TOKYO: Shibuya Crossing

It’s so freaking hot in the metro and what I can think of is either a beach getaway or to go somewhere cold. But of course, it is not allowed yet to travel because it is not yet safe to go out. I, being helpless and can’t do anything with the circumstances which is something that I cannot control, just indulged by looking at the photos of my previous travels. And so, a blog about ShibuyaCrossing – the popular scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan and the busiest intersection in the world (rumor has it).

girlfriends at Shibuya Corssing

It was winter season last year when my friends and I went to Japan on which I was unsure then If I’m going to push thru or not for some reasons such as 1) A week after that trip, I was on a 5-day sponsored trip by NLEX Corporation to explore and discover more of North Luzon which was dubbed as “Lakbay Norte”; 2) It will be a 6 days’ vacation leave and it’s only February; 3) I was into adulting and figured out that I’ve been spending too much with my travels and if ever I’m going, I know I am going to splurge on  shopping; and 4) Being uncertain, I didn’t process my visa.

To cut the story short, I sent notice to the group and said  - I can’t join you guys I don’t have money, I'm into adulting and prioritizing what needs to be done and realized I've been spending too much with travels and I have an upcoming trip so I don’t have time to process my visa. Enjoy the trip!

Waiting for the "red" light

And with a thought that it would that be easy to say, No, it's not, boy, I was wrong! No excuse was allowed... and they were like... I was just making excuses. And so, they transferred money on my account and all I needed to do was to get a bank certificate, sign the papers and they gonna drop by at the office and pick up the requirements so they can process the visa while I was on a sponsored trip. I felt pressure with the gestures and kindness. So yeah, I gave in and spent 8 days in Tokyo, Japan with the friends.

what a busy pedestrian

Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station 

always in a rush

Travels with them means traveling with no itinerary. We can go to places based on our preferences on that day or whatever we feel like doing even if it means doing nothing at all. One morning, we decided to just have coffee and enjoy the cool breeze of winter and a friend told us to might as well, go to Shibuya Crossing to see the statue of Hachiko and there, there is Starbucks with a great view of Shibuya Crossing. Of course, us being clueless and undecided, said yes.

with Hachiko

On the other hand, it was a first time in Japan and it would be a shame if we haven’t been on the well-known Shibuya Crossing as well as checking out with Hachiko. Hachiko was a Japanese Akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, for whom he continued to wait for over nine years.  Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor at the Tokyo Imperial University, brought him to live in Shibuya, Tokyo, as his pet. Since then, Hachikō would meet Ueno at Shibuya Station every day. 

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Gab - my friends' friend. 

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While Hachiko Statue is the common landmark for meetup for many, Shibuya Crossing is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection. The crowd was overwhelming and crazy at the same time but knowing that you can cross whichever direction was amazing – it saves time and energy.

hot Caramel Macchiato for a cold weather

the view from Starbucks'

Aix with her, now, fiancé Edmar

And so, after several photo ops we went to Starbucks located at the 2nd level of Tsutaya building on the crossing's north side and enjoyed our coffee – it was hot Caramel Macchiato for me. It was only around three in the afternoon then when we decided to go to Ueno Park and Zoo just because they have temples within the park and pandas. 

Stay tuned! 😊 

P.S. How our day on a trip looks like? Take a photo of the subway and encircle those we can possibly visit without rushing. For this case, we skipped Asakusa because shops in Akihabara closes at 9PM.

itinerary for the day. 😊

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Xoxo, Aylin

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