Charming Meiji Jingu

I made it out of the madness that is Harajuku and over to Jingu Bashi (Shrine Bridge). I remember when this use to be the place for people to spend their day, dressing as their favorite visual kei musician or in lolita. Ten years later and it is no longer happening. I think the internet with social media changed all that.

  My other stop for the day had me walking to Meiji Jingu Ichi no Torii (First Gate of Meiji Shrine) and into the cooling forested area there.

I remember walking this way back in March 2011.

There were a lot more people here in July 2019.

However I was really enjoying the trees. They are gorgeous.

The wall of consecrated sake kazaridaru (decorated barrels) is still here.

 Along with the Bourgogne wine barrels.

 I reached Meiji Jingu Dai ni Torii (Second Gate of Meiji Shrine). Do I need to say how immense these torii are?

 Still walking I passed by Meiji Shrine Sanshuden. It was established early 1900's and rebuilt after WWII.

I reached the chōzuya (purification pavilion). After waiting for some people to stop taking selfies and other not so appropriate things, I went ahead and did temizu (water purification) as best as I could. I am trying to do this more often before entering shrines.

The Naien (inner area) of Meiji Jingu.

Even with a lot more tourists than there were in March 2011, the courtyard still feels so large.

I didn't spend too much time here since I did that back in 2011. I wanted to get a certain omamori (charm), and there were a lot more tourists here than in March 2011.

So back into that lovely green forest I went.

There are trees from all over Japan planted here. Sometimes they look like natural torii.

It was a hot gloomy day. But being able to walk this back road through the trees was a really nice feeling.

Like I wasn't in Tokyo at all.

First Stop Harajuku

Since this was my first time being in Japan in July, I'm not sure if the weather is always like this. But it was pretty much the same as it was when I left in June. Rainy Season. 

Still, I was not going to let keep me from getting to places. While it was not the best weather to take photos, I did want to get a few of a couple places. So my first day back I headed to Harajuku and Laforet. 

In through the back of the building, a little looking around and then out the front. 

The reason why, besides shopping, was to add a few photos to the MALICE MIZER Locations Map. 

I didn't find anything to buy but I did get photos to add.

But that wasn't my main reason for going to Harajuku. Back to that secret place for butterfly pea flower tea and cake. 

This time I tried their Mille-feuille. Not too sweet and decadently creamy. It was nice. 

Of course there is always Closet Child. I had less luck this time, but I did find a Moi-même-Moitié little square dish in it's original box. These were given away as gifts when a person purchased over a certain amount. I didn't pay much for it, and it's nice to have something to go with my tea cup.

There is also seeing the interesting architectural details in the small streets that surround Harajuku. 

I thought this was a nice way to break up the otherwise cold exteriors here. Someone went to some effort to make this pretty fence work with sculptural iron and stained glass.

I had another reason to be in the Harajuku area. That's in my next post.

Getting There

July found me on a train crossing the Willamette River.  

To that place that locals love to take photos of the carpet. Portland International Airport. So of course, I did that. 

Knowing that it would be some time before I would get a meal, I searched for something to eat.  Portland Bowl at Tamale Boy. It's great how flexible they are with their dishes. This is black beans, rice, mixed greens, tomato salsa, eggs, Monterey Jack cheese and guacamole sauce. Next time I will skip the eggs. Other than that, it was like a nice salad. And not expensive.

The plane to Canada was late. It's a Bombardier Q400. It is interesting to fly in a plane this size. A little noisy too.  

But the views are very scenic when the clouds clear. Mount Rainier with a couple lakes in Washington.

It's not easy getting photos through plane windows. So I'm always happy when my zoom picks up an image like this. Snowy Mount Rainier, even in summer.

And Vancouver International Airport. Time for another carpet photo. 

Finally boarded my plane and starting to roll out. 

Several hours later I make it through Narita International Airport's Immigration and Customs. Deep inside the train station there was a bamboo tree with tanzaku wishes for Tanabata. 

Once again waiting for my N'EX train. I didn't think to get a photo of Narita Airport's carpet. Maybe next time?

I found Bourbon Choco Anpan cookies while waiting. These are the same thing that was given away as prizes at the Moi dix Mois ~La Kitchen Knife Aristocracy~ shows. So I had to try them. Compared to the other Bourbon cookies, these ones were a bit dry. I prefer the Kikori no Kirikabu, Tree Stumps to these. But they are much harder to find.

So I was off on my journey back to Tokyo. Compared to March, the fields around Narita were green.

A Very Long Day

Last day of this trip. Waiting to take the N'EX train to Narita International Airport. Getting a little caffeine before the long journey begins. One thing I discovered this trip, there are a few decent cans of coffee in Japan. I don't remember if this was one of them. It was a long day.

On my way to Narita I continued my little tradition. Kirin's Salty Litchi. I found that this is actually really good when it is hot out, possibly because it helps replace salts in the body? Also the melon pan from Boulangerie Asanoya is really good. 

I caught sight of the gnome again! Some day I will have to go see him.

And of course, Sky Tree.

Crossing the Naka River, which runs next to the Arakawa river in this area. That may be the Katsushika Harp Bridge in the distance.

Finally another day of lovely weather, and I had to leave. I really wanted to stay longer. This, I need to do. Some day.

All I can say about my flight back to Canada was it was not good. I was feeling fine but unable to sleep thanks to other passengers. Some who even upset the flight attendants. I do have this photo of how I was able to get my Moi-même-Moitié obi back without it being crushed in a suitcase. It is nicely made and I love the color.

A couple hours in Vancouver International Airport. I got something to eat and drink at Vino Volo. Both were delicious, but the wine only increased my sleepiness. 

But I survived it all. Waiting for the small plane to take us back to Oregon. One of these days I will spend more time in Vancouver. Those mountains look enticing.

Those mountains from the air. From what I can find online, this is the North Shore Mountain Range.

A look heading over the islands off of Washington State.

Mount Baker in Canada, seen from the air over Washington, United States. Impressive.

Heading down the Puget Sound.

Below is Seattle.

Washington State and Canada in the distance.

Passing by Mount Rainier.

Another wonderful view of Mount St. Helens.

Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. This is why I get a window seat on this side of the airplane.

And finally Oregon's Mount Hood. I need to go visit it this summer.

Reaching the Columbia River with Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens on the horizon. On our way to safely land at Portland International Airport. And the end of this trip, all done in one very long day.