Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu Shrine
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.

Our first day in Tokyo we decided to do some exploring of the surrounding areas, more specifically in Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. This was to be our first foray into the rail system. Sure you could take taxi or even a bus, but do as the Romans do.

Upon our first entry into the Shinjuku Station you are immediately bombarded by a swarm of fast-paced Japanese on their way to work. In the train station it's quite easy to get runover or shoved out of the way. Since we couldn't read the postings for the different lines it was difficult to find our way around initially. It was actually comical to go to "information" and ask "how much", "which train...", and "What platform" only to get a puzzled look or a strained attempt at English. El is actually trying to learn the language and it's it subtle nuances while I have all but given up on sounding like a horse's ass.

When boarding a train the Japanese line up perfectly while waiting, but as soon as the doors open it's a free-for-all to board / leave. I noticed this phenomenon on Japan Air as well. Whereas westerners board by row and typically wait for the row ahead to leave, Japanese immediately board the plane altogether which makes it completely chaotic. Same with leaving.

After a few trips here and there we finally got a hang of the easiest and quickest routes. We even tried transferring trains without too much trouble. The Japanese are extremely polite and genuinely don't want to offend anyone. On a train it is impolite to use a cell phone or to stare at anyone, so Japanese are either flipping thru their cellphone messages, reading or "sleeping". I'd love to catch a photo of this if I can be stealthy about it.

Our first excursion was to Harajuku where the Meiji Jingu Shrine is. It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who were made into deities. The Empress began a Red Cross fund where she donated 100,000 Yen (or about $1,000,000 by today's standards) in 1912. Even more uplifting is the prayer tree where people donate money and then earn a wish or prayer mounted on a wood plaque from the monks. Hung around an ancient tree this ritual is performed everyday by the monks. Just by a guesstimate, today's prayers numbered around 800.