The Squeaky Bunny: Very First Adventures in Japan

Hooray, I am finally ready to really start writing my travel blog for you.

Saturday, May 31, was my first full day here, and it was a full day of exploring and getting to know my temporary home.

We first took the subway to Tokyo station, and I had a moment to take in how gorgeous the architecture is. Inside the station, near the entrance, there are beautiful domed ceilings that you can admire.

And outside, you can take in an equally pretty view of the expansive station itself.

The whole station doesn't even fit into this picture, and we're all the way across the street!

From the station, I was able to walk around and explore the variety of malls and shops, while also taking in the amazing aroma from countless restaurants and cafés.

After walking for a bit, we hopped back on the subway and headed to Meiji shrine.

Wow, there's just something amazing about a peaceful forest and shrine, completely surrounded by the bustling city. There were overarching feelings of respect, patience, and awe here.

If you can't tell, that torii gate is crazy big

We walked past the initial huge torii gate to be greeted by several more throughout our twisting trek through the forest. The walk towards the shrine is peppered with many things to see other than trees, be sure of that! Though even if there were only trees, I would have still been captivated. There is a short walk with murals that illustrate the life of Emperor Meiji. There are barrels and barrels of sake and wine that have been donated throughout the years. There are other paths that you can take as well, leading you to places like the shrine's inner garden, but I'll get to that later...

One of many informative murals

Lots and lots of sake

Lots and lots of wine. This has all been donated from Burgundy, France

Before visiting the shrine itself, I headed over to the temizuya, or purification font. At this area, a person is symbolically purified by cleansing their hands and mouth.

Must. Focus. On. Water. Dipper.

The shrine between some suspiciously round trees. TOO round, if you ask me

After that, I visited the shrine and followed the practice of bowing and clapping and making a wish/prayer. I also got to see the wall where people are able to leave their prayers written on pieces of wood.

There was a wedding taking place during my visit as well. I got to see one of the traditional dresses the bride wears, and this outfit includes a hat. My guide jokingly informed me that the hat was there to symbolically cover the woman's demon-like horns, ha! Maybe I'll have to remember that for my wedding.....

The hat must work because I see no horns.

After my visit to the shrine, I enjoyed the inner garden, which is off the main path. A winding trail took us to the emperor's fishing pond, with lively koi and turtles swimming near the pier, and a famous well dug by a military commander some 400 years ago.

Is two pictures of a well too many? I think so too, sorry.

In the later summer, one can enjoy the far-reaching iris garden, too. The irises had not bloomed yet when I visited, but I can only imagine how beautiful this will be. Go ahead and Google "Meiji Iris Garden," I'll wait here 'til you get back.

..........................................

Awesome, right?

Okay, back to it.

Not as pretty as Google's pictures. But way in the back you can see gardeners preparing for the irises!

After my peaceful trip through the shrine, it was time to get back to the rush of the city. I got to enjoy the especially young and trendy area of Shibuya -- Harajuku.

We passed designer store after designer store, with specialty boutiques, restaurants, and karaoke bars in between. I'm looking forward to going back so I can window shop more, and only window shop, because there are few clothing items I would be willing to spend that much money on, ha.

But then we found a place I will happily spend money at.

Kiddy Land!

A 4-floor store dedicated to kawaii culture, yay! This place has everything! Star Wars, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Totoro, Rilakkuma, and lots and lots and lots of others. I may just face my fears of getting lost on the subway and in the city in order to go back here. Who cares if I don't know how to get back to the house, I'll just live in Kiddy Land instead, snuggled up in a Hello Kitty blanket while watching Ghibli movies with Pikachu.