Tokyo Trip (part hachi) ....

After we left Meiji Shrine we walked right around the corner to Yoyogi Park. This is one of the largest parks in Tokyo. According to Wikipedia:

What is now Yoyogi Park was the site of the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan, on December 19, 1910, by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, following which it became an army parade ground. During the postwar occupation, it was the site of the Washington Heights residence for U.S. officers. It later was selected as the site for the 1964 Summer Olympics, and the distinctive Olympic buildings designed by Kenzo Tange are still nearby. In 1967, it was made into a city park.

Today, the park is a popular hangout, especially on Sundays, when it is used as a gathering place for people to play music, practice martial arts, etc. The park has a bike path, and bicycle rentals are available. As a consequence of Japan's long recession, there are several large, but surprisingly quiet and orderly, homeless camps around the park's periphery. These are somewhat like the Hoovervilles during the Great Depression in the USA.

Recently Tokyo Governor has announced his plans to build a 100,000-capacity stadium in Yoyogi Park in order to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The park was beautiful. There were so many things going on everywhere you looked. Although I have never been, I can imagine it is like Central Park in New York.

These people were practicing some soft of hip hop dance routine. Or maybe they were just working out.

People were napping, dog walking, playing frisbee, reading, people watching, everything and anything.

We decided this would be a good place to get some rest. It wasn't ideal, as the ground was hard and there was a large crow in the tree directly above us, but we were so tired it didn't matter.
There's a little piece of all five of us in this picture -

After a couple hours of sleep we woke up rejuvenated. Somewhat anyway. We decided to venture along the sidewalk outside the park. On Sunday's everybody who wants to be somebody sets up their stuff and plays or sings or dances for whoever is watching. We saw some pretty interesting things.

I was half taking a picture of the band, half taking a picture of this beautiful pink outfit. :)

A hip hop band who wasn't half bad.

CDs were available for purchase, although I didn't indulge.
And of course there was dancing!! These people were reenacting some Grease I think.
So after walking down the 'boardwalk' (minus the water) we ended up at the bridge in front of Yoyogi park. Here are the infamous gothic lolitas.
Gothic Lolita: (sometimes alternatively (though incorrectly) "Loli-Goth") has two definitions. The term "Gothic and Lolita" is used by the Japanese to describe a sub-culture of teenagers who wear a wide range of fashions. A wide range of fashion is an understatement. See for yourself:
Xiao & a lolita:

Also on the bridge were three guys carrying on the 'Free Hugs' movement. I love it. For those who don't know about Free Hugs, click here:
Free Hugs Origination

Free Hugs in Tokyo

Of course I got one.



almost finished ...
much love,
-tara-
xoxo