NEW YEAR'S EVE IN TOKYO

Send

Day 12: TOKYO: Ueno Park, Toshogu Shrine Temple, Yushima Temple, Ameyoko, Akihabara, Asakusa, Shibuya, Omotesando, Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Dori

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Today the alarm clock rang at 6 in the morning and the first thing we do when we get up is to look through the window of our hotel in Tokyo, the Hotel Horidome Villa, and to be excited about what will be the third part of our trip to Japan and especially with something very special: to celebrate the New Year in Tokyo.

Our Hotel in Tokyo

About 7 in the morning we leave our accommodation in Tokyo and the first thing we do is go to breakfast at a Café Veloce that we have right next door.
We ordered a couple of sandwich of the day and two coffees for 800 yen. How it shows the difference in price from one chain to another!

Having breakfast at Café Veloce in Tokyo

The day has dawned very sunny and that has made us more animated if possible, to face today, which is not only the first day in Tokyo, if not that it is New Year's Eve!
Today we will pass the New Year's Eve in Tokyo.

We can't help thinking about last year, when we spent New Year's Eve in Tel Aviv.
As soon as we leave the hotel, we perceive that traffic is almost non-existent today and we begin to notice the signs of one of the most important holiday periods in Japan: the day the year ends and the days after.
When we leave the cafeteria, with a full stomach and charged energy, the first thing we do is go to the Shin Nihombashi stop, from where we take the subway to the Tokyo stop, where we will change to get to our first destination today: Ueno .
A good option to not miss anything in the city is to book a guided tour in Spanish.

Our Metro stop in Tokyo

After taking the subway that enters the JR, at 8.30 in the morning we are already in Ueno and we continue to cross very few people down the street, so we intuit that these days will be quite “lonely”.

Tokyo subway

We leave through the entrance in front of the Ueno Park and we begin to cross it without any indication or map, until we see that it is best to guide us a little.

Ueno Park

Enjoying the Ueno Park

The truth is that the place is not bad for a walk, but we do not find it as an essential visit, so we do not invest too much time and go directly to the Toshogu Shrine Temple Shrine Temple, with its pagoda that stands out among the buildings.

Road to the Toshogu Shrine Temple in Ueno Park

The Toshogu Shrine Temple It was built in 1627 at the request of Ieyasu Tokugawa in his will.

Toshogu Shrine Temple in Ueno Park

Here lie the ashes of Ieyasu, Yoshimune and Yoshinobu Tokugawa.

Toshogu Shrine Temple

As we have not been very satisfied with this first visit of the day, when leaving Toshogu Shrine Temple Shrine Temple, we walk again in the park, trying to get more juice.

Enjoying the Ueno Park

But the truth is that as much as we try we do not succeed, it may be that at this time the park is not in all its splendor or because of the solitude of the place, but about a quarter to 10 in the morning, we decided to go to the Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, which is located very close to the Ueno Park.
We arrive in less than 10 minutes walking and here we begin to see more people, especially in the area where the amulets purchased during the year are burned, which must be burned, according to tradition ...

Yushima Tenmangu Shrine

The Yushima Tenmangu Shrine It was built in 1627. It contains many interesting things like the large Japanese stone porch and a paper lantern, considered one of the three largest in the Japan.
After a good time here, we headed towards the area of Ameyoko, going through more than one local of several machines and the famous pachinko.

Machines on the way to Ameyoko

Does he make a game?

Pachinko Ameyoko Road

Ameyoko the area of streets that go from the Ueno Station of the JR line to the Okachimachi is called.
These streets are full of clothing stores and miscellaneous items, fresh fish, preserves ... etc.
One of the best ways to orient yourself in Tokyo It is to follow the maps and itineraries that mark the brochures that you can request at the Tourist Office or take from the same hotel.

Tokyo Information Brochure

This booklet is divided into neighborhoods and marks the most important visits you should make and how to reach them.

Tokyo Neighborhood Information Brochure

It is a good way to plan visits to Tokyo, to see the most interesting or the most recommended.
Upon entering the street Ameyoko, we realize that all the air and tranquility we have had so far, have gone down in history in a matter of seconds.
This is a hotbed of people.

Just arrived at Ameyoko !!

Details that can be seen in Ameyoko !!

It is impressive the collapse in the street of people who seem to form a plug. We continue to look at each other with an astonished face, seeing the people that are there and the shops that are on the side and side of the street.

Ameyoko !!

Until in a moment until we are overwhelmed by the plugs that form ...

Shops in Ameyoko !!

Things we can see walking through Ameyoko !!

Once we met the famous Ameyoko, we keep walking until we reach the Ueno Station, where we take the subway again, this time until Akihabara, which will be the second stop of the day and where we arrive in three stations.

