Every morning, we walk from our hotel to our “home station” – Hamamatsucho on the Yamanote Line.

On the way down to Takeshita Street (dori) from Harajuku Station, I was absolutely thrilled to see this ganguro girl. OMG! I didn’t know they still exisited. Lucky me, I saw one in real life!! Love the Pikachu onesie and the Doraemon mask.

the famous entrance to Takeshita dori – where the high school girls find all their fashion

so many people

One of my “must-do” items for Harajuku was crepes. IDK why, but for some reason, crepes are synonymous with this area. They aren’t French style AT ALL. Crepes are their own thing in Japan – and they are delicious! There are many places to buy one, but the “originals” are Marion and Angel Heart, which are right beside each other.

I knew about this place years before being there in person.

This is the flavour I got.

obviously very popular

Steps up to a shrine, right in the middle of commercialism paradise. So Japan.

even the young kids are super kakko ii

I saw her again. Such a highlight for me! The ganguro/yamanba style is pretty much an extinct fashion subculture.

had to test out the bubble tea Tokyo has to offer

TITTY BOO

Again, soooo many people!

After Takeshita dori, we moved on to the more upscale Omotesando.

So. Many. People.

We spent a long time in here.

bought the little guy in my hand

Sembikiya is a famous shop, selling gourmet fruit. It was featured in a ‘learn Japanese’ audio tape I had as a young teenager – my first exposure to Japanese language. It’s cool that it’s still popular.

Harajuku Station

The bridge area is a famous spot to see cosplay on Sundays and Meiji shrine is located right behind (where the trees are).

We left Harajuku and headed over to Shinjuku. I was so tired and therefore emotional so we didn’t stay long or see much.

I love how construction is done in Japan – Gotta keep things clean!

This type of ad truck was a common sight.

I THINK this is the Bic Camera that hubby bought his watch at…

kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant – We attempted to eat here, but neither of us like raw fish or are very adventurous. I got a plate of “mystery meat” (really, NO CLUE what it was) for like 130 yen, because I felt bad not getting anything, and then we left.

famous gate to the “red light” district – Kabuki-cho – we walked around but didn’t see much

NOTE: We actually walked through Takeshita twice. I tried to buy some cute shirts I saw but everything was sized as medium. (But I think that is a lie. Very small.) And I made a note saying “irasshaimaseeeeeee” (I guess it was all very over-annunciated?) I only ended up buying some socks.

Hubby bought a pair of Nike Shoxx in Ometosando and I got 2 shirts at Gap.

Also in my notes is “3rd ramen” but I can’t remember where that might have been from. The same place again in Hamamatsucho?

I remember getting somewhat lost on the way home from the station one night. It must have been the first or second night… but we stopped off in a 7-11 and were surprised because the lady that worked there (like the age of our moms) spoke nearly perfect English.

(originally posted to Japan – Here I Come!)