Shibuya crossing

While most people come here because there was something of it filmed for "Lost in Translation", I didn't know about it until I was informed that I must must must see it by a few friends. The intersection is outside one of the busiest train stations in the world, a transfer stop between several of Tokyo's seemingly infinite number of subway lines. While it seems like a fair sized business district, it is probably foremost a HUGE shopping district and an incredible first look at the amazingness of Tokyo fashion (and prices! ouch!). When you first leave the station, if you can see through the crown of people, there is a statue of a dog named Hachiko. I think this is the sweetest story, if a little heart breaking.
Copied from Lonely Planets "Tokyo Encounter":
"In the 1920's a professor who taught at what is now Tokyo University lept a small Akita dog name Hachiko. Hachiko accompanied the professor to Shibuya station every morning, then returned in the afternoons to await the professor's arrival. One spring day in 1925, the professor died of a stroke while at the university and never came home. Hachiko continued to turn up at the station daily to wait for his master, until Hachiko's own death 10 years later. The dog's faithfulness touched the locals, who built a statue to honor his memory in the place where he died...."

After visiting Sir Puppy Hachiko, we made our way to the crossing. At first, I didn't realize where I was but when the people started moving it was unmistakable. About every minute or minute and a half or so, car traffic stops in all directions and what must be hundreds of people take over the road, crossing every which way. The energy of the place was absolutely electric, overwhelming and vibrant, all in one. We fought our way to the second floor Starbucks to just watch for a while, where I took this video.

Afterwards, we did a little shopping in the area. I don't think I bought anything except perhaps for some socks and some dinner. About 9pm, we were both so exhausted from navagating our way around that I was perfectly happy to head back to the other side of town to plan the next day and get to bed.

That night, we slept in funny capsule like bunk beds. I forgot to take a picture, but it was like a tiny personal hotel room-just a bed, a light, a shelf and an outlet behind a sliding bed-door. I slept really hard.