Day 2, Tokyo

This day, like many to come, was very full.  We wanted to tick the famous Shibuya Crossing off our bucket list.  We did this by taking the JR Yamanote train line, exiting at Hachiko. (By the time we left Tokyo we had the train system almost sorted).

The first thing we did upon exiting the station and found ourselves literally at the crossing was to go with the flow and cross.  It was remarkably easy, as Japanese people are so polite and experienced in crowd situations that no-one seems to get in anyone's way.

After a couple of times, filming on the way, we decided to do what our friend Christina advised, and that was to watch the proceedings from up in the Starbucks restaurant, which looks straight down onto the crossing.  From there you can also view the entertainment that happens when the lights change for pedestrians - dancers, filming and other activities.

From Shibuya we then went to Ginza, the upmarket shopping area of Tokyo.  There we went into a large mall in Ginza Place, which reminded me a bit of Harrods plus the David Jones food hall.  It has a culinary extravaganza, with all sorts of unusual and exotic foods, as well as a standup bar.  We enjoyed having a beer and nibbles in the middle of the complex, which also served to cool us down after the humidity outside.

Next stop was the Meiji temple - the only temple we had time to visit, and well worth it.  The emperor was certainly a forward thinking chap for his day, and had an admirable wine collection from all over the world.

Close to this, within walking distance, was the area called Harajuko. I must admit I did not know about this until Chelsea had to create a piece for her photography assignment based on the fashion of this district. It is fun and funky, reminiscent of the Camden Markets in London.

We finally made it back to our hostel as darkness fell, and had dinner at a local tapas bar, where I ate my first (of many) edamame beans.  We made only one train mistake that day, which was pretty good.

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