Kyuu Kyuu Sha Diaries 救急車日記: Golden Week: Harajuku Highlights

こんばんわ、読書。
Good evening, readers.

Marking my one month in Japan, this coming week just happens to be called Golden Week. Due to several national holidays falling at the beginning of May, many schools and businesses close and families enjoy vacations abroad or locally. This means three things: one: I only have two classes this week; two: Tokyo Disney is on pause (the crowds will be unbelievable, especially since this is the park's 30th anniversary); and three: this is my time to travel all over Tokyo.

To get a head start on my Golden Week quest, I met up with my Australian friend, James, at Harajuku 原宿. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this fashion-forward spot, imagine the county fair. Lines stretch with no end for greasy, fried, dipped, or wrapped treats from Gindako's famous takoyaki たこ焼き(fried balls of octopus) topped with mayonnaise or cheese to Angels Heart crepes with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and cheesecake! Flashy, hipster, and Engrish clothing and accessories grab your attention (and for some, wallets) at every turn. American music blasts from inside a store, the voice of pop singer JoJo causing me to backtrack.

Beyond the county-fair ambiance of the main street, Takeshita 竹下通り, James and I stumbled onto the less trodden streets of Harajuku. There we found Japanese street art (graffiti) sprayed across walls and a shop with neon skateboards, plastic lego and dinosaur necklaces, and stylish sunglasses (the electric guitar and apple frames were my personal favorites).

After finding our way to a huge intersection, we headed into Tokyu Plaza Omotesando 東急プラザ表参道, the place to shop in Harajuku. Passing under the mesmerizing, mirror-shattered entrance, we rode the escalator up to the rooftop to find a mini park outside of the Starbucks. Scooting passed the Japanese sunbathers and Starbucks sippers, we admired the scattered trees and flower buds. Then awe washed over us as the view of Tokyo took us by surprise. The city and sky folded open before us like the perfect ending to a book.

Coming back down to the streets of Harajuku, we ambled to Yoyogi Park 代々木公園. Towards the entrance a group of Japanese rockers danced in a circle shaking their worn, black leather shoes and gliding to the rock rhythm. Further in the park James and I heard another curious tune and followed our ears to a brightly attired jazz marching band called 外国人 or foreigner. Its bohemian vibe drew many spectators. In a way, the band's music connected us through a combination of instruments that together produced a sound that had never before reached us. The title of the band thus encompassed their music: it was unknown and unfamiliar just as we were to one another. Only our appreciation of the music became our commonality.

Tomorrow is the official start of Golden Week. An adventure to Ueno 上野 and Asakusa 浅草 with several of my Japanese friends awaits me. For now, sweet dreams will suffice.