Day 85 ( Japan Trip Day 1 )

Today is a special day! haha.. cos the NTU team has decided to go for Japan on the 13th Nov 2008!! Btw, we skipped a day's lesson for this trip.. LOL!! In wee hours, we arrived at the Gimhae International Airport depature hall.. at around 6am? Woke up at 4.30am, and it cost me 10500 won for a taxi ride..

Haha.. look at how happy the girls are!Our boarding pass:

Entertainment available!! and i watch Hancock!

Li Shi and i

Admiring at the beautiful scenery on top of the world!!

Look at the layer of clouds!!

Can you see a mountain capped with snow? I have a feeling that it's Mount Fuji.. haha!!

Finally arrived at Japan!!

While on a shuttle, we saw the plane that we just took~

Welcome to Narita Airport in Japan!

First we took the Keisei Express train to Nippori, then to Shinjuku using the JR East railway Yamanote line, before going to Shin-nakano using the Marunouchi subway ( towards Ogikubo ).. Seriously, the transportation here is not only complicated, it's expensive as well.. spent about 1350 yen just to travel from Narita Airport to Shin-nakano..

Waiting at Nippori for the Yamanote line towards Shinjuku:

After unpacking our luggage, we proceed to the Meiji Shrine at Harajuku! Spent about 290 Yen on transportation..

The entrance of the Meiji Shrine!

During the Meiji Era ( 1868 - 1912 ) Japan flourished under the benign rule of Emperor Meiji, who promulgated the Meiji Consittution, promoted friendship with foreign country, and developed the nation in every cultural fields. It was one of the most glorious and prosperous period of all the Japanese history of more than 2000 years. It was the period when the bases of modern Japan were built up.

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. The buildings are surrounded by a beautiful, dense forest.

It was Emperor Meiji who, as the leader of this colourful early modern period of Japanese history, devoted himself wholeheartedly to increase the prosperity and peace of the nation and those of the world, Consequently, Emperor Meiji was regarded as a truly great Emperor not only by Japanese but also foreigners.

Empress Shoken assisted the Emperor behind the scences during this eventful and difficult Mieji Period, and was lauded as the model of the Modern Japanese Woman. The demise of the Emperor was on 30th July in 1912, and that of the Empress on 11th April in 1914. The wish of the Japanese nation to commemorate their illustrious lives generated a movement to create a shrine. The building was completed in 1920, but was lost by the fires during the World War II. The reconstruction of the present shrine building was completed in October 1958, being supported by all loyal Japanese both in Japan and aborad.

The shrine grounds, located in the center of Tokyo, have wide area of about 175 acres. Within this area since pre-foundation of the shrine, here had been a garden where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken visited some times.

Almost al of the 100000 and more shrubs and trees in the precint were donated generously by the people from all parts of Japan. Therefore they include all the species of trees found in this country.

The shrine building, built in a peaceful and holy site surrounded by trees deep within the shrine precint, is a representative example of unique Japanese shrine architecture. Its style is called Nagarezukuri, and madeby Japanese cypress wood from Kiso, the best lumber produced in Japan, is solely used.

Joseph, Li Shi, Karen and Hui Lin taking a photo just outside the Shrine building!

Leaving the Meiji Shrine..

Selling some amulet and souvenirs..

Next, we visited the Harajuku!!

Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, one station north of Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for grown-ups and some historic sights.
The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.

Takeshita Dori

The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo's teenagers.

Cosplay dresses! ( the staff don't allow me to take any more pictures.. lol.. )

Window shopping time!A beautiful and clean road..

Kiddy Land

This is one of Tokyo's most famous and popular toy stores. Located along the Omotesando, it offers six floors filled with all kinds of toys from electronic games to stuffed animals. Many major toy brands, including Disney, Barbie and Hello Kitty are present.

Isn't this place beautiful?

Had Wendy's burger for dinner! Cost us around 630 yen for a set meal.

Back to the cosy train ride back to Shin-nakano!

All in all, the first day was well spent i think, considering the fact that the plane + train + checking in took up at least 2/3 of our day. Long travelling time! Haha!! Anyway i hope tomorrow will be a better day! I LOVE TOKYO!!