One of the coolest things about Tokyo, and there are a lot, is that you have a lot of super modern, put together with the old. You can also take the metro EVERYWHERE, and enjoy a lot of walking. Streets are very clean, and people are super friendly. We had so many people help us navigate the metro, not to mention the lost camera, but I get ahead of myself...
HARAJUKU, SUNDAY NIGHT
On Sunday (the day we arrived) there is a huge Harajuku Girl (basically teenagers dressed in costumes that resemble Japanese anime) sort of ad hoc display on a bridge in a part of Tokyo called Harajuku. Yusuke took us there, but apparently all of the girls left. So here I stand on an empty bridge.
The part of town that all the alternative teenagers go to shop and hang out. Picture shop after shop of Spencers and Hot Topic. And these kids are pretty unique looking in their apparel-chains, leather, punk. Totally would have been me 10 years ago.
HAMARIKU ONSHI-TEIEN GARDEN (Detached Palace Garden)
This garden is on the grounds where a shogun once lived, and was made into a park in teh 17th century. We went to this garden twice. First, on Monday (the day I'm blogging about) after cruising the town with Pritham, Kasuma and Tepei. We saw it the second time on the infamous day we tried to kill ourselves walking around Tokyo. There is a great boat cruise from here we took on second time around because we arrived too late on this day to catch the boat.
Such a welcoming bridge.
See the peaceful garden, in the middle of the Tokyo skyrises. We heard some great lounge music coming from them. I am sure it was a happy hour breaking out...
GINZA
Ginza is a neighborhood where there is a lot of upscale shopping, picture Fifth Avenue, Champs-Elysee, etc. We actually went into a specialty chopstick store that reminded me of the Oliver's wand store-everything you can imagine. But alas we walked out empty handed. We did get some good shots in the neighborhood (you will see more on the infamous walking day. That is going to be a good one...)
When Sandip did consulting in Japan, he stayed here. We totally went looking for it in the pouring rain, and finally found it! It was cool to hear about his time there.
After a bit of shopping (I got a purse with skull and crossbones), we stopped for some beer at Lion Beer Hall. So much fun to see this side of Japan, and how do you go wrong with beer?
I wasn't sure I would like what I ordered. Sandip had a big mug, I had this cute, much smaller, glass. It was tasty...
A view of the inside.
FULL DAY #2-SEPTEMBER 6
It started with us going to Yusuke's work and seeing some of the office, factories, machines. It was awesome to see what he does, and how it all comes together. We really could see why Yusuke is so good with putting things together and making all sorts of mechanical things. Really impressive.
AKIHABARA-"The electronics neighborhood"
Yusuke brought us here where both he and Sandip were totally in their element. After conveyor belt sushi, we toured the area. You can buy literally every tiny piece that goes into electronics, and also there was the biggest "best buy" type store I have ever seen. Ever. By a long shot.
People excited about electronics.
Ok, you can see aisles 11-15, and this is only one of I think 7 floors. And these are LONG aisles.
Bob is the only other person I think wold really appreciate it as much as Sandip.
Seriously, a whole row of just laptop bags. Imagine me trying to pry Sandip loose from this place.
Advertisement above the train station. Typical look.
this building with the clear escalators was a navigation landmark for me.
Weirdest and yet most awesome cafe ever.
All the waitresses dressed like anime-ish, with contacts that made their eyes big. All of them were very sweet and wanted to practice their English with us. We waited out a rainstorm here and had hot chocolate.
SHIBUYA-the "this was in that movie with Bill Murray" neighborhood
This is the neighborhood of the famous Shibuya crossing, like Times Square on steroids. Actually less crazy I think because we came shortly after the huge earthquake and people were still too sad to come out. But we still saw a ton of people.
People lined up to cross.
Dogball and Duck want in on the action.
It looks like there are two tones in this photo and there is something wrong. Look again, it is the people blocking the bright lights.
Hachiko Statue
This is a sculpture for a master and his dog. Apparently, back in the 1920s there was a professor who every day would come out of the metro after work, and his dog, Hachiko, would be waiting there obediently. Then one day the man died at work. The poor dog kept showing up looking for his master and wait at the station for 10 more years!!
So flipping sad and depressing.
This is a sculpture for a master and his dog. Apparently, back in the 1920s there was a professor who every day would come out of the metro after work, and his dog, Hachiko, would be waiting there obediently. Then one day the man died at work. The poor dog kept showing up looking for his master and wait at the station for 10 more years!!
So flipping sad and depressing.
Love Hill, a hopping nightlife up on a hill away from the Shibuya craziness. Lots and lots of restaurants and by the hour hotels here.
This was the funniest hourly rate hotel we saw-Hotel Casanova. Nothing says iconic Italian romantic/seducer like a bright pink and blue building with shiny yellow stars!
Goodbye to this day, hello to the next!
