Category: 10 – February 22

Posted in 10 - February 22

Urbanscapes in Shibuya

Posted on by discrete.elements

After our day full of visits on February 22nd, no one could still get enough of Japan and when our evening free time came, we all left our hotel to explore more of Tokyo.

The group I left the hotel with headed to Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s major commercial and business districts. Yes, it’s that place with the famed 5-way intersection; which by the way is right by Shibuya’s subway station!

Of course, it was late so most of the shops were closed, but it did not harm the experience. I have more pictures of Shibuya than I can count, yet none do justice to the feel of the place, the buzzing energy, the play of lights and the amount of people! I had so much fun just walking around. The buildings didn’t seem to end, every corner I turned brought a new set of pretty lights and ads playing on one of Shibuya’s massive screens were always there to surprise me.

Shibuya is a must-revisit next time I go to Japan. I’m curious to see how it looks at different times of the day!

Posted in 10 - February 22

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Posted on by discrete.elements

Aside of the homestay, visiting the Meiji Jingu shrine must have been my favourite part of the trip. Maybe that’s because I’m fascinated by Shinto mythology. Who knows? But it was great.

The spirits enshrined there are the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. There were a lot of people visiting at the time our group went but I am told it is usually even busier.

The shrine grounds are enormous and although the architecture is grandiose and can make you feel very humble at times, it is not imposing in an uncomfortable way. There is something very comforting and refreshing about walking through big torii gates.

By walking around the shrine grounds, I got to do a lot of things like see lots of people in beautiful kimono, draw a prophetic poem written by Empress Shoken, buy talisman… A couple was even getting married so our group saw them as they walked by during their wedding procession. I didn’t pray at the shrine (because I didn’t have much what to pray for), but I did write a wish down.

Overall, the shrine was bustling with activity but the atmosphere was so grandiose and solemn at times… I loved it. My only regret is in not being there longer.

Posted in 10 - February 22

Japan’s Olympic Museum

Posted on by discrete.elements

After visiting Hamarikyu Gardens, we headed towards the Olympic Museum.

We were free to explore the museum at our leisure. The visit was both informative and really fun! Small physical activities, like trying to jump as high as you can, were scattered in the museum. Your score would then be compared to those of olympic athletes!

The museum also has a section on Paralympics and speaks at multiple occasions of women’s efforts to join the Olympics as well. It thus includes all olympic athletes in the picture the museum strives to draw.

Posted in 10 - February 22

Hamarikyu Gardens

Posted on by discrete.elements

Our outing on February 22 began with the Hamarikyu Gardens, where even the skyscrapers around it are part of the garden’s design.

I could write an entire book of poetry on the beauty of those gardens and on flowers in bloom dancing in the wind, but I’ll refrain. Simply put, I could not get enough of it. It was breathtaking.