Blogs from Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 4

Awoke at 11am, probably got out of the house at noon. I was on a mission to go to Shibuya 109, a pretty renown department store, specializing in more youthful women's fashion. I bought a spring jacket at Spiga that basically looks like a Tiffany's box. No bows, though (not japanese-y enough! oh well). Must go back, to get a pair of sunglasses and a top at Love Drug Store. They also had this heart-shaped utensil to serve/cook eggs in...possible souvenir. Oh! Before we went inside Shibuya 109, we passed a fabric shop, and one piece stood out to me like woah! and I thought it perfect for the tote bag I want to make out of the WVFI shirt I bought a few weeks ago; this made me happy. We had tonkatsu for lunch today, ... read more

Nachdem Yu, Jan, Thomas und ich lecker Koreanisch zu Mittag gegessen hatten. machten wir uns auf den weg ins Amuesier und Rotlichtviertel von Tokyo ,Shinyuko. In einen verrueckten Laden der vollgestoft war mit allem moeglichen Zeug war ich m ganz besonders das Lovepillow, einem Kissen in Herzform mit integrietem "Massagestab" angetan bsonders da es auch schon von Walter bei QVC angeboten wurde. Yu und Jan spielten dann gegeneinander taikodrumms und waren natuerlich richtig schlecht. Am interessantesten waren aber die maenlichen Hostessen Clubs in Kabukisho. Dann musste ich mit ansehen wie eine Lebende Schildgroete geschlachtet wurde. Abend bin ich dann mit der Gastfamilie essen gegangen und zum nachtisch gab es komisches Gruenertee Eis. ... read more

We treated ourselves to a lie in. With no alarm, we emerged the floorbound futoned furlongs rose at 9.30. Even your humble omniscient narrator slept in - it is Sunday for heaven's sake. Quested for breakfast croissants but had to settle for long life pastries & bananas. Further faddling decyphering Tokyo's cryptic metro fares (there are actually 3 or 4 competing subway companies), before heading out to Yoyogi Park, home of Tokyo's "Coz-play-zuku" - disenfranchised kids vamping it up and posing for gaggles of voyeuristic tourists. The kids' kinky costumes, black lipstick (worn by both sexes) and S&M accessories are a stark contrast to the dignity of the other besuited park visitors, but besides group giggling, the goths are absolutely harmless. Preferred finger gestures may be two fingered, but it's peace symbols every time. Goth ... read more

According to some manual on what gaijin, or foreigners do in Japan, gaijin go to Harajuku to see the Real Aliens, ie. the alienated youth who cos-play every weekend... so thats what we did today...we went alien hunting. After brekkie we braved the morning express and the press of many bodies on the way Tokyo, heading first to Shinjuku. Shinjuku station is the biggest station in Japan, and the busiest in the world with an estimated 3 million people passing through its gates each day. On weekdays during peak hour it's insane O_o From Shinjuku we hoofed it to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building where you can get an awesome 360 degree view of the massive urban sprawl, for free. We then wandered over to Yoyogi- Koen, visiting firstly the Meiji shrine. The shrine was ... read more

Due to the time diffeence we found ourselves waking up at times would be best described as silly at home, 6AM onwards. At least this meant we were up in plenty of time for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. Rupert did suggest venturing out for breakfast (round the corner to McD's!), but for me being veggie breakfast was the only guaranteed meal of the day, and I made the most of it! Monday was our last day and we'd decided to go to Harajuku. Our early start meant that we arrived before most of the town had woken up so we had a wonder around the towns deserted streets before seeking caffeine in Starbucks and watching the town wake up. As soon as you leave the station the first shop you spot is Snoopy Town, so ... read more