After Harajuku, I went to Shibuya again in an effort to buy back all the things I lost in the cab ride the previous night. Eventually I ran out of yen (it’s only day 5!) and the banks and currency exchangers had all closed for the day! So I had to call it a day and head back to the hotel for a good night’s rest.
But not before having a simmering hot, slurp-icious bowl of udon for dinner.
As usual, rather than making loud, appreciative slurping sounds, I only succeeded in making soft sucking noises. But it was good for me.
Aug 27, 2007
16
why no hello kitty shop!?! roar!!!
Aug 27, 2007
44
wow … judging from your pictures,
i think japan is a very colourful city …
full of colours and kawaiiness …
Aug 27, 2007
3472
Daphne Maia: I think you would absolutely LOVE tomorrow’s post!
Jayson: It really, really is! But I think I still love Bangkok a whole lot more.
Aug 27, 2007
11
wo!so nice to go japan!!!hope i can go one day!!!
i really love the care bear keychains!!!so cute!!i love care bear!
Aug 27, 2007
182
Going solo is fun. Did you feel a sense of maturity and independence when you travel alone?
Aug 27, 2007
20
That’s good that you love traveling solo. Many people are afraid to do that, so you are really brave!
That sucks that you couldn’t buy what you really wanted from the Care Bear store. My gf and I brought 1-2 empty suitcases on purpose, because we knew we would buy a lot of things. Perhaps you can do that next time you travel?
Also, Shibuya takes credit cards, right? I’m pretty sure I bought some things on credit there… or were you trying to avoid using plastic? Either way, I hope you were able to purchase all that stuff you lost on the cab!
Aug 27, 2007
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wenniee: Care bear stare!
py: Absolutely. It’s awesome. The challenge in going solo lies in knowing that you can depend only on yourself and no one else. I become more alert and attuned to the surrounding. Also, I find that I tend to better appreciate the host country as well as interact more with its people when I go solo.
Ken: Yup I was trying to avoid using credit cards! But in the end I had to use them anyway. Argh!
Aug 28, 2007
16
fwah. now you got my eyes glued to sparklette.net
hehe!! :) i think i’d love to go to japan (if not for the hello kitty), for the splashes of colours, the graffiti, the people-watching, n the sceneries…
Aug 28, 2007
182
Cheers to travelling solo! :)
Aug 28, 2007
80
Wow, going on your own: it’s your own itenary, and nobody can stop you :-)
By the way, your photos look really nice!
Jan 26, 2008
1
I like that what graffiti
Jun 20, 2008
1
I really enjoyed your Japan blog. Im going to Tokyo for the first time in July. The only thing im worried about is ordering food. Should be very interesting. Take care.
Jun 22, 2008
3472
Oh, trust me, it would be VERY interesting indeed. Many of the restaurants have plastic food replicas somewhere, so you can try taking a picture and show it to the waiter(ess) later on.
Oct 18, 2008
1
very interesting blog! i just came back from japan with pictures too! cheers
Apr 11, 2009
3
So nobody railed at you for taking photos inside a store? Excellent! I get these really snide and often times harsh comments from store employees/managers to stop taking pictures (some have even threatened me to delete my pictures, which is not their right)…I know that they’re paranoid a competitor will try to “copy” their product display or design, but when does that actually happen? It’s a shame that you can only *see* the prettiness of the store but you can’t take it home with you…
But I’m glad in Japan, no one minds pictures! You took some pretty nice shots – the Snoopy store looks absolutely divine! There’s all sorts of quirky items for sale in each shop, and the presentation, as always, pleases =)
Nice blogging!! :D
Apr 11, 2009
20
I think she just got lucky. It all depends on the store, but many of them, especially in more popular areas such as Akihabara, Ginza, etc. won’t allow you to take photos. If they can tell you are a gaijin (they couldn’t since I’m a Chinese-American), then maybe they won’t say anything, but if you blend in, they will tell you you can’t take photos.
Apr 11, 2009
3
I suppose you’re right…I’m Chinese-American as well, so I would fall under the “mystery gaijin” category as well ^ ^ ;
But…I think they might politely ask you to put away the camera? You know, Japanese manners and all, especially in the context of store employee-customer relations…I don’t mean to complain and be totally anti-American, but I feel sometimes that Americans can be too up-front and all “in your face”, if you know what I mean. /=
Apr 11, 2009
3472
Oh I never got into any trouble taking photos there. I figured that with a camera and tourist maps in hand, it should seem pretty obvious that I was a tourist. The staff basically left me alone.
Mar 23, 2010
1
hi, really interesting!
i hope i can find snoopy town at Harajuku!!!
Mar 24, 2010
3472
You should have no problem at all! It’s right across the road when you get out from the subway station. Good luck!
Apr 19, 2010
1
hello i am algerian woman and i see you photos i love it and JAPAN is a beautiful contry so!!
Take care soon!
kari
Jul 20, 2015
5
Loving the clothes. I love anything related to sweet lolita. I also love that the place looks so simple but the people just makes everything so colorful.