Japan Report: Harajuku Street, Tokyo Station Character Street and Ginza

In every travel, it is very important to research on areas that's best for shopping not only for oneself but for the people you love!

In today's post, I will be talking about 3 main areas where Mr. AMW and myself shopped for "pasalubongs" (gifts).

Harajuku (Meadow Lodging) is an area located at Harajuku Station.  We went to this area twice, once on a weekday and another on a Sunday!  The reason why we returned on a Sunday as I've read that most young boys and girls would dress in variety of clothing from Cosplaying to Gothic Lolita during Sundays.  Harajuku, by the way, is hailed as the fashion capital of the world for its unique fashion!  I don't know why but I do see girls in extreme costumes but not as group but rather, randomly on streets!  The weather was a bit too cold for them to dress up I guess?

There are two main shopping streets on the area, one is Omotesando (up-scale fashion shops) and Takeshita Street (youth fashion).  We've decided to walk to the latter as it is more unique in our culture!

The infamous photo of young crowd at Takeshita Street, though it is busy, I am surprisingly not bothered at all!

Stores that sells random accessories.  One of the famous chain for accessories is called Claire's!  I've seen 2 branches within the area!  I did not go crazy as I'm a smart shopper! *winks*

Nail Care stuff

A girl wearing colorful clothing to attract customers!

Calbee Plus Store offering fresh potato chips!

Lines were long!

Consumers flock to have a taste of hot, crisp and freshly made potato chips! 
 I even saw one with chocolate syrup ! YUM!!! 

Random socks!
Okay, that's funny, it seems like I get attracted to colorful socks whenever I travel!
I think I have a photo like this during my Seoul Trip! :P

You can also find Daiso at Takeshita Street, I was expecting it to be better than the one in Manila but I guess most of the stuff sold here in Tokyo can also be found in Manila, except THIS....

My MOST FAVORITE ICE CREAM at the moment!  Meiji Almond Chocolate Ice Bar!  Daiso Philippines, PLEASE I beg you, bring this here!!!

Since we got a bit hungry from all the walking, we took a break and finally tried Yoshinoya!  The restaurant is definitely smaller as compared to the ones we have here in Manila, the menu are also limited so we went for this...

How to get to Harajuku Station ---

Take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station.

After some fun, quirky shopping for the young, let's head on to the place for the younger crowd or shall I say, the "young at heart"!  Tokyo Station is known for the Character Street!

Tokyo Character Street is on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station.  It is an underground mall with 100 souvenir shops and restaurants! I didn't feel like it was 100 stores as I didn't get tired running around like a headless chicken!

Some of the character you may find here are Disney Characters...

 Hachiko Plush Toys

Hello Kitty goodies!

My Neighbor Totoro Characters

Strike another pose! :)

Rilakkuma

Cute Lego Keychains 

wherein you can put your name!

And of course, they make it even more cuter when they made superhero chracters like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman etc...using Legos!!!

The cute whale from One Piece

(nakanganga siya, so kelangang isara ang bibig! Lol)

The fat character from Shaun the Sheep!

Would you believe TOWERmini is also here just in case you want to find some of your favorite Japanese music!

Now, if you think you want to get some serious shopping and you have the money for it!  Let's head on to Ginza Street!

 

Here in Ginza, you can find numerous department stores like Isetan..

Matsuya Ginza

And a whole lot more!  You can also enjoy the view of the luxurious buildings of brands like Chanel, Dior, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.  Here, you can also find the flagship retail stores of Sony and Apple Store!

If you are on a budget, you can still shop at Ginza as here I have found the 6 storey building of Uniqlo

H&M on sale!

 

Also Forever 21!

Ginza Wako

The Hattori Clock Tower originally built by the founder of Seiko!  Inside the building you will find luxury items and jewelries are sold!

Though the place Ginza is known for its very expensive coffee and pastries, we can't help but opted for a stopover to take a rest before we continue our shopping!  We stopped by Doutor Coffee Shop --- owned by a Japanese company and you see them all around Tokyo just like Starbucks.

I ordered Cheesecake

And Matcha Latte

How to get to Ginza ---

Take the Ginza Subway line, the Maruonuchi Subway Line of the Hibiya Subway Line to Ginza Subway Station.

Do not forget to drop by the store named G.U. Japan (sorry no photos taken as I was busy shopping for gifts!)  G.U. is a Japanese discount casual wear store who also owns Uniqlo.  The store is heaven for girls and boys alike as the prices of good quality jeans and clothing is around JPY990.00 (approx less than Php500.00)

If given the chance, which area would you go first and what would you shop for?

