Tour Report: January 7, 2018 (Meiji Shrine and Harajuku)

Thank you for joining our first Meiji Shrine and Harajuku tour of the year!

walking down Takeshita-dori street

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, or the transition of political power from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Constitutional Monarchy. The Shoguns had virtually closed down the country for over 250 years, until in the year 1868 when the Emperor took over and eventually opened the county to learn modern technology and culture from western powers. I, among many other people, find this transition very interesting, and it is something I like to share with guests who join our tour. Meiji Shrine built to commemorate the Meiji Emperor is an ideal location for such conversation.

It being the final days of the New Year season, there were still many people at the Meiji Shrine for “Hatsu Moude” or the first visit of the year to shrines to wish for good luck. There were also various food stalls out that we don’t normally see, and our guests were quick to try some bites.

trying “Amazake”, or Japanese hot rice wine

On the second leg of the tour we strolled around Takeshita-dori street and Omote Sando street. This area has long been where the latest pop culture are born. There is always something new to find even in the narrowest alleys of Harajuku, and it is definitely worth walking around.

Thank you again to all our guests, I sincerely hope you will enjoy your stay in Japan to start a wonderful new year!

(Yohei)

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