Meiji Jingu, Harajuku & More

Venturing through the lovely neighborhood of Shibuya was a fantastic! Started off with the Meiji Jingu Shrine, which was a calm and soothing way to begin the day. After a delightful lunch (caramel banana pancakes, yes please!) with my ladies and Han Sensei, we browsed the plethora of shops along the streets of Harajuku. The following day we had to ourselves to explore Tokyo on our own, and we spent the morning in Akihabara, a “video game” district if you will, and then off the to the man-made island of Odabi where we got stuck in some wonderful rain, visited the Fuji Television building, AND saw a robot the size of a shopping mall.

Meiji Jingu main Tori Gate! Before entering a shrine, it is customary to bow before you enter and walk to the side, as the center path is reserved for God.

Meiji Jingu has been one of the most memorable experiences for me this far. It was so peaceful walking through the trees and the different parts of the sanctuary, trying to take everything in. The shrine also had an Ema wall, where people could jot down their dreams and wishes for life, health, etc., and they would be prayed over by the priests. Reading all the votive tablets of people all over the world in different languages really put things in perspective for me. We come from all walks of life and worldviews, and it was interesting seeing what people from other countries emphasize and value. There was one from the U.S. wishing for a steady (and high) starting salary for herself, while others from Malaysia and Japan were wishing for good health and protection, not just for themselves, but also their families. It was very rewarding to see the collectivism-vs-individualism dynamic at play in these votives on the Ema Wall. Walking through the woodsy path with Han-Sensei (S/O Dr. Han for planning this whole adventure, sharing her knowledge, and taking care of us!) and fellow classmates was very reflective and sparked great conversation about us getting our bearings in Tokyo. Harajuku was full of little shops with perfect souvenirs for friends and family and we even took a stroll through an owl cafe, which I didn’t even know existed.

Akihabara was hands down the most interesting experience for me thus far in Tokyo. I knew that anime was a fairly large aspect and influence in this specific culture, and for some more than others. We went in the morning, so the neighborhood was still in the process of waking up, but I felt I learned quite a bit in the hour and a half we were there. I also want to note that for the record, the video game and anime culture is not really my speed, but it really is for some people and I respect that and I am glad that they can find a sense of connection and belonging to those hobbies. For me personally, I was a bit uncomfortable and out of my element. There were stores and stores of comic book after comic book with female characters with highly accentuated features, and to be honest it frustrated me a little bit. It seemed like every other cover was a female character about ready to bust out of her shirt. There were also young ladies dressed in maid’s outfits along the street handing out flyers for a type of maid café, where all the waitresses served you and called you “master”. Again, I am not very familiar with the anime/video game culture, but it just got me off guard. I experienced a bit of this feeling in China as well, when we were discussing emperors and their seemingly endless line of concubines and wives. It really put into perspective how much pressure there is here to fulfil the rigid gender roles set in place centuries ago. Coming from a culture where great strides have been made in the gender equality department, it was hard for me to walk around and see how strict cultural roles and beauty norms are for women. I don’t mean to be judgmental of this specific subculture, and I am not very knowledgeable about it, but first impressions rubbed my feminist side the wrong way. I know that anime is very influential for a many, and I am not saying that everyone who identifies with that culture is disrespectful towards women, it was just hard for me in the moment. And I know that not every anime is like that either, many aren’t that suggestive, but it was a little overwhelming to see so many of them in one place. In some ways I guess it ties back to the deep structure of culture and how they were set in the first place. I knew that other regions of the world were at different places with gender inequality but being present in that culture put things perspective.

As we continued to venture around the city a bit more, the people watching became a much richer activity. Observing families and the way children interact with their parents and each other is so fascinating to me. I knew the family structure was different, but seeing their interactions in person is a completely different scenario. It is clear that each member fulfils a role, and that role is set in stone without much wiggle room. I always saw moms on the JR line and subways with the children, and I saw a father with his children maybe once or twice. In the U.S., the family structure is changing, and although the idea of a “nuclear family”, or the traditional sense of family is common, what is considered a “family” is changing. It’s no longer just moms & dads, it’s moms & moms and dads & dads and single parents and a plethora of other combinations. Not only are these kids fulfilling the role of a child, but also that of a student. I loved seeing all the different school uniforms, but reality set in how rigorous the education system is when there was note after note at the shrines and temples for good luck regarding the entrance exam.

I know there is still much to learn about this fascinating city, and country, and I am so glad that we have only just begun! I know some of it may push my comfort zone, but that is one of the main reasons I chose to come to Japan, to go beyond what I know and what is comfortable for me and learn about life through a different intercultural lens.