Shopping experience at Harajuku - Part 2

Harajuku, Tokyo... After the enriching visit to Meiji Jingu, the best thing to do next is of course to shop. Shopping is a must do activity for gals at Harajuku. The main street for shopping is of course Takeshita Dori. It is a colourful street that is almost always crowded with people but it is not too messy (as in, people will not be pushing around). So no worries.

(Look at the crowd)

There are a lot of fashion boutiques along the street, selling all sorts of fashion related items such as apparels, shoes, assessories, socks, stockings and lingeries. This is a big attractions for teenagers as the prices are on the low side and hence more affordable. There are also a few of stores that sell cosplay costumes (typically they don't allow you to take photo of the store or costumes). A set of costume (eg. maid) typically costs around 10,000 yen. The price range can be rather wide depending on the type of designs.

(A store selling assessories)

(Store selling apparels)

(This shop sell all sort of idol stuff)

(A store selling Halloween costumes)

(Crepes. These are very common at Harajuku these days)

(yummy!)

Other than Takeshita Dori, there are a lot of stores to shop in the area. You can really shop till you drop. Being near to Omotesando also means that there are a lot of international brands in the area such as GAP, Agnes B and etc. More on Omotesando in my next post.

The Harajuku Style - Part 1

Harajuku, Tokyo is one place that I doubt anyone will miss if they ever visit Tokyo for the first time. Of course this is partially due to the fact that Harajuku is near to Meiji Jingu and Omotesamdo (which are themselves popular tourist attractions). However, Harajuku does have a special charm in itself especially have a weekend where you will see a lot of youths dressed up in various characters (mostly based on anime). These cosplayers typically hang around in group and it is common to see them bringing their little trolly luggages with them (as some of them travel to Tokyo over weekend from other parts of Japan). Do feel free to take photo of these colourful subjects as generally they love attention showered upon them.

(One of the exit of Harajuku station)

(Snoopy Town. Selling all sort of Peanuts stuff. Used to be opposite one of the exits at Harajuku station but now has closed down)

One common gathering point for these cosplayers is the Jingu Bridge which will lead to Meiji Jingu (but trust me, please be prepared to walk a fairly long distance). Sunday is usually the best time to catch these cosplayers. Sometimes, there will also be performance by the street artists (like singers and bands) at the area as well as stalls selling stuff like food and posters (of the teenagers' idols of course) etc.

(See all these youths that gathered at Jingu Bridge. Loo at their colourful costumes)

(Note all the luggages that they brought with them?)

(Stalls selling posters and other idols stuff)

While you are at the area, you should of course go and visit Meiji Jingu. This shrine was built in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. From Jingu Bridge to the rocky pathway (covered with stones) leading to the shrine.

(Rocky path to Meiji Jingu)

(You can stop to admire the greenery on the fairly long pathway to the shrine)

(All these sake barrels were donated to the shrine)

(Before you enter the shrine, you need to rinse your mouth and hands)

(Nice green tree just outside the shrine)

(People can put their wishes on the tablets and hang out here.)

I would suggest for travellers to consider visiting the shrine first and then shopping around Harajuku. First of all, it is a long brisk walk to the shrine. So you might want to start fresh when you have the strength. Second, if you might to shop in Harajuku, I'm sure you will prefer not to bring your shopping along to the shrine. Third, if you are tired and around the shopping area,  you still have the option of finding a nice cafe or eatery for food and drinks. You might not have that many choices at the shrine.

P.S. As this entry is rather long, I will break them into 2 parts. Part 2 will focus on shopping :)

Ultimate Japanese drama experience at Odaiba

Odaiba is located within Tokyo Bay and it is absolutely one of my fave places in Tokyo. It is a rather tourist place, a little bit like Sentosa (in Singapore) but so what, as long as it is fun :) The main reason for my obsession of Odaibai is cos of Japanese dramas. Well.. it is not simply cos of Fuiji Television building is located there. More importantly, it is also where the famous Rainbow Bridge is found.. woooohooo.. yes.. the beach where Uesugi Riko (starring Matsu Takako) pretended to throw out her diamond ring from her previous relationship and ended up dropping it and the dear Rainbow Bridge was the backdrop. Cool.

