Welcome to Harajuku! Me, the still image in the blur of people entering and exiting Harajuku Station
Harajuku has been on my top list as one of the places in Japan to visit. It's the place where the young, quirky and weird Japan gather. Every Sunday, the famed Harajuku bridge would become a huge meeting ground for Lolita, Gothic Lolita, Decora, etc... styled young people. The fad has long since died out. The kids who used to loaf around the bridge have grown up and have probably moved on to a tamer, mature style. For all we know they've become salary men and office ladies...
Thad and I on the now empty Harajuku Bridge
Thad pulling that guy's hair. Haha! No, actually he is trying to point out the store sign behind him. Whovians will get it.
It's funny to note that there were several tourists who wanted to take photos of me and Thad as if we were locals!
It's funny to note that there were several tourists who wanted to take photos of me and Thad as if we were locals!
Every now and then, especially when the weather is colder, I dress in dolly kei style. The look is largely inspired by a fairytale look that are worn by dolls. More often than not, it is very over the top that is not practical for everyday wear but dolly kei enthusiasts do not seem to have a problem.
Dolly kei is a style that was born out of this store called Grimoire in Harajuku.
Of course, we had to go find it...
If I hadn't known about where or how the store was located, we would've missed it because it is on the 7th floor of some building with this little display stand off the side of the stairwell.
This lovely doll-like creature is Miyo Hoshino. I felt weird being in that store and not dressed in dolly kei attire. I had brought my Gunne Sax for that purpose but I figured with all the walking to other places in Harajuku, I'd probably mess it up so I decided against wearing. It would've been perfect in this setting. Sigh. Next time...
I told her I was into dolly kei look too and showed her my photos and she was so delighted that the dolly kei look made it in the US. I asked her if I could take her photo and of Grimoire so I can put it on a blog to which she obliged.
Thad's garb was more suited to Grimoire's than mine...
I wanted to buy something from Grimoire to commemorate my visit but most of their clothes are way overpriced, understandably because they get their stock from vintage stores in the US and Europe. I also know that it is easier for me living in America to find them in thrift stores so I opted to buy something that I couldn't find in the US and that is the exclusive Verum stockings that is designed by Grimoire. I bought the last pair of what was supposed to be for display only but Mio-san was kind enough to convince someone over the phone to sell it to me. So here it is, my lone souvenir from Grimoire. I need to brush up on my Japanese and offer my services as their buyer. That would be stellar beyond words!
Leaving Grimoire, we spied this British style phone box and proceeded to play with it. Foreigners...
Gaijin phone home.
We had already passed by Takeshita-Dori earlier when there was still daylight. We just kind of walked past it to look for Grimoire. We went back a little bit later to check out the shops. Takeshita Dori is a very narrow street just across the road from Harajuku Station. It is lined with shops selling very trendy clothing and accessories at what is supposed to be bargain prices. Not for me, though. Everyone knows I am a bargain hunter and I know I can find the same shirt, dress, shoes somewhere online that even with shipping, it'd still be way cheaper. Still, it was nice to look around and see what's trendy...
Tama Depa plush and other merch inside this Lovx Bldg! There was a huge Tama Depa plush I really but it was too huge to carry in my luggage. I would probably have to buy it a seat on the plane.
2nd floor shop selling Lolita dresses
I've read about the famous Santa Monica Crepe shop in Harajuku and it didn't disappoint. I did end up eating Thad's crepe by mistake which disappointed him. Gomen nasai, Bibikeef!
These guys were the only ones we found who were wearing crazy outfits but then, they were dressed for Halloween. I don't know how they dress on ordinary days, hopefully still like this.
They were super friendly though. The guy with the scythe came up to me and gave me this...
It's a hair tie shaped like a caterpillar ^_^
Further along we saw this dog costume! I REALLY REALLY wanted to get that black dog kimono for Gotham but Thad kept reminding me that Gotham will not appreciate it and it would be a waste of Y5,000 about $50... He would've looked so handsome but then would probably rip it to shreds.
I eventually was able to buy something from Takeshita Dori shops from this store bizzarely named
Store My Ducks. I'm not making this up, see the shop bag for evidence! ^_^
I paid Y1,000 ($10.00) for two articles of clothing which is just very within my cheapskate price range. I actually unknowingly paid Y2,000 for the purchase not realizing it till the girl from the store chased me and in broken English told me I paid too much and handed me the extra money, bowing.
Japan, I love you so much and your honest people...
My purchases were a deer-printed pinafore AND a Mameshiba x Kyary Pamyu Pamyu long sleeved shirt. The latter was very lucky find for Kyary is my spirit animal. I am a huge fan of her, her style and music.
This is Kyary Pamyu Pamyu also known as Harajuku no Hime (Princess of Harajuku).
I just made that up. She might as well be. That's where she was discovered and her first CD was titled, Moshi Moshi Harajuku
Lastly, before heading back. I went to the huge pharmacy Matsumoto Kiyoshi. There were several things in my list that I wanted to bring home and one of them were cosmetics.
I bought these for one purpose only: packaging. Everyone who knows me and about the stuff I collect is that I'm a sucker for Showa Era (1970s) galaxy eyed manga (Japanese comic) girls and guys. I've read from make up blogs though that eyeliners made by Kiss Me Heroine is good stuff.
I have gotten a whiff of the scent most Japanese women wore, young and older. They seem to be wearing some sort of distinct scent that I've never smelled before. It's a flowery scent but not overpowering. It has a very gentle, fresh smell and I know it's not from high priced perfumes which are most often very overwhelming. And since it seems like everyone sorta smelled like that, it must be some cheap drugstore body spray that even high school students can easily afford. So I headed to that section in the pharmacy and found the closest thing that captured that aroma. It's this...
...and I must be on the nose, no pun intended because this particular scent was the last bottle.
and sold out everywhere.
Time to go back to the hotel! We took the next densha (train) because this seemed crowded. Of course, in rush hours, this would be considered empty.
Thad has been begrudging the fact that we're in Japan and he hasn't tasted sushi yet. So we went to a sushi restaurant that was just a few meters from our hotel and Thad got his wish.
This was how we spent our last day of frolic in Japan...
Ja mata ne (see you later!)
Ja mata ne (see you later!)
