Japan Itinerary Day 5/7: Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing & Tokyo Sky Tree

Sep 12, 2016

We arrived in Tokyo at around 7 AM. Our stop will be at Shinjuku. From there, we’ll figure out how to get to our next Airbnb accommodation. Our host sent us very clear instructions on how to get to their house from Oshiage station. Navigating around Japan gets easier and easier because we’re getting used to their transportation network. But we also learned to immediately ask questions when we find ourselves utterly dumbfounded.

So the plan is, once we get settled in, we’ll just take a shower, eat breakfast, then start our day already. Nauwi nanaman kami sa gyudon resto cos they’re usually open 24 hrs. Natutuwa na talaga ko sa chopsticks skills ko (say “chopsticks skills” 10 times). Naalala ko lang uli nung kumakain kami dito. As for those two (Benson & Bong), they’re already in Tokyo as well. Bong will stay with us for one night and Benson will be with his aunties. Medyo nag-kanya kanya na kami when we were in Tokyo. Our itinerary for the day:

Meiji Shrine
Photos with Hachiko
Cross Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo Sky Tree

After eating breakfast, we head home to take a shower so we could officially start our day. Bong was already there together with Benson and his auntie.

Another Bong Pabebe Moment:

He told us he won’t be coming with us and that he’ll just sleep ‘cos apparently, he has a headache. He said he’ll just meet us when it’s already time to go to Tokyo Sky Tree which would not be until 6 PM. What. A. Total. Waste. Of. Time. I don’t know about you but for me sobrang nasayangan ako. I also had a headache on our third day before going to Kyoto because I was up late crying (because of the Meiji Collagen incident) but there’s no stopping me from enjoying JaFUN. Hello?? Kelan pa uli ako makakapunta dito no. Anyway, let’s just take a look at the entrance going to Meiji Shrine.

Meiji Shrine

The grand entrance

Oh, we ate at this gyoza place first before heading to Meiji Shrine.

Found this cute gyoza place through Google Map’s recommendation

It was okay kahit sunog yung iba

We ordered 2 kinds of gyoza (forgot what it’s called)

My favorite moment in Tokyo was this: On our way to Meiji Shrine, we were strolling around a wide array of shops in Shibuya area and everything looks so modern and cool.

Shops left and right

After crossing the street, the shops were nowhere to be seen. We felt like we were transported into a different era. Look.

Just entered a wormhole

Can’t remember seeing a river though

Parang kanina lang naglalakad kami sa isang modern place tapos biglang may ganitong blast-from-the-past effect. I was in awe.

A few more steps and we were greeted by this huge beautiful gate.

Hello!

Mores sights after entering the gate.

Wine inside

Sake barrels

Read on to learn a short history tidbit

Time traveling

Eto na siguro yung mismong shrine

Scolded by an old lady after a few minutes (bawal daw umupo dito)

Sobrang init pa din btw

Mental Note: Visit Japan in November

We tried going to Yoyogi Garden; but we got lost and Google Maps is not helping. We gave up and just met up with Benson and his aunties in Harajuku to buy sneaks. I ended up buying a Japan release “daw” na Stan Smith. Hindi daw iri-release anywhere but Japan. Naniwala naman ako. Pero pag-open nung Adidas Originals sa Uptown Mall dito sa Taguig, nakita ko yung same design at mas mura pa ng 2k. Tss. Lesson learned.

It’s getting a bit late and we still have to go see Hachiko and cross the busiest intersection in the world. It’s one of the things that I’m most looking forward to experience: to witness and cross the Shibuya Crossing. So we said our goodbyes and searched for the legendary dog. Turned out, the Hachiko statue and Shibuya crossing are just a few steps away from each other.

Hachiko

I’ve yet to see his movie

Shibuya Crossing

Another photo goal unlocked! 📸

Who would’ve thought that people merely crossing the street can be fascinating

Tokyo Sky Tree

It was foggy during the time we were there. But we managed to get some decent photos of the city night lights.

These three men (if you can call them that) are all afraid of heights. Wimps.

Nothing much to see here except the view. There was a short dance performance from the crew but that was it. There’s also this huge stuffed Hello Kitty which Bong took a photo of (or a photo with… can’t recall) (don’t ask me why, I don’t know either 😂).