dressed as their favourite Anime characters (complete with make-up and blue asymmetrical hair).

But for all the things that confuse me about Japan there’s twice as much that I love. Impeccable manners; no-one talks on their phone on public transport and everyone queues. Properly; Bullet trains that get you to your location even before you left. Technology from the 22nd Century (almost). The food, OMG, yes! And home to the most exciting city in the world; Tokyo.

My favourite part of Tokyo is the Shibuya district; bright neon signs fight noisily for your attention at the busiest crossing in the city, and everyone shopping, spending and socializing in this retail hub. It’s great fun to people-watch, but even more fun to make like a local and spend some Yen in the amazing fashion stores down the streets that fan out from central Shibuya.

And a ten minute trip down one of these streets brings you to Harajuku. Now, when I came here last time I didn’t go much on this area and I struggled to see what the fuss was about. But I wasn’t here on a Saturday night when the boys and girls of Harajuku descend on Takashita Dori in their droves. And wow, do they make an effort!

Anything goes here; short lace rara skirts, ripped fishnets and gothic corsets; and that’s just the boys! Actually there is no set hard and fast rules here, the idea is to be unique and head turning and to walk up and down the street checking out your competition. And that does indeed include a bit of Cosplay action, donned with no shame whatsoever!

I felt I needed more make-up and less Primarni to be honest....but then no-one was looking at me long enough to notice!

For a full range of designer watches, see TIME2.co.uk.