Tokyo : Traditions and Eccentric Modernity

Here is a slightly longer post in which I will summarize three days of discoveries in this megalopolis!

1st day : In the heart of Tokyo's vibrant neighborhoods, here we go to a park in the center of which is the temple of Meiji-jingu. A lot of Japanese walk there and you can see women, girls and boys in traditional clothes. Before entering the temple, we must also conduct a ritual at a fountain with a ladle of bamboo. We must begin by pouring water on the left hand, then the right hand and finally put water in the mouth and spit it out. Once in the temple, we had the chance to see a wedding procession passing. Japanese can also make their prayers: they launch a coin, pray, bow twice, and twice clap their hands. Around a tree, it is also possible to mark a prayer on a piece of wood to wish luck to a loved one. With Paul, we got a small try about fortune draw for 100 yen. You have to pull a stick from small box, number 41! You get your little paper.. which does not say anythings in the end!

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Once we explored this place, we went into Yoyogi and Harajuku district. Here the atmosphere is frenetic. The shopping street named Takeshita is packed with people! We make our way and we can see all the shops in the vicinity, selling more or less eccentric clothing and accessories for Japanese youth. In the other shopping streets we saw many people dressed eccentrically and restyled ferrari cars with illuminated neon. Paul also brought me in a rather special shop '' The forest '' in which it is possible to find the shops in which Japanese can look for dressing dolls and mystical character (photos prohibited ..)

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2nd day:

The jetlag didn't give me a chance to sleep .. waking up at 8am I took it towards the 'Sky Tree Tower' 'and go for a day of discovery in Asakusa, Ueno and Yanaka. First step, the famous temple of Senso-ji, crowded with people on this beautiful sunny afternoon. The ritual here is to put smoke on the head before going into the temple, but there is also the fountain. Japanese line up to perform their prayers, others choose small temples around Senso-ji to perform their ritual. I retry a small draw for fortune and now it tells me bad luck! I quickly attached it to the stems planned to burn the message and countering the evil spell!

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Around this enormous temple, there is a 5 floors pagoda and a shopping street and a very lively area with lots of small shops and restaurant, they have also made a funny shopping map.

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Along the way I met Yuji, a japanese that just came back from Australia. We explored Asakusa until dusk. The atmosphere is much more magical with all the lights. Tasting sweet peas or sweet potatoes ice cream.

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During the same day I went further west towards Ueno Park. On the way I stopped many times to observe the facades of the small hidden restaurants here and there or be surprised by a panda bus! Why not ?!

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Ueno Park brings a lot of cultural attractions such as museums and zoo. I just crossed to get in Yanaka district in which one can see houses in the style of the 20s, the former Tokyo before the war, but also many small temples. The area is cozy and relaxing from the hubbub around the temple.

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In the evening, I meet Paul in the electronics district and manga: Akihabara. We walk along the main street lined with giant screens and poster of manga. He also show me the building with video game rooms on all floors and Japanese who give it to their heart! Easy to see why they are the best in this area.

There is also wierd stuff as Japenese teenagers dressed as in house hostesses to serve those famous geeks.

In short, Ramen in the belly (Japanese soup of choice) and we go see the Tokyo Tower, the famous 'Effeil Tower bis'.

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3ème jour : Tokyo by foot ! C'est un jour férié au Japon.

Aujourd'hui je me balade d'autres quartiers de Tokyo, ''business'' de Shinjuku, à la mode de Roppongi au palais impériale et finissant par le centre d'affaires et le quartier d'Asakusa que j'apprécie particulièrement. En pleins milieu des buildings des quartiers d'affaires, on retrouve des temples plus ou moins grands. Je retrouve des petites échoppes, des buildings à l'architecture bien particulières pour Prada par exemple.

3rd day: Tokyo by foot! This is a holiday in Japan.

Today I walk to other areas of Tokyo, '' business '' one : Shinjuku, fashion one : Roppongi then the imperial palace and ending with the business center and Asakusa district that I particularly enjoy. In the middle of office buildings districts, we can find temples more or less big. I found small shops, buildings with very specific as Prada's building for example.

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When I say Traditional Tokyo, there is of course the clothes that Japanese wear on occasion, but I also saw that the family remains important to the Japanese. This is a grandfather with his two little girls in full afternoon.

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In order to end well the day, brochette party with my friend !

Thank you again to you PAUL !