1 November 2023
The aftermath
Shibuya to Shinjuku via Harajuku
I thought I had better go and witness the aftermath of the devastation of Halloween in Shibuya. There was nothing destroyed or on fire to see although I did find one banner declaring a ban on Halloween. The special army did not capture me. This is the riskiest thing I have done on this trip, more so than last nights Go go curry.
In the course of my numerous trips I have walked between Shibuya and Shinjuku a number of times, it has changed a lot during this time, but also not changed at all, I will elaborate.
Shibuya is now much more popular than it once was, with lots of big new buildings, big new stores etc. However for the last decade, the station itself has been blocked off with white plastic sheeting everywhere and detours that make no sense, and that is still the case.
Then when I got to Shinjuku station I thought surely they have made some progress there? No, still the same giant construction zone of white plastic sheeting it has been for about 8 years.
My 2 other observations, Harajuku itself is very much in decline. Not nearly as busy or interesting as it once was. Although the boutique stores behind it at Omotesando are as pretentious as ever.
The last station on the walk before Shinjuku is Yoyogi and that area seems much more lively than I remember. I did not do an exploration of Shinjuku itself tonight, I shall leave that for another night.
Also I stayed out until 8pm, which is really late for me!
Shibuya. Some of these buildings and walkways are newly completed since my last visit.
You can line up to have your photo taken with the worlds saddest dog. For Halloween they covered him in white plastic to discourage foreigners.
The scramble. One of the new buildings is actually called Shibuya scramble.
Random street.
Burger King. Great. Not too busy tonight though.
The sign says it all.
Somehow a failed brand still has a giant store in Tokyo.
Here is one of the streets in Omotesando. The stores here pay me to not go in their store.
If you squint you can see Guzman y Gomez, which has somehow lasted many years in this location. The Australian fake mexican food brand now has multiple stores in Tokyo.
Harajuku Takeshita street, which I am sure is familar to most people.
Better view of same street in opposite direction.
And finally, here is my late dinner. Oil ramen. It is a thicker style of ramen, floating in a layer of flavoured oil. Delicious.
WARNING: tomorrow is a boring hiking day.