Peace and Harajuku

 

After we finally made it back to bed for a good nights sleep from our previous day we headed out to our basement Family Mart for a pastry and coffee to go. We then headed straight over to the Shiodome Underground on on to our local neighbourhood Oedo Line.

 

As we didn't have our SUICA passes at this point we bought a single journey to Omote-Sando, or tried to. We realised it doesn't quite work that way, we needed to change at Aoyoma-Itchome for the Hanzomon Line so as there was a stop in the middle we had to buy a single ticket to Aoyoma-Itchome for ¥200 which is £1.04 today. When we arrived there we had a lovely lady who helped us understand that if you were continuing on to another station instead of buying a new ticket (which we were trying to do) you just had to use the 'Transfer' machine which allowed you to put in your next destination and it would be a cheaper price. We then opted for another ticket to Omote-Sando for ¥180 (93p), total single journey to our first destination was just under £2 per person but we needed to remember this on the way back. We were starting to look at people with travel passes with a tiny bit of regret!

Our first full train journey done, and we loved it. The sounds of the Tokyo underground is revolutionary. Each station has a different jingle to cause alertness, to help travellers shake off sleepiness experienced by early morning commutes to work. We immediately found our new ringtones. 

When we arrived at Omote-Sando we were at the foot of a fairly new Beverly Hills design in retail outlets. High end Departments stores with all your designer labels holding a foothold at some point or other. 

We began the 10 minute walk along these glittering streets and were over the moon to have the sun join us on our first full day. With jackets now in back packets we sunk it all in, the hustle and bustle, the seas of people all heading in one direction; the coffee shops, the bakeries the noodle stores and more importantly Meiji-Jingu Temple.

You can access the Temple by Harajuku Station which is an easier walk but we wanted to see all the sparkly stores. When we arrived, just beside Harajuku Station you have the stonework paved entrance to the Large Wooden Torri gates that lets you know you have arrived.

A 10 minute slow walk on a brilliant weather day like we had took you to the main temple; passing by gardens with historic stories behind them. Tea-Houses for the Empress, Sake barrels, a Souvenir Shop, Cafe and courtyard with street food stalls decorated our short walk to the temple.

Takoyaki

Courtyard Street Vendors , Highballs, Takoyaki and Beer!

Prayer Cards

Meiji Jingu Temple

Kakuun-Tei, The empress's favourite resting place when she visited.

Meiji Jingu Temple, Amulet blessing and fortunes

Sake barrels , offerings to the gods and to the shrine.

As family's move and our children grow older you naturally drift apart. Your children have their own lives now, their own circles and the time you spend together seems shorter and few. The precious hours we spent in this temple were some of the best in my life. Walking arm in arm with my adult of a son, sharing knowledge and taking part in new rituals and foods was something I will treasure until my last days. IF you are in Tokyo PLEASE please make a point to take a trip here, the serenity is off the charts and you have to keep reminding yourself that 30 minutes around the corner there is a bustling neon shopping district, Which....is where we are  heading next.

Walking back through the temple grounds to Harajuku we dipped a slight left and headed towards the beckoning calls of Takeshita Street

Takeshita is the main thoroughfare of Harajuku and because of this you may find yourself shuffling along the main street at the beginning. As you progress onwards the crowds thin out to allow you to look freely at all the quirky stores and Gachapon Houses where, trust me you will sink ¥100's into cute items in a small ball. Sitting here at my desk now surrounded by tiny items picked out of Gachapon all over Tokyo I can say its a huge amount of fun, you can get all manner of things from souvenir items, Gundam models, purses and bags. At train stations you can even get specific pins for that line which I really loved! In Short its a collectors paradise and Harajuku had everything even a plus size Street wear store I have wanted to visit for years called Punyus where I bought THE brightest jacket ever made and I will treasure it forever.

We wandered all the streets, and loved all the coffee shops, alternative clothes shops and shortcuts to other favourites destinations 

 

There was so many wondrous places to eat  and after delighting in the Candied Strawberries, Sushi and Cheese Coins we found ourselves back in Omote-Sando Hills and opted for lunch with a view at a Japanese burger joint, nestled atop a flight of steps overlooking the sights of the Hills and as it was Sunday the sounds of the local gospel church. It was possibly just a burger but an amazing opportunity for us to sit and take it all in.

The light was fading and we were still jet lagged so trundled our tired selves back to the hotel to grab a sandwich from our favourite convenience store and then bed. Showered, fed and watching Gundam on Crunchy Roll...we fell asleep.

Harajuku is full of wonderful places for your lists. A Shiba-Inu Cafe called Mame-Shiba Cafe is a good call but I advise booking as well as a Micro-Pig Cafe Called MiPig ! You then have Cafe Reissue who specialise in 3D Foam art on your coffee in the picture of your own beloved fur babies and so much more to discover from tattoo artists of notability and sneaker stores from the heavens. The vintage stores here are perfection and I spent hours touring all the alleyways that housed these treasures making friends with the staff at B-Side Label who shared my love of the weirdest Gachapon adorning  my bag and helped me find the best stickers for my suitcase and IPAD.

Take the whole day, Take your time and love every second.

Lis x