It was 9 months ago a few days after the 3.11 earthquake when I was in Shibuya on a day like this - blue skies Shibuya I call it. I was taking photos of the apparent Tokyo evacuation that foreign media was reporting. To this day, I still get folks outside Japan asking me about the radiation issues.
To me its a non issue as I would continue to live in Japan no matter what. Radiation updates does get on the news from time to time and there are always periodic reports of some plant or vegetable containing above average levels of radiation.
I was at immigration the other day and an officer told me how the amount of foreigners in Japan who were living here have dropped significantly. The only good news this brings about is that Gaijin ("Gaijin" means foreigner) who decided to stay hardly have to wait anymore to get their application processed. I used to dread going to immigration due to the looong queues which would eat up a few hours - I was in and out within 10 mins this time.
I know there are many folks out there who love Japan and want to visit but are worried about coming back from Japan with the new ability to glow in the dark. What I would say is dont be afraid of dying - be afraid that you didn't live the life that you wanted to live.
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South exit at Shibuya Station. The Cerulean Tower hotel in the background.
This is the Moai statue. Next to it is a van which is doing free tuberculosis scans for citizens.
During the Winter seasons, we get a load of blue skies like this and is a relatively dry season. Tis very cold though - the catch is that the trains are very warm.
HD sized photos in this post uploaded to Google Plus - take and share what you need.
Entrance of Center Gai feels very different without the electronics store Sakuraya not being there anymore.
Grabbing some Starbucks.
Shibuya 109 is the fashion department store for ladies - 109Men's is the equivalent for the lads.
Inside 109Men's which is filled with a load of apparel stores.
The young lads from Sexy Zone.
Center Gai [センター街] - filled with restaurants, apparel stores and dodgy folks at night.
This new apparel store popped up from nowhere.
Entrance to the Everything store Tokyu Hands. You *must* visit this place if you come to Tokyo.
The Apple Store Shibuya.
K-ON! movie has inspired many viewers to take a trip to London - including many of my friends! Would some of you folks in London be interested in taking some of my Japanese fiends around? You need to speak Japanese though.
Android are really ramping up their advertising campaigns on the streets and on TV.
From time to time, bands will play around Shibuya station. Needless to say, one usually needs a permit to do so. Needles to say, its sometimes better to just do it like these folks and like the guy in the video below ^^;
I love the packaging on Japanese pet bottles.
The Japanese Salvation Army is usually out n about at this time of year.
Japan has mascots for just about everything.
One for the ladies.
Dont be scared of radiation - be scared of this stuff instead. Unfortunately no-smoking seats in restaurants are few and far between. Even if you are given a no-smoking seat - its likely to be right next to a smoking seat that has no partition.
Softbank Otousan goes to space.
Heading back to base on the Yamanote line.
This is my line - the Mita and Nanboku join onto the Meguro line.
A snap from the train.
Back at Musashikoyama. All photos taken on the NEX-5N.
Previous Shibuya photo posts listed up below includes places to visit.
