Basically mum and me woke up 7 in the morning. We would set off from our hotel at 8 am, which was also Tokyo morning rush hour. But today was Sunday, so we didn't see as much crowd as normal weekdays. Thanks God!
However, it was a norm to see railway station attendants on platforms which are usually busy, such as Shinjuku. They are knowned as "pushers" or oshiya in Japanese. Their duty mainly is to push passengers into the train before the doors shut, especially morning and evening rush hours.
First in the morning, we took JR Yamanote line, towards Meguro Station. Heard the Meguro River is lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees in April. After exit from the station, we crossed the road, and walked further until we saw the river.
Meguro River with sakura in sight.
Lanterns were spotted in parks and places where hanami viewing was available.
It's already mid of hanami season, where most of the cherry blossom petals started to fall. There was a bed of soft pinkish petals lying on the pebbled pathway. I couldn't help but to pick up handfuls of it and threw the withered petals around. Here were some childish shots of me fooling around.
A serene and peaceful sight of Meguro compared to busy Tokyo city view.
The Harajuku railways, viewed from Harajuku Bridge.
As it was still early, we decided to visit Meiji Dori (temple) before shopping spree. Once you exit Harajuku Station, turn to right, and walk until you see the Harajuku Bridge like the one below. Walk along the bridge, and you can see a giant torii gate on your right. Meiji Dori is about 10 minutes walk from the first torri gate that you see.
The enormous torii gate is the first thing that you see before reaching Meiji Dori.
Along the winding path, it was lined with picuresque forest, with tall trees. Benches were available for those who need to rest their feet. Make sure you wear comfortable pair of shoes, in fact most of the places in Tokyo, you have to equip yourself with a basic neccessity, which is a pair of flats for easy miles of walking and venturing. Seriously!
Many locals were seen in their traditional costumes, kimono and geta (wooden clogs), for ceremonies like wedding and celebrating full month for newborns.
Sake barrels, before approaching Meiji Dori.
Priests lined up and rushed by for some events, not sure what it was. A traffic attendant was seen holding up tourists from getting to close with the priests.
Pictures along the forested pathway, explaining the history of Tokyo's grandest shrine,Meiji Dori which was built in commemoration of Emperor Meiji in 1920.
Some scholars' scrolls and paintings, as well as amulets were on sale.
Me posed with the main hall of Meiji Dori.
Sunday is always the best time to witness wedding ceremony taking place in Meiji Dori. I managed to see two on that day.
The first pair of couple in traditional wedding costume.
The second bride in more colourful hues of kimono.
Newborn celebrating his full month in temple, for some blessings.
Tablets purchased with some yen, for wishes to come true.
You might want to write down your wishes in a paper, sealed in an envelope and dropped it into a wooden box nearby. Its all for free.
After visiting Meiji Dori, we walked back to Harajuku Station. Passed through the Harajuku Bridge again. We were still a bit early for some cosplays which supposed to flock this place.
Crossed the street, where you can see a classic looking Harajuku Station behind me.
Walk to the left and Takeshita Dori is packed with teenagers and tourists alike, rampaging the streets of fashion bazaar and food paradise.
First thing which made me drool was the popular crepes found in Takeshita Dori. There is a wide arrays of fillings to choose from, from savoury to sweet desserty crepes. I picked a savoury tuna crepe while mum had strawbies with cream crepe from a nearby Sweet Box Crepe stall.
My tuna crepe...very filling though.
Mum with her crepe....look at her lips smothered in cream..LOL
Next, it was my shopping frenzy moment. Started with Wonder Rocket, there were a few chains along Takeshita. Do you see that I removed my boots and placed it outside the fitting room? This is the cultural shock number 1 when you are doing your shopping in Tokyo, in a fitting room.
And I would like to introduce Tutu Anna for those who love fancy, lacey and cute stockings and socks. There are so much for you to see and choose.
Not forgetting the lingerie section upstairs. All their designs are so cute and fitting, the cutting suits Asian so well. I splurged quite a bit in Tutu Anna, seriously. Bet I will return for more during my coming autumn visit in November, for sure!
Shop selling gothic lolita suits and dresses. Anyone? :)
Liz Lisa shop.....so much of sacharine sweetie pie dresses overloaded.
Met the lolita girls...
And the super eccentric one of a kind lolita...yike! Call HIM attention seeker!
The very crowded Takeshita Dori on Sunday noon.
Many school girls in uniform were crazy about crepes too. :)
Done with the shopping, next we hopped to Roppongi Hills, on Hibiya Line, and alighted at Roppongi Station. Found the exit 1C.
The giant spidey at the Roppongi Hills which is the trademark.
The Mori Tower, which is a 54 floor-storeyed skyscraper, where you can pay for the admission to get to the top for Tokyo city skyline viewing.
Eventhough we could see the Tokyo Tower from Roppongi Hills, but we decided to get there by subway. The Tokyo Tower looks so near and yet so far away. We took Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, got off at Kamiyacho Station, and found our exit 2. From the website, it was said that we need to walk for 7 minutes upon reaching our destination, but it seemed more like never ending journey for both of us. We were too exhausted to bring our heavy feet to walk any further. Albeit the tiredness, we bucked up.
Finally, the lighted up majestic Tokyo Tower, which stood in front of us.
This photo below basically sums up our trip to Tokyo, the widely available vending machines and the Tokyo Tower :)
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