(See Fuji Television building at the back of Aqua City)

(In front of Fuji Television building)

(Inside the Fuji Television Building)

(See Tokyo Tower as the backdrop)

(Statue of Liberty)

I have been to Odaiba a number of times but I still love it. I love going to Fuiji Television building and do a tour at its studio for those latest items from the latesst drama.

Even if you are not a drama fan like me, you will still love the place if you are into shopping. I did most of my shopping at Odaiba, there are a lot of international brands within Aqua City and Venus Fort Complex (which is modeled after Venice and it is really very pretty)

(A shot at Venus Fort Complex)

(Beautiful fountain which is a fave photo taking spot of tourists)

(A cute little car at the car show)

Even if you are a guy, there is still something for you. There is a mega Toyota showroom where you will get to see the latest Toyota car models. Little children will absolutely like to have a ride at the largest ferris wheel in Japan.

 Not to mention that there are a number of nice restaurants and cafes in the area. If you explore the area carefully, you will be able to discover little interesting stores like a store selling old coca cola glass bottles and etc

(There are a number of Chinese restaurants in the area as well)

(Great place for souvenirs)

Ikebukuro, Tokyo is one place that I enjoy going for shopping. I won't say that the fashion products are very hip over there. I think the fashion trend tends to be more down-to-earth (maybe I should say... similar to my dressing sense :p ) as compared to places like Shibuya, Harajuku and etc etc.

I still remember some of my friends visit Ikebukuro during their last part of trip in Tokyo and they blamed for not highlighting the place to them or they might be able to spend more time doing their shopping in Ikebukuro. Well, I guess this is what you called the birds of the same feathers mix together... or great minds think alike :)


From Ikebukuro station:

See how crowded it is...

A night scene in Ikebukuro

Another night scene in Ikebukuro

Sunshine City (60 floors worth of shopping. wooohoo) 

Inside Toyota Amlux

A lot of technical stuff shown in the showroom.

The main attractions in Ikebukuro is obviously the Sunshine City as it is a huge shopping mall. There are 60 floors together. Wow. Imagine how many stores are there.. though not all the floors are designated as shopping area. But it is enough to keep me occupied for hours. There are a number of nice little stores within Sunshine City so if you are someone who like to explore little stores like me, you will probably like it. There are a number of restaurants there as well. For some reasons, I always frequent the italian cafe at the basement. The food is fine though not exactly fanastic. Could be due to the fact that I always shop till late hours where most restaurants are closing already. :p

There is another huge department store in Ikebukuro. It is Seibu Loft which also has 29 floors. Shoppers should have a fine time here.

Apart from these 2 shopping malls, there are a number of boutiques along the streets of Ikebukuro. I still remember that some of the stores were having a sale when I passed by and the prices are amazing. I mean you cannot be expected the similar sale price level as compared to Singapore but definitely affordable. I had some great buys. I must warn that though clothings in Japan may seen kawaii  while you are there. Perhaps you will feel differently when you are back home. Still you could easily find chic, stylish clothings if you are prepared to pay or look hard enough.

Another place worth visiting is Toyota Amlux which is one of the largest car showrooms in the world. You can see all sort of Toyota car models and engines on display. There are also some stimulation games that you can try. 

Though for a typical tourist with only a few days in Tokyo, you might not want to spend too much time in Ikebukuro. But trust me, Japan is an addictive place. You will likely want to go back again & again :)

Lets shop in Ginza, Tokyo.

Ginza is definitely one glamorous place to visit in Tokyo, Japan. A lot of department stores, restaurants and night clubs are located here. I think it is a very happening place in Tokyo. Full of life & energy. I realised that I did not take any photo of the place despite going there twice and perhaps passing it a few times. Somehow it did not strike me to take photo. I tried to check with some other friends who are also frequent travellers to Japan but realised that they did not have any photo of the place as well :p But I managed to get a photo from a sweet junior of mine who went Ginza recently. See below:

One striking landmark of Ginza is the Sony Building, which mainly showcase the latest products of Sony. wooohooo. I simply love going there to view these new products. I don't really buy stff there though (except basic things such as headphone) since the instruction manuals are likely to be in Japanese.

I remembered that there is this shopping mall - Seibu that I like to go and shop in Ginza. There are around 8 or 9 floors that buy a lot of fashion stuff. Worth a while if fashion is your cup of tea.

Try to go on weekend afternnon as the main road (Chuo-dori) will be closed to traffic and become a haven for the pedestrians.