Yegenaga Travel & Tours Guide

harajuku Small, I once read a story in children’s magazine, which I thought only fairy tales. A dog every morning led his master to the train station. Afternoon, the dog will pick up at the same station. Until one day, the master of the dog that died on the job. But the dog did not know, and continue to meet his master every evening until 10 years old.

It was not a fictional tale. Hachiko, a loyal dog that belonged to Professor Ueno, a professor at Tokyo University who died on May 21, 1925. He is a male dog race of the birth Odate Akita Inu, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Eventually Hachiko became known population of Shibuya Station. Many people said there is only a pity to see the dog who was about to meet his master who did not come. Since the year 1934, one year before he died, in front of Shibuya Station and statues erected.

Now, the place became a meeting point of the people of Tokyo. Many young people are seen standing, leaning against the wall, or sitting around the statue of Hachiko, waiting for her date while couples in activities such as moving around very quickly by passing people and vehicles back and forth.

Beyond that, lots of interesting things in Tokyo, especially if we look at the way people dress. Naturally, then there is the term that Tokyo is one of the City Fashionista. And indeed, the population of Tokyo are generally literate fashion. At each corner of a shopping mall called Shibuya 109 in the area, seen young children dressed in very modern. They remind me of the Japanese doll my uncle giving about 20 years ago. It’s just a completely different costume. Now instead of a kimono and Japanese clogs they wear long-sleeved shirts, short skirts, coat, stockings colorful patterned variation, and a pair of high-heeled boots. The boy did not lose her style: Dandy and funky. I noticed their shoes and think, no one who did not heed the Tokyo shoe. Of the overall style, the shoe seems to be an important part that should never be considered negligent.

harajukuPada autumn when I was there, boot it into the main choice. Various models for sale starting price Bot 2000 yen (approximately USD 240 thousand) up to tens of thousands of yen. Some animals use fur as a scarf covering the neck. Their hair dyed black with a non-modern pieces, some even had the make-over his face with a brown powder, so memorable tanned skin. I think the term “death style” best describes a newcomer who only long dress for warmth.

From Shibuya Station, I boarded the train in the city to Harajuku. Some people seemed to relax reading a book, either sitting or standing. Here, people accustomed to reading the book cover to cover with cover from bookstore. Usually, the brown cover and no name of his shop. If not, some intentionally covered it with white paper. Culture of reading a book seems common in Japan.

Along the way, bookstores, second-hand (flea?) Also live. If you diligently seek him, even the Harry Potter books last series hardcover English version can also get it for only 500 yen (approximately Rp. 60 thousand). Most of the books they carry a pocket-sized book, both comic and non-comic. They read books even while on the escalator train station and subway. Once the ladder way up, tuck in their book bag to read again later.

Less than ten minutes from Shibuya, I arrived at Harajuku station. Actually could walk, but because of the way to Harajuku up the hill, so I chose the train. Harajuku so famous name in Indonesia because of the singer Maia claimed Estianti dressed young area. Once outside the station, I immediately saw a sea of people on Takeshita Street. Several young boys with spikey hair look was standing. That’s where the Harajuku kids allegedly bought clothes at a low price, starting from 350 yen up to a few thousand yen.

harajukuKetika into the Takeshita Street, the new me there ngeh store that sells used clothing and apparel stores one price (all the clothes for 500 yen). Young children Harajuku berdandanan far more extreme than Maia. They are stylish a la Goth, punk, costumed animals, and Barbie-girl/boy. Strangely, though they dare to dress up extreme, but most embarrassed photographed. Shops along the street was filled with a young child, either shopping or working as a salesman, shouting and carrying signs promoting or distributing leaflets with a bonus pack of tissue-, all extreme style. In addition to Japanese people, black people, too many in there. With limited Japanese language, and their friendly smiles invited guests entered. Generally, those blacks manage specialty shops selling clothing and accessories of hip-hop.

Harajuku is his Bronx Japan. This is where point “rebellion” from all official attitudes and ungguh upload-Japanese style. This is the only area that the servants are not shop always say “irasainase” (welcome) to visitors. Very different from the Ginza district or Roponggi, the goods in Harajuku can be obtained at a price much cheaper. When in Japan is very hard to get pirated goods, then in the Harajuku area (actually in Takeshita Street) Just the possibility of pirated goods are traded. To some extent it reminded me of Blok M, Jakarta.

At the end of Takeshita Street, crossed a little, that’s Harajuku Street, which reminded me of Bandung. If the Takeshita Street sell goods taken from the supplier, then in Harajuku Street independent stores (distros) that sells clothing and even the design itself scattered in small gangs. Some stores that sell clothing and accessories a la India, Hindu / Buddhist, and Native Americans (Indians) wedged between shops clothing Barbie-girl/boy.

