Japan Day 11 P2

From the vibrant and trend-setting Harajuku, we proceed to the more tranquil and traditional atmosphere of Meiji Shrine located within walking distance from Harajuku station.

A pic at the entrance before we proceed.

Pretty long walk from the entrance.

I wonder what is in these containers? Kimchi?

Another roll of barrels on the side. But I can tell it's wine over here. As to why is there Western wine in such a traditional place... ...

The Meiji period was an enlightened period during which a policy of Japanese Spirit and Western Knowledge was adopted, to learn from the best of Western culture and civilazation while keeping Japan's age-old spirit and reverted traditions. Emperor Meiji led the way in promoting modernization by embracing many features of western culture in his personal life such as shearing his top-knot and donning western attire and in many other aspects of daily living. Among these departures, his Majesty set an example by taking western food and in particular by enjoying wine with it.

The barrels of wine to be consecrated at Meiji Jingu have been offered by the celebrated wineries of Bourgogne in France on the initiative of Mr Yasuhiko Sata, Representative House of Burgundy in Tokyo, Honorary Citizen of Bourgogne and owner of the Chateau de Chailly Hotel-Golf. Profound gratitude is due to the winemakers who have so generously contributed to this precious gift to be consecrated here to the spirit of world peace and amity with the earnest prayer that France and Japan will enjoy many more fruitful years of friendship.

"By gaining the good and rejecting what is wrong. It is our desire that we'll compare favourably with other lands abroad" from Emperor Meiji.

So I guess that was the period when the modernization of Japan took place.

Just as when we were thinking of asking for directions again, we saw the signage.

I think they are having some festival today, since there were many beautifully created sculptures made of vegetables.

And cute kids doled out in traditional costumes.

Can't let Blamer beat me, I got TWO kawaii kids to take pictures with me.

In the shrine yard, there is supposed to be a sacred camphor tree and the fence around it is covered with these wooden votive tablets. Worshipers can buy a tablet and write a wish or prayer on it. The shrine priests will then pray daily for this wish to come true.

Behind us is the main hall. This was a reconstructed shrine because the original shrine was destroyed by fire in air raids during the World War II. The materials used were mainly Japanese cypresses with copper plates for the roofs. The Shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken, who laid the foundations for modern Japan and promoted peace and prosperity for the country.

More cam-whoring. Lotsa artifacts bearing the symbol of the Imperial Sun.

It's time to fill up the stomach after absorbing so much history.

Back to Harajuku where we get to savour one of the highly recommended ramen shop I found on the web.

And what else to order other than their Number 1!

Holding onto our tokens to exchange for our ramen later.

In case you missed it earlier in the pic of the menu, it says even the Prime Minister of Japan loves this rich broth of chicken, pork and various kinds of vegetables. (dun ask me which Prime Minister though...)

Itadakimasu!!!

Japan Day 11 P1

We are back on the streets of Ginza again because Blamer bought the wrong model for a bag. Strangely, it seems like the whole road is closed because everyone was just wandering around in the middle of the road. Much like our Chinatown food street when the road is closed for hawkers.

Yup standing in the middle of the road to test it out.

The familiar golden arcs. It's interesting to visit McDonald's in different countries. Based on their menu, you can roughly make out what is the taste and culture of the country.

At last my coffee fix. Blamer only allowed me to get McCoffee because it is cheaper. : (

Something we definitely won't get in Singapore. McPork! I got the feeling of being cheated because it actually tasted like Sausage McMuffins.

Next stop, Harajuku, famous for its teens fashion as well as youths dressing up as their favourite anime characters i.e. cosplay.

The landmark train station that is always packed with people.

Takeshhita Dori. The narrow street packed with young fashionable people and lined with fashion boutiques and cafes. I was hoping it will be the place for me to look at Nami-chan and Sakura-chan, however, it was not too be. I wonder if it was because of the cold weather... ...

I couldn't find anything worth buying here (gosh is age catching up with me??!) Blamer actually bought something from Gap kids! (Is it in order to spite me??)

Japan Day 10 P3

Can't believe that we have been blogging about our Japan trip for the past 1.5 months. Our biggest project thus far ~ I just looked at our Japan trip pictures folder & realised that we still have 6 more days of journey to blog about. Hopefully I can finish it before leaving for another trip end of May.

The last part of Day 10. After our shopping trip in Ginza, we went back to our apartment to put our bags before venturing out for a more relaxed activity :)

Another outlet near our apartment

Leecher fishing for coins in his newly purchased coin-pouch.

Erm, I think this says "Pork Cutlet Curry with rice"

Off the Ueno Park for our picnic! 1st picnic in a foreign country - a pity I couldn't buy a nice picnic basket along. I almost wanted to get one of those wooden baskets from Tsukiji Market, but Leecher managed to veto against it :( (Leecher here, I just realised from other photos on the web, the tree behind us is a cherry tree, which during the cherry blossom period, would have been really beautiful)

Ueno Park was established through an imperial land grant to the city of Tokyo by Emperor Taisho in 1924. The official name of the park is Ueno Onshi Koen (上野恩賜公園), translated as "Ueno Imperial Gift Park"

Frog fountain near the entrance of the park.

Our spread! We even brought an apple along, so healthy :)

Though it was simple fare, but what matters is we got each other as company :) We sat at the park, sharing the bowl of curry pork cutlet (not forgetting fighting for the last mouthful, lol), testing out Leecher's poor memory as we walked down memory land (which loser be banned from taking a bite of the apple) & talking about everything under the sun.

The prized apple! As usual, I had most of it while Leecher can only look as I bite into the juicy & crunchy apple ... Japanese fruits are really fresh and I can't get enough of them!

Ueno Zoo is Japan's oldest and most famous zoo. It is located within Ueno Park and home to over 2600 animals from different species, providing visitors with learning experience about the animals. We didn't venture into the zoo for we felt that Singapore Zoological Gardens would be better :) must support local brand!

The famous bronze statue of Saigo Takamori walking his dog stands in this park. Saigo Takamori was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history, living during the late Edo Period and early Meiji Era. He has been dubbed as the last true samurai.

Ueno Park's fountain - one of the main attractions of the park. The place where we can view the autumn colours but sadly, nothing can captivate me after what we have seen in Kyoto.

Tried to portray Leecher as the thinker, but no matter how I tried to capture the mood, I just couldn't get the "thinking" aura. Maybe the fault lies in the object rather than the subject.

Ducks swimming in the pool ~ familiar sight from our Taiwan trip in 2007. Except the ducks have more companionship as compared to those in Taiwan.

Walked over to Ameyayokocho Market, which is a busy market street along the Yamanote line tracks between Okachimachi & Ueno Station. It is also the site of a black market after WWII. The name "Ameyoko" is a short form for "Ameya Yokocho" (candy store alley) as candies were traditionally sold there. Alternatively, "Ame" also stands for "American" as a lot of American products used to be available in the black market.

My fave snack, courtesy of XiuHui's recommendation. I was full of praises for this snack that Leecher finally caved in & brought a packet for his colleagues, wa ha ha ... Anyone going to Japan please let me know, I need to munch on these lovelies to perk me up for the busy schedule ahead!

Ended the day with packed beef bowls, in the comfort of our apartment :) Another day of adventure awaits ....tomorrow!