Harajuku Girls

September 13th, 2009

Who needs Nike Town when you have Snoopy Town? I never thought there could be an entire floor of a store dedicated to Charlie Brown's mischievous dog, Snoopy, until of course, I came to Japan ....... and Snoopy does not disappoint. Backpacks, pens, suitcases, pillows, key chains, anything and everything Snoopy all housed in what we call Kiddy Land, by far our most favorite store in Harajuku, the shopping center of Tokyo. Kiddy Land has 6 floors (and a basement), each with its own theme and none of them lack in bedazzle. If you ever want a Hello Kitty day planner or trash can simply visit level 2. Simpson's? That would be level 6. Disney characters including all the Princesses? Level 5. Stickers, stuffed animals, dancing toys, umbrellas, bath toys? Pick any level and go wild. While in Kiddy Land we had the luxury of sampling many of the products, as you will see from the pictures, and we will be sure to bring plenty of them home as souvenires. Don't be surprised if I am wheeling all of our goodies in my new Hello Kitty suitcase. Harajuku is bumpin and so is Shibuya. You could literally shop until you drop at all the brand named stores, people watch for days, and I can personally recommend the pizza from Shakeys restaurant overlooking the strip. There was no soccer today since our team, Beleza, was playing a league match in Chiba. During our shopping adventure we learned that they won 7-1 with Sawa scoring two goals and also having an assist. No surprise, since Sawa has been promoted to be the lone forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation. A change from her defensive midfield role on the Freedom but one that she is embracing and thriving in. As each day passes we have further proof that Sawa is quite the celebrity here in Japan, for good reason (we will continuoulsy add to this list as the journey continues ... it shall be called the "cauSAWAnnabeher" list). We stumbled upon her autobiography while in the soccer club house and also her soccer skills book and Japanese National team book while in the apartment with Taejo. After looking through the pictures (we can't read the Japanese symbols) we feel even more lucky to be here playing with her and her team. Not to mention the young woman we asked for directions while in Shibuya that knew Sawa and her career both with Atlanta in the WUSA and the Freedom in the WPS. She is a big deal. Things I learned today: 1. Japan has amazing bike paths - Although I don't have a bike, I was able to run on these paths all through Tsukishima .... on bridges, over canals, and through the streets .... and not feel as if I was going to be struck by some type of moving vehicle. 2. Baseball diamonds are more like baseball circles - There is not much space in Tokyo and so multiple baseball fields share outfields. This becomes a little more complicated when there are batters from all different sides all hitting into the same outfield .... yet it seems to work. 3. Harajuku Girls do indeed exist - They are every bit as interesting as the name sounds. 4. Hashi means both bridge and chopsticks - Could be the cause of some confusion in restaurants if the syllables are not emphasized properly .... but luckily, the server has yet to bring us a bridge.

5. The Japanese love weiners - YUM!

6. Hello Kitty has a goth twin named Yoshikitty - She's really edgy

7. Happiness is a warm puppy - Who knew? Wow .... my new favorite quote

8. Eating Monja makes your eyes water and clothes smell - Maybe Becca will explain more about this in the next blog after her eyes recover from being blood shot.