Still on the Harajuku area, near parks, street musicians serving skill. Each flow of music have their own territory and not mutually . It is said, that’s where Japanese bands discovered his talent by the producers. Not only that, some fans of Elvis Presley a high  hair was also seen dancing on the edge of the park to the accompaniment of songs Presley.

harajukuDi lounger looks lazy beggar on the bench. A suitcase full of belongings, as well as piles of boxes that seem to be sleeping mats, arranged neatly in there. He himself was lying on fat bag while reading a book. A friend from Indonesia who was in Japan a long time to explain, those who became a beggar, if not for really lazy so poor, many having no family. By becoming beggars, they can be in community and had many friends.

Prayer of Hope at Meiji Shrine

Park near Harajuku area, there is a large gate to the Meiji Shrine. The temple will be full of people especially in the new year, when the adherents of Shinto prayer asking for blessing in the beginning of the year. Road about a mile before I go to see the end of the Shrine Shinto gate. Sacred atmosphere immediately enveloped me. Seen ravens flying through the trees artificial forest. It is said that people donating thousands of trees to create artificial forest toward the temple.

Piles of sake with different drum ornaments on display not far from the first gate to the temple, opposite the drum stack wine (drink angur). Adherents of Shinto in Japan believe that drinking alcohol is to clean one’s body and soul. There are some big gates of starch-shaped “door” which must pass before reaching the final gate.

Entering the last gate, everyone should wash their hands and rinse out his mouth in a very cold spring which had supplied. Small long-handled scoop made from bamboo lined the edges. When he entered the temple, visitors have to step over the highest rung for stepping prohibited. Cause to believe that the highest rung is the position of gods.

Sacredness or mystique might like  in place. Look at how a store that sells a variety of charms surrounded by visitors. Ranging from light fetish mate, a lot of luck, good mascot sold on the street with colorful packaging. Some people look to buy a board called for prayer tablets 500 yen. Suddenly I remembered the Oprah show topic Talkshow”dream come true”; several guest star confessed to write their goals on a bulletin board and display them for yourself that dream. In the courtyard of the temple, exactly on the right before the entrance, the thousands of tablets of prayer depends on the board plays that have been provided.

harajuku each tablet bearing the hopes and ideals of the author. Reading other people’s expectations suddenly become entertainment for the tourists, especially English-speaking expectations. Japanese people who come and write a prayer tablets are usually students who will pass the test and hope. I also read a tablet which dreams of becoming famous manga Duck artists in order to help her mother.

Inside the temple, the most interesting to me is a box called “waka”. With 100 yen, visitors can take a small roll of paper containing a poem Emperor Meiji contents to reflect the personality and advise the Decision Paper. Some people seemed to pray after the coin toss hole (5 yen or 50 yen), while the priests seemed undisturbed seliweran occasional visitors to take photographs.

Delicious bowl of Udon  from Kawaguchi Hammatsu into a fairly long and combined with cold air, accompanied by fog and drizzle made the stomach, to be filled food warm, I finally arrived at a restaurant in Shizuoka. This restaurant is very busy, until I had to wait about 15 minutes to enjoy a warm bowl of udon and other dishes.

The restaurant occupies the second floor, where the first floor is a supermarket selling various vegetables, fruits, fresh fruits, pastries, snacks until souvernir a postcard, a funny little dolls and key chains and trinkets another.

With me came up the stairs to the second floor, I was quite surprised when I see how so crowded house, and all visitors are given the same menu at the long table, namely rice pulen, warm bowl of udon, and a plate of shrimp fried foods, tempura vegetables, fish, vegetables and rice cake cookies. Seeing a variety of delicious food, I immediately took the camera for the photos that food.

Rice is sprinkled with spices spices unique to Japan are very strong fish taste, unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of rice and spices are.

Once one group had finished eating and left, some immediately adjusted and maids to clean the table, and about ten minutes later, the table is presented like the above menu, I applaud the work at the diner waitress.

When finished eating, the trip continues to attractions such as Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and night, I stayed at the hotel as well Kawaguchi dinner at the hotel.

Again, a warm bowl of udon become a mainstay of the dinner menu, plus a warm soup containing cooked their own fish, chicken, tohu, vegetables and a tray of fried chicken and delicious Kriuk, tohu, pineapple and a cup of warm green tea.

Hmmm delicious, eating a warm bowl of udon in the air when that was cool.