Look at me go. I'm feeling productive lately and thus...
Yesterday, the weather was beautiful so I decided to head over to a farmer's market in Shibuya and explore around there after hitting up the fruit stands.
Despite the fact that there is really very little in terms of vegetarian food and local environmental green movements going on in mainstream Japan, I am always pleasantly surprised by the vibrancy of this little local subculture. Much like the vegetarian festival, many of the stalls were offering local and organic fruits and veggies. They wanted you to bring your own bags, and even had chairs set out made of PET bottles.
Just tomatoes. Delicious!
They also had a few stand/carts that were serving vegetarian/vegan food. I almost got some, but I decided to buyみかん(mandarins) to eat instead.
There was also a protest! It was awesome to watch people passionate about something get together and try and affect change.
This market and a few others are held every weekend and are set up in part by the Japanese government in an effort to get people to buy local.
After the market, I decided to wander around Shibuya since I haven't really checked it out before. Shibuya, a lot like Harajuku and Shimo-Kita, is a youth haven. Despite it's almost overwhelming focus on big shops and malls and Uniqlo's and GAP's...it has this great thriving funky vibe if you search in the right places. Here's a cool building I came across.
Shibuya also has a love hotel hill. I had no plan for my Shibuya attack so I just kind of wandered, and somehow I ended up here. A three hour "short" stay is 4,000 Yen, about $45.00.
These chopsticks were moving up and down. It was awesome.
I also found a bunch of random things that I thought other people would appreciate.
This one's for my Pa! A beaver store!! I went in just for you. It's basically a hip outdoorsy store.
This one is for me. SPAIN! muhaha.
A protest of Santas? I seem to always find weird Santa parades in other countries, my last seen siting being in Paris. This one was for child abuse...I'm not really sure why Santa costumes were involved, but hey...
A weird pig in a haircut store! MOM! hahah.
After wandering around a bit, I decided I should head on home.
Recently, I've come up with the best philosophy towards Tokyo, the walking philosophy. So revolutionary. hahah. But basically, it started as a plan to save train fares, which aren't expensive, but if you're riding to Harajuku (my favorite park's in Harajuku, I go there almost every weekend) it's still 120 Yen, or about a 1.50 a ride. Why would I pay that when I can easily walk there in 30 minutes or so?
Well recently, my walking to just Harajuku has expanded. I've come to realize that my line, if I get off a few stops before Shinjuku, is actually really close to the park and really close to Shibuya! It's been great walking, I see the best things just exploring and finding little side streets and alleys of Tokyo that I would never see paying for a train ride.
I found this great little patio area on my way back from Shibuya. See the trees in the background? That's my favorite park in Harajuku, Yoyogi Koen. Also, that big tower is Docomo tower, better known as my guidepost when exploring. It's right near Shinjuku and can be seen from pretty much the whole Western side of the Yamanote line. (The main train line in Tokyo).
That patio I was walking on was a shortcut to this big Pavillion thing where they had the volleyball championships. This time it was some kind of band concert? Everyone was dressed up in skanky Christmas costumes and things sporting the words "Vampires". A series of strange events...
And it just continues...
I have no explanation.
This above is exactly why Yoyogi is my favorite park. There are always the weirdest most awesome things. Everyone comes to Yoyogi to just be themselves and be happy. People are playing badminton, playing guitars, running, dancing, practicing dances, this is where I saw the 50's dancers, the basketball breakdancers, etc etc. I've also seen people having an epic light saber battle at dusk.
Not only is it just fun to explore and observe people, Yoyogi is absolutely gorgeous.
Sunday was great. Everything just came together. All the weird ways of walking to different train stations added up and following my instincts was working out.
I followed this other weird alley up this hill and found a little Shinto shrine. It was adorable and had a great view of Yoyogi in the distance.
I thought this sign was funny.
Overall, it was a great adventure. I really am starting to feel like I'm coming to understand the spirit of Tokyo, it's nuances, it's lifestyle. I've also realized how much closer things are than you think, Tokyo is huge, but it's great to see the connectedness that even a city this big has.
