Day 2: Shibuya- Harajuku

Wake up at 8am japan time this morning, went to hotel lobby for our first traditional japanese breakfast. no prize for guessing right, our breakfast is of cos, rice balls, miso soup and green tea. not bad actually, simple and tasty.

we decided to set off to our first stop at Ikeabukuro- the zohshigaya Kishimojindo shrine

The Goddness Kishimojin is said to bring luck for ferlility and child bearing. the gingko trees on the premises have been designated a Natural Monument by the Tokyo Government.

Reading the map and studying it, we started our way to the shine. it is about 40mins walk from hotel, passing thru a some way, we asked around and finally got ourself there without much hassels. reaching the place, it is quiet and peaceful. not much ppl are there, expect some monk inside the shine. we walked around the shine, talking photos and said a prayer. after about 20mins, we continue our walk to the Gokokuji shine, distance about 1.5km away.

walking thru the cemetry, I notice that it is very close to the living flat, it is something you can never see in singapore or in our region. I guess, japanese are more willing to share the land with the dead. after 20mins of walk, we reached Gokokuji shrine. we went in and took beautiful pictures, I notice a funeral is helding there, therefore, we decided to leave early. as we are about to leave the temple, I suddenly shiver and I notice rain, but the rain is alittle different today, it seem lighter. oh.. it was flurries, something new i learn today. [n] a light brief snowfall

not wanting to be caught in it, we went into the nearest train station. Next stop: Shibuya. we took a train to Ikeabukuro- change Shibuya JR Line. while we reach Ikea, we decided to stop for lunch at a nearby noodle store then continue to Shibuya.

Shibuya;

we reached shibuya center town:

Shibuya center town is the busiest part of shibuya,. along the main street and the center alleys are lined up a number of shops popluar among young people such as foreign music stores, drug stores and fast food.

we also visited 109 building (super tanned jap girls), a statues dog Hachiko and the famous shibuya tokyo drift.

we took another train to Harajuku

Meji Jingu shrine

The shrine built for the Emperor and the Empress of the Meji Era. the orginal main building were lost in the way. the present one was built with wood donated by the people.

this place is like a big forested area, very much like a olden days building that is close to the
natural, this you can see how well the past emperor lives. lot of walking is done and we went thru a few building before we went off out of this place. by the time, we were out, it is close to 5pm, before we went to another park call the yoyogi park that is just around the corner, this is where the cosplay gathers area. unfortunately, they only gathers on Sunday. I notice there is a couple of runners in the parks and also in the streets. what a cold weather to run. this really proven the phrase "no bad weather, only weak minds" LOL

we move up north a little to Harajuku, this is where the youth culture gather. thing you can find there; Burberry blue label, black label, Yoshida bag, new balance, Adidias, muji, puma, bathing ape, etc....

after dinner, when we are about to move into the lanes, it started to rain. nope it flurries again. oh no, we decided to move to a nearby starbucks. to take cover. the flurries starter to become heavier and it become snows. hell yeah, tonite, it snows. not a very big one, i said, but is still cold as hell. after almost 1 hours trapped, we decided to brave ourself to the mrt, before it become snow storm later. walking in the snow is no joke, especially it is the first time. the feeling is very different, somehow, you felt good. hehehe.. if you are better prepare, you will enjoy it more.

we reached hotel at about 930pm, bathed and prepare for tomorrow ski. hell tomorrow is going to be colder.