Sunday 21 July 2013

Things to do in Tokyo-Part 1

Moshi Moshi friends,
Tokyo is a  beautiful city which has a unique blend of modernization with old fashioned manners.The city -famous for its beautiful gardens,shrines and the sky scrapers though it offers a lot more than just that.The place is also famous for the food and its bizarre fashion.
The people are extremely polite.The shopkeepers still give you the change with both the hands.You are greeted in a chorus moshi moshi when you enter and arigato gozaimasu when you leave the shop,still rings in the head at times.

 
Moshi-Moshi
Shibuya-
The name "Shibuya" is also used to refer to the shopping district which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. It is the heart of Tokyo.This area is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan and is super crowded throughout the day.

Shibuya Station is on the Ginza Subway line, the Hanzomon Subway line, the JR Yamanote Line, the JR Saikyo line and the Keio Inokashira line.Shibuya crossing is one of the busiest crossing in Tokyo.The traffic light turns green for the pedestrians and it's a sight in itself to watch the people emerge from all the sides at the intersection.

Shibuya Crossing
The sight can be observed over a cup of coffee from Stabrucks at Tsutaya building.The place offers a great view of the Shibuya crossing.One can sit for hours looking at the trendy crowd of Shibuya!! It is a great place to click some pictures of the Shibuya crossing as well.

One can enjoy the local taste at the Tokyo Food Show at Shibuya station which offers a variety of gourmet eats.

Shibuya is a major shopping area and a definite place to visit for anyone interested in Japanese fashion. Not only are there many very trendy fashion stores, but you can see many young Japanese people wearing the latest and some just outrageous fashion in the streets.There are several famous fashion department stores in Shibuya. Shibuya 109 is a major shopping centre.This place is a shopper's paradise and the energy can be felt in the air.
Hachiko exit-There is a statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko in front of Shibuya station. According to a famous story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away.

Finally, when he himself died on March 8th 1935, many a heart was touched. He was given a huge send off and his body now rests in the National Science Museum. It is one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points. 
 
Harajuku- 
As you move to the next station on the Yamanote line,you reach Harajuku. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping, for adults, and some historic sights.
Harajuko Station

Located directly across from the exit of JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Street is very popular with young teenagers,  or local young people shopping for small "cute" goods at weekends.The street is full of local shops and crepe stands and food outlets.The very famous 100 yen shop Daiso has a huge store here.
Takeshita Street!!!

In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc.

Meiji Shrine-
It is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken located in Harajuku.

If you visit the temple on a Sunday morning, you might get to see a traditional Japanese wedding just like we got.

Priests and maidens wear traditional dress in preparation for a wedding at the Meiji Shrine.
 Traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies are Shinto-style and are held at shrines. Brides wear traditional white kimono called shiromuku, and grooms wear montsuki (black formal kimono), haori (kimono jacket), and hakama (kimono pants)

Traditional wedding hairstyle of a bride at the Meiji shrine
Hair is so important for Japanese Women that it symbolize nearly every facet of her existence.It's common that only family members and close relatives of couples attend Shinto-style ceremonies. A ceremony includes sake drinking rituals, exchanging wedding rings, and more. There are neither bridesmaids nor a best man. 

Omotesando-
Referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees, Omotesando is a one kilometer long, tree lined avenue, serving as the main approach to Meiji Shrine. Numerous stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including several leading fashion brand shops, stand along the avenue.
 This area generally caters to an older and wealthier clientele than Takeshita Dor.

Zelkova trees line both sides of the avenue. Around 100,000 cars drive down the main street daily.Taking a stroll down the street in the evenings is a must thing to do in Tokyo.
Cerulean Hotel
 You can stay in the Cerulean tower Tokyo hotel which is 5 min from the Shibuya station and 5 min from Shibuya shopping area.The location is superb and the view spectacular.
View from our room on 32nd floor.We stayed at The Westin and The ANA Intercontinental too but none could beat the location of Cerulean.

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