Veronica.: 東京 T O K Y O Part 1.

Hello everyone, I've returned from my trip to Tokyo. It has been 3 years in a row that I go to Tokyo during my summer vacation, showing just how much I love that city. I had 3 full days to explore Tokyo. There's always too much to explore but too little time...that's why I still haven't been to other places of Japan, yet.

I would like to split my trip into three posts. Enjoy reading!

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On the first day, I finally met up with my Japanese friend from high school, Hikari. She kindly spent an entire day to show my aunt, brother and I around. We went to 原宿 (Harajuku) and 表參道 (Omotesando); both are very famous shopping locations full of tourists, though the former is mainly for younger people, and the latter is more high-end.

竹下通り (Takeshita Street) in Harajuku.

It's usually really crowded, but this was taken at around 10am.

竹下通り a bit after noon.

I think this was taken at 竹下通り too, can't quite remember. I applaud people who would wear such bright shorts.

Streets of 表參道 (Omotesando). This area is a lot more spacious, expensive, but comfortable to walk in. I also really like how it has a lot of trees.

Then, Hikari took us to her grandma's house. We bought 浴衣 (yukata) at 竹下通り for the festival we were going that night, and grandma would help us put them on. Yukata is a Japanese garment, more casual than a kimono, and is usually worn to summer festivals. It's quite complicated to wear, and I felt restricted when I walk, but the garment is beautiful.

On our way to 品川駅 (Shinagawa Station).

The highlight of the day was definitely the 祭り (matsuri), meaning festival. The one we went is called 御霊祭り (Mitama matsuri) at 靖国神社 (Yasukuni Shrine). Hikari said it's the biggest, most crowded festival of Tokyo. Since I read a lot of manga and watch a lot of J-drama, and there's always some sort of depiction of festivals, so I've always wanted to attend one.

Mitama matsuri did not disappoint me at all! In fact, I was a little (ok, very) overwhelmed by the crowd. The phrase "packed like sardines" can't be any more suitable.

The festival was full of excited young people, such as the young lad over there.

Hikari said there would be a lot of good looking people there and she was SO RIGHT.

One cool thing about festivals is that there are many, many food stands that serve traditional festival goodies such as yakisoba, takoyaki, ramune etc. These girls are dressed so extravagantly, with many hair accessories and braids. I only tied my hair in a bun and wore a flower hair-clip on the side of my head.