Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
JAPANESE ABSINTHE: GOTH SKULLS DIVE BAR IN TOKYO, BAR BREADLINE. BUYING & CARRYING LEGAL ABSINTHE IN JAPAN.
Is absinthe legal in Japan? It surely is! There’s even a bar in the outskirts of Tokyo dedicated to every permutation of the dreamy green fairy.
Between the Alcatraz ER theme restaurant shoot with Andrew Zimmern and the Department H party, a few of the spooky kids and I went to an absinthe bar: Bar Breadline in Renkon/Hasune (a short subway ride from Sugamo).
The tiny dive was under a dangerous flight of stairs and decorated with skulls — exactly our style. We each tried a different type of absinthe from various countries. Yukiro’s drink had a whopping 69% alcohol content! The bartender also let us try a Japanese brand; Yukiro and I thought it tasted like motor oil, but Lady Raisu found it agreeable.
Absinthe is, of course, the most Gothic of drinks (along with blood red wine). Drunk by fin-du-siecle artists and banned in many countries for the supposedly dangerous wormwood content. I love the ritual of setting a sugar cube on fire and watching the liquid drip into the glass. Then comes the taste of licorice and the feeling that you’re floating. The drink also gives me incredibly vivid, lucid dreams.
As we drifted to the subway, we came across this hilarious poster. It’s a warning against cell phone use in the subways, but the underlying message seems to be: no exposing and touching yourself! (Two of my friends once witnessed exactly that by a young man in a crowded subway…)
Are you an absinthe aficionado? Share your experiences with the Flaming Green Fairy in the comments!
Song of the Day #224: Marilyn Manson – I Put A Spell On You (he’s an absinthe fiend!)
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CUTE 1980S HARAJUKU GIRLS FASHION. FAIRY KEI RAINBOW TUTUS IN MANIA Q, PASTEL CAT T-SHIRTS, BANANA FISH SHOP TOKYO.
Back to the cuteness! In June, I posted photos of Mania Q, an adorable little fairy kei hub on Takeshita Doori (Harajuku). This month, I awwed at the 1980s retro cat tees and pink skirts on display.
Gosh, I love fairy kei. The next time you’re having a dreary day, why not put on a Care Bears or kitty t-shirt, pastel foofy tutu and giant pearl necklace? Instant sunshine!
The faded rainbow tutus were my favorite. You could probably make one yourself or even try dying a petticoat in soft colors. (Remember the skirt in this post?)
What also caught my eye in Harajuku? This “stairway to nothing” (the brand names on the steps are promising, but lead to nowhere. I believe the shop closed down a while ago). And Banana Fish consistently scores in the cute fashion arena. I saw new versions of my ridiculous ghost dress and kitty scarf.
Have you climbed up on the Fairy Kei rainbow-brite rocket yet?
Off to WASHINGTON DC! I hope to see you at my Cute Yummy Time book signing; info below. There will be free cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake!
Saturday, October 24: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Hill’s Kitchen, 713 D Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Song of the Day #223: Jem and the Holograms featuring The Misfits – Share a Little Bit of Yourself