JAPAN: Around Tokyo

Although we didn't have a lot of time in Tokyo and had expended the last of our energy at the Tsukiji Fish Market that morning, we decided to get a sampling of as many areas as humanly possible. However, our bodies fought us every step of the way and we nearly crawled through the streets by the end of the day.

Akihabara

Our first stop was necessitated by the immense number of photographs I had taken so far on the trip. I was out of space on my memory card with a full day of Tokyo sites on the horizon. Lucky for me, Tokyo and electronics go hand-in-hand. With the help of our hostel staff, we found our way to Akihabara (Electric Town) and were greeted by thousands of electronically-advanced shoppers. Anything requiring a voltage can be found in Akihabara including cameras, computers, MP3 players, and eerily advanced robots. It is also a popular shopping area for Anime—Japanese Animation; which has recently received a worldwide cult-like following.

This place puts Best Buy to shame...

Loads of people waiting in line for something called, Dragon Quest IX. Notice how everyone is looking down at their portable gaming systems...

And, again with the hand-held devices. This is also the same view you get when people- watching on the subway in Korea. Everyone has something to watch or play.

On the inside of one of Tokyo's largest electronic stores sensory overload was a given.

Just before I got in trouble for taking photographs inside the store.

Shinjuku

Next, we made our way to Shinjuku—Tokyo's over-crowded commercial and administrative center. Think: office buildings. It's home to Tokyo's tallest skyscraper, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the busiest train station in the world—Shinjuku Station. From the top floor of the Metropolitan Government Building you can absorb a panoramic view of the city. On a clear day, it is even possible to see Mt. Fuji in the distance, however, the day we visited was not one of the lucky few.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Views from the top

I could almost fool people into believing I had actually seen Mt. Fuji in the distance if not for the yellow labels.

Harajuku

We hopped on the mind-boggling subway again and miraculously found our way to Harajuku, a major fashion capital of the world. Full of clothing stores promoting everything from goth robes and masks to Louis Vuitton purses, Harajuku is well-known for its strange Sunday traditions. Every weekend, teens from all over Tokyo hang out around the Harajuku train station dressed in various costumes and styles—Sweet Lolita, Goth Lolita, Visual kei, and Cosplay are among the popular options. Because we visited this area on Saturday, we only saw a few examples of the eccentric costumes and style options Tokyo has to offer.

View of the train station

Lines outside of stores nearly 50 people deep was a common sight.

Big, orange androgynous hair

A rainbow of Reeboks

A view of the over-crowded, visually stimulating shopping street—the perfect place for people-watching.

Groups of people—young and old—hang out in the park near the train station doing everything from playing sports to playing guitars. This group was having play practice...

...while this group relaxed to the sounds of their own ukuleles.

Apparently clothing isn't just for humans and small dogs anymore.

Examples of Harajuku Street Fashion

(from the Internet)

Sweet Lolita:

Inspired by Victorian Era clothing in pastel colors to convey innocence and a child-like image.

Goth Lolita:

Also inspired by the Victorian era, but including typical gothic characteristics including dark colors and intense makeup.

Visual Kei:

Characteristic of many Japanese musicians in the J-Rock genre (glam, punk, metal); and includes intense makeup, outrageous hairstyles, and elaborate costumes to complete a flamboyant, androgynous look.

Cosplay:

Short for "costume roleplay," Cosplay participants dress as characters within the Asian media including video games, comic books, anime, manga, and graphic novels.

Shibuya

Before fizzling out for the evening, we had to stop in Shibuya to see Tokyo's nightlife at its best. Blanketed in neon lights, restaurants, and stores; Shibuya is famous for having the busiest cross-walk in the world, which we experienced first-hand, as well as, from the second-story of Starbucks.

Waiting for the "walk" signal at the busiest crosswalk in the world!

Machines have replaced waiters in some Tokyo restaurants. Simply order your food by pressing a button, insert the money, seat yourself at the counter to wait for your food, and then enjoy!

Of course, Tokyo and Michael Jackson go hand-in-hand.