Starting in Shibuya

I think it was November 29th. I headed to Shibuya to figure out where two new music venues were. This may have been the first time I noticed the concrete encased Shibuya River. It's possible that the name of one of the new venues comes from this urban waterway.

From Shibuya I took a train one stop to Aoyama. I was focused on reaching a certain place. I turned a corner and surprised myself. It was the building where the Aoyama Moi-même-Moitié store was. Unplanned visit.

While there are a lot of high end architectural buildings and shops in Aoyama, there are still a lot of older buildings and interesting shops if you walk through the narrow streets. It's always interesting to see design details like the stained glass in the back of this store.

But what I wanted to see was something I had glimpsed on my last visit to Tokyo.

Aoyama's St. Grace Cathedral.

Granted it's not that old, and it's actually a wedding venue not an actual church, but it still has that great Gothic architecture.

Sadly it was not easy to take photos because of all the power lines and there was a couple getting their wedding photos taken, but the place still looked amazing against that vivid blue sky. I love seeing all the details.

My next stop would be for lunch. Still walking along those narrow streets. Another wedding venue. This is the Chapelle des Anges.

Which was right by where I was having lunch.

Everything Salad and their website is here http://www.everythingsalad.jp/. I really like when places have websites and social media. Because I can figure out what I want to eat before arriving. Since not every place has an English menu or people who can speak English. It's helpful even when a person can speak a little Japanese.

I had the fresh salad set for lunch. Those avocado slices got me. The soup was minestrone and it was delicious! They are on Instagram which is where I figured out what I wanted to eat before going https://www.instagram.com/everythingsalad/. And their address is 3 Chome-14-26, Minamiaoyama, Minato City. This was a really great fresh salad. Tokyo, your salad game has definitely improved.

I decided to see one last thing before going back to my hotel. Still walking through those narrow Aoyama streets. A feeling of timelessness with this restaurant. It's lovely with all the wood and green trees and plants. It's Aoyama Torimikura, an izakaya.

Back out on the main streets. Aoyama Dori to be exact. This clock with the astrology figures caught my attention.

I reached my destination. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in the distance. I will spare you the image of the hundreds of people on the street and just share a couple photos of the golden ginkgo trees.

Back at my hotel after those really long walks. I was able to see a little bit of sunset with silhouetted mountains. It must have been quite a view before all the concrete buildings were constructed. 

The Long Walk Back from Enoshima

It had been a long day and I was ready to head back to Tokyo. But first, stairs.

Walking back I had a good view of the Sea Candle and the large birds, kites, that flew over the island. 

And I had a good look at one of the kites. Or it had a good look at me. These black kites are birds of prey and there are warnings about them, especially if you are carrying food.

I walked back to the outer area and below it. I had hoped to cross down using this red bridge on the Onnazaka path but I missed where it was.

   The third way down is the Otokozaka, these stairs leading up under the Zuishin-mon, a gate that leads to the outer area shrines. I had passed on going this way, in part because they were clearing working on the scaffold covered gate. But I decided to climb up just to see what I had missed.

With most of the tourists gone, it was much easier to see this newer carving of Benzaiten and Gozuryu.

Along with the two paintings of komainu that decorate the walls of the gate.

Back down on Nakamise street I see this shrine.

I may have missed it because of the crowds earlier.

I don't have any information about it, but it does look older as does this worn komainu with one ear up and one down.

One last image of Gozuryu.

The base of one of the pillars of the bronze torii, with relief images of waves.

Sea Candle doing it's lighthouse duties.

And a setting sun as I begin the long walk back to Fujisawa over the Enoshima Bentanbashi.

Wait, I see something.

One of the amazing things Enoshima is known for is the view of Mount Fuji.

It was wonderful to see everyone really enjoying this view.

I feel honored to see this silhouette as the sun set.

Over to Waikiki

Day four in Hawaii found me walking over to Waikiki. Day three had been filled with Moi-même-Moitié and Mana events, and day four was the Kawaii Kon Tea Party. Here are the links to my posts about those events.

Day Three Moi-même-Moitié Fashion Show http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-moi-meme-moitie-kawaii-kon-fashion.html

Day Three Mana Question and Answer Panel http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-mana-questions-and-answers-at.html

Day Four Moi-même-Moitié Tea Party and Mana Autograph Signing http://blukats.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-moi-meme-moitie-tea-party-with.html

The day was ending with a rather dramatic sky. 

I decided I wanted to eat a really good meal to end my trip. Since the hotel was not far from Waikiki and there were a number of restaurants there, I decided to head that way in hopes of something good. 

Of course Waikiki is land of hotels. 

With interesting Hawaiian style details. 

I was starting to feel like I was in a Hawaiian version of Disneyland. 

As the sun was setting I could see the beaches of various hotels. 

Something that was mentioned during the question and answer session was pizza flavored ice cream. Since Lappert'S was within walking distance, why not? It's interesting that there is a Round Table Pizza restaurant right next door. 

I am sorry to report there was no pizza ice cream that night. 

I did enjoy their Kona Lava Java. I figured at least it's Hawaiian inspired.

Back to walking around to see the sights around the hotels.

Like this semi-gothic chapel with waterfall. 

I finally made it to Waikiki Beach where the afterglow of sunset made a beautiful sky. 

I spent a bit of time walking along the water's edge while waiting for my turn at a table for dinner.

  My choice was Tropics. My hope was because it was part of the hotels that the food would be good.

A bit noisy inside but I did my best to enjoy myself. Started with a Blue Ocean, an upscaled version of a Blue Hawaii. Local vodka, rum, blue curacao, and fresh local pineapple juice. This was delicious and strong.

I ended up ordering their Roasted Kona Kampachi. Great choice! Tender and sweet kampachi fish on top of rice, covered with local garlic greens, carrots, green onions, ginger and cilantro. It was dressed with hot sesame oil and yuzu-dashi-soy sauce. I love dishes like this where each bite can bring a different flavor. Finally a dish that was worth the money.

One last look at Waikiki. After my dinner I walked back to the hotel. I was still searching for my Moi-même-Moitié Jewelry and Roses fan that had gone missing. Sadly it was never found even though I contacted all the places I had been at that day. I do hope one day Moi-même-Moitié will re-issue the fans, since I have not see any come up for sale on the second-hand selling sites. So I unpacked everything looking for it, and then started packing for the trip home.