Dominique Ansel Bakery

We had some time after our pilgrimage and headed over to the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Tokyo.

I didn't know much about the bakery before we went but when I heard it was opened by the creator of the Cronut I couldn't pass up the chance to go.

Everything was so pretty!

I tried to get the kids to share their blooming hot chocolates but no one wanted to.  Leon choose the Mr. Robato donut instead.

In the end everyone was jealous of Leon.  The hot chocolates were pretty but they were made with very dark chocolate.  They were bitter and not at all what we were expecting.  After adding sugar they were more editable for us.  But I ended up throwing most of them away.

My frozen s'more was my favorite.

It was a marshmallow on the outside with chocolate graham cracker crumbs and ice cream on the inside.   Sooo good.  I already want another one.

I also got a orange creamsicle cronut to bring home.

Harajuku Part 2

Christmas is pretty different here in Japan than what we are used to.  The vast majority of the population are not Christian but they have adopted some of the holiday.  As far as I can tell they decorate for Christmas and are big into lights and that is it.  While exploring in Harajuku we found a pink Christmas tree.

Ever since the amazing cotton candy I got in the Philippines the kids have been dying to try it.  They have a very similar thing in Tokyo so we had to get it.

I don't think it was as good though, and it cost three times as much and we had to wait forever to get it.  Out of all the things we did that day this was the think I could have skipped.  The kids would not agree with me.

We made it just in time to eat at Kawaii Monster Cafe before they closed to get ready for the night crowed.

The decorations were stellar.

The food was even very pretty.

But I have to say, it was ridiculously expensive and no one really even liked the food.

It was good for a one time Japan experience, but I doubt I will ever go here again.  I think we spent over $200 and all left hungry.

We walked by a pet store on the way back to the train and had to stop and take a peek.  They had the cutest puppies!  This little guy was about $6,300.  Some cats were $8,000!  The Japanese people are really serious about their pets.

Harajuku Day 1

We made another day trip up to Tokyo, this time to explore the Harajuku area.  They are known for their outlandish style so we decided to dress up as closely to what they would wear as we could.  It was a little hard working with what we packed in our suitcases but we did ok. 

We were a little boring compared to these people:

Someone did stop us and ask to take my picture for a school project because they like my hair and fashion.  I'm not sure how sincere they were but I let them take the picture anyway.

Once we got to Tokyo we made a few stops before hitting up the super crowded and famous Takeshita street.

Japan has the prettiest fall colors!  I'm used to evergreens everywhere so these are just beautiful to me.

We had a late breakfast at eggs and things.  This was a few people's favorite part of the day.  The food was really good and so much fun!  Leon was really concentrating hard while putting the frosting on his pancake.

Penelope had whip cream and cream cheese and strawberry pancakes.

Scarlett needs just a bit more whip cream don' cha think?

Next we went to this fun shopping mall.

It had a garden area at the top with a great view of the city.

This street performer was pretty funny.  I don't think I've seen that sort of side puppet before.

Now onto the Meiji Shrine.  Shrine sizes in Japan vary greatly and this one was huge.  First you walk through this beautiful park to get to it.  I'm so glad we came in the fall.

I love the little kids dressed up.

We even got to see a wedding march.  I saw a couple of brides here so it must be a very popular place to get married.

And now for the crazy part of the day.

 

I'd say it was a little bit crowded.  Amazingly no one got lost the whole time we were there.  I wasn't even worried about it.  We stand out quit a bit here in Japan so scanning the crowd for red or blonde hair is supper easy.

We spent a couple hours just going in all the shops.  Bob found a cell phone case that was almost big enough.  If you actually had this on your phone you would never be able to fit it in your pocket and you'd have to have a big purse.  The upside would be that you wouldn't ever loose it.

Platforms anyone?

The kids found a robot friend.

The kids ended up buying Christmas presents for each other and I got a pair of shoes and some socks.  I could have spent a lot longer trying clothes on.  But I don't think anyone else in our family would have had the patients for that.  Tomorrow I'll post where we ate dinner, it was intense.