Kathleen from Florida in the US visited Japan for the first time with her husband on his business trip.
Our afternoon excursion in Harajuku area started with a Sushi bar with counter seating in Ginza. Sushi chefs welcomed us with high-spirited shouts saying “welcome” in Japanese. The sushi was made right in front of us. Kathleen loved toasted Sushi, which she described it as melting in her mouth.
We headed for Meiji Shrine by subway. The most popular Shinto shrine in Japan is dedicated to the Meiji Emperor who is respected as a father of Japan’s modernization. The serene and sacred atmosphere inside the precinct is quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of young fashion town called Harajuku in the vicinity.
Sake barrels are displayed at the entrance. Sake made from rice has been sacred liquor dedicated to Shinto deities as a token of gratitude for a good harvest since ancient times. Sake is now getting popular overseas with Japanese food. Kathleen also loves Sake and she said dry sake is her favorite.
The Japanese Sword Museum is her request to visit. Various precious swords made by prominent Japanese sword artisans from 12th C to 19th C are displayed. Sharpened blades mysteriously glitter and attract visitors. There are some shops to sell Japanese swords near the museum.
Back to Harajuku, we explored the narrow back streets like a labyrinth. Takeshita-dori, which is now very popular among young people worldwide, is packed with cheap cute items teenaged tourists love to buy. Oriental Bazaar in Harajuku is a Mecca for tourists. This is a good place to buy souvenirs.
On the way back to her hotel, we stopped at Shibuya to see a famous pedestrian crossing in front of Shibuya JR station. It is fun to watch many people coming into the crossing at once when the traffic signals change to green. We popped in a food market at the basement of a department store in Shibuya, where you can enjoy watching Japanese people’s everyday life.
Kathleen’s first day in Japan was full of activity and I hope she could have a grasp of the ordinary life in Japan.
S.N.
Kathleen Phillips