Photos > [2007-08-19] Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park

Meiji shrine sits inside Yoyogi park, which isolates it enough that it doesn't even feel like it's actually in Tokyo. The shrine itself is fairly large and has some interesting sights, but the trails that lead to & from it through the park also add a lot to the scenery, with giant torii gates straddling the path.

The park is a gathering place for all different types of people, particularly on Sundays when bands, dancers, and teenagers just hanging out stake claims at their favorite spots. And just across the street from the park is the Harajuku district, centered around Takeshita Dori, a foot-traffic-only street filled mostly with clothing stores. Harajuku is known mostly for the unique (or strange) fashions and subcultures that thrive there, like gothic lolita.

 

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Image: IMG_6865Description: Things start to get busy mid-day along Takeshita Dori in Harajuku
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Image: IMG_6867Description: An artists paints for a customer on the bridge to Yoyogi Park
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Image: IMG_6877Description: Girls dressed in unusual styles like Gothic Lolita can be seen on the bridge between Harajuku and Yoyogi Park. I asked this girl if I could take a picture, and she struck this strangely evil-looking pose for me.
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Image: IMG_6884Description: A group performing martial arts in Yoyogi Park
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Image: IMG_6887Description: Japanese teenagers hanging out in front of brightly-colored graffiti on a bridge in Yoyogi park