Eating Our Way Around Tokyo#2 - Harajuku & Asakusa

Harajuku and Asakusa were probably the only cultural trails we embarked on. The rest were skyscraper and departmental scenic routes.

Harajuku is supposedly Tokyo's teenage capital, where Takeshita Dori - a 400 metre long street lined with shops, boutiques and cafes targeting the teenagers is located conveniently from the Harajuku station. Amidst the 'punk / funk' fashion are visitors to the beautiful Meiji shrine - a local's choice to conduct their nuptial processions and ceremonies.

Harajuku Train Station

The majestic natural solid wood gate way to the serene Meiji Shrine

Collection of Sake hung just before the final gravel pathway to the Meiji Shrine.

When we were told the Meiji Shrine was conveniently located at the Harajuku station, we weren't expecting a close to 500 metre gravel trail leading up to the expected shrine! Pleasant as it was to walk and admire the preservation of it's natural surroundings, we were left panting for breath by the time we came close to nearing the final gate-way announcing it's calm and beautiful presence.

A refreshing sight!

One of the many brides preparing for their wedding procession at the Shrine.

The Japanese wedding march-in. - No accompanying music and BYO: bring-your-own large entourage

Little nook within the shrine to leave a token and well-wish

After witnessing 6 wedding ceremonies proceeding all simultaneously within the Meiji Shrine, we were ready to pick up where we left off on our food trail. Off we headed towards Takeshita Dori and Omotesando Hills.

Takeshita Dori - the street for Tokyo's quirky youths. Pity I didn't see any outlandish fashion.

Along the way, B brought a chocolate and strawberry crepe to tide the hunger pangs.

Takeshita Dori is lined with several crepe-making carts, creating such inviting and heavenly smells to make the walk more pleasant.

A quick pit stop for sushi along Omotesando Hills turned out to be a one-hour rest on the feet and a treat for our tummy. Our first taste of Hotate and Toro (fatty tuna belly) this trip.

With the sun setting at 4pm, it felt like dinner-time really soon. While heading back to the train station, we chanced upon a sight beyond resisting. Part of a German St Marc Cafe chain, I had to try a choco-cro. The smells were drawing and I have always had an extreme soft-spot for a decent croissant.

Choco-Cro chain at Harajuku. This little pit-stop can be found at several districts and train stations across the City. Just look for the orange circle and cartoon croissant icon.

The limited edition Christmas croissant - fresh chocolate filled croissant dusted with chopped almonds.

Oh, absolute yum!

*****

Contrasting this would have to be Akasuka. A town, 45 mins away from the busy central districts, it's one of those quaint cosy towns preserving the atmosphere of old Tokyo.

Kaminarimon - the first and larger of two entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple and 5-storey pagoda

I would have to say the walk up to this shrine was less painful then the one for Meiji. For one, they were smart enough to bang on the tourist dollar and adequately flanked both sides of the street leading up to the temple with little stalls selling visitor trinkets, food stuff and little toys.

Freshly grilled rice crackers

Toys and memorabilia

So focused on detail, even the shutters of an unleased stall must fit into the theme

Nakamise - the lively shopping street leading up to the Sensoji temple

The Sensoji temple - where locals and tourist alike, flock, to pray, snap a photo and grab some holy smoke.

The five storey pagoda adjacent to the Sensoji Temple

Heading backward - and food sampling time...

Our first pit-stop - sweet Sake! More like for Hubby G and Sis L, who could never resist a cup of sake. This was a little too sweet though. It felt more like dessert.

When Hubby G and I spotted this, the first thing was - Japanese Macaroons! Well we had to give it a try! We bought the most unique one and that was the sesame coated one.

Again it was a little too sweet, though the crispy skin was a light chewy batter. It encased a sweet red-bean filling that was really interesting. Wonder what the peach and strawberry one would have had...

A short pit-stop before dinner usually stretches into at least an hour long affair where we tend to over-eat just to rest those tired legs and back. But we extended this pit-stop for good reason. G had heard about this little restaurant serving really good eel rice. "The eel rice experts" he purports. And since we made it our mission to eat different things everyday, we had to detour to Akihabara to have this checked off the 'must-try' list.

The Unagi experts in Akihabara

There is supposedly 4 ways to have the unagi rice.
1) Separate the 'bucket' of rice into 4 portions
2) Eat 1/4 in it's natural fragrance and sweetness
3) Mix the second 1/4 with Wasabi and leek
4) Mix the third 1/4 with the soup provided
5) Find your favourite way and have a second portion!

Oh, experts indeed. Strange as most ways sound, we ended up slurping each grain up.
Of course pit stops for us won't qualify as pit-stops unless we ordered other things.

Freshly rolled Unagi omelette and Grilled Unagi

UNASHO

8F Yodobashi Akihabara

(next to JR Akihabara Station)