Today was more exploring…
We have become quite comfortable using the local trains & went up to Harajuku in search of the girls that dress up like dolls but unfortunately we didn't strike it lucky.
So the Meiji Shrine was the next stop. The Tori gates were magnificent - built from 1500 year old Japanese Cypress from Taiwan. Beautiful pieces of wood a massive 1.2 metres in diameter at the base. Apparently the barrels of sake represent generations of respectful offerings to Emperor Meiji.
We also happened across several weddings in the shrine complex.
In dire need of a bit of a sit down we stopped so Judy could try food from a street vendor.
While "Dango" looks like giant marshmallows being toasted, it is not. Imagine glue coated in sweet salty soy sauce. Definitely different.
Sunday is obviously the day off for the majority of the population and every one was out to enjoy the nice day. We wandered down the road among the throngs of people & came across Tokyu Plaza which was a definite on my must do list. Essentially its just another shopping plaza but for photogs the draw card is the weird reflective architecture on the entrance. The panels are mirrored allowing all manner of abstract images. Bliss.
Another train ride back to Shimbashi and we had dinner at a tiny place only frequented by locals. Tempura washed down with Kirrin beer - all for $10.
And to finish I'll just add to the "toilet tales"... after having lunch in Tokyu PLaza we took the opportunity for a comfort stop while we could. OMG I thought the line looked long but was in for a Big shock. From where we could see it (and that was not the beginning) It went around the corner through a door down the fire escape to the first landing - I kid you not. It took us 20 minutes to reach the loo. The only reason we persevered was suspecting it would only be worse elsewhere.
So having undergone that experience, I suddenly noticed that there were queues of women at public conveniences everywhere. And... there were also large groups of men… all having to hang about waiting for their women.
We have become quite comfortable using the local trains & went up to Harajuku in search of the girls that dress up like dolls but unfortunately we didn't strike it lucky.
So the Meiji Shrine was the next stop. The Tori gates were magnificent - built from 1500 year old Japanese Cypress from Taiwan. Beautiful pieces of wood a massive 1.2 metres in diameter at the base. Apparently the barrels of sake represent generations of respectful offerings to Emperor Meiji.
We also happened across several weddings in the shrine complex.
In dire need of a bit of a sit down we stopped so Judy could try food from a street vendor.
While "Dango" looks like giant marshmallows being toasted, it is not. Imagine glue coated in sweet salty soy sauce. Definitely different.
Sunday is obviously the day off for the majority of the population and every one was out to enjoy the nice day. We wandered down the road among the throngs of people & came across Tokyu Plaza which was a definite on my must do list. Essentially its just another shopping plaza but for photogs the draw card is the weird reflective architecture on the entrance. The panels are mirrored allowing all manner of abstract images. Bliss.
Another train ride back to Shimbashi and we had dinner at a tiny place only frequented by locals. Tempura washed down with Kirrin beer - all for $10.
And to finish I'll just add to the "toilet tales"... after having lunch in Tokyu PLaza we took the opportunity for a comfort stop while we could. OMG I thought the line looked long but was in for a Big shock. From where we could see it (and that was not the beginning) It went around the corner through a door down the fire escape to the first landing - I kid you not. It took us 20 minutes to reach the loo. The only reason we persevered was suspecting it would only be worse elsewhere.
So having undergone that experience, I suddenly noticed that there were queues of women at public conveniences everywhere. And... there were also large groups of men… all having to hang about waiting for their women.
  Main Tori Gate  Sake Barrels  Tokyu Plaza from across the street  From the top of the escalator  Everyone is bored on trains  Shivering outside in a pram, while Mum was shopping |  The children's shrine  One of the weddings  The Dango - pre sauce   Random street snap  Shimbashi |
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