Blogs from Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 5

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku September 16th 2006

Can't believe that we only have 19 more days here in Japan (and only 12 more NOVA working days - YAY!!) We've been pretty busy over the past few weeks doing last minute Japanese touristy things, as well as taking every opportunity to hang out with our friends here (all the going out drinking and socialising is starting to take it's toll - we're sooooooo happy to have a quiet night at home this evening.) Amidst all of this....... last Wednesday we had a truly Japanese experience and we were transformed into a Samurai and Geisha for a day (well for a couple of hours at least!) It was an awesome experience. We went to this studio in Omotesando (in Tokyo) called KATSURA PHOTO STUDIO. It was actually a wet and cold day outside, so it ... read more

The Day I Met My Wife

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku August 7th 2006

We Walk Alike, We Talk Alike

Roaming Bulldog

Konnichi wa! I hope you aren’t all getting sick of receiving e-mails saying that I have created another entry on this goofy blog. For those of you who are tired of reading my ramblings, feel free to do what my brother does and simply scroll through the pictures! For the few of you who have the energy and time to be listen to my latest adventures, please enjoy. Last weekend I contemplated sleeping in for the first time since being here but I resisted that urge and instead got up on Saturday morning to see another area of Tokyo. I jumped on the local train and headed into the Akihabara district of the city. The area is known as “Electronic Town” because it is home to blocks and blocks of massive department stores that have floor ... read more

The Maiko and Samurai

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku July 30th 2006

Strolling through the Imperial Palace

Laurence Melanie

On Sunday, July 30th, Larry and I decided to go to Harajuku. We both had the day off from work and Larry had never been to Harajuku on a Sunday, which in the opinion of most, is the best day to go! It is the day where all the "Harajuku kids" dress up in their crazy garb and parade around town. So, after revisiting the Imperial Palace Garden (where we got engaged in February) in Ginza, we went to Harajuku for the rest of the day. In Harajuku, we had lunch and did a little shopping, but then we did something REALLY different and exciting...We went to a photo studio where I was dressed up like a maiko (a geisha-in-training) and Larry was dressed up like a samurai, and we got professional pictures taken! Overall, the ... read more

4th of July

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku July 10th 2006

AydinA

As you can tell from the title, this is a bit late coming, but better late than never. Fireworks excursion The Independence Day festivities began with Ryan and I leaving the lab early around 4:30 to buy our cache of explosives for the night's festivities. We originally intended to head to a neighborhood near Asakusa that's well-known for its especially good fireworks, but figuring that there was no way we could make it all the way across Tokyo in time before the shops closed (one learns quickly never to assume shops to be open past 6pm in Japan), so instead we settled for the closer option of the Tokyo Hands in Shinjuku near Shinjuku Times Square. After wasting time with silly costumes and old school video games, we settled down to the task at hand and ... read more

Harajuku - Fashion & Shopping all rolled into one

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku July 8th 2006

Harajuky JR Train Station.

Rosita

Harajuku a.k.a. Tokyo's fashion district is a great place to discover Tokyo's sense of fashion. Anything goes here and I mean ANYTHING. Sunday is the best day to discover all senses of fashion, from jaw dropping styles to "oh my gosh, I can't believe they're wearing that" styles. It's common for teens to dress up in their Sunday best (literally) and come to Harajuku to show it off. They don't mind having photos taken, as tourists enjoy discovering Tokyo fashion. For those who are familiar with Singer, Gwen Stefani (from No Doubt), her 4 female Japanese dancers are Harajuku girls. Harajuku girls/boys dress in a certain style common and known to the Harajuku area. Harajuku is also a great shopping district. My favourite shopping area in Harajuku is Takeshita-dori (dori is Japanese for street). Enjoy the ... read more

Sorry this is so belated...

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku July 8th 2006

The Shikansen, bullet train

Carleen

Hey everyone! I'm so sorry that I've just got round to updating my blog! You all probably know I've been back a couple of weeks but I had a lot to sort out and I've started back at work....not valid excuses I know! Anyway, I spent my last few days in Japan in Tokyo. As much as I wanted to climb Mount Fuji, everything was going against me doing it (lack of money, time, it was raining constantly, I coudn't even get a japanese girl to find out how to get there, the huts were closed and I only met one guy who would do it with me and our dates didn't match up) so I had to let the idea go....but my brother is coming to Japan for a year so who knows, I might ... read more

You CAN'T buy steak on eBay!

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku June 27th 2006

Sake at Meiji Shrine

jetsetseattle

Man, I must have eaten something funky, cause I feel green. If you end up in a Japanese McDonald’s don’t get the Big Mac with the egg on top or the DBC. Blarg. It’s pretty much been business as usual around home and campus. I’m constantly reminded of the fact that I have no money and no business going into Tokyo—or pretty much going into any store for that matter. Yesterday Dane and I went into a Fair Trade coffee shop in Harajuku, and ended up paying 630yen apiece ($6.00) for a regular cup of joe. As much as I like fair trade, I don’t six dollars like it. As for Harajuku, it’s quite the interesting place. It is the center of Japanese trend and fashion. Every Sunday is a big deal there as high school ... read more

Harajuku

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku June 21st 2006

AydinA

---Note: I started the blog entry almost three weeks ago and couldn't get through with it. I'm just going to finish up that first part of the entry, then start anew with a fresh entry about the past week or so. Sorry I'm being such a piece of trash about keeping this updated. Pictures coming soon.--- Ah, the long awaited beginning of the research segment of the program. With the orientation process out of the way it came time to say goodbye and move on to new horizons. Friday Night: Urban Planning and Karaoke After the last round of classes in the morning, we all came back to the hotel and got spiffied up for a presentation on historic preservation in major cities sponsored by the US Embassy. The roundtable discussion featured some really interesting commentary ... read more

such a nice family

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku May 27th 2006

Too Tall

Off The Grid

Risa's parents are so nice that words cannot describe. Her brother too. They will not let me pay for stuff even if I try. I had a great time today. Her brother took me to Asakusa and a couple of other places I cannot remember the names of. I got to see a really cool temple as well as purify my spirit with holy incense and water. Now I should have good luck for the rest of my trip. I had my fortune told and I was very lucky. I recieved the best fortune they had. The first time in my life I had some luck. Tonight we had dinner at a restaurant with her brother, his girlfriend, and her mom and dad. It was a lot of fun. It seems strange now that I was ... read more

Imperial Gardens, Beer, and Harajuku

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku April 30th 2006

Tokyo

greeblergoddess

It was warm here today - 80 degrees (F). We started the day off with our free american breakfast, which was pretty good. It was buffet-style and on the 40th floor, so we got a nice view of Tokyo. Afterwards we took the metro to the Imperial Palace, and walked through the East Garden - which is the only part open to the public. There were some beautiful flowers in bloom, the colors were just amazing. Because it was warm we decided to go to Ebisu and visit the Sapporo/Yebisu Beer Museum. It was free to go into and they had a small telling of the history and how the beer is made. Nothing like the Guiness museum in Dublin! But they had a tasting room. They have these vending machines you put your money into ... read more

Brief history of Japan

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol...more history

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