Tokyo 2017 Day 7: Meiji Shrine & Harajuku

DAY 7: 17 JUN 2017

Colourful Sake Barrels

Our second last day in Tokyo.

We have a jam packed itinerary today because it's a Sunday!

Our first stop for the day was Meiji Shrine.
We took a train down to Harajuku station which was a short distance away from the shrine.
Upon exiting the station, head towards your right.
There will be plenty of signage that will lead you to the shrine.
Otherwise, just follow the human crowd!

Entrance to Meiji Shrine

It was a nice walk surrounded by greenery.
Although we visited in June, the weather was really good and not hot at all.
A great escape from the heat back home.

Sake barrels

Procession of a Shinto wedding

We were super lucky when we arrived at the shrine.
We got to witness a solemn procession of a Shinto wedding!
A lovely treat to see how traditional weddings are like in Japan.

For lunch, we decided to try okonomiyaki at Sukara-tei, recommended by a close friend.
There were a lot of items on the menu and we were rather clueless.
However, we decided to go for 3 different okonomiyaki.
As we get to cook it ourselves, each order comes with a bowl of ingredients and a set of instructions.
The instructions were pretty easy to understand as pictures came with it.

DIY Okonomiyaki

It took us about 15 minutes to cook everything.
It was a fun experience,
but it would have been better to have someone to prepare it for us instead for the price we paid.
It was messy and some parts were uncooked...oops.

Nevertheless, we were stuffed from the meal and we went to Takeshita Street for some shopping!
This narrow shopping street was packed with people.
It was literally hoards of people, somewhat like the crowd at pratunam market.
But somehow, everyone moved in an orderly manner, keeping to their left.
So, the experience was slightly better and we walked the entire stretch a couple of times.

The shops there carry a lot of items suitable for teens.
Daiso was located near the start of the shopping street.
This outlet had 3 floors if I am not wrong.
The calbee store was also located along the shopping street.
Head there for a quick fresh snack!

The shops along the street are not to your liking,
then head over to the other end of the shopping street!
Major retail stores such as Gap, Forever21, H&M and Nike can be found along the main road.
The stores were huge and you will spend a lot of time there!

Line character, Brown

We chanced upon a LINE store and we were greeted by a humongous Brown at the entrance.
The shop has a wide array of merchandises but they have a set in the basement for photo-taking!

Luke's Lobster

After all that walking, we decided to pop by Luke's Lobster located in the vicinity.
There was a long long line when we arrived.
We probably queued for at least an hour before we got to the counter.
We ordered a large and a small lobster roll to share.

Lobster roll

The prices were steep but having queued for so long, we just had to try it.
The lobster roll was served with big chunks of lobster.
The lobster was heavenly!
The bun was slightly crispy which added to the crunch.
No regrets at all!

Thereafter, we decided to walk in the direction of Tokyu Plaza as we really needed
the bathroom and a break for our legs.

Tokyu Plaza houses one of the most beautiful Starbucks I have been to.
The Starbucks was located on the rooftop which would guarantees the best view of Harajuku.
 

The line was long as usual and tables were all occupied.
But we decided to stay on and sit outdoors instead.
I had the matcha frappuccino and it was really good!
It just tastes different elsewhere and back home.

We were thinking of places to go for our last dinner in Tokyo.
And we decided to go back to our favourite ramen place, Ichiran ramen.

Entrance to Ichiran Ramen, Ikebukuro

After dinner, we decided to spend some time at the main shopping district at Ikebukuro.
We chanced upon this pastry shop called, Ringo.
They only sell one type of pastry: Apple pie.

Ringo apple pies

As expected, the apple pie tasted really good.
Thinly crusted with sweet apples on the inside.
That marks the end of our last night in Tokyo!

We flew back to Singapore from Narita airport the next day.
We did some crazy tidbit shopping at the airport.
Royce chocolate
Tokyo Banana
Kitkats
Potato Farm (:
If you are departing from Narita airport, I would suggest that you check in early and
shop for tidbits at the airport since your purchases will be tax free.

Japan was fun and memorable.
Every now and then when I get tired from work, I think back about this trip
and yearn to visit this lovely country again next year.
I'll definitely make a trip back to Japan next December!

Till then! (: