This is the second time I visited Tokyo, however, it was the first for my sister. So I wanted to bring her to see Asakusa Sensoji (the oldest temple in Tokyo) and do some shopping at Harajuku. I still managed to see something new revisiting Asakusa and Harajuku.
The Willers Express bus stopped at Shinjuku Expressway bus terminal, 2-minute walk from Shinjuku’s Station’s South Exit.
Getting to Asakusa:
From Shinjuku station, we took JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 170 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 170 yen). We were amazed how orderly the Japanese was at the crowded station, waiting for train at peak hours. It was amazingly quiet in the train despite being jam packed. Hats off to the Japanese culture.
Taking a photo in front of the giant lantern of Kaminarimon Gate is a must-do for every tourist.
Beyond the gate, lies Nakamise shopping street which stretches from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. It’s a busy street filled with souvenir shops.
The temple's main hall and a five storied pagoda is behind the Hozomon.
This pair of huge traditional straw sandal called “O-Waraji” are charm against evil.
This is a booth selling charms.
Next to the booths selling charms are counter with Omikuji paper fortunes. First put in 100 yen into coin slot on the counter. Then while praying for your wish, shake the box several times and tip it upside down. A long stick will drop out with a kanji character engraved on the side. Take out a sheet of Omikuji from the drawer of your number, that is your fortune.
My sister got a Regular fortune.
If you happen to get a bad fortune, just tie it to one of the many racks lining the temple entrance, instead of taking it home.
Taking photo in front of the main hall of the Sensoji Temple.
Had a quick look at the interior of the main hall.
The bronze hokyoin-to besides Sensoji main hall is a pagoda that was built based on a Buddhist text called the Hokyoindarani-kyo.
Then we stopped at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center which is directly opposite Kaminarimon Gate. This 8-storey tourist information center was not there during my last visit in 2010. It was opened in April 2012. It provides sightseeing information in four languages (Japanese, English, Mandarin and Korean).
Be sure to visit the 8th floor which has a free observatory terrace where you can see Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa townscape and Tokyo Sky Tree.
View of the Tokyo Sky Tree from the observatory terrace.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center opens 7 days a week, from 9am to 8pm. They also offer free walking tour every weekend at 11am and 2pm on first-come-first-serve basis for 20 people.
Moving on to Harajuku.
Harajuku Station is a station on the JR Yamanote Line, two stations south of Shinjuku and one station north of Shibuya (140 yen from either station).
This time I went to Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) which I didn’t cover last time. It is the birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends.
You can find many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets here. Shops along Takeshita Dori tend to be open daily from 11am to 8pm.
We spent around 2 hours here. We found a shop called Body Line selling Lolita fashion dresses and wigs at really affordable prices.
A wig costs only 1,000 yen and a dress is about 3,000 to 4,000 yen. If you buy outside Japan, the price is at least doubled.
Of course, another must-do thing while in Harajuku is to try the crepe. The crepe stall that we tried is called Sweet Box.
These are the best five popular crepes with tourist.
I tried the mixed fruit crepe. Yummy!
Then it’s about time to move on to Ghibli Museum as our time entry is 2pm. Stay tuned for my next posting on Ghibli Museum.
Asakusa Sensoji
Main hall opening hours: 6am - 5pm (6.30am from October to March)
Admission free
Harajuku Takeshita Street
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