Newcomers to Akihabara

This area of Tokyo today it is full of life and that, after the experience in the Ueno Park, we expected a lot less people.
When we left the subway station and met Akihabara from the front, we can not but open the mouth wide again.
The image that we have seen so many times on TV and in magazines, we now have it in front of us, the Tokyo of lights, endless and colorful buildings, we have it before us.
We are in Akihabara!
The first thing we do is enter the Sega Center, where, how could it be otherwise, it is full of people playing machines. This is where we begin to know the Japan of the machines and the game, since until now, neither in Kyoto had we seen it this way.

Enjoying the Sega Center in Akihabara

Sega Center in Akihabara

After a good time watching little machines, listening to music and noise of little balls, we go back to the street to enjoy Akihabara.

Akihabara

In “The Electric Street” in Akihabara, we will find as many electronics stores as we want, as well as employees who speak several languages, so we will have no problems making purchases.

Akihabara

We begin to intuit that this part of the Trip to Japan it is more to enjoy the walks, shops and environment, than the visits themselves.

Akihabara

And as that is what it is, it is what we do. Enjoy Tokyo!
And although we have said that it is best to walk, we can not stop entering some shops, such as the Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo Mall, where Roger cannot resist taking a souvenir of this area of Akihabara.

Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo Mall in Akihabara

The Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo Mall is the only store of the model maker Kaiyodo in Japan.
Inside we can find a variety of items, from popular characters to Buddhist statues, through recreated figurines with great details.

Interior of Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo Mall in Akihabara

As much as we have been explained or we have seen photos, it is not really until you are here, that you realize what it really is. A lot of plants full of figurines of everything you can imagine.

Views of Akihabara from the Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo Mall

It is very clear that here someone who understands the subject can go crazy with joy and of course get lost for hours with the shops that exist.

Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby Tokyo Mall

We continue along the main street of Akihabara, to reach 2k540 Aki-oka Artisan, another of the “commercial visits” that we don't want to miss.

Buildings in Akihabara

The atmosphere in Akihabara we see that it is animated at times and time flies by.

Akihabara

More practical information to prepare your trip to Tokyo
- 10 essential places to visit in Tokyo
- 50 things to see and do in Tokyo
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Tokyo
- 10 essential places to see in Japan
- The best tips for traveling to Japan
- The best travel insurance for Japan
- Where to eat in Tokyo: Recommended restaurants
- Book here your JRP of 7.14 or 21 days with shipping included

Things you can see when you walk around Akihabara

When we arrive at the 2k540 Aki-oka Artisan, we see that some of the stores are closed due to the holiday period in which we are, but at least it already gives us an idea of the site ... and know that when we return to Japan, we will return to this area 😉

2k540 Aki-oka Artisan in Akihabara

The 2k540 Aki-oka Artisan in Akihabara is a new concept of space dedicated to handicrafts in the neighborhood of traditional artisans, Okachimachi.

2k540 Aki-oka Artisan in Akihabara

After this little foray into Akihabara, we have to go back on our steps and go to the Kanda Myojin Shrine that we have 550 meters from where we are (blessed GPS that indicates us up to the distances).

Stairs that will take us to the Kanda Myojin Shrine

We arrive after climbing some stairs and return to see the ritual before. A lot of people are throwing their old amulets in a suitable place for that, where they will later be burned.

Kanda Myojin Shrine

The Kanda Myojin Shrine in a Shinto Temple built in 730. According to legend, he grants divine help to get lucky in business, family and to find a husband or wife.

Kanda Myojin Shrine

And from here and seeing that it is almost 1 noon, we are going to look for something to fill the stomach and charge energies near Akihabara.
Although before we could not do anything other than buy some electronics since we are in Akihabara, so as using GPS we charge the mobile battery in less than a day we buy an external charger for 2700 yen.
We already have our memory of Akihabara.

Streets of Akihabara

Akihabara

And now we are going to eat, that at this step we spend hours and we do not.

Showcase we can find in Akihabara before eating !! Look at the cakes on the bottom ...

After a few laps, we found a tempura restaurant with a very good look where we ordered a couple of complete menus, more water for 2730 yen.

Eating tempura in Akihabara

We eat of fable and after a small tabletop and with renewed energies, we return to the streets of Tokyo.
We return to the JR subway of Akihabara, to go straight to the neighborhood Asakusa, where tonight we hope to celebrate the change of year in the Sensoji Temple, the oldest of Tokyo.

