It would be a shame to come to Tokyo and not take a walk across the famous intersection outside Shibuya Station. On sunny afternoons or clear evenings, the surrounding area is packed with shoppers, students, young couples and commuters. When the lights turn red at this busy junction, they all turn red at the same time in every direction. Traffic stops completely and pedestrians surge into the intersection from all sides, like marbles spilling out of a box. You can observe this moment of organized chaos from the second-story window of the Starbucks in the Tsutaya building on the crossing's north side.
So we got on a bus across the street from the New Sanno and headed off to Shibuya. Several stops later, and after some wandering in and out of the train station, we and a few hundred of our best friends joined the "pedestrian surge". We had hot chocolate in Starbucks and marveled at what was going on in front of us. We wandered around the area and did a little shopping ourselves, Kristy was looking for souvenirs and gifts.
We were mostly pretty proud of ourselves for figuring out how to get there and back!
Cute Japanese school children on the bus.
Here's the crossing, we were looking down from the second floor of Starbucks. It's a 5-point intersection that comes together here. This around noon and it was raining - I'm told its much busier late afternoons and evenings, especially in good weather. But I personally love all the umbrellas!
Loved this unique digital clock!
Here's Bruce, Pat, Steve, and Kristy Thunnel
More adorable school children on the bus going back to the hotel.
1 comment:
I ADORE that clock!
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