Happy new year sweeties ! Godness, it’s already 2015 now, can’t imagine I’m unofficially turning 21 this year … Where did my past 20 years go ? So how did you celebrated for the new year countdown ? For me, I didn’t celebrate at all, I was countdown-ing with that frustrated epidemiology assignment. I guess most of us were doing the same thing, what a pathetic student life. So, how is your planning and resolution for this brand new year ? For me, I just hope that both my studies and life would be better and hopefully a peaceful year in 2015 for everyone of us.
# DAY 9 #
Coming to day 9, this will also be my second last post of this trip. Continuing from yesterday, today we are going to discover further in Tokyo via Japan-rail. The place we are going to leave our footprints at are Ueno (上野) and Harajuku (原宿) which are the famous town in Tokyo. It’s a good whether today, can be consider as the hottest sunny day throughout these days, although is really hot and tiring but sunny weather actually reflect a different effect of nature into my camera lens compared to a cloudy day. Can’t wait more for it, let’s begin our rail travel in Tokyo now !
The first destination of today – Ueno Park (上野公園, Ueno Kōen) is a beautiful public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. Nestled in the heart of Tokyo, the Ueno district has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years despite the modernization of the city around it. In recent times, the park and its attractions have drawn over ten million visitors a year, making it Japan's most popular city park.
Kiyomizu Kannon Temple
Additionally, Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's most popular and lively cherry blossom spots with more than 1000 cherry trees lining its central pathway. The cherry blossoms are usually in bloom during late March and early April and attract large numbers of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties. My future wish – View cherry blossoms at least once in my lifetime.
Guess what’s that attract my sight ?
They’re maple leaves in this early autumn ! Coming to Japan for so many days, but didn’t even meet a real maple tree that turning red so far in Hokkaido. Although there’re only few maple trees turning orange in this park but better than none right ! ^^
Hanazono Inari Jinja Shrine (五條天神社 花園稻荷神社)
Red gates that lead the to temple
Eh, what this girl doing there ?
the posing looks like so PRO lo !
In the middle of the park is a natural body of water known around the world as Shinobazu Pond (不忍池 Shinobazu no Ike). It is a rather large pond with a circumference of two kilometers. Shinobazu Pond is divided into three sections and the place we visit here is known as the Lotus pond. During the summer months, surface of Lotus Pond is covered by a thick mat of fragrant lotus blossoms. It is believed that as many as twenty different species of lotus can be found blossoming in Shinobazu Pond, many of them are unique to this area, and can be found nowhere else in the world. It's not a surprise that Lotus Pond is a popular spot for photographers. Such a pity that we can’t meet any lotus blossom in this early autumn.
Floating on the water of Shinobazu Pond, Bentendo Hall (弁天堂) is a Buddhist temple dedicated to Benzaiten or the Goddess of the arts, knowledge and wisdom. Bentendo Hall Temple was constructed in the early 17th century by Mizunoya Katsutaka, a feudal lord. Today, Benzaiten is sought or prayed for success in examination and good fortune.
Now we are heading to Harajuku (原宿) – A famous area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. Harajuku is known internationally as the center of Japanese teenage youth cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights. Shopping and dining options include many youth oriented, independent boutiques and cafés, but the neighborhood also attracts many larger international chain stores with high-end luxury merchandisers making Harajuku one of the most popular destinations in Tokyo for both domestic and international tourists.
Harajuku is also a famous place in Tokyo for cosplay, which many youngster gather around Harajuku Station dressed up in excentric costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc. In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit here on Sunday, however due to time constrain we didn’t able to experience that at last.
[Source form internet]
The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Street (Takeshita Dori), which is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, interesting stores , cafes and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens. Because of the street's popularity, it becomes extremely busy and crowded especially on the weekends. We even meet a media broadcasting team shooting there during our first time visit. Maybe could find myself in the crowd too on the television if I’m lucky but just don’t know which program was it. ^^
You could see that how different the way that Tokyo’s teenage style themselves compared in Hokkaido
I love this street so much but just don’t have enough time for me to explore more
One of the largest ¥100 yen shops in central Tokyo is Daiso Harajuku, a prominent landmark on Takeshita-dori shopping street. Whether you're looking for household products or cheap souvenirs, you're sure to find what you need at this three-floor shop. I guess most of the girls already attracted by this pink exterior design before entering the store.
OMG ! The HELLO KITTY corner in the store !
Look at this girl’s baskets which full of all hello kitty’s stuff
After around 2 hours of shopping, everyone look so satisfied with their handful of stuff and souvenirs !
Smiling faces in the train after shopping
Ordering ramen for lunch at train interchange station using a vending machine
Fist time trying soba in Tokyo, how I love it !
Hungry faces expression after walking and shopping non-stop for the whole day
Meet a gorgeous Japanese lady in Kimono on the way back, wondering is it an actress or model ?
Dinner tonight – ramen again ! Yes, we went back to the same restaurant as yesterday and trying their cold ramen today.
Last night exploring @ Asakusa’s street
This is a famous tempura restaurant in Asakusa, but the way they name is quite funny if direct translate to Chinese meaning …
So, this end the last day of staying in Tokyo before leaving tomorrow. An interesting trip today and a new experience for me to discover in Tokyo city with I found that is so much difference in the way their wearing style, food, lifestyle and culture compared to Hokkaido. Tomorrow will be the last day of this trip and going back home soon after 9 days of travelling, start missing my home now. Gonna put on some weights on the plane after eating all those delicious food these few days. Pray for a safe flight going back tomorrow, see you soon !
To Be Continued 10.0 …
No comments:
Post a Comment