| Even by Tokyo standards,
Shibuya rates as a busy place. Perhaps most famous for the Shibuya
Crossing (aka Shibuya Scramble) where half a million pedestrians a day cross
the busy intersection by Shibuya Station overshadowed by illuminated
hoardings soon to be topped by a massive 17 x 24 metre screen. Whilst
I might admire the Japanese spirit of kaizen (continual improvement:
nothing is so good it cannot be improved), in this case I do feel that they
have reached the point of not knowing when to stop.
Home to Harajuku, with fabulous entertainment and
trendy shops for the young, though morphing into Omotesando's staggeringly
expensive designer shops. It also includes the Meiji Jingu (Meiji
Shrine), dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and, more importantly for
most visitors I suspect, a tranquil forest haven amidst the organised chaos
outside.
In 2008, the TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company)
Electrical Energy Museum provided a fascinating insight into the production
of electricity, some historic appliances and, probably the main point of the
exercise, examples of modern gadgets powered by electricity, including the
omnipresent electrically powered toilet seats, heat pump tumble driers,
induction hobs...whether it is still there promoting the joys of nuclear
power I will need to go back and find out in due course. |
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