Akihabara metro station

The idea is to know Asakusa during the day and then, before midnight, return to Sensoji Temple.
Let's see if we find atmosphere in the streets and open shops, if we don't have to change plans! 😉

Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish from Tokyo by travelers:
- Guided tour of Tokyo
- Excursion to Kamakura and Yokohama
- Excursion to Nikko
- Tokyo geek tour
- Lost in Translation night tour
- More excursions and tours here

This is one of the things we have risked coming at this time of year. There are shops or streets that are not as lively as in other months, but without a doubt, there are many others that are even more, since the New Year's holiday involves a series of actions and celebrations that make Japan He dresses in his best clothes.
It's after 3 in the afternoon when we leave the metro stop Asakusa and as soon as we reach the street of shops, known for selling kitchen and household items, we see that everything is closed, so we have to make a quick change of plans and seeing the plan that it is possibly all closed, we decided to return to take the subway to go straight to Shibuya, which we intuit will have more atmosphere.

Asakusa

But before going to meet Shibuya, we pass by its subway station and stop at the following: Harajuku to visit the Meiji Jingu Temple.
A good option to not miss anything in the Harajuku neighborhood is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish that also includes the Akihabara neighborhood.
Today we have a long day, remember that until 12 at night we have to be on the street, so we prefer to take the day with peace of mind and extend it as much as possible, taking advantage of the time to visit alternative things to the initial planning we had.
At this time the sun still illuminates the streets of Tokyo and it's not cold at all, so walking is a real pleasure for the senses.

Walking through the Omotesando area

We are in the area of Omotesando and we find that everything here is open despite the day it is, it seems a lie what changes Tokyoaccording to the neighborhood in which you are.
We arrive at Meiji Jingu Temple and there is a very special atmosphere when we meet a celebration as soon as we arrive.

Meiji Jingu Temple

We found the Meiji Jingu Temple in the light of the lanterns and the experience is incredible and unique.

Sake barrels in the Meiji Jingu Temple

Meiji Jingu Temple

The Meiji Jingu Temple It was built in 1920. In this sanctuary the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are consecrated.

Meiji Jingu Temple

Sunset at Meiji Jingu Temple

For the consecration about 100,000 trees were donated that today form a quiet forest.

Meiji Jingu Temple

We can not ask for more, because we are lucky to be able to visit it in full celebration.

Meiji Jingu Temple Celebration

They are fixing everything for the first hours of the new year, in which the Hatsumode will be held here.

Preparations for the New Year celebration at the Meiji Jingu Temple

We are still not sure if we will come here or go to a Buddhist temple to say goodbye to the year.
In a few hours we will decide! Today we will let things flow without deciding too much ...
After this little parenthesis in the Meiji Jingu Temple, we go to another one of the Tokyo's most famous streets, Takeshita Dori, where we find all the atmosphere we miss this morning in Ueno.

Takeshita Dori

Takeshita Dori It is full of shops that sell items related to famous characters and idols among teenagers.

Takeshita Dori

Takeshita Dori stores

As much as we look at one place and another, we have to say that we are increasingly surprised by everything we see around us.
Takeshita Dori we are loving it !!
And to tone our stomach that we still have many hours left today, we bought a couple of crepes for 800 yen… great !!

Creps in Takeshita Dori

Great crepes we ate at Takeshita Dori

Serving crepes in Takeshita Dori

We follow in Takeshita Dori just as amazed as when we arrived and continued to enjoy the ambience we have around us.

Shop in Takeshita Dori

Sale at Takeshita Dori

"Surprise Boxes" in Takeshita Dori

At the end of Takeshita Dori, we arrived to Omotesando where Christmas lighting makes an appearance.

People we can cross in Omotesando

Omotesando It is an incredible avenue built as access to the Meiji Jingu Temple.

Omotesando Shopping Center

The trees that line both sidewalks provide a relaxing environment, behind which we can find prestigious brands stores, coffee shops and restaurants.

Christmas in Omotesando

Christmas lights in Omotesando

Omotesando connects JR Harajuku and Tokyo Metro stations.

Omotesando in black and white

We pass through Omotesando Hills, where we take a look so that it is not said that we have not entered.

Omotesando Hills

Omotesando Hills It is a shopping center with a facade of 250 meters in length that occupies approximately a quarter of Omotesando. About a hundred shops and restaurants to choose from line the spiraling corridors through the six floors of the complex.
We continue walking through this area, where we do nothing but cross with luxury and people who climb to the area of Shibuya.
While we travel Omotesando, we are remembering last year's trip to Israel and Palestine at Christmas.
We follow most people and end up in the area of Shibuya.

Arriving in the Shibuya area

We are so tired of walking today. We will end the year busted!

Shops in the Shibuya area

We arrive at the famous crossing and as expected it is also very crowded.

Shibuya

Hachi-ko statue in Shibuya

How could it be otherwise, we crossed a couple of times the shibuya crossing and we try to stop at the famous Starbucks, but it is full of people and it is impossible for us to find a place to sit down for coffee.

Shibuya from the Starbucks

But in the end they say that whoever follows gets it ... and we are right at the right time when a couple gets up at the best table in the room and of course we pounce on the stools as if there were no tomorrow.

