Winter 2011.
Asakusa is the major entertainment district in Tokyo but to the tourists, it is famous for the temple with the ginomous lantern called SensÅ-ji. This area was largely damaged during WWII by US bombing raids but it was rebuilt. It is a must see place when you are in Tokyo. Very easy to get here. Simply take the Tokyo Metro Ginza line and get off at Asakusa station. And while you are here, you can walk over to check out the new Tokyo Skytree located across the river. Will post that up on my later photo blog on my 2013 winter trip.
On the way to school. Early winter lightning is always nice. But the later part of winter it can get pretty gloomy and cloudy.
Cute beanie.
Statue of Hachiko. The famous doggie of Japan. A faithful doggie that waited for his beloved owner everyday to come home from work. But one day the owner never come home as he had an heart attacked and died. Hachiko the doggie remains faithful till the end and he waits for his owner each day at the same spot till the day Hachiko died. The locals were touched so they built a statue in honor of Hachiko’s love. So this place in Shibuya is called Hachiko, a popular meeting place for everyone.
Today I’m going out with Hinako and Natsumi. Both are college students studying to be nurse. I know you guys are trying to imagine them in their nurse uniform!!
Takoyaki being cooked on a special hot place which has holes big enough to fit each takoyaki.
We had lunch some where are around Shibuya. A simple and common Japanese dish called “takoyaki”, Japanese octopus dumpling balls. Served fresh and hot on a boat made of thin pieces of wood.
Hinako and Natsumi.
After lunch we took the train to Asakusa. About 30 minutes ride from Shibuya.
“Are we there yet?” Natsumi and Hinako excited to show me the famous Senso-ji temple in Asakusa.
“We are here!”
The first interesting thing I saw when I got out of the train was a girl in kimono.
I love kimono. Some of them has a gigantic ribbon at the back.
It seems like there’s a wedding taking place.
A wedding procession in the city streets.
The newly weds.
Met these two kawai girls in kimono.
Isn’t she cute?
And she’s got a huge ribbon!
Hinako and Natsumi trying to touch the ginomous lantern. It’s called chõchin.
I wanna bring this home!!! Â =oP
The temple ground is always packed with locals and international tourists.
Traditional Japanese cookies.
If you wanna get souvenir, you can find everything here.
Mini chõchin.
Everything here is so cute!
Prayer sticks. Shake the container and a stick will drop out.
And… here’s my number….
Referring to the number written on the stick, grab your fortune forecast from the drawer.
And this is my fortune.
There are English translations too.
Before entering the shrine, you are to wash you mouth and hands with the water here. You start with rinsing your mouth, then your right hand and finally your left hand.
There’s even a guide.
This is how sake is stored.
Look at the size of that sandal.
Seaweed sticks.
We tried some traditional Japanese cookies. I forgot what it’s called. Opps!
And while you are here, you can walk over to check out the new Tokyo Skytree located across the river.
I want this too!
With Hinako and Natsumi.
After Asakusa, I met up with Junko and her friends for dinner and drinks.
With Yoko and Junko.
We don’t even know what’s the name of this place. We just randomly walked into a bar in Roppongi for drinks.