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

AMW Bulletin: ROXY: Let The Sea Set You Free Contest!

Hi everyone!  Look what I found on my mail box!  An fabulous contest for gorgeous ladies like YOU!

Do you want to be a ROXY GIRL?

Well, seems like dreams may be coming true to 3 Lucky Girls!

Here's the summary of the grand prize to Live the Dream of a Roxy Girl!

• A trip to Biarritz, France for the Roxy Pro Surf Competition (departing on July 9, 2012 and returning on July 16, 2012). Airfare and hotel accommodations included
• Meet the Roxy pro athletes
• Receive up to $5,000 USD
• Be outfitted in head-to-toe Roxy products
• Host Roxy video segments as be a face and voice for Roxy
• Learn to surf in some of the best waves in the world
• Get to know the Roxy Design Team
• Jet set on a surprise trip #2 (it's amazing!) – airfare and hotel accommodations included

Plus, for the top Filipina from the entries submitted from around the world, the winner will be sent to BALI.  

• Travel to Bali and join each of SEA's Regional Winner's for a relaxing 4 Day Roxy adventure.
• Be outfitted in head-to-toe Roxy products.
• Learn to surf at the Quiksilver Surf School
• Stay at one of Bali's beautiful spa and health retreat's
• $500 USD spending money
• Boat cruise to the beautiful Nusa Lembongin Island.
• Lembongin Island Day Trip to Bali's beautiful temple and cultural land marks

To get a preview of what it’s like to be a Roxy girl, check out:

www.roxy.com or visit them on Facebook 

I hope one of AMW reader may win!
Are you joining?
Goodluck!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Garnier BB Eye Roll-On

Good morning everyone!
Let's take a short break from my Japan Report for now, I know some of you would like to see some product reviews and I guess today is the perfect day because I came back from Japan with a tiny bit darker undereye circles because I've been sleeping really late for the past week and thank goodness for the Garnier BB Eye Roll-on as I try to use less makeup as possible as my skin tends to get super dry on cooler weather!  

Garnier BB Eye Roll-On says ---

(Copied straight from the box)

New Garnier Instant Fairness BB Eye Roll-on is the first BB eye roll-on that gives you an amazing fresh look with a single gesture, and offers you a total solution for a fresh look in a flash.  Enriched with brightening pure lemon essence and caffeine, well-known for its stimulating properties, its non-creasing formula covers the eye contour skin with mineral pigments for a nude coverage and long lasting-wear.  From the first minute, witness the eye contour area looks:

Japan Report: Akasaka Mitsuke, Shibuya and Meiji Shrine

Oh my!!! I am back in Manila!  Let me tell you exactly how I'm feeling right now ---  I am missing Japan so much!  I now understand why people who went to Japan have always been telling me how much they would want to go back!  There is something about the country, the people, the place itself that made me left a piece of my heart in just a week's vacation!  I am missing the random Japanese people who helped us with directions even though they have limited to almost no English, I missed the Hotel Staffs at Dormy Inn Hotel, Asakusa branch who even asked me to take out some coffee or milk on my way to the airport, I missed the super friendly staffs of convenience stores who helped us pick the right coins when we were still confused with all the coins we have on our hands! 

Japan --- Thank you!  You don't know how much this means to us! :)

Before I tear up, let me continue my Japan Report, I hope you guys enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing about it!

After DisneySea, I met up with a colleague for quick "sushi" lunch at Akasaka Mitsuke area (more details about this soon on Weekend Food Tripping Report).  Akasaka Mitsuke is no stranger to me because we originally planned to book our hotel in this area specifically at Hotel Sunroute Akasaka which was recommended by Mr. AMW's Colleague and I've read good reviews at the Agoda website as well.  Check it out, we walked pass the hotel just to have a look and report to whoever plans to stay in this hotel that the location is very convenient as well!

 Right beside the hotel, you'll see a nice convenience store that sells a lot of "bundled items" in lesser amount!  This is the area where I find prices to be (surprisingly) cheaper considering its location!

The usual suspects --- Kose, Kanebo, Kate, Kiss Me, Shiseido etc...

I nearly died when I saw Shiseido's Tsubaki Shampoo and Conditioner huge pump sized bottle each priced around JPY500.00-JPY700.00  (approx Php250.00-Php350.00) VERY INEXPENSIVE indeed!

