After a full day of exploring the eastern side of Tokyo the day before, today we would stay closer to our hotel in Shinjuku and explore the nearby neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. Today we would visit The Tokyo Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku, Harajuku, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, and back in Kabukicho to get a feel of the night scene at Kabukicho.
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| Getting our second breakfast at Mister Donut again |
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| Morning in Kabukicho |
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| Memory Lane Shinjuku, shortly after 9:00 am |
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| Walking towards central Shinjuku with Cocoon Tower in view |
The walk to the Metropolitan Building passes through a long under ground pathway. We were among the salarymen walking towards central Shinjuku on a Monday morning. It felt like a race. After a brisk walk we got to the bottom of the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and quickly found the elevator to get to the observation deck by following other tourists. The observation deck is located on the South Tower on the 45th floor.
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| The Tokyo Metropolitan Building |
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| 45th floor observation deck looking east with Tokyo Skytree and Cocoon Tower in view |
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| Looking South |
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| 45th floor |
After exploring the observation deck, we headed to Harajuku, the Kawaii capital of the world.
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| Short ride from Shinjuku Station to Harajuku |
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| Getting off the old Harajuku Station across from Takashita Street |
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| Getting the giant cotton candy (Totti Candy Factory) on Takashita Street |
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| Pre-ordering at the vending machine at Ichiran Ramen |
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| Enjoying a bowl of ramen at Ichiran stall |
After exploring Takashita Street and getting a quick bowl of ramen and Ichiran, we headed to the Meiji Shrine and Garden.
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| Meiji Shrine |
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| Panel decorated with Sake barrels |
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| Garden in the Meiji Shrine, late autumn |
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| Shrine South Entrance |
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| Wishes were hung and hopefully granted |
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| Meiji Shrine |
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| Meiji Shrine |
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| Getting some popcorn to refuel after walking through the Shrine |
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| Boba back on Takashita Street |
We were all pretty tired after visiting the Harajuku and Meiji Shrine area. It was quite a lot of walking. We boarded the transit and now headed to Shibuya for our 5:30 dinner reservation. We sat at a Starbucks at the Shibuya crossing to people watch and window shopped a bit at a giant Muji Store until our dinner time.
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| Shibuya, late autumn 2019 |
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| People watch at Shibuya crossing |
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| Shibuya crossing |
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| Shibuya crossing in action |
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| Muji at Shibuya |
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| Giant Muji Store |
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| Did a little window grocery shopping, not ready to pick up the $100 grapes |
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| or the $100 melon |
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| Beautifully packaged fresh produce |
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| Shibuya crossing, early evening |
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| Lights of Shibuya |
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| Lights of Shibuya near our dinner place |
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| Our dinner spot - Hakushu Teppanyaki |
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| Our cut of the Wagyu beef |
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| Cooked by a young lady! |
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| Rich and marbled Wagyu beef |
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| Enjoying the action in this tiny restaurant |
After completing this much anticipated meal, we headed back to our hotel and take in the night scene at Kabukicho. This would be our last night in Tokyo before we head out early in the morning via Shinkansen to Kyoto.
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| Metro arriving in Shibuya |
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| Kabukicho at night |
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| Lights at Kabukicho |
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| Kabukicho all lit up |
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| Kabukicho neon signs |
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| Golden Gai |
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| Dark alleys of Golden Gai |
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| Making out of Golden Gai and calling it a night |
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| Beautifully designed tickets for the Meiji Garden |
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