Because I'm Street Like That (Day 3)

It feels so good here. Like, I feel like I've been here for weeks and my trip is soon over, but it's not even half over! That is how I like it. I've been all over the place and seen so many people. Today was good - I hung out with my friend Haruka in the morning - we went to Harajuku and Omotesando where there is lots of good shopping. Haruka was an exchange student in Altona when I was in grade 10. She’s a gooder.

Haruka swung by my hotel at 9 AM and we jumped on the train headed for Shinjuku and then switched to take us to Harajuku.







We arrived at 10 AM, an hour before at least half of the stores were open, so we decided to do first things, first – that means my first experience at purikura!





Best ever! I had no idea what to do and Haruka seemed a bit confused by the whole process, but we figured it out.

I bought four shirts in Harajuku and some socks (which brings the tally up to 4 out of a possible 11 for the duration of the trip). They have lots of great socks there. In case you can’t tell, I appreciate a good pair of socks. Clothes overall, I find, to be cheaper. It’s also pretty great when all you pay for tax is 5 percent and it is included in the final price on the tag.


Meiji Dori heading towards Omotesando






The seven-floor Louis Vuitton…where they all bowed when I walked in!


Biggest Chanel ever



Haruka and I went for lunch to an underground ramen bar and she took me out!






Mmmm…gyoza….oishi!



She is so nice and so patient with my slow shopping skills (aka. so Japanese!)

After lunch I had to meet Jean and Keren and her mom at the Hamamatsucho station at 2:30, so we did and then we took our tour to kabuki with this really friendly gent. We had a bit of time to stroll in Ginza…






…and then we went to kabuki-za, which was actually pretty great. The theatre was so freaking amazing.






These are supposed to imitate cherry blossoms outside the theatre…


…and inside the theatre.

We only stayed for the first two acts because the whole show was 4.5 hours. The first two were really good though, with the first act being a dance through the pleasure quarters, and the second being the story of a shogun who resides at the Golden Pavillion in Kyoto and takes a princess captive. There was one point in the second act that it began snowing cherry blossom petals on the stage…best! It was so pretty! After that, we came back to Tachikawa and went to an izakaya (bar) and had a ton of food, which was good.


There it is, far left, second floor, below the other four signs.




This is Keren’s Mom and Keren.


Jean.


Other smoky patrons.

Tomorrow is more Shibuya, more Harajuku, some oishi Indian food, and more spending of the funds.
Ganbete!