Now we hopped on to the Metro Line once again and went to the busy Shibuya!  "Shibuya" is a shopping district surrounding the Shibuya Station.  I tried booking a hotel at the Shibuya area but once I read the area hailed as "Tokyo's Busiest Railway Station", I gave it a pass as I dislike crowds! *hehehe*

Here's the famous five-way crossing and trust me when I say it never looked bare!  It's either this, or even more crowded!!!

Before I move further to shopping and other places to visit, when you get off the Shibuya Station, YOU HAVE to look for Hachiko, I told myself I have to take a photo of a statue of this loyal dog.

Hachikō waited on his late master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to 1935.  I researched about the story and I was in tears!  For a quick summary ---

Professor Ueno took Hachiko, a golden brown Akita dog during 1924. Hachiko greeted him at the end of each day at the nearby Shibuya Station, this was continued for a year until one day, Professor Ueno suffered from cerebral hemorrhage and died.  Loyal Hachiko, everyday for the next 9 years (or until the day he died) waited at the Shibuya Station.

Here's the mural to show Hachiko as a celebrity and a great example of loyalty.

A statue of Hachiko were people are taking photos of him even until this very day!

 You can see his "cartoon" version even on public buses!

Now let's get back to Shibuya, you can see the famous drugstore chain Matsumoto KiYoshi almost everywhere across Tokyo.

Aside from the famous chain, you see random, tiny-looking stores on the outside but once you get in, you would be surprise on how big they could get!  Some stores have several floors just like this.

 False Lashes, western drugstore cosmetic brands like Revlon, Max Factor, Maybelline (prices are almost the same as in Manila.)

 Bundled cosmetics from Esprique

We also passed by the famous Shibuya 109.  We did get in but didn't really go through all the floors as our feet and legs feels like....ahmm...NOTHING! :P

 Huge Forever 21 Store

 We talked to approximately 3-4 strangers before we found the Tower Records Building!

Just when we thought we're looking for Harajuko Street, it was a pleasant surprise to find Meiji Shrine.  This area is where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken had been known to visit.  Meiji Shrine covers an area of around 700,000 square-meters covered with evergreen forest!  We arrived in this area almost closing time so the sun was almost down and it's getting even colder! :)

Base on reading and research, the original shrine was destroyed during World War II and the present one was re-established by people from all parts of Japan.  A joint effort I believe!

You can immediately see the view of Torii  at the entrance.  A Torii is a traditional Japanese gate used to identify Shinto Shrine.  Bow once before you enter and bow another time before you leave.

 The Centennial Anniversary of the demise of Emperor Meiji on July 30, 2012

 A map to show you how big the place is

 Mr. AMW getting cold  

(it's a very unusual sight! hahaha)

 The Life of Emperor Meiji

Barrels of Sake donated to the Meiji Shrine

Another Torii closer to the shrine itself

 Since the area was too big, it took us until closing time to reach the shrine and we were told the area was closed.  But just in case, here are some tips you may have to remember when you visit the Meiji Shrine.

Before getting near the shrine, at Temizuya ---

• Rinse your left hand
• Rinse your right hand
• Pour water into your left hand
• Rinse your mouth
• Rinse your left hand again
• Rinse the dipper by allowing the remaining water to run down the handle of the dipper.

At the main shrine building ---

• You may put some coins into the offertory box.
• Bow Twice
• Clap your hands twice
• You may make a wish if you like.
• Bow once again.
• No taking of photos or videos close to the main shrine buildings.

So much to see at Shibuya area and I haven't talked about Harajuko yet!  I guess it's meant for another post!  Before I end this, I'll share to you the first Takoyaki Balls I've tried.  It was at The Gindaco, which is quite famous as lines were quite long and they have another branch near our hotel at Asakusa!

Thank goodness we had a place to seat plus the view was nice!  This was the best Takoyaki balls I've tried in my entire Takoyaki-eating life!  The exterior is crunchy and you get to bite big sized Octopus!

 They came in different toppings of choice!  We went for the regular version and loved it to bits!

How to get to Shibuya

Shibuya Station is on the Ginza Subway line, the Hanzomon Subway line, the JR Yamanote Line, the JR Saikyo line and the Keio Inokashira line.

Have you visited Shibuya?  What's another must visit, must eat, must do here?
I'd love to hear more about it and who knows?  We get to return someday! :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!