Harajuku

Today started late, obviously. We met up at noon with Patty and Erica, went to the AM/PM and picked up some sandwiches for breakfast and ate outside in the sun, which was nice, even if we were being gawked at.
After brunch, we were of to Harajuku to wade through the mass of humanity. And yes, it was literally like wading. Sunday is usually the day when most of the Japanese have off. So, everybody was out and about. It was literally New York density everywhere we went. In Harajuku, especially, Sunday is the day show off and strut. Lots and lots of people dressed up to show off their uniqueness together. It's particular example of the Japanese emphasis on groups rather than individuals. Everybody traveled in a group of at least two, and they all dressed the same. So you had groups of Visual Kei, Goth Lolita, punk, raver, J-POP, kogal, hip-hop, etc. Only the tourists had variety among the individuals of the group. If we had more time, I would have loved to have just stayed and people watched the entire afternoon.
We started back around 3pm to meet Erica's friend for dinner, so we ended walking around Ikebukuro the rest of the evening. Janice, Lorelei, Gideon and Bruce leave for the States tomorrow, so tonight was our last night together.
Wow, I can't believe we're leaving soon. It feels like we just got here, and there's still so much we haven't seen or wanted to do.
I suppose that's what a return trip is for. Anyway, the plan for tomorrow might include Ueno park, but will definitely include shopping, as we need to bring back presents.

Pictures of today here and here