Travel With Kids: Tokyo, Japan- Day 5

The day before heading to Tokyo, we were given the option to have our larger bags carried ahead, as we were told the bullet train may not have as much room and all of us carrying our bags might be a pain.  I opted to keep my bag.  So the entire group was ready to go that morning and everyone had their passports, so we headed to our faithful bus and headed to the train station.  This whole affair wasn’t as chaotic as I imagined…probably because it was Japan.  Our guide got us to the right track and we hung out and waited on the train.  Next stop…Tokyo-

Osaka To Tokyo By Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

The Shinkansen is the Japanese Bullet Train system which was the first high speed rail line to operate, starting service in 1964.  Today the high speed rail line provides service via a main line to most of Japan, with an operating speed of 320 miles per hour and an enviable safety record.  I wasn’t sure what we would experience on this train, as I don’t have much train experience, but it was rad!  First, the trains are known throughout the world for being exactly on time…and they were for us.  The train car we were in was clean and airy, nicely lit with uber clean bathrooms.  Surprisingly, I had nearly twice as much room to sit down in as an airplane and there was nearly no motion, even at full speed.  I enjoyed the ride very much and would love to ride it again.  Here’s my pics:

Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the largest and busiest cities in the world.  Home to the tallest free-standing radio communications tower in the world and one of twelve Disney theme parks; the traditional and modern blend together in full view for the visitor to ogle.  We had already been in Japan for five days….now we were in it’s capital city.

On to another luxury bus that would be ours for the next four days, we hit the ground running as we transited from the train station (ultra technical & fast Shinkansen trains) past the venerable and honored home of the Japanese Emperor (Tokyo Imperial Palace) to the iconic Meiji-Jingu Shrine.

Meiji-Jingu Shrine and Park

This shrine was beautiful and serene as you wondered through the park surrounding it, reveling in the fact that that each and every plant you were seeing had been planted by someone, each plant donated to the shrine upon it’s inception.  The original shrine was started in 1915 and completed in 1921, but was lost to Allied bombing during WWII.  The shrine was rebuilt and completed in 1958.  The purpose of this shrine is dedication to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) and his consort, Empress Shoken.  By far, the shrine is a memorial for the Emperors role in the Meiji Restoration, which means a time when Imperial power was consolidated and the power of the Shogun’s/Samurai was broken.

Upon taking the walk from our bus parking lot into the shrine, I was struck by the greenery and green space within the heart of Tokyo.  I don’t know the real significance of the Meiji Restoration as I’m not Japanese, but I loved the green space and the ability to stretch out in heart of the concrete jungle.  Here’s pics of the shrine:

Harajuku District

After our visit to the important Meiji-Jingu Shrine, we hopped back on the bus for a quick ride around most of the Meiji-Jingu Shrine Park Area and into the Shibuya ward, where the famous Harajuku District sits.  Two streets within the district have become uber famous for Japanese Youth Culture, which cascaded out to the rest of the world when singer Gwen Stefani released the song, “What Are You Waiting For” which featured specific lines about Harajuku Girls and their style.  This one line in the song has catapulted the Harajuku District into a fashion (and people watching) hotspot for Japanese youth culture.

While we were there, it was blisteringly hot and humid and we had done no research on the area at all before we were dropped off from the bus.  We took off down a smaller, very cramped street (probably Takashita Street) and didn’t get very far.  What we should have done is head to the wider and more varied Omotesando Street, which has lots of fashion, shoes and shopping, but it’s not a cramped street full of everything under the sun.  As it was, the kids still shopped but with only an hour or so to experience the area, we really didn’t get to see or d0 much.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Tokyo/Shibuya Pokemon Center

After seeing and shopping in the Tokyo Pokemon Center, we took off for an anime demonstration that didn’t happen. I’m not sure what happened or where the miscommunication was, but we arrived on a floor of the mall building to find the outside of the anime fest, but it was very closed.  After that, you could feel the group energy wane.  So, back to the bus we went so we could take off for some dinner and finally arrive at our hotel.  The hotel was definitely geared for travelers and school groups.  I was not impressed with the breakfast fare served (compared to our last hotel) and the rooms seemed to shrink.  But we were in Japan, so we went with the flow.

Things to know…..if I could do this day again: 

– Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train)– Even though it might be more expensive than normal rail lines, I would highly encourage anyone to go take a ride, just to be on one of the fastest trains in the world! 

– Meiji-Jingu Shrine and surrounding park– Yes, go see it.  This living memorial to Emperor Meiji commemorates an important time in Japanese history and is part of the national journey to where the country is today.  

– Harajuku District– I would go see this area again but I would be more strategic about what streets we checked out…and make reservations in advance if you wanna go see one of the cat cafes. 

– Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Shibuya Shopping District/Pokemon Center:  The scramble crossing is a once in a lifetime opportunity if you get to go.  The shopping in the district is high end and probably more expensive than I was used to…at least.  If you have adults or kids into Pokemon or video games than the Tokyo Pokemon Center might be worth a visit.  Expect crowds and crowded spaces.  

Next post…..we get high (up) at Toyko Tower.

I’ve been noticing that it’s better to write these longer posts about our Japan trip over several days because there’s just SO. MUCH. to write about.  So these posts give me a chance to step back and actually think through everything that we did as a group and all the different things we were able to see as a family, cause on this trip there wasn’t much time to slow down and reflect.

Here’s earlier posts from this series:

Travel With Family- A Summer Trip To Japan- 1

Travel With Family- Osaka, Japan- Day 1

Back to Japan…in a most unexpected way- By The HelmsMistress

Travel With Kids: Osaka, Japan- Day 2

Travel With Kids: Nara, Japan-Day 3

Travel With Kids: Kyoto, Japan-Day 4