Shibuya and Harajuku: When you open any guidebook about Tokyo you will see these two districts prominently featured. It's easy to see why, as each holds a wide array of unique shopping, technology and truly fabulous sights to see. Most popular in recent years are Takeshita Dori (home of the unique teen fashion shops that have sprung up around youth groups like the Lolitas and Punks) and stores in Shibuya like the 109 (cutting edge fashion that is sometimes a unique and Japanese twist on the New York City, London, and Paris fashion runways). Since it was Brian's first time in Japan we thought it would be great to start with these areas, and we wanted to share our experience with you. Enjoy!
Still image of the Shibuya rush.
Decided to be a typical couple and take a photo with Hachiko. Hachiko was a dog that met his master at the train station every day when he came home from work. Eventually his master died, but Hachiko continued to come to the station every day in hopes that his master would return.
The new Alice in Wonderland film is coming soon! We can't wait to see it!
Inside Tokyu Hands. Tokyu hands is my favorite store in Shibuya because it's basically like Target, Home Depot and Micheal's or A.C. Moore all rolled into one. Here you see some AWESOME new USB Hubs from Star Wars. I want them...very much.
Final Fantasy XIII Elixer Soda...mmm...I think? We weren't really sure about it and it seemed overpriced so we didn't buy any, but we're definitely looking forward to the game! So far the general consensus is that it's quite good and we're just waiting for the English version to come out because neither of us can read enough Kanji to play the Japanese version.
You too can grow your very own plant in a Bubble Tea Cup...This isn't really bubble tea but I couldn't help but think that these plants look like they're growing in Boba.
For those of you who always wanted to know the inner workings of fish, you can buy these specimens with all their vital bits died various neon colors. ooooooo!
Back outside of Tokyu Hands, I couldn't help but be taken in by the Shibuya Outback Steakhouse. It looks quite interesting with the Japanese lanterns added. Back in the States, Outback really isn't all that fantastic, so I wonder what it would be like here in Japan.
Club Sega Arcade. Went and got my butt kicked at Tekken 6 by someone sitting across from me. Was doing okay and I think he let me win the first few rounds just to completely crush me later on. Still, it was pretty fun!
Love Hotel Hill: The place to go if you want an impromptu sexual rendezvous with your partner. Never really got why Love Hotels caught on so well in Japan, but I suppose it's just the thrill or new experience to revitalize a couple's sex life...or something...Anybody know about why these are so popular in Japan?
Baby Doll Petstore. This is the place to get designer pets that cost more than your first car did.
This cute little Nekko here is only approximately $1,280 USD.
Remind me to look for strays if I ever want a pet.
I can't help but think that the building above the Disney store (to the left) looks like a gigantic castle greenhouse. It's very neat. On the inside of the Disney store there are stained glass windows and other neat additions to complete the shopping experience.
Shibuya Disney Store: Disney is waaaaay popular in Japan.
Another afternoon in Shibuya: the sun was very pretty but made for very tough photography with my little Nikon!
Before our completely failed attempt at making a video in front of the 109. It was TOOO LOUD and we needed to bring a mic. Next time I am not going to forget that important bit!
Could not even believe how loud it was, but they were pretty determined to make as much money as possible during this New Year's Sale! It was crazy busy in there so I didn't bother to ask if we could film inside. I got the feeling that people weren't going to be too happy if I did. Took a few covert photographs, though.
These escalators allow you to travel through the building. Shops are organized in circular fashion around this escalator. On each floor there were anywhere between 5 and 8 shops.
Shops!
Bargain shopping everywhere. Overwhelming crowds - soooo overwhelming.
I felt like I was being tossed around crowds and stores like the people in this ad!
At a nearby pharmacy in Shibuya: Butt pillows! Complete with pantsu (panties)! Shelved right behind them are fuzzy pajama suits featuring Pikachu, Piplup, Tigger and Hello Kitty.
Outside the pharmacy in Shibuya.
Nearby was a sweet guitar store and ukulele shop.
The Red Bull car was handing out free samples so there was a line forming pretty much the whole time they were out.
Our good friend Travis back in NYC helped to style and dress SMAP for their Softbank advertising campaign. This wasn't the particular ad he worked on but we thought he'd like to see just how prominent they are advertised around Japan.
This is the ad campaign filmed in NYC. Color Life.
Taito Game Station (an arcade): More awesome video games, including a sweet Gundam simulator where you sit in a cockpit and pilot your Gundam (mecha) with joysticks on each side of you and pedals on the floor in front of you. It's a 360 degree, nearly virtual-reality experience and we were soooo sad they wouldn't give us permission to film. It's probably because of copyright...but still.....sad face.
New Kingdom Hearts game just came out on PSP. Anybody interested in picking it up? I honestly haven't heard anything about it yet, but to be fair it's been a while since I worked at Game Stop and so I'm slightly more out of the loop then I used to be. I need to listen to more Giant Bombcast (video game podcast) but I never have time...
Walking to Meiji Jingu Mae and Harajuku from Shibuya.
In the distance, past the tracks, you can see the Tokyo version of the Empire State Building in Shinjuku. It's smaller, but looks strikingly like the real thing.
Omote Sando is a pretty upscale shopping street, and it didn't really surprise me that we saw this building belonging to Audi.
Brian is following the piggy footprints to a sale.
It seems the piggy prints led down the path to a cute little garden!
Well that's it for now! I'll work on more later but I want to go get a snack and study!
Next time: Harajuku!
Until then, this is Lara and Brian Jones, signing out!
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