Enjoying a coffee with the best views of Shibuya in Starbucks

And here we are having a couple of coffees at 7.30 in the afternoon with one of the most famous views of Tokyo: the shibuya crossing.
And all this waiting for the new year ... We cannot ask for more than this. We are really living what we really like. Without a doubt we are very lucky.
We left the Starbucks after 8.30 in the afternoon and now it's time to make time until the most anticipated time of the day, so before dinner we will go for a walk through the lively streets of Shibuya, who seem not to know about holidays and continue with the same atmosphere as always.

Shibuya streets

As we are a bit of going against the tide, today, even if it is a “special day”, we do not seek to eat anything out of the ordinary, so we stop at a pizzeria where for 2120 yen we dined two pizzas and water.

New Year's Eve dinner in Shibuya

Yes, yes, we already know that it may not be muchNew Year's Eve dinner in Tokyo, but the truth is that we don't usually celebrate it with special dinners, so this has been more than good for us.

Our New Year's Eve dinner in Shibuya

And all the locals, whatever they are, are full of people having dinner, so we intuit that at least a high percentage of people in Tokyo dinner on the street and anywhere and as they say "Wherever you do what you see", we take it to the letter!
It's almost 10 at night, so it's time to drink something warm to keep up, that today we have a long night ahead, it's time to celebrate the New Year's Eve in Tokyo.

New Year's preparations begin in Shibuya

As it has happened to us since we arrived here, we are not following too much the planning that we had in our heads, so we are going to take the subway to the Meiji Jingu Temple, that although it is the Temple that must be visited in the new year, we do it a few hours before to see the atmosphere. 🙂
The truth is that for years we have not followed the traditions of these Christmas and New Year's Eve, nor eat the grapes at this time and it has not gone so badly, so if we do not follow them today, surely nothing happens. It may even give us luck! 😉
The decision to leave here before 12 p.m. comes because we have been told that the Meiji Jingu Temple It starts to bust people and I will not lie if I say that I am little fond of crowds and to top it off, tomorrow we have booked the train to Nikko at 7 in the morning ... and how could it be otherwise, we prefer to enjoy tomorrow's full performance, to be today until many celebrating the new year ...
So we think that it is best to endure until 12 at night, do not get into crowds and enjoy tomorrow of the new year.
And as we were told, we check that the Meiji Jingu Temple It is bursting with people and everything is already adorned for the celebration that is about to happen.

Meiji Jingu Temple at New Year's Eve

After a good time walking and seeing the amount of food bars that are everywhere, we leave the Meiji Jingu Temple and we go to the Yamamote metro line to return to Shibuya, where we hope to spend the change of the year.

Preparations begin at the Meiji Jingu New Year's Eve Temple

Meiji Jingu New Year's Eve Temple

But as soon as we get to the door, we see that there are many people at the entrance and a police officer informs us that they have it closed due to a passenger accident. Then we understand that it was a suicide ...
So we have to wait or walk until Shibuya. But as there are still a few minutes to 23.30, we decided to wait a little longer to see what happens.

Waiting to take the subway to Shibuya at New Year's Eve

When it is 23.30 at night and this is still closed we begin to think that in the end it will be time to “celebrate” the start of the new year at a subway stop, which by the way would not be bad either and at least it would be quite “informal”…

Banners in the subway to Shibuya on New Year's Eve

But walking up Shibuya We have a good stretch, so we do not know if it is better to walk or wait to see if they solve the accident quickly.
After a few more minutes waiting, at 23.45 they announce that they already open the line that goes to Shibuya, so we take the first subway that leaves and we arrive at the famous crossing of Tokyo at 11:45 p.m.
As soon as we leave the station we cannot believe what we have in front of us, this is going to burst with people, there are police everywhere and the main streets are cut off to traffic.
But how can there be so many people here!

Shibuya on New Year's Eve

Without realizing it, we are half dragged by the flow of people who are getting closer and closer to the shibuya crossing... and we look at the clock ... it's 00.00 ... and people start shouting and congratulating the new year ... We are in 2014 and we are celebrating it in the best way we could do it: traveling!

This has been a New Year's Eve in Tokyo and a New Year's Eve in Shibuya.
Amazing how different these celebrations are depending on where you are ...
After a few minutes of half confusion by people heading in different directions, we get to the Yamamote line which is, as expected, very crowded.

We arrive at Tokyo station, but in this case the line is no longer open because it is at 12:30 p.m., so we have to walk 1 kilometer and a half until our hotel in Tokyo.
We will finish the entry of the new year with a good dash!
But everything happens for a reason. If one thing we wanted to do today, it was to listen to the 108 bells of a Buddhist temple and look where, they accompany us throughout the journey on the way to the Hotel Horidome Villa ... A Buddhist Temple near the hotel has wanted to give us this gift ...