Japan day 2

Rise and shine! Its exploration day! To travel from our small town to Harajuku took ages. And the subway is super confusing. So many different lines and so little directions in English. Traveling there is an adventure itself ... and an experience too. Though I am used to the packed LRTs in KL, Japan subways are far worse. They push you in to the brim. You end up having to stand on your toes and even so, you can't fall ........ cos there are people supporting you all the way. Talk about being uncomfortable, fortunately it was winter. And I think I got my jacket torn in the train. bah .......... its not going to ruin my vacation.


Yeah! We reached Harajuku! Time for shopping ... but I still wasn't in the mood for it yet. But it is the ultimate place for people watching! One of my favorite past times and I really don't mind spending the whole day doing that. Well, there were many eye candies, both girls and guys. And 'creatively' dressed people. Oh, what were they thinking? Blond Jap girls dressed in pink tutus with a pink roller bag fixed with ribbons, carrying a pink umbrella though there was no sun or rain, with thick make up and pink patent heels? How about guys with skinny jeans, purple streaked hair with fringes covering half your face and silver studs all over ... oh, and the white face paint? I tried to laugh but I'm afraid that if I do so, that image will haunt me at night.


Another thing worth mentioning is that so many decent men, dressed in coats and ties will just stand by the road. And when they see a pretty girl walking alone, he will approach them and lead her to a shop lot. Heaven knows what its about. But pretty scary too. I was told that it had something to do with the porno industry? But its up to you to decide ....... So sitting by the streets while waiting for the rest of the gang to shop was totally worth it. You get to observe so much in just one sitting. Fashion, cosplay, men in uniforms, weirdos and many many more. All worth a good laugh and even a scare or two.


Lots of walking late, we went to Ometo Sando Hills, the Beverly Hills of Japan. You can really see the difference in class in this area. Just a quick walk in the complexes and I'm back out, sitting in the cool winter air, chatting with friends and people watching again. The ultimate way to kill time. And lots of time was killed waiting for the shoppers but that also meant lots of observations were made. One thing to note ............the doggies are extra fluffy in winter!!


We then went to Meiji shrine. A beautiful sanctuary. Though the entrance was set near a busy train station, the scenary was beautiful. There was a huge toweing wooden arc and you had to track though a long pathway filled with pebbles. Super tiring, super long walk but very worth it. Deeper in, we saw the shrine. There was this water cleansing ritual where you had to was your hands then youjr face. Traditions! The settings are breath taking. Very plain, simple, wooden and pure. I could just sit there the whole night observing the tranquility. It was getting darker and the lanterns made the area so romantic ... too bad the park was closing and we had to leave.

Then we went to this area that is full of IT complexes. Cameras, computers, phones and all sorts of IT shops. You won't even know which shop to step in to. Prices are all so competitive but there is always theissues of international warranties and language settings and taxes etc ... sigh, so close yet so far from my touch screen camera.

My legs are killing me. But Shinjuku was our next stop. Just more walking in the rain, some food and a short trip to the pachinko shop! I've heard so much about this Japanese addiction that I've just got to see it. These centers are everywhere in Japan! But its no different from our slot machines at Genting.