Yikes! Today's weather was horrible. We woke up full of energy and headed for the 1st bus that leaves for Kawaguchi station from the Shinjuku bus station. The entire journey took us a good 2hrs!
The moment we reached the Fuji-Q highland, it started to pour! What a wet bucket! It was a distance walking from the bus station to Thomasland. Actually Thomasland is just a small section of the Fuji-Q Amusment park (land) but because our main itinery was to visit thomasland, and most of the rides in Fuji-Q land are meant for adults, we skipped all the rides in Fuji-Q altogether. And thanks to the bad weather, only 3 of the rides were opened in thomasland. Worse of all, we couldn't even catch a glimpse of the Mount Fuji which was supposedly right in front of us IF the weather was good! :(

And too bad due to the weather the train ride to the station on a 'real' thomas train (with Annie & Clarabel in tow) was not opened....
Overall the theme park was big and should be very interesting during Summer...i suppose.
If there is a chance to be back to Tokyo (without the kids or when they are older) , I will probably make a trip to Fuji Q highland for the roller coastr rides.

Favian with the 'Fat controller'



Daddy and kiddos riding on Thomas




close up of the chocolate shed


Harvey


the indoor train ride..it was fun

We rose very early for today's itinery and I was full of energy as I was looking forward to my shopping at the new Burberry Blue & Black label flagship store in Harajuku. I delibrately planned to visit Harajuku on a Sunday as many young people gather around Harajuku station and engage in Cosplay - dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters , punk musicians, etc.
This is the Harajuku station

First stop was Meiji shrine, just behind the station.
Meiji shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. The buildings are surrounded by a beautiful dense forest.
It started to drizzle abit when we reached Meiji shrine, hence it wasn't a pleasant stroll into the temple at all with the gravel path and a stroller + 1 cranky toddler in tow! But since we had the entire day in this part of Tokyo, we took it slow and enjoyed ourselves.



The barrels of sake & wine offered/ donated to the shrine




Outside the souvenir shop. Inside I found a nice Hello Kitty dressed in a Kimono clay figurine at a pretty affordable price!











witnessed a traditional wedding ceremony






Saw some locals dressed up in traditional costumes and asked them for a picture together...love the virbant colours of their Kimonos.



caught some Cosplays in action near the station outside Meiji shrine


hubby and I loved this little part of Harajuku, just behind the main road of Omotesando. Lining the little streets are small boutiques selling avant garde fashion. the prices of the mechandise were comparable to those sold in the departmental stores, but with much more attitude. We discovered some really unique architecture and facade of the 2-storey shops too.



Walking out to the main road, Omotesando - a broad tree lined avenue, referred to as Tokyo's Champs Elysee, features all the big brands and upmarket trends. Along this street, there was a halloween celebration with families and children all dressed up parading along this closed road. It was very fun and engaging seeing adults and children dressed up with much effort for a holiday that is less celebrated in Singapore.






After that we grabbed lunch and visited the huge toystore, Kiddyland too. Burberry blue label and black label were just a few streets away. Then it was shopping all the way till all the shops closed and we headed back to our hotel with some supper

AUDI showroom


At shibuya's junction

today we set off to Tokyo in the morning. We took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo and transferred to Shinjuku Station where our hotel is. (It was expensive to travel in a Shinkansen. But it saved us the hastle of taking a domestic flight to Tokyo)
This bento we bought during the train ride was simple, nice BUT expensive! the colourful vegetables and pickles just cheer me up!

Children 5yrs and under rides for free and we declared Favian as 5 yrs old! hahaha saved at least S$100!


We finally arrived at our hotel and it was already 3pm! This was our hotel room in KEIO Plaza hotel. We were on the 30th floor and the view was great! right in front of our windows was the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Take a pic before we mess up the room!




After washing up we proceeded to Takashimaya times square which is a few min walk from our hotel. Tonight we celebrated Favian's 6th birthday too. It was drizzling and cold outside and we caught abit of the rain. Slurping down a bowl of hot udon was a simple indulgence.
all of us enjoying our udon and soba.

Birthday boy and his birthday meal



since it was pretty late we only shopped briefly at Tokyu hands (just next to Taka) and packed some supper before we head back to our hotel for some rest. I also bought a slice of cake to celebrate Favian's birthday. Since there were only so few of us, we doubt we can finish off a whole cake.


Favian wasn't very keen in his birthday cake, but Mischa was practically eyeing it the whole time while we tried to snap pictures of them. She was asked to keep her hands behind her..hahaha

Favian trying out some of his cake

Mischa: "finally I can savour the cake!"