J+L in Transit

Hotel in Shinjuku

We moved hotels to the E-Hotel in Shinjuku so we could experience a different part of the city. It definitely made us appreciate the (slightly) larger room in Akihabara.

Smallest Bathroom Ever.

Meiji Shrine

We visited the Meiji Shrine, built to memorialize the Meiji Emperor. The shrine is located within Yoyogi Park and adjacent to the ultra-trendy neighborhood of Harajuku.

Sake Offerings at the Meiji Shrine

Lucky Well at the Meiji Shrine

Japanese Wedding Ceremony Outside the Meiji Shrine

Entrance to the Meiji Shrine

Yoyogi Park

We visited Yoyogi Park on a national holiday and it was full of families enjoying the sunny weather.

Yoyogi Park

Harajuku

Harajuku is known for it’s unique fashion culture. The style of Harajuku is something like Sailor Moon-meets-Tim Burton. Everywhere we looked, we saw fashion boutiques.

Harajuku

Parade in Harajuku

Shibuya

Shibuya is home of the Hachiko statue. It’s also the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world. Nearby are countless restaurants, shops, and karaoke joints.

Hachiko Statue

Shibuya Crossing (Busiest Pedestrian Intersection in the World)

Shibuya Crossing from Above

Huge Guitar Shop in Shibuya

Roppongi

We visited Roppongi Hills to see the view and check out the neighborhood at night. We saw the Tokyo skyline lit up at night and strolled around near the base of the tower.

Tall Building in Roppongi Hills

View from the Top

Shinjuku Garden

Shinjuku Garden was absolutely beautiful. It’s a national garden and contains traditional English, French, and Japanese Gardens as well as an extensive greenhouse. The skyline of Shinjuku’s skyscraper district perfectly frames the garden.

Shinjuku Garden

Shinjuku Garden

Shinjuku Skyscraper District

Shinjuku’s skyscraper district was a good place to get a free view of the city from 50 stories up. We had to walk quite far to get to the TMGO tower, but it was worth it for the view.

TMGO Towers

View from the South Tower

Shinjuku

Near Shinjuku station are several super-chic department stores as well as the famous Kinokuniya bookstore.

Shinjuku

Dinner at En Izakaya

We ate dinner in Shinjuku at the En Izakaya. Izakaya are traditional Japanese restaurant / sake houses which serve small plates similar to Spanish tapas. It was our anniversary and the dinner was one of the best both of us have ever had.

Entrance to En

En Izakaya Interior

Amazing Food at En!