Yoyogi Koen

One way I like to sightsee is to pick a metro line and see only things along it. This gives me a manageable number of options. Like Saturday, for instance—the Nezu Shrine is near Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line. The Chiyoda Line also happens to pass through Meijijingumae, near Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Yoyogi Park (Koen). Easy! Chris had heard the park was nice from friends who study there before heading out to party in the evening. Sure enough, it had something for everyone: bands set up feeble speakers and crooned to the crowds, who ignored them. Families picnicked. Friends played badminton and baseball…with no bat. Foreigners played Frisbee. Locals played with bubbles. Would you like to kick a hacky sack? Take an acting lesson (offered in Japanese only at this time)? Watch birds in the bird sanctuary? Snuggle in the shade? Lounge in the sun? Play the violin? Join the crowd around a pair of leashed pet iguanas? All this is available to you and more! It’s not Balboa…it’s Yoyogi! Hmm, many of those options sounded like group fun. Don’t fret, single traveler. There is something for you. Bypass the noodles-in-a-cup and bento boxes at the snack stand and select the Personal snack—dried cuttlefish bits (atarime)! Yum! Surprise…you get them all to yourself. 🙂