The Iceberg Building

The name of the building shows the concept of this building.
It looks like an iceberg.

Glass walls with blue and metallic colors stand out on the Meiji Street.
It looks like a piece of crystal.

The elevator shaft is up front.
The first floor is the showroom of Audi.

*********************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line

Meiji Jingumae station on Chiyoda Line / Fukutoshin Line
(C03/F15/Tokyo Metro)

*********************************************************

Togo Shrine

Togo Shrine is for Admiral Togo who was the head of navy in Russo-Japanese War.
He beat Russian navy in the Battle of Tsushima.

He had served three generations of emperor.
There's a pond with bridges.

There's a monument for victims in submarine.

*************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line
Meiji Jingu Mae station on Chiyoda Line / Fukutoshin Line
(C03/F15/Tokyo Metro)
 
*************************************************************

Takeshita Street

Takeshita street is the most popular street among teenagers.
There're many fashionable stores and street is filled with young kids (especially girls).
Majority of the stores is related to "fashion" but the price is relatively reasonable since their customers are teenagers.

***********************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line

***********************************************

Meiji Shrine Gyoen

Meiji Shrine has a garden with a pond in the forest.
You may not feel like you are still in Tokyo since it's so quiet and surrounded by trees.

Iris field is beautiful in June and many people visit here in June.

There's a well which was dug by Kiyomasa Kato who is a Feudal load in 16th century.
It's popular as a power spot.

*************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line
Meiji Jingumae station on Ciyoda Line / Fukutoshin Line
(C03/F15/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

500 yen

Mar. - Oct.: 9:00-16:30
June        : 8:00-17:00
Nov.-Feb  : 9:00-16:00

*************************************************************

(S06) Meiji Shrine and Fine Museums

This tour starts from traditional sacred Meiji Shrine and visits fashionable Harajuku and Aoyama area. You'll see old Japan and new Japan in the walking distance.

Route and links are as follows.

*************************************************

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line

1. Meiji Shrine

2. Harajyuku Takeshita Fashion Street
         
3. Ota Memorial Museum of Ukiyo-e

4. Lunch

5. Nezu Museum

6. Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum

*************************************************

Yoyogi Gymnasiums

Both Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium and Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium were built for the  1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.These were designed by Kenzo Tange.
These buildings feature suspended roof.
Various sporting events are held as well as cultural events here.

These buildings will be closed for reinforcement in 2017-2018 and will be used in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

******************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line

******************************************************

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is located next to Meiji Shrine.
It has wide open space, forests, pond and flower beds.

Many joggers are running here.
There's a cycling course, too.

Shibuya side of the park is on the other side of the road and some kind of event is always held in this area.

******************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line

******************************************************

Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Tokyo.
Actually, this shrine has the most population on New Year Eve through New Year Day.
About 3 million people visit this shrine in the first 3 days in the new year.

This shrine was built to deify Meiji Emperor and his wife.
So, as a shrine in Japan, it's relatively young. It's just a little older than 100 years.

As you go through Torii gate at the entrance you may feel the different air in the sacred area.
There's a long approach to get to shrine in the woods.

On the way to the shrine, you will see Sake barrels which were dedicated to the shrine.

Meiji shrine has a garden which has a famous power spot, Kiyomasa's well.
This well was dug by Kiyomasa Kato, one of the strong worriers in old civil war age in 16th century.
Water from this well makes a pond in the garden.
Iris field here is very popular in June.

There's a museum about Meiji Emperor behind the main shrine.

***************************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line
Meiji Jingumae station on Ciyoda Line / Fukutoshin Line (C03/F15/Tokyo Metro)

Gate is open from 5:40 through 16:40

***************************************************************************

If you are lucky you may see wedding ceremony in the shrine.