Exploring Tokyo: Visiting Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku, and Kagurazaka

Sunday, February 18, 2018, was the kind of day I needed to experience while studying abroad in Japan. It’s been about a month since I’ve made a genuine effort to explore the vast metropolis that is Tokyo. In fact, many of the areas I explored today were areas that I actually commute by on a regular basis. For example, Meiji Shrine is just three stops south on the Yamanote Line from Takadanobaba; Shinjuku, the area I’ve explored most, is just two stops away, and Kagurazaka (specifically Iidabashi station) is my transfer point on my daily commute to TUJ. So it was time to step off the train and get walking!

I left my tiny apartment in Takadanobaba alone at about 12:35 PM, walking to the Yamanote train bound for Yoyogi. I had wanted to explore Yoyogi Park for some time; it’s a popular park bustling with counter-culture on Sundays and it was featured in a video by Abroad in Japan. Plus, there’s no entry fee for Yoyogi Park. After an exhausting walk up one of the world’s shortest escalators, I was quickly transported into the middle of the forest, just a quarter mile away from Yoyogi Station. I was immersed in the Japanese evergreen that was Yoyogi Park.

I quickly realized I was near Meiji Shrine, a significant Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of Emperor Meiji (of the Meiji restoration). However, I first decided to immerse myself further in Tokyo’s inner forest. I mean, it reminded me of Seattle but that’s for another blog series. As I ventured further into the forest, I was truly transported into the most serene environment I have ever experienced on my own, and I was near the heart of Tokyo! After about 20 minutes of walking, I decided to make a turn on a quiet road. The next thing I knew, I was at the entrance of the Meiji Shrine. There was a place for me to wash my hands. Unlike a certain American who was absolutely disrespectful, I observed the Japanese people in how they rinsed their hands and then followed suit. I scooped some water using the provided scoop and poured small amounts of the crisp, cool, refreshing water onto each hand. I now walked under the main entry arch and was immersed in Meiji Shrine itself. I was in the middle of the courtyard. I found a prayer wall and wrote down some prayers. I also left a little money for the Shrine, although my offering was to ensure good luck. Once again, unlike certain Americans, I didn’t wish for “health, happiness, and hella’ bitches.” I wished for something more genuine, mainly for, how do I say this, positive outcomes for things I have no control over.

I guess it’s clear a certain blonde boy left a bitter taste in my mouth. Okay, let’s gently remove that thought from our minds and get back on track. I was getting hungry, so I decided to walk towards Nishi-Shinjuku (West-Shinjuku), or Downtown Shinjuku to grab lunch in what I was hoping would be a local alleyway. In Tokyo, the best place to experience local cuisine is at small restaurants located in these incredibly-cramped alleyways that would cause NBA players to walk on their knees for clearance. I didn’t find any, I instead found myself in familiar territory, navigating through Tokyo’s quintessential skyline towards the Metropolitan Government Building (MetGov building) in order to take a peek at what Abroad in Japan called “the most romantically-spectacular view that’s free” (Abroad in Japan). I was not disappointed. At the top of the MetGov building, the third tallest skyscraper in Tokyo designed to look “like a hybrid between a computer chip and a gothic cathedral” (Wikipedia), I was left mesmerized. I could clearly see the Tokyo Metropolis. However, there was one crucial Japanese element missing and that was Mount Fuji. Seriously, I haven’t seen this beautiful mountain in person yet! Nonetheless, the view was amazing and the miso-flavored spaghetti I enjoyed was delicious! Here are some pictures from the top of the MetGov building.

At this time, I had been out and about for about three hours, but I was not done yet. I decided to hop on the rather cramped Toei Odeo Line from Tochomae station to Iidabashi station. Iidabashi station is one of the busiest transfer points in the entire Tokyo Transportation system, where the Namboku Line, the Tozai Line, the Yurakucho (I call it the Electro) line, the Chuo Line, and the Toei Odeo line all converge in a rather large and chaotic labyrinth near the Kanda River between the Shinjuku and Bunkyo wards. Since I traverse this crowded station on a daily basis, I wanted to explore the surface for some time now. Today was my chance. While I didn’t venture far from Iidabashi Station itself, I found a lively street in the Kagurazaka side of the station featuring several Japanese restaurants. I decided to get sushi at this one restaurant called Uogashi Nihonichi (UN), which turns out to be a chain of restaurants. I realized this once I was handed a menu in English. I believe there is a UN location off of Sakae-Dori in Taka. This was a relief in a way because I knew what quality to expect. On the other hand, it was a disappointment as I was looking for something more small business. After devouring some soy-dipped tuna and tamago (sweet egg) sushi, I went back underground. At first, I thought I knew which section of the station I was in. I was wrong; I was in an entirely new part. Not once had I ever set foot, or even seen, the section of Iidabashi station I was in. I was near the Yurakucho Line. Once I spotted a Uniqlo store, I reoriented myself; I now knew where I was. I walked the now familiar corridor from the Namboku Line to the Tozai Line, a corridor I walk almost daily, and I was on my way. The rest was muscle memory. Luckily, my student discount for my route still applied, so I essentially rode home for free on the Tozai Line back to Takadanobaba.

Overall, today was a much-needed break from the monotony of daily living in the world’s greatest Metropolis: Tokyo.

EDIT February 24, 2018: It turns out I never set foot in Yoyogi Park proper, just Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park are located right next to each other. I have since updated the post.

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