Japan Day 2: Shibuya Crossing + Hachiko Statue

We’re supposed to go to Shibuya on our first day but when we reached our hotel, we don’t want to travel anymore so we decided to move it. We’re so tired already because it’s been a long day for us so we want to recharge for the next day. 

Read: Trip to Tokyo Japan

My son and I went first to Sanrio Puroland. We waited for my husband to go back to the hotel so we can go to Shibuya. This would be our (my son and I) first train experience in Japan. 

Read: Sanrio Puroland

Travel time to Shibuya is one hour and it was really a long trip since we won’t be staying long. I just wanted to see the Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

I purchased Pasmo Card (2000 yen) day before but we could not figure out how to buy Pasmo Card for the child so we did not buy anymore. We’ve been buying tickets every train ride which is also a good idea so we can use our coins.

I downloaded an app (Navitime for Japan Travel) for directions, it is a good app because it gives you the time, fare and of course direction on how to get to your destination as soon as possible. The only downside is, you need to be online but you can screenshot it before leaving the hotel.

Directions: Walk from Keio Plaza Hotel to Keio Tama Center South Exit. Ride Keio Sagahamira Line for Shinjuku. Get off at Meidai-mae Station and ride Keio Inokashira Line for Shibuya. Get off at Shibuya Central Exit.

Our travel time was more than an hour because we rode the local express train. Japan trains are so complicated, aside from knowing your destination, you need to know if the train is local, rapid, semi-express, express, semi-special express or special express. Yung local, lahat ng stations magstop, so that is 17 stations to Meidai-mae Station. Waah! 

Shibuya Scramble Crossing 

Good thing that Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Scramble Crossing is just outside the train station. So finally, we witnessed the “Scramble” in Shibuya, we did not try to cross since we don’t know where to go naman. We have no plans to explore Shibuya because of limited time. 

Hachiko Statue

Then I met Hachiko, a famous dog not only in Japan but in the world. Honestly, I’m not fond of dogs or any pets but this dog made me cry several years ago. I don’t know if it is because of hormones, I was pregnant when I watched the Hachiko movie. The story was really moving, I was just amazed that there is such a dog who is so loyal to his owner. 

Just a quick trivia from Wikipedia just in case you are not familiar with Hachiko. Hachikō was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan. He is remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner which continued for ten years after his owner's death.

Born: November 10, 1923, Akita Prefecture, Japan 
Died: March 8, 1935, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan 
Breed: Akita 
Owner: Hidesaburō Ueno 
Sex: Male 

The place was crowded so it is really hard to get a good shot without people also a lot of tourists are taking pictures with the statue so just wait for your turn. After our trip to Tokyo, my husband and son watched the Hachiko movie.

We’re so hungry and finding restaurants was not easy, most of the restaurants we’ve seen in the train station were already full. Then we saw one restaurant that has an available table, I just forgot the name. I will update the post once I remember, hahaha! Anyway, here are photos of the food we ate. 

Back to the hotel.