Harajuku Girls

Although there wasn’t anything remarkable about our arrival and first evening in Tokyo, I managed to snap one of my favorite photos so far… This was taken in the lobby café of our hotel after a simple meal and some fantastic live jazzy music.

I figured I’d add a few more photos from our first full day in Tokyo. We started the day with a leisurely walk to Meguro train station for our first attempt at Japanese mass transit. After some initial confusion with a ticket machine, we figured we’d fare better (pun intended) by speaking with someone at the ticket information counter. After a handful of fumbled attempts at asking for a day pass, the kind clerk figured out what we were seeking and suggested the Suica card - a silver/green credit card adorned with a cartoon penguin.

Cards in hand, we headed towards Harajuku and the Meiji shrine.

Upon arrival at Harajuku station, we were met with throngs of people, mostly teens dressed in a variety of outfits ranging from punk rock to anime cartoon characters.
We ambled down Omotesando and peered into the coffee shops and clothing stores dotted along this main thoroughfare.



Realizing we had not had a sufficient breakfast -- Pocky and potato chips -- Patty and I settled on a simple/quick Italian express restaurant for a bit of sustenance.

After lunch, we headed towards the Meiji shrine which resides in Yoyogi Park on the western side of Harajuku Station. Just before the entrance to the park is a pedestrian bridge which allows for passage over the train tracks and this is where most of the costume-clad teeny boppers commingle and pose for gawkers and photographers. Although seemingly quite bizarre and as offputting as some of the costumes may be, these kids are more than happy to pose for pictures, and most of them generally greet you with a smile and a slight bow.

These girls love their stockings too...


more stockings...


We then headed for the park and some old-world temples.

After a short walk through a wide, tree-lined gravel path, we entered the bounds of the Meiji Shrine. A mixture of simple architecture with ornate detail, you really get the feeling you’re somewhere special. As we entered, we noticed a small gathering whose attention was focused on a vision in white. I think we stumbled upon a wedding ceremony…

Upon further exploration, we came upon an area dedicated to the prayers of visitors. Apparently if you write your wishes on a small wooden plaque and hang it with the others, a monk will actually pray for what you have written. There were plaques written in all different languages, and from the ones that I could read, the messages were just as varied.

I added one of my own.


Leaving the park, we passed by the Harajuku girls again…


We then took a stroll down Takeshita (read it slowly for maximum hilarity). Here’s a view down the alley, jam packed, shoulder to shoulder. See if you can spot yours truly. Click the picture to see it larger.

Takeshita street is lined with clothing shops to fuel the trends of the young Japanese and is definitely worth a look if you’re in Tokyo.

Patty has already written about our wonderful authentic sushi dinner, and so I will simply add that it was a great finish to our first full day in Japan. And to Chris and Emi and their son Sean: Domo arigato gozaimas!