My Family: Day 3 of Japan Trip

Our first destination is Shibuya. Shibuya is the trendy and fashionable shopping district of Tokyo. At Shibuya Station, the Hachiko exit leaded us to the statue of the famous dog Hachiko. Hachiko is remembered for his deep loyalty to his owner. While his owner was alive, Hachiko would greet him at the end of each day at Shibuya station when he returned home from work. The man died in 1925, but Hachiko kept his daily routine, faithfully waiting for his owner every evening at the station for 10 years until he died in 1935. Hachiko’s permanent presence at Shibuya station attracted widespread attention, and his legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty. Its body now rests in the National Science Museum in Ueno Park. Now it's a popular meeting place and a hot spot for phototaking and touching the faithful Hachiko.

Smoking corner near Hachiko. One near good about Tokyo is that there's designated smoking corner. The law forbid them to smoke everywhere.

After bidding Hachiko farewell, we went to the main action of Shibuya, Center Gai. It is a pedestrian street jam-packed with fashion boutiques, music stores, and video game arcades and also the birthplace of many of Japanese fashion trends. We didn't really do much shopping there. Only shopped at Shibya 109 where Kennie bought some Tokyo fashion clothes. Our main motive there is to look for Jojoen, a yakiniku restaurant.

Finally found Jojoen after walking round and round Center Gai. I had followed the direction given in google map but still couldn't find it. Had tried asking for direction but no one knew the place. Was about to give up finding when a kind shop owner brought us all the way to the building. I was really very stupid as I was so close to finding it but I had been thinking that it's at the ground floor but it's actually at the 8th floor. Jojoen is a Yakiniku restaurant and the price of the dinner could burn a hole in our pocket. But luckily the lunch set meal is so much cheaper. The local beef set cost $18 while the US beef set cost $15. Nice and cheap lunch. Really worth it.

Guess what is this? I was so mountain tortoise. I went to press it and it's actually to call for service.

Bao Bei with the Japanese Waitress

Shopping at Shibuya 109, a trend setting fashion complex for young women with more than one hundred boutiques on ten floors

Next, we went to Harajuku, a famous gathering place for Cosplayers. They will dress in a variety of style like gothic lolita, comic characters and other funny funny costumes. We were really hoping to see the big weekly cosplay parade on the Harajuku Bridge but only saw a few people in cosplay. A bit disappointed and sad.

After the disappointed sight, we walked across the bridge and was greeted on the other side by a majestic Torii signifying the entrance way to the Meiji-Jingu Shrine. Meiji Jingu Shrine is a great contrast to the hustle and noise of Tokyo with the forest of 120,000 evergreen trees blocking out the noise of the city. Meiji Jingu Shrine is dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. The shrine was built in a garden area where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken sometimes visited before their deaths in 1912 and 1914 respectively.

The walk to the shrine is a very peaceful and quant stroll along a wide gravel pathway. It took about 15 minutes to walk to the Shrine and the path cuts through a forested area, lining it with trees on each side. Along the path they also had on display numerous sake containers that were presented to the Japanese royalty over the years.

We also witnessed 3 Japanese customary wedding here. It was indeed a nice sight to see the bride in their traditional Japanese wedding kimono (Uchikake).

Bao Bei at the Torii gate

Instructions on how to cleanse ourselves before going in to the Shrine

Think they are some wishing tablets

Our dinner at a famous Ramen Restaurant which is located near the Harajuku station. Cross the Overhead bridge and walked for around 100m. Jangara Ramen is very well-known in Japan for its Kyushu-style ramen noodles. Restaurant offer 8 styles of ramen: We tried the orginal Kyushu Jangara, Spicy soup and can't remember the name for the 3rd one but it has a very strong pork smell. Just go for the original Kyushu Jangara Ramen. The rest are not so fantastic IMO. Price wise is also quite affordable, around $10 to $15 for a bowl. The gyoza is also a must try.

Kennie posing with a piece of fatty meat.

Close to the Harajuku Station is Takeshita Dori. It's basically an ally lined with shops on both sides catering to all the desires of Tokyo women. They were shops selling the latest in trendy and hip clothes (a bit like our far east). Clothes here are quite cheap especially their lingerie. Around $15 for a set of bra and panty.