Walking Around Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan

(April, 2019).  Meiji Shrine is always a good idea.  The first time I visited was back in 2015 with my brother and sister-in-law, and for this trip with my Mom and a couple of other brothers I knew they would love to see this tranquil place.

Meiji Shrine and its surrounding park is beautiful.  It's a nice break from the city.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  A true escape.  Perhaps if I ever got to visit Tokyo again it would be good to visit other parks to compare, just to simply see more of the city, but Meiji shrine, which is close to Harajuku, is worth the visit.  Both times I loved it.  Both visits I enjoyed seeing the trees.

Crepes with Cake in Harajuku, Tokyo Japan

When I went to Tokyo last April there were things I wanted to do this trip that didn't work out back in 2015.  There are so many great videos on YouTube and NHK World, and somewhere in the mix I learned about Harajuku crepes.  Delicious, overabundant morsels of goodness filled to the brim with cake, fruit, ice-cream, or whatever your heart desires.  There are so many crepe options while walking down Takeshita Street in Harajuku.  

On this trip I was with my Mom and brothers, and after walking through Takeshita Street both ways we settled on Sweet Box, though I'm sure the other stands would have been just as good.  I got a chocolate crepe with strawberries and it was so good.

My brother Steven loved it so much he got two crepes!!

Really, my bro was having a grand time.

And my Mom was having a blast, too. :0)

A few years ago I had crepes in France after visiting the Sacré-Coeur up on that hill where the artist paint.  Having crepes in France was a dream, but ultimately I was disappointed.  It was a little place, and maybe if I tried getting a crepe a second time it would have been good.  I was worried I would be disappointed with Harajuku crepes as well, as I've wanted to try them for years.  I was not disappointed!!  They're great and worth the venture and experience.

 Takeshita Street is a very short walk from Meiji shrine, another place worth visiting.  Really, between Harajuka and Shibuya, which are really close to each other, you can spend a day exploring these two areas.

 The entry to Takeshita Street.

 There are cat cafes everywhere, if you're into that sort of thing.  Two dollars for 10 minutes!  It's amusing, and I don't think I'd ever do it, but here it is.

 Just having a good time with my brothers.

 I wanted to try Wendy's once on the trip, just to see how it compares to the American version, but it didn't work out.

 We got Japanese food instead, which was pretty good.

Harajuku is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Tokyo Japan.

Meiji Shrine, Japan, Day 5 Part 1

 This week I plan on finishing and posting all the blog posts about my trip to Japan.

On our final full day in Japan my brother Michael, sister-in-law Krista, and I visited a few amazing spots around Tokyo city.  Our first stop was Meiji Shrine, which is located next to the Harajuku JR train station.  A few days previous we tried to visit Meiji Shrine, but we got there 5 minutes before closing.  The security guard let us through the closing gate, but we weren't able to see much, so we promised to return.

 This Shinto shrine honors Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912, and his wife Empress Shōken.  Construction started in 1915 and was finished in 1921.

The grounds are absolutely extraordinary.  From Wikipedia: "Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 70 hectares (170 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established."

All the trees were planted around 90 years ago!!  And yet it feels like you're walking through an old forest.  It's really quite beautiful, and a nice relaxing place to visit in the bustling city of Harajuku/Shinjuku.

 Trying to get our bearings.

The grounds are quite large and there's a few walking paths.

 Barrels of sake.

 Prayers and wishes.

 All the beautiful trees.

On our way to Asakusa and the Genza subway line.

(Photos by Michael and Sarah Stufflebeam)