First official day in Tokyo! So much to see and do – where do we even start?
Since we were staying in the Akasaka district and were in close proximity to Hie Shrine (or Hie Jinja) we began our day there.
Getting our temple on at Hie Shrine
Hie Shrine was originally erected as a protective shrine of Edo Castle. Pregnant women also visit the shrine to pray for safe deliveries.
There’s also a line of vermilion torii gates forming a colourful tunnel through the grounds. Although not as famous as Fushimi Inari temple in Kyoto or as touristy as the torii gates near Ueno Park, it is much less crowded – which suits us fine.
Going to see about Gojira
After Hie Shrine, we took the subway to Shinjuku to look for Gojira, otherwise known as Godzilla. Not that he was hard to find. All you have to do is look up at the subway’s intersection.
We headed over to Hotel Gracery where you can go up to the 8th floor terrace and view the Godzilla head up close and personal.
We toyed with the idea of staying at one of the two Godzilla view rooms, but it was sold out and a bit on the expensive side. If we were really going to splash out (not that we ever be in that position), we would rather book the Godzilla room instead of the rooms with a view.
We’re going to try to come back some night because it’ll be a different experience. The Godzilla head not only lights up, but it also plays the Godzilla theme song, roars, and breathes beams of light!
A skyscraper view of Tokyo
From Shinjuku, we headed over to the 45th floor observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to get a 202 metres above ground, panoramic view of the city. Because it’s free. There are probably better buildings with views but we had to watch our budget and go cheap and cheerful whenever we can.
I love the way this building looks – the Tokyo Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku. It’s 50 stories high, houses a fashion college, IT school and medical college. Designed by Kenzo Tange, its criss-cross patterns is inspired by silkworm cocoons.
Being a part of the Shibuya Scramble chaos
We headed back to the hotel for a rest stop and went back out to Shibuya after dark. Of course, what’s one of the most famous, not to mention extremely touristy, thing to do in Shibuya? The Shibuya scramble crossing – possibly the world’s most busiest intersection. It’s just in front of the Hachiko exit at Shibuya station, where several large avenues intersect. People go to the Starbucks just to get a bird’s eye view at the organized chaos.
Fun fact: during rush hour, as many as 2,500-3,000 cross this pedestrian street every time the light changes! And that up to 300,000 people cross here per day? Say wha?!
We walked around Shibuya and there was activity everywhere we looked. The city lights and LCD screens crackling with palpable energy, and juxtaposed with beautiful cherry blossom trees. It was such a contact high being in the thick of it all.
But then again, it’s a Friday night in Tokyo, so what did we expect?
View more photos of Tokyo and Japan on my Flickr albums.
Hie Shrine
2 Chome-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo
GPS coordinates: 35.674937, 139.739438
Hotel Gracery
1 Chome-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-8466, Japan
GPS coordinates: 35.695489, 139.702569
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Hours:
930am-11pm (The South Observation Deck closes at 530pm)
Address:
2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001
GPS coordinates: 35.689965, 139.692058
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