So - today we were due to go to Nikko for the day . . . but when we settled down last night, we realised we were absolutely knackered and maybe needed an easy day!! So, we changed our plans around and we are going to Nikko tomorrow instead.
We then planed to go to the Edo-Tokyo Museum and do a few other bits and pieces (slowly) but discovered that most museums are closed on a Monday . . . . . so we needed to come up with another plan!!!! It's going well so far!! All these weeks of careful planning with our itinerary . . . we change one day and it all goes to pot!!!
So, after consulting with the books and the rest of our itinerary . . . we decided to go shopping whilst taking in a couple of shrines along the way! Well - I think I decided to go shopping, Scott just seems to hum agreement!
Another deciding point was the fact that the sun is absolutely cracking the pavements today!!! It is soooo hot (burnt heads and noses again today!). I wish the weather would make it's mind up! We never know where we are from one day to the next.
Anyway - 30 minutes later on an air conditioned train - we were in Harajuku. We'd been here before but on a Sunday as we had heard Sunday was the day all the Rock-a-billies come out in the park and Harajuku becomes a fashion center with people dressed up in weird and wonderful clothing. However, that was not the case . . . . but the place was really really busy. However, on a Monday morning, it's not quite so busy! I suppose everyone is back to school or work at this point . . . so it was nice to be able to wander down the streets in a relatively small crowd.
We went down Takeshita dori which is where all the young trendy clothes shops are . . . and we are now feeling every single one of our 41 and 42 years respectively!!! This part of Harajuku is really only for the younger generation - and ones that have their own style and don't follow convention!
The down side to Takeshita dori, is that there are a lot of Nigerians in the street trying to tout for your business . . .Scott must have been wearing his 'don't mess with me' face as none of them even tried to talk to him!!
At the bottom of this street, we turned into the mainstream shopping street called Omotesando Hills which is a huge street lined with trees and is filled to the brim with designer stores . . . . DKNY, Louis Vuitton (the company's largest store!!), Swarovski, Dior, Armani, La Foret and also a number of 'normal type shops . . . Top Shop, Top Man and Gap. So many windows to look in!!
We did feel brave enough to go in one shop . . .
It's a huge toy shop filled to bursting point with cuteness! There was so much cuteness and pink, that it was giving Scott a migraine!!! I could have bought all sorts . . . . the Japanese know how to make cuddly things really cuddly!!!
We stopped for 10 minutes to rest our feet and have a cold drink, then onwards to the Meiji Shrine. I love this place. Not only for the lovely walk through the park to get to it, but the Shrine itself is lovely. There were some new things in the park this year . . . there were a load of boards along the way giving you the history of the Emperor Meiji and his wife the Empress Shoken.
The Emperor Meiji was the first Emperor of modern Japan. He moved the capital of Japan from Kyoto to Edo, then changed the name of Edo to Tokyo. He is responsible for creating a modern Japan and opening up Japan to other nations. He is a very fascinating man and achieved a lot during his reign.
The shrine was built as a dedication to the Emperor and Empress and was completed in 1921 (he died in 1912, Empress Shoken died in 1914).
The boards around the park were really interesting and I plan to read more about him when I get home.
By now, we were very hot and our feet were hurting. I think I've broke Scott as well . . . his back and knees are a bit sore, so we decided to make our way back to the apartment for a while, then go back out later when it's dark . . . . they are lighting up the Senso-ji Temple and they seem to be playing with the lights on the Sky Tree.
I've been meaning to take these for a couple of days now . . . this is how close we are to the Asahi Flame - we can see it from our balcony! We can also see the Sky Tree from the bedroom window, but they are only turnig the lights on every so often. I think they are testing them out for the official opening next month.
Anyway - after a little rest, we went back out and hit the Nakamise dori . . . the 'tat' street leading up to the Senso-ji Temple. Much to Scott's disgust (!), the stalls were all closing up for the night! Never mind . . . we'll just have to go another night and a bit earlier haha!
We went up to the Temple to see it lit up . . .
So, that was our easy day over. We are now back at the apartment and planning our longer day tomorrow. Apparently the temperature is going to drop a little which will be nice as we have quite a bit of walking to do.
I've just looked over at my hubby and he is currently lying on the wooden floor . . . I think I really have broken him!!!
Sorry today was a short blog, but we really needed an easy day . . . we have quite a bit to pack in the next three days and I think we both needed a quiet day!!
And finally . . . . tonight's blog was brought to you by my tea and dessert . . .
Sushi and rice balls (I'd already eaten a rice ball before I took the photo!!)
And - well, I'm not too sure what these are . . . but they were lush. They had a crunchy outside and a cakey inside . . . a good desert!
Until tomorrow . . . . love n hugs xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment