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Louise and Rob: Day One
We wake up after barely sleeping at all, Rob is anxious and excited as this is his first flight, and Louise is really nervous and excited because, well just because we’re finally going to Japan!
Bento
Bento is a single-portion meal that can be either homemade or takeout. Basically it's a pack-up, but Japanese style.
Louise and Rob: Day Two
We wake up jetlagged, but pleased we didn’t draw the blinds, the view is still amazing, and we can watch ant-sized Japanese people rushing to work while we feast on Milk Pocky, Koala’s March biscuits and odd textured buns masquerading as donuts, all washed down with cold coffee and grape Fanta.
Train Stations
No doubt you've heard all about Tokyo train stations. The horror stories of how busy they are, how confusing the maps are, how people get pushed onto rush hour trains. Forget all of your preconceptions - Tokyo has possibly the most efficient train station in the world
Louise and Rob: Day Three
We wake up super early again – a combination of jet lag and excitement, we’re going to Ueno Zoo today! This is one of the things we planned immediately when we decided to go to Tokyo, so we’re really looking forward to it, particularly because this will be the first time either of us have ever seen a panda.
Asakusa
Asakusa (浅草) is a district in Taitō, most famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple. Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest geisha district and a former entertainment district. Asakusa's main attractions are a number of shrines and temples, including the Sensō-ji, a small carnival complex called Hanayashiki and traditional activities such as river cruises and rickshaw rides.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Friday, 7 January 2011
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Harajuku
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Harajuku (原宿) is the common name for the area of Shibuya around Harajuku station, and is possibly the most famous area of Tokyo, thanks to its reputation for cutting-edge fashion, and Gwen Stefani's eerie living dolls, the Harajuku Girls.
photo from: Explore Blogs
The area is well-known for the hundreds of teenagers that converge on Jinju bridge on a Sunday to cosplay or show off the latest in street fashion, such as lolita, goth loli and visual kei. Harajuku's most well-known area is probably Takeshita Street, a bustling walkway full of the lastest teen must-haves, including fashion and kawaii and cafes and restaurants.
However, there's more to Harajuku than teen fashion - just near the train station is the beautiful Meiji Jinju, a shinto shrine and adjoining gardens, which is a lovely way to while away a few hours - or even lose yourself for a full day. There's also a range of more upmarket shops on Omotesandō for the more discerning shopper - and once you're done there, you'll need the tranquility that the aforementioned shrine and gardens afford.
Senso-Ji
Senso-Ji (浅草寺, Sensōji) is Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple. It is situated in colourful and traditional Asakusa
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An outer gate, known as the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) encloses the temple and the tradional, and constantly busy shopping street known at the Nakamise Dori.
Typical Japanese souvenirs such as fans, used and new kimono, lucky frogs and yukata can be purchased here, as well as traditional snacks such as osenbi rice crackers and dango.
The Hozomon (Treasure-House Gate) is the second of the temple gates, and beyond it lies the main temple hall and the five-storied pagoda.
The temple grounds are lovely to wander about in - with lots of interesting structures, statues, shopping and people-watching to take in.
View Larger Map
An outer gate, known as the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) encloses the temple and the tradional, and constantly busy shopping street known at the Nakamise Dori.
photo from: Tokyo Travel
Typical Japanese souvenirs such as fans, used and new kimono, lucky frogs and yukata can be purchased here, as well as traditional snacks such as osenbi rice crackers and dango.
The Hozomon (Treasure-House Gate) is the second of the temple gates, and beyond it lies the main temple hall and the five-storied pagoda.
The temple grounds are lovely to wander about in - with lots of interesting structures, statues, shopping and people-watching to take in.
Information
- The temple grounds are always open. The temple hall opens 6am-5pm April to September and 6.30am-5pm October-March. The Nakamise Dori shops generally open 9am-7pm, however this can vary depending on the shop.
- There is no admission fee to access the temple grounds
- Official website: http://www.senso-ji.jp/
How To Get There
Senso-ji is easily accessible from Asakusa train station, which is linked to main train stations by the Ginza Metro line.
