Japan Trip 2016: Day 12 Part 2 13 Dec 2016 Tues - Shibuya (渋谷) & Shinjuku (新宿), Tokyo

Juliane made a special request to go to Shibuya because of her idols, K-Pop stars from EXO. It seems there is another EXO pop-up store at Shibuya. How in the world did she find out such info?! 
We made a stop at Loft first, where we bought lots of cute stationery. We have a serious weakness for stationery. :P We also saw a familiar person from K-Drama at Loft hahaha.

Shibuya Crossing again

Can see EXO in the background?

Found Loft

EXO here

And here...

And EXO here too

Shibuya Illumination

We had dinner back at Shinjuku at Coto-Coto (茶寮 or Cha ryo), MyLord. We both had the rice set and they were delicious and healthy. Since we ate so healthy, we were justified to have green tea parfait for dessert. Haha. 

More illumination at Shinjuku Terrace City Illumination

Juliane's Coto-Coto set: Vegetable soup cooked with pork in light soy sauce and rice

My Coto-Coto set: Kyoto style stew with pork braised with hoji tea and mixed 16 grains rice

Green tea parfait!

It was drizzling when we finished our dinner. At least our way back to the hotel is sheltered all the way from Shinjuku Station to the hotel. I have to do some final packing before we check out tomorrow. 

At Shinjuku Station

Bought this from Family Mart

Manhole cover

Japan Trip 2016: Day 3 Part 2 4 Dec 2016 - Shibuya & Harajuku

After our lovely visit to the serene and peaceful Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, we went to Shibuya. We first located the Hachiko statue of which we both know about but from the different versions of the Hachiko movie - me in 1987: Hachiko Monogatari and Juliane in 2009: Hachi - A dog's tale. :)

We were both excited to be in Shibuya for different reasons. I was excited to see the Shibuya street crossing as it is the site where the opening scene of Resident Evil: Afterlife took place! Meanwhile, Juliane was excited to see EXO on the billboards and on Shibuya 109 buildings as well as Got7 (both are Korean pop groups)! While crossing the Shibuya crossing, I kept an eye out for suspicious zombie looking person hahaha. 

On Shibuya street crossing

EXO here

EXO here too

And EXO here too...

EXO pop up store, much to Juliane's delight!

We had a late lunch at 3pm at one of the Japanese ramen restaurants at Shibuya because it says that it has English menu! Haha. However, it was all Japanese who were eating in the small restaurant. Our lunch were really tasty, especially Juliane's ramen soup! We had a bowl of rice to mix into the soup. :P

After Shibuya, we set off for Harajuku. It was too late to stop at Yoyogi Park to see the cosplayers as it was fast approaching sunset. Next visit. We exited the Harajuku Station right next to Takeshita Street. LOTS of people. We tried the famous crepe from Angles Heart, one of the many creperies at Harajuku. It was such a treat eating the crepes! There were many interesting shops and cafes on both sides of Takeshita Street. 

We walked over to Omotesando to see the lights as well as Kiddy Land, toy paradise for both children and the young at heart! 

We went home after an exciting day of colours as seen at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Harajuku. 

Calbee chips: 8 varieties of local speciality from around Japan

Juliane's EXO