Japan Trip: Whale Sashimi and Steak at Kujiraya, Shibuya

When I was in Shibuya, I looked fo a famous whale restaurant named Kujiraya. Even though I often heard that whale is one of the protected animals in the world, but eating it could be a once in a lifetime experience for me. At first I couldn't find the restaurant location. But when I was going to give up, then suddenly my travelling partner told me that we were walking in front of Kujiraya. This restaurant is located under Shibuya 101 building, but you should come in from outside the building.

That night the restaurant not really full, so we can easily got out seat without waiting. We ordered Whale Steak and Whale Sashimi.

Whale Sashimi

Whale Steak

For me, the Whale Steak tasted similar like beef and the Whale Sashimi taste like tuna but the texture was more stiff than tuna, so I like tuna better.

the texture of Whale Sashimi

me eating Whale Steak

Overall, it was a nice experience to eat whale. The price was affordable too, around 2,000-3,000 yen for both of the meals.


XOXO,
The Tourist

Japan Trip: Shibuya and Harajuku

I went to Shibuya on Saturday. Unlike any other day, that morning the japanesse who came to the Shibuya Station wore colorfull clothes. Usually they're using neutral colors like black, grey, or brown. Perhaps because it was weekend so no boundaries in the palette of their clothing.

After arrived at Shibuya station, I directly searched for Hachiko exit. Seeing Hachiko statue was one of my goal, because almost everybody taking photo in front of it (I've told you I'm a tourist). And when I met the statue, peoples already gatherd there and queuing to take a photo with the famous dog statue.

with Hachiko statue

Not far from Hachiko statue, there are also children statue. This statue was look a little bit creepy, but I forget what was the name of statue.

the children statue

All of these statues are located right before the famous Shibuya intersection. On of the busiest intersection in the world. I was so happy to be able crossing that intersection, cos I've been seeing movies that show the intersection for years and finally I could cross it with my own feet.

with Shibuya intersection as my background

I'm crossing it :D

If you want to get the best view of the Shibuya intersection, you can get it from the 2nd floor of Marks City mall. I even return to this place at night just to get the night view of the intersection.

Shibuya intersection at night when before people crossing

now the people can cross

I could spot a cute Hachiko bus

Since it was near christmas, the christmas decoration was all over the place, from the Tokyu Plaza, Parco, and etc. While I was in Shibuya, I really not interested to buy any clothes. The reason was simple, they were too pricey. Then I prefer to stationary and accessories stores like Tokyu Hands and Loft.

Christmas decoration at Center Gai

Tokyu Plaza's christmas decoration

in front of PARCO department store

colorful gears in front of Loft store

After finished walking around Shibuya, the me and my travelling partner continue our journey to Yoyogi Uehara to take a pray. The nearest Mosque that we can find in Shibuya was in Yoyogi Uehara. Its name was Tokyo Camii or also known as Tokyo Mosque. It was a Turkish mosque, since there were a Turkey flag around the mosque.

Tokyo Camii from accros the street

To get to the Tokyo Camii, you need to walk about 5 minutes from Yoyogi Uehara station. The Mosque was big, but a little bit confuse to find the stairs to the entrance door. Once you entered, you can see the mosque looks huge and looked beautiful. After praying, a woman who just enter the room greeted me with "Assalamu'alaikum", after replied her greeting, I felt so amazed that the moslem greeting was so universal. In the mosque, there were also two women that seemed like non-moslem who just wanted to know how is it look inside the mosque.

at first I thought this is the entrance door

the ablution (wudu') place (downstair)

the view inside the mosque

From Yoyogi Uehara, we continued our journey to Harajuku. First destination was Kiddy Land and Oriental Bazaar at Omotesando Street. Oriental Bazaar was a complete souvenir shop for me. But don't expect to find Pocky nor Kitkat, because this is a higher class of souvenir shop. It sells many things from chopstick to Kimono. The right place to find souvenir for your parents or older relatives.

a cute demonstration on omotesando street

I wish I know what are they talking about

TGIF restaurant near Omotesando street

After shopping, we continue our sightseeing to Takeshita Dori. Takeshita Dori is located in front of Harajuku station. It is a small street, where you can find the "harajuku style" clothing seller along the street. Many teenager came to this place maybe because the style and the price that were more affordable, compared to Omotesando or Shibuya.

Takeshita Dori entrance gate

Harajuku station

Something that amazed me was the store in there are not only owned by Japanese, but also by foreigner that looked like african-american. They sell clothes and hats and they sometimes act like Japanese too.

After sightseeing in Harajuku, we returned to Shibuya, just to see the night view of the intersection also to eat whale sashimi (I tell you further in next post).


XOXO,
The Tourist

Japan Trip: Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower

There are two famous towers in Tokyo, the old one is Tokyo Tower, and the modern one is Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Skytree is higher than Tokyo Tower, but Tokyo Tower has become the symbol of Tokyo. So each of them has its own superiority compare to the other.

The entrance ticket to Tokyo Skytree is 2,000 yen. By paying this, you will take elevator up to Tembo Deck at 345th floor. The Elevator was so fast and they said it was as fast as formula 1 car. It only took me 1 minutes to get into 350th floor  from the ground.

the entrance of Tokyo Skytree

ticket to Tembo Deck

The view of Tokyo City from this floor was amazing. I could even see Tokyo Tower from here. Besides the amazing view of on the window, there was also an interactive map of Tokyo, where you can click and find out what is that place and the history of it.

Tokyo City view from Tokyo Skytree

the interactive map

The highest floor is the 450th floor. To get to the 445-450th floor (also known as Tembo Galleria), I needed to pay additional 1,000 yen. The elevator then took me to 445th floor, then I walk in spiral floor to 450th floor.

floor guidance

ticket to Tembo Galleria

inside Tembo Galleria

The highets point of Tembo Galleria also known as Sorakara Point. There is a photo spot in here, where you can take a picture with of yourself holding hand to the person next to you. Because the wall is covered by mirror, so it will make you looked as if you holding hands and make a circle.

Sorakara Point

the photo spot

After came out from Skytree tower, I just realized that Christmas ornaments already put outside the tower. There were a huge Christmas tree and some stalls in Christmas theme.

Christmas theme food stalls

Santa Clause in hip hop pose

the pathwalk to Tokyo Skytree

Finished from Skytree, I continued my journey to Tokyo Tower. I stopped at Hamamatsucho station, and took a walk from there to the tower. I did not plan to enter there tower, so I just walked a close as possible until I could see the tower clearly.

the view while walking from Hamamatsucho Station

I decided to walk up to Zojoji temple and took a pic of the Tokyo tower from there. This Zojoji temple is usually used for new year's eve countdown. Unfortunately the temple already closed that night so I couldn't get a clear view of the temple.

close enough

view of Tokyo Tower from Zojoji temple

XOXO,
The Tourist