Did the earth move for you? - The Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, Roppongi chapter

I woke up Friday morning and headed straight for Roppongi (via Yoyogi for no other reason than its funny name). Roppongi is famed for its night life here in Japan, but it is also worth a visit in the day. Starting out at the purpose built complex Roppongi hills, featuring TV Asahi's headquarters, a Virgin cinema and an array of expensive designer shops and restaurants, I made my way down to Tokyo Midtown, the newest purpose built complex in the same area, featuring the Ritz Carlton hotel. With futuristic-inspired architecture, stylised Japanese gardens with water features, and gigantic statues (not to mention a camper van selling crepes) Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown were worth a visit, but for me the areas were too commercialised, too Westernised and too clinical to offer any depth of character.

From there it was on to Omotesando, described to me as a trendy fashion district. I did not realise, however, when they said this that I could expect to see our very own Topshop amongst Dior, Burberry and Hermes to name a few, which leads me to suggest that 'high end shopping district' is probably a more accurate description. Omotesando Hills, a beautiful little shopping mall with contemporary interior design style (but which I was not allowed to photograph), along the tree lined Omotesando shopping avenue, completed the designer line-up with the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton (which, as a point to note, has an 'appointment only' policy).

In complete contrast to Omotesando, I crossed the road and headed to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, which I found by complete chance having attempted to find it for a couple of days from a couple of different stations as suggested by the Tokyo Metro tourist guide. The Meiji Jingu Shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who is accredited with the revolution of Japan. I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a traditional Japanese wedding (complete with traditional Japanese dress and headgear) whilst I was there, but out of respect to the holy place and the congregation, photography is strictly forbidden.

Another huge contrast followed, as I crossed back over the road and in to the Harajuku area of the city (made famous by Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku girls). I would describe the place as alternative, slightly gothic, yet somehow also 'street' with off-the-wall clothing shops displaying a unique sense of fashion, an unconventional bunch of people both working in the shops and browsing the shops, and a couple of great examples of street art. Perhaps the best one word description (even though this word is hardly ever used in normal life and for which I may eternally be mocked) would be 'kooky'.

Shibuya (I like saying that) was my next stop, where I spent a great deal of time laughing at shop names, which incidentally is one of the problems of travelling alone - no one to share this with other than now with my pictures on Facebook!! I also mooched around the shops, including the Tokyu department store, and made a trip to the NHK broadcasting centre. I liked Shibuya (there I go, said it again), it had a real buzz about it. So much so, I stopped for some dinner at a Tempura restaurant and returned to my wooden capsule later than I have allowed myself to before!! I really do know how to live life in the fast lane…

I met three guys from Germany, America and Switzerland who were all studying in Hong Kong in the lift back at Ace Inn. They invited me out to the Golden Gai (a.k.a party central) area of Shinjuku for drinks and a chance to eat at a restaurant used in the film Kill Bill. It killed me to decline (see what I did there?!), but not wanting to feel like a tag along and avoiding the possibility of a trip back to the hostel on my own I refused. And hence another problem faced by the solo female traveller.

And lo and behold, my night in was disturbed by an EARTHQUAKE! Ok, so it only measured 3 on the Richter scale, but it was still an experience, and an unnerving one at that! Especially since it happened at 4.30am and I half thought I dreamt it.

Until next time, Sayonara!