Monday was going to be the day to explore Western Tokyo and all the neighborhoods along one main north/south train line, but I decided to walk the majority of it to get a feel for Tokyo.  This walk ended up being about 6 miles, without any wandering or back tracking.  

I started at Ikebukuro Station.  Tokyo was even more lively on a Monday morning.  It was cool to walk around and grab some snacks in another food hall.  Nothing out of the ordinary for me on this trip. 

 I had heard that Kit Kats were special here (the words Kit Kats mean good luck or something similar.  They have had over 300 varieties at different times, but the store I went to had maybe 16 different types; 4 different teas, a selection of fruits, and a few more.  I selected a 4 pack variety and then one special one.  I had green tea, pistachio and some berry, butter, strawberry and then the special one molesin (berry and nuts on top of a kit kat).  They actually weren't that bad.  I think the pistachio and strawberry were my favorites.  Just something unique to try, I guess.

Shinjuku neighborhood was my next stop.  I had some noodles for lunch and just meandered in and out of different streets and shops.  So much to absorb.

Hanazono Shrine near Shinjuku.  Funny how these things pop up everywhere and anywhere, but I guess I need to expand my mind a little and admit that it is the same here with churches.   

I was a little early for a drink at the micro bar area of Golden Gai.  Still interesting seeing all the tiny 4-6 person bars and their themes.

The peaceful part of the day was the Meiji Shrine.  the park was gorgeous and a perfect oasis from the hustle beyond its borders.  I really took in a lot of the detailing here, plus it had warmed up a bit

Across from the park is the Harajuku District.  Because my next activity, I didn't get to spend much time seeing what it would be like being a teenage Japanese girl.  The main street was absolutely packed though.  

While I was planning my trip, I kept thinking about going to a cat cafe.  As I further dug in, I realized they have cafes for rabbits, hedgehogs, snakes and about everything else, including owls.  I couldn't pass this up, even as I questioned the ethics of it all.  One 1500 yen ticket ($15), got you a drink, 35 mins with the owls and a souvenir.  Man, it was fun.  I am not sure if I had ever petted or held an owl.  I sure did here.  Glad they so many different varieties and even a baby.  The guide made us very aware not to get the small ones next to the large ones (they chomp them, uh eat them).  Another good relaxing part of the day.

Look at the picture above this one.  That is what happens when Schola gets scared.  Yep, he did that when I was holding him and Bob took flight. 

This one was the size of a baseball.  He looked like he had some attitude also.  Should have named him Napoleon.  

Here's Bob.  Around 10 lbs and maybe a 5 foot wing span.  So much fun. 

The baby.

Yes, I want an owl now.  The last area was Shibuya.  Kind of their Time's Square.  I have a video of the Crossing in action, but I need to reduce it's size.  

The Statue of Hachiko.  A dog that waited outside of the Shibuya Station.  The dog waited for his master at the station every night for more than a decade after his death.  

Something familiar.....

What a day.  I ended it at a touristy British Pub, which became a theme.  I liked having a Guinness as a nightly routine.  On this night, I had a couple lamb skewers and chips and soaked in the Japanese culture at a British Pub.  Yes, a unique juxtaposition.  Shibuya was pretty interesting at night.  I quickly realized that I was going to do a lot of sitting and people watching in Tokyo.  The temperature was around 72 at night and it only drizzled.  It was good to sit and watch the world fly by, and to have the AMerican world wake up.  Being 13 hours ahead of the East Coast was really interesting, but I managed to only look at my email when I first woke up every morning for a bit and then their work day was done and I was off for my adventures.