Day 14: Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing

Tuesday morning, the kids slept in. We were glad they could catch up on sleep a bit. Once they got up and had breakfast, we rode the train to the Shinjuku area to see a few sites.

Our first stop was the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, where we went up the South Tower to the observation deck on the 45th floor. Tokyo sure is a huge city! We saw many buildings, including Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. We could also pick out a number of parks, the Imperial Gardens and Rainbow Bridge.

Panoramic. Shinjuku Gyoen is a bit left of center with the Imperial Gardens behind them. I believe the large park to the right is Yoyogi Gyoen where the Meiji Shrine is located.

Here is Tokyo Tower with Rainbow Bridge visible on the right side of the picture.

Tokyo Skytree. Where we stayed was somewhat close to this area.

  

We then ate lunch at a nice garden/park adjacent to the Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building.

We then took the metro to the Meiji Shrine. Here are a few things we saw on our way.

We can get Indian food! In Japan!

A line of cars waiting patiently for the light to turn. Notice the singularity of "line" and how all the cars are in the appropriate lane. There was no honking, either.

Right before the park where the Meiji Shrine is located was a fire station. We had just seen the firetrucks go out on a call but the ambulance was still there. Matthew thought it was interesting that in Japan, you dial "119" to call for a firetruck or ambulance.

At a torii (gateway) to the Meiji Shrine. It is Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. To get to the shrine, you walk through a beautiful wooded area. It's very beautiful and peaceful.

A huge spider that we saw by the entrance. We saw a number of these during our time in Tokyo.

At a Temizuya (font) doing a ritualistic cleaning where you pour water on one hand and then the other. You can also rinse out your mouth with the water but we skipped that part.

The Temizuya.

Me, Sarah, Matthew and Megan.

Heading towards another torii to see the main shrine area. 

A lady and her daughter in kimonos posed for a picture for us.

Sign describing "Husband and Wife" tree located in the shrine area.

Me and U with the husband and wife tree. Matthew decided he wanted to be in the picture as well.

Back a bit from the trees. They are huge!

Beautiful door into the main shrine building. No pictures were allowed there.

Panoramic of the wooded area.

Happy traveller!

Me and Matthew with light. I love the beautiful simplicity.

Walking through the wooded area. It's very peaceful! You definitely don't feel like you're in the middle of the world's biggest city.

From the Meiji Shrine, we walked to Shibuya Crossing.  We saw another fire station. This time, the ambulance had just left.

We stopped by the Disney Store. It was fun to see the products they have that are different than in the US.

Megan loved this Dumbo blanket/pillow.

Matthew thought this Star Wars set looked cool.

Geppetto's Workshop.

Here we are at Shibuya Crossing. It is rumored to be the world's busiest intersection, with people coming from all directions at once.

This building has a Starbucks on the first and second level, overlooking Shibuya Crossing. It's often said to be the best place to watch the craziness so we bought some treats and headed upstairs to check it out.

Everyone lined up to go while waiting for the crosswalk light to turn green.

A few pictures of the crazy crossing. It would be much busier at rush hour.

Megan and Matthew's viewing location.

We saw a group of people drive up in in real go-carts dressed as MarioKart characters. They got "caught" in the intersection for the scramble (likely intentionally) and everyone wanted a picture.

Some of them gave the kids a high five.

In Shibuya Crossing during the scramble.

Look what we saw drive up!

This is a statue of Hachiko, a faithful dog who waited here for his master everyday for years including for over nine years after his master had died.

Riding the train the rest the way around the city on our way back to our guest house.

A Japanese cemetery by the Nippori train station.

We grabbed dinner on the way home. I got a chicken teriyaki bento box. It was delicious.

Megan got a Happy Meal.

So did Matthew, except he doesn't look happy about it.

Sarah wanted ramen again.

U had a beef bento box that was super yummy at well.

We then went to the park again.

Cute girl!

U and Matthew riding the zip line.

Sarah and Matthew riding the zip line.

Megan liked swinging while standing up. She had no problem pumping herself.

Matthew liked standing as well and Megan liked pushing him.

Riding a motorcycle, Indian style.

That evening, the kids got to shower while sitting down in a Japanese bathtub. The little things that are different from home!