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 11 Part 1 12 Dec 2016 Mon - Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社), Kyoto

We devoted another day to the exploration of the rich culture and history of Kyoto. 
In the morning after our full breakfast, we went to Fushimi Inari-tasha Shrine to see the torii gates and the foxes, an attraction which Juliane requested to see. 

Arriving after 10:30am, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine was crowded with tourists, locals and Japanese students on their field trips. We were lucky to get a few shots of the famous torii gates minus the crowd! :)

JR Inari Station

The gaint torii gate in front of Romon Gate at the shrine's entrance

In front of Romon Gate

Students on their field trip

On the way to the Senbon Torii (thousands of torii gates)

In one of the parallel row of gates of Senbon Torii

Find the odd one out

On our return, walking through the other parallel row of torii gates

Just next to the shrine, is a street where food stores were set up. We tried the strawberry mochi and the strawberry was so sweet!

A parting shot at Fushimi Inari Shrine

We took a train from another station near-by, Fushimi-Inari Station and went on our way to our next destination, Yasaka Shrine at Gion.