Showing posts with label Tokyo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tokyo. Show all posts

Monday, April 02, 2007

Japan Trip - Part 7

First mission is to hunt down Cherry Blossom. Since Shinjuku Gyoen is near our hotel, we decided to go there to try our luck. And we are blessed!


The first type that we saw - pink with deep red center.

















Another variety of Cherry Blossom.




Look, who's posing under the Cherry Blossom Tree again?










A huge group of Japanese school boys sitting under the spring sun & enjoying themselves.





Amazing Cherry Blossom Tree, with both white & red flowers!

















Yet another variety. Very pinkish.














A quick stop for lunch, at a Ramen shop where we ordered by inserting money into a vending machine in the store.


A typical shop with ordering-cum-vending machine at the entrance.













We dropped by the Imperial Palace to take some photos and see if we can catch a glimpse of the royal family. No luck.

Famous Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) in the background.



Entrance to the palace.






Since Shibuya (渋谷) is nearby, we popped by to check out Shibuya 109, a landmark shopping center. Tons of teenage fashion wear. Didn't buy anything though.




Look at the crowd!










A very nice deco at a shop downtown, made up purely of fresh rose petals!







Dinner was at a 75Yen standing Sushi bar. Very interesting. Food is very, very raw. We don't know all the fish we have 'cos some of the names are all in Japanese. It is a good experience!


In front of a standing 75Yen sushi bar.





Notice that they place the sushi on a leave in front of you? There's no washabi, 'cos the Sushi chef will put it on the rice for you.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Japan Trip - Part 6

Today is the end of our tour package. We now embarked on Phase 2 of our trip - free & easy.

After checking into Keio Plaza hotel, we took the JR train to Harajuku (原宿). As it is a weekday, there were less people dressed up in their fanciful & colourful costumes.
















After shopping about an hour in Takeshita Dori Street, we headed to Meiji Shrine (10min away), an important Shinto Shrine.

SG in front of the entrance with the largest wooden Torii in Japan.


Main shrine.








Rows of prayer plaques in the garden.













The always busy, packed Tokyo.


A local train crossroad junction, near a cosy neighbourhood.






Next stop is to the Metropolitan Government Office, where we get a great view of Tokyo at night. What a great view! Free some more.....










According to the news, Cherry Blossom arrives in Tokyo that day!! This leads to the next day Great Cherry Blossom Hunt (based on the japan-guide.com info about Popular Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots).


More photos on Soo Guan's Flickr page.