Tokyo Bites

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Fuji TV Headquarters

Tokyo Ferris Wheel

And then our Japan holiday ended perfectly with a light snow right before our flight back home (:

Shibuya

I really only wanted to show how the Shibuya Crossing runs like a clockwork. If you have as much time as we did, take 5 minutes off, stop and observe. Find a corner away from the junction, but not too far away so that you dont miss out on the action whenever the light changes.

When the light is in favour of the cars, watch how the crowd on the sidewalk grows and swells, almost bursting but not quite yet. Throbbing, throbbing, and then at its fullest, boom, the green man appears, signalling the opening of the flood gates. What follows is a blur of figures hustling by, chattering and laughing as they go on by in all possible directions, vertically, horizontally and diagonally. Bam its over, the clicking of heels over the sea of chatter stops. And the clockwork begins all over again.

You got to be in sync with the rhythm of the Shibuya Crossing, if not out you go!

Yanaka

Another one of those mornings when I had nothing more to do, I found myself wandering aimlessly around the old neighbourhood of Yanaka, north west of Ueno Park.

Tennoji Temple

Tsuiji-bei Wall

Nothing goes on in Yanaka, and I soon found myself pulling a stop in one of the few independent cafes along the street.

Green tea sponge cake with bits of red bean

Shimokitazawa

The Shimokitazawa neighbourhood immediately surrounds the Shimo-Kitazawa train station. Its my kind of place with loads of vintage buys, ranging from vintage cars to bikes to household items and right down to the fashion. I was there early in the morning, and I only left hours after the sun set.

Nothing fanciful, just a laid back neighbourhood fit for the shoppers and the bums with their quaint coffee shops and many cool vintage shops at every turn of the corner.

Meiji Shrine

About 5-10 minutes walk away from the Harajuku station is the Meiji Shrine. The shrine is a place of quiet repose, perfect for those seeking peace and tranquility away from the bustle of the city.

The Meiji Shrine covers a huge ground, although much of it remains a forested area.

At the entrance of every shrine, there would be an area where devotees scoop a cup full of water for cleansing I suppose, before they enter into sacred ground.

Prayer Tags

I followed the forested path to the back of the shrine, and it opened up into this huge expanse of very parched ground.

There is something very haunting to this image of scarecrow-like trees, dried up stream and cawing crows in the background.

I never leave my room without my guidebooks and maps!

Give me a grass to roll on, a perfect spring sunlight mixed together with the last cold breeze from the departing winter, and you have found me my perfect place (:

Asakusa

Tokyo is divided into many districts, each with their own unique identity. The Asakusa district forms the old part of Tokyo, characterized by a thick traditional atmosphere of temples, ryokans and geisha houses. 

Asakusa

Asakusa is most famous for the Senso-ji temple, Tokyo's oldest temple.

Kaminarimon "Thunder Gate"

Past the thunder gate is Nakamise-Dori, a main street lined with small shops selling food and souvenirs for the tourists. Nakamise-Dori leads right up to the temple.

Lady in Kimono

Senso-Ji Temple

Japanese Style Garden

Senso-Ji by Night

Toco

Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel comes highly recommended on hostelworld.com, and it also tops my list of must-stay-places in Tokyo. It overflows with character, is clean, has wonderful staff, and did I mention highly affordable.

 Reception Area

Dining and Kitchen Area

My little corner

Make up area overlooking mini Mt. Fuji

The friendly man