6:30 am, time to check out at Hotel Granvia, Osaka.
On our way to TOKYO!!!
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| Shinkansen Platform |
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| Pictures taken while travelling the Shinkansen Hikari 508 |
The Distance between Osaka and Tokyo is around 400 kilometers, Riding the Shinkansen would take you two hours and forty-five minutes to get there...that fast.
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| JR Shinagawa Station |
We took a cab from the station to Villa Fontaine Hotel (Shiodome Sumitomo Building). It was a quiet Sunday morning. As we passed the streets, buildings and river you can see some of the cherry blossom trees abloom. With all the beauty of the trees and the concrete jungle, part of my brain was on alert on every tick of our cab's meter... its a little bit expensive the short ride of less than 25 minutes costed us 2,200Y.
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| on our way to Shiodome |
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| Villa Fontaine (Shiodome) |
Harajuku
We arrived a little after 11, our check in time was at 2pm so we deposited our bags and headed right away to Harajuku where the action is. On Sundays people gather around the Jingu Bashi bridge, at most of the times you will see amateur bands playing, youngsters in cosplay and the place where Tokyoites fashionista show of their ware. You can take the JR Yamanote line from Shinbashi Station to Harajuku Station.
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| Tokyo Subway Map |
The JR Yamanote is a loop line train (thats the grey and white stripes) that will take you around, (this train has green stripes on its side) if you miss your stop you either go down the next station and ride the JR Yamanote line on the opposite platform or just go around until it makes a full circle and stops at your desired station again, its that easy to get around Tokyo. Still part of the JR Rail Pass family, just flash your card.
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| Harajuku Area |
Harajuku, it is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.
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| takoyaki |
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| Tokyo Pop Culture |
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| Yoyogi Stadium |
Built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the stadium hosted the olympic swimming competitions. It is now also being used for ice skating and volleyball competitions, concerts and various other events. Out side the Harajuku Station, when you turn right, you will find the Jingu-bashi, the bridge linking Omotesando and Meiji-jingu. At the bridge, on your right is the way towards Meiji Shrine.
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| Meiji Shrine |
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| Meiji Shrine |
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| Traditional Japanese Wedding |
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| Takeshita Dori |
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| Harajuku Dori |
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| Omote-sando |
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| Police Box at Omote-sando |
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| The Cat Street |
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| Eating time |
after that nice meal at Freshness Burger, we are ready to move again, as we hit the end of Cat Street , we can already see the buildings in Shibuya (the Tower Records, The 101 City)...
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| Shibuya Area |
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| Shibuya Crossing |
While I'm taking some snap on Shibuya Crossing, Zarah took a rest at Starbucks Cafe, as you can see, she's seated underneath the letter "A" of Starbucks.
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| Shibuya Intersection |
On our way back to the hotel, we have a quick stop at Hachiko Statue near the entrance of Shibuya Station. This place is a famous meeting spot for the Tokyoites.
Hachiko's Story: In the 1920's, an akita dog accompanied its master to the Shibuya Station every morning and waited for his return in the afternoon from work. After his master died at work in 1925, the dog continues to show up at the station to wait until his own death ten years later.
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| JR Shibuya Station (Hachiko Exit) |
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| Hotel Villa Fontaine |
Time to rest.... Tomorrow's another day!!!!
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