Harajuku District in Tokyo--July 29

The Harajuku district in Tokyo is where the Cos-players (Costume Players) hang out and buy trendy clothes.  Sunday afternoons is a big day in Harajuku.  I have never got there on a Sunday so I was happy when Bill and Jerry were going so I could see the pictures.

Takeshita street is the main road for trendy shops, boutiques, crepe stands, and people watching.

 Cosplayers come in all ages.  Note that his earrings are goldfish bowls.  He was happy to have his picture taken.

This is a typical Sunday...

The cosplayers dress up to look like their favorite anime characters, punk musicians, etc.

These two were shy about having their picture taken...

On the other side of the subway station is Meiji Shrine. It is a shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji. Emperor Meiji was a popular emperor who reigned from 1867 to 1912.  Anytime you see a torii gate, it is a shinto shrine. 

 

Mt. Fuji (July 28)

I was back in North Carolina.  Jerry and Bill spent three days in Tokyo.  One day, they took a day tour to Mt. Fuji.  Jerry wanted to climb it, but we couldn't get that tour arranged.  This tour takes you half way up Fuji, to the Welcome Center, a nearby lake, and cable car ride back down to the high speed bullet train (Shinkasen).
At the Welcome Center.

Area Map.

We are all used to the Mt Fuji with the snow capped mountain top so I was not ready for these pictures of Fuji.

The lake is made from a dormant volcano.  

The swan boats caught Bill and Jerry's attention.

Bill and Jerry caught a ferry boat and toured around the crater lake.  It was starting to rain/thunder so they couldn't catch the cable car.  They had to bus down to catch the bullet train.
Meanwhile, the lake was covered with clouds.

and gave off a beautiful glow.  Bill said it was like being in Lord of the Rings.

A torii gate...

Since they couldn't catch the cable car, the tour took them to a nearby museum.

Flowers for Bill's mom.

The escalator to the bullet train.

Notice that the train station is immaculate.  Japan is very clean!

Bill and Jerry tried to take a picture of the bullet train while it was moving (at 150 miles per hour) but had to settle with one stopped at the station.

On the bullet train to Tokyo.  It took just over an hour to get back.

Exhausted but a great day!