Technically, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Meiji Jingu are all in Shibuya, so we were in Shibuya all day, but after visiting each of those places we went to the area around Shibuya station to check out Shibuya Crossing. This is that famous intersection in Tokyo that is featured in a lot of movies like Lost in Translation. This area is CRAZY on the weekends and we were there on a Sunday. It’s like Times Square x 100. When the lights turn, all car traffic stops and pedestrians take over the whole huge intersection. There are 3 huge TV screens and a million ads everywhere. The Starbucks there is the busiest in the world.
Outside the Hachiko exit at Shibuya Station is a statue of Hachiko, who is a dog. Hachiko used to wait at Shibuya train station for his master, a professor. Even after the professor died in 1925, the dog would go to the station and wait every afternoon. He did this for another 9 years until Hachiko finally died too. The people of Tokyo were so moved, that they built a statue of Hachiko at the station. Today it is a common meeting place.
Hachiko and Rachelle
We were so tired from walking around all day, that we stumbled into the closest pub to have a seat. Nevermind that it was an Irish pub called Dubliners!
Dallas was psyched to see they still had Zima, a favorite college drink that has not been available in the United States for years! We met some people and sat and talked for an hour or two until it was time to meet for dinner.
We met Tandy, Chris, Kai and Kanoa for dinner in Akasaka. The place we planned to go was closed so we walked around a bit and found this kind of yakitori place on like the 3rd floor of a building. It turned out to be a very good choice. We ordered about a million small plates and shared. Chris ordered sake and there was only a bit left in the bottle, so they just gave him the bottle!! It was just a little bit big!
Also, I took this photo of our waiter. I noticed a lot of service staff in bars and restaurants in Japan use tablets to take orders. Wonder when this will catch on in the US!