From mid March to early April we went to Tokyo, Japan.

The best seed beads come from Japan, especially the Toho and Miyuki brands.

The Asakusabashi district has about 45 stores just for beading, jewelry making and craft supplies.  Some of the stores are eight stories high.

The Nippori Textile area has fabrics and sewing accessories.

All over Tokyo there are fabulous stores for stationary supplies.
You can buy terrific pens and notebooks.

I am obsessed with my Midori traveller's wallet. The accessories for it are much less expensive in Tokyo.

We were there at the beginning of Sakura, the cherry blossom time.

I didn’t buy that many beads, it was just too overwhelming! 

Bead shopping in Asakusabashi district.

Cherry blossom viewing at the Tokyo National Museum.

Groups enjoying picnics near the Museum in Ueno Park.

With a population of 35 million, you can bet they recycle.

 Shopping for Matcha and Green Tea.

The HUGE Tsukiji Fish Market in Ginza.

 Hama-Rikyu Gardens, getting a stamp in our Midori traveller's wallets. 

There was PINK everywhere!
Beautiful silk scarves sold at the tea room in Hamarikyu.

A famous Shogun family (Tokugawa) lived on these grounds in the 17th century.
Later saw some of their tombs in the cemetery in Yanaka Ginza. 

 Fabrics in the Nippori district.

 OK...trudge trudge.....maybe just a quick look....

 Trays of Swarovski crystal buttons.

Rendered speechless .... for once.

"To button infinity....and beyond!"

The awfully sad story about Hachi. Totally makes me want to get an Akita.

Shibuya.  The awesome Loft store in the background.

Temple of the 47 Samurai. The bell is rung every morning and evening.

People drive by in Mario cars dressed as the characters from the game.

Meguro Canal cherry blossoms.

Drinking pink champagne is a favorite activity while viewing the cherry blossoms.

Sunday morning.
You do see a few ladies in traditional dress but not a lot.

I could have paid less for these in Canada but I couldn't resist the nice colours.

Yaaaaaaay Toho, my favorite!

Tokyo was pretty amazing.

The food was great, the people were nice and the train systems made it easy to get around.