Tokyo - Harajuku and Yoyogi park...

Harajuku is famous for the eclectic gathering of young, rebellious (well as rebellious and the average Japanese seem to get) and flamboyant Japanese trend-setters. It was an insane mix of fashion, style and fun. Michelle and I people watch and play the game of “what doesn't fit” – in most outfits there was always something that was just one thing too much – the colour combo, extra shirt, belt whatever.   But in Harajuku they took the typical Japanese fashion of “almost everything and anything goes” to then next level and somehow made it cooler. 

The most famous street in Harajuku is Takeshita-Dori filled with small trinket and boutique type shops.   

This street, alley really, is crammed with people on a Sunday afternoon, both local and touristy but I was happy to think mostly local.

Japanese/French-style crepes seem to be the “it” food.  The lines were long but the crepes sold in the wrapped cone like filled with ice cream, fruit and other toppings looked delicious and worth the wait.  Sadly despite my love of crepes we just could not find room in our stomachs.   For this alone I am determined to make my way back to Japan!

Yoyogi park is another gathering place for the Japanes young to shake of the uniforms and fly free.  As we entered the park a group offered free hugs. 

 Michelle, being the queen of hugs, finally found her people!

A friend mentioned the rockabilies before we left Canada but nothing gets you quite ready for them… dressed in black leather (even in the crazy heat!), jeans, hair styled like Elvis (or Travolta from Grease) they dance away.  There doesn't seem to be any real choreography, though they are in sync.  Most seem completely lost in their own world and seem unaware of the audience.  

It didn't seem to be about the performance but just a love for the music and dance.