Japan the Series: Day 4

After recovering from a late night out in Roppongi, we set off to the Shibuya area for our fourth day in Japan. When people think of modern Tokyo, they would probably envision something very similar to the streets of Shibuya. It is the shopping district that surrounds Shibuya station, one of Japan’s busiest subway stations. It is known as being one of the fashion centres of Japan, overflowing with Japanese and Western stores, as well as many restaurants and a busy nightlife scene. This area is also famous for Shibuya crossing, a scramble of crosswalks in one of the busiest intersections, almost like a Times Square in New York. Here we did some more shopping (they had an English bookstore!), and of course people watching. For lunch, we found a fantastic ramen place where you buy your tickets for a meal at the vending machine outside. 

A short walk from Shibuya is the Harajuku area. And yes, it’s the same Harajuku from that Gwen Stefani Japanese fixation period. This area is known all over the world for its unique street fashion and shopping.  Many young people gather here to show off their expressive fashion statements. Since we were pretty shopped out at this point, we didn’t spend too much time here, save for a quick walk through the streets.
Next to the very, very busy Harajuku subway station was the entrance to the Meiji Shrine, a large park dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Although I had briefly read about the shrine before our trip, it originally didn’t make our list of things to do in Tokyo. However, we ended up spending a lot of time here, time we both consider very well spent. The park is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the defied spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken who were noted for the Meiji Restoration period which restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868.

In the park, there are outdoor exhibits explaining and referencing his life and the impact that he had on Japan and its modernization. One display served as a visual representation of his whole life and his greatest achievements throughout his reign. Another display was composed of hundreds of barrels of sake, paying homage to the history of the industry of producing and selling sake and its economic importance to the country. There was also a display composed of barrels of French wine donated by many famous French wineries, representing the relationship that Meiji established with Western Cultures. The park itself was immense and gorgeous; ancient old growth trees towering over every path, the odd glimpse of a meandering stream amongst the lush foliage, both majestic and serene beyond belief. It was here where I felt most aware of the Japan that was, the park an island of flourishing tranquility nestled quietly in the heart of one of the biggest cities in the world.

Shibuya Crossing

I'm home!

Delicious Ramen

Harajuku Subway Station

Entrance the the Meiji Shrine

Barrels of Sake

       After a much needed rest back at our hotel, we set out again to the Shibuya area for dinner and New Year’s Eve celebrations. As midnight approached, we decided to change our plans and spend the New Year’s Eve countdown at Tokyo tower. The tower is a communications tower similar in shape to the Eiffel tower, painted white and orange, standing at 332.5 metres high.  For the countdown, hundreds of people gathered at the base of the tower to watch as a light show illuminated ‘2012’ high up on the tower. It was a pretty tame New Year’s Eve but a very memorable night in an incredible city.

Tokyo Tower

Happy New Year! 

Sending my love to family and friends