On Wednesday, April 19, we took a trip into Tokyo to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary (it was actually April 18 in the U.S.). It was fun and filled with lots of wrong turns and really aching feet from walking.
Here we are arriving at the Harajuku train station destination in Tokyo. The trip was NOT uneventful. We had to switch trains omce. At one point, I insisted that we get off. I moved through the train doors. Jody didn't move to keep up, and the doors closed suddenly with me waving goodbye to Jody while standing alone on the platform. Fortunately, we had already made a deal that if we should ever get separated, I would stay in place and Jody would retrace her steps back to me. Within 10 minutes, Jody and a Japanese woman got off the train going in the oposite direction at the same platform. This Japanese woman saw what had happened and helped Jody get back to me. She then informed us that we had been on the correct train anyway and that our stop was only three stops away. Japanese people are SO NICE.
Our first stop was at the Meiji Jingu Shrine located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Construction began in 1915 under Itō Chūta, and the shrine was built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, using primarily Japanese cypress and copper. The building of the shrine was a national project, mobilizing youth groups and other civic associations from throughout Japan, who contributed labor and funding. It was formally dedicated in 1920, completed in 1921, and its grounds officially finished by 1926. Until 1946, the Meiji Shrine was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines. The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October 1958. Meiji Shrine has been visited by numerous foreign politicians, including United States President George W. Bush, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
Unfortuantely, much of the shrine was closed due to renovations. Tokyo is hosting the 2020 Olympics and they are already preparing.
As we left the temple's park, we went into Yoyogi Park right next store known for its flowers and nice picnic area. Along the way, we encountered several street musicians playing for the park's visitors.
This little girl was fascinated with the street musician playing his trombone.
We then set off searching for the Oriental Bazaar, a Trip Advisor recommendation for nice gifts and art objects. We had a dickens of a time finding it. But, fortunately for me, by accident we found the main Tower Records in Tokyo with 9 floors of goodness. For those who don't know, when Tower Records went bankrupt worldwide, the stores in Tokyo were a separate subsidiary and remained open, all 80+ of them. We went inside and got help to find the Oriental Bazaar. Although I had no time to browse, I vowed to return to Tower Records.
Superman is here in Tokyo.
I LOVE Tokyo's fire-engine-red fire engines.
Finally, we find the Oriental Bazaar and I remain outside to rest my feet while Jody shops still she drops.
This was so cute, a "cat cafe" that is filled with real cats milling around and wanting to be loved. Since then, we have also discovered an "Owl Cafe" right near this cafe. However, we need to further investigate the Owl Cafe as there are concerns from animal rights groups about the possible abuse of owls as they are a nocturnal species and sleep during the day. Needless to say, the cafe is keeping them awake during the day. Don't think there's any problems with cats milling around, although I considering the importance that Japanese attach to cleaniless, I wonder how they deal with cats around food and on tabletops. We both vowed to return. Jody will be making numerous trips into Tokyo so there will be no problem.
Takeshita Street is a famous teen fashion street. As far as I was concerned, "abandon all hope yee who enter." Look at the milling crowds.
Four hours of almost non-stop walking later, Jody and I reach our planned dining destination, a wonderful Indian Restaurant next to our departing train station. We had a wonderful, intimate anniversary Indian dinner. What a relieve to rest our feet, drink some wine, and eat delicious food. We then made our weary way home and dropped dead the minute we hit our guest house apartment.