This morning we woke up early again to eat breakfast at 7 and left around 8:30am.  The subway was less crowded, perhaps because we were on a different line and going in the other direction. We ended up on the Women’s car. They have one dedicated to only women from 7-8:30am on weekdays.  It means the women don’t have to worry about being groped on a busy morning.  I think this is amazing. Every city needs to do this. 

Our first stop was the Meiji Shrine.  It’s like walking into a big park.  You enter through this a gate (we later realized you are supposed to bow before entering).  It doesn’t even feel like you are in the city anymore. 

You are supposed to wash before entering the shrine area. We didn’t realize until we left and read the signs.  Inside the shrine area, you are not allowed to take pictures of the inside of the actual shrine and you are also supposed to keep quiet. You can make a donation with coins, then you are supposed to bow twice, clap twice, and bow once more.  I made sure to make a donation.  

As we were walking away from the actual shrine, we noticed them clearing the area for all these men to enter the shrine.  They went inside, bowed several times and then started singing/chanting.  It was amazing.  

There were a lot of flower arrangements on display since November 3 was Meiji’s birthday (it was the 5th when we visited).  There were also some beautiful chrysanthemums, which are important flowers to the shrine. 

This gate is the biggest wooden shrine gate of this style. It was built in 1975 from 1500 year old Japan Cypress trees.  It was rebuilt exactly the same as the original from 1920. 

Outside of the shrine area, there are these rows of Bordeaux wine barrels.  Emperor Meiji was a more modern emperor than previous ones.  He enjoyed dressing in modern Western style and eating Western food, including wine with his meals.  These barrels are donated by Bordeaux wineries to be consecrated at the shrine and a symbol of the relationship between France and Japan. 

These sake barrels wrapped in straw are offered every year to show their respect for the emperor and his wife.  

I loved the area that you walked to and from the shrine.  It’s a huge area, but you are not allowed to go into the actual woods, only on the trails that have been created.  You are not supposed to eat/drink/smoke or even run in the area because it is sacred. 

After leaving the shrine area, we went to Takeshita Street.  There was so much to see!  My husband wanted to get some capsules.  He chose one from Mario Brothers and another of Deathnote. I couldn’t believe how many machines they had. 

We tried some candy strawberries. They tasted just like the candy on a candy apple.  Delicious. 

We stopped at another shrine near Takeshita street. This time we knew the cultural rules and made sure to follow them. 

There were some really interesting stores to check out on this street.  There were also some fancy stores that anyone around the world would recognize. 

I am a big fan of Harry Potter, so my husband made sure we checked out the store.  They sold butter beer and it’s just as good as what they sell at Universal Studios in Orlando.  

We finished our morning by checking out McDonald’s.  I ordered a Happy Meal and instead of French fries I chose corn and edamame as my side.  My husband tried the Shaka Shaka chicken (he chose the cheddar spice to shake on it).  

We walked over seven miles that morning, so we rested in the afternoon and evening. You can easily overdo it here!