Two worlds.A street apart.

Nope. No signs of elusive 'Sakura-san' yet. But Spring Equinox was in the air last Wednesday - a public holiday in Japan, following another holiday a few weeks ago marking the official 'end of winter'. Do you blame me for getting sucked into this whole seasons business then? Last March, I would have said 'equinoxes' (?) were short notes you wrote in geography tests. They are real? Gimme a break. But now I realise- humbly- that the earth does tilt on its axis now and then - giving us so many beautiful moods..

Must remember to stop this incessant seasons talk...

Ok cut to...warm sunny day. Tokyoiites out celebrating the equinox. Husband and I.Cameras in hand.Two trigger happy souls.(thats virtual haiku,eh)
When (if) you visit Tokyo, this will definitely be on your list. Fodors or Lonely Planet will approve heartily.Ometesando and Harajuku. Two worlds as apart as Bhendi Bazaar (Mumbai) and Champs Elysees. But just one street apart. Two parallel worlds.

As you exit out of Omotesando station there stretches in front of you the tree lined (now leafless) Champs Elysees of Tokyo (officially).Throbbing with style and fashion. It is there to be seen,felt, tasted ,smelled....so much trend in one place.Heck.There must be redemption.

Tokyoiites strut around in abashed designer stuff. Divas all (men too). Paying respects to their deities Kate Spade and Fendi. Even Tokyo's architecture (which otherwise is tragic - remember the 'Feeling bombed' post) seems to have found expression here. Store fronts challenge you with attitude - dare to walk in for a 5000 buck bag?

Omotesando. Cutting edge fashion.

And then....you turn a bend at the Meiji-jingumae station and see the quaint 'old world' Harajuku station (JR line). So far so good. But you already sense something changing. Manolo Blaniks are morphing into bright red socks and pink shiny boots. Subtly accentuated cheekbones have turned into splatters of paint and black kohl. You have entered Takeshita dori - a voice so different from Ometesando's its startling.

Takeshita dori - is the Home of Teen Kitsch. The World Capital. HQ of Bawd. My hunch- it is the place for you if you are 16,brooding,full of angst and a score to settle with society..It is where goth kids find a safe place to over-express. Blue hair. Pink ribbons. Pierced lips, nose, tongue. A normal day.The narrow lane is dense with cavernous shops pedalling props for this bizarre gothic drama.Accessories of all colours,shapes,luminiscence are here. All so 'kawaii' ('cute' in Japanese - said with a prolonged squeal)!!

Interesting to stand and watch. But always confusing.What drives them to it? I wish I could stop that bleached punk to ask. Why are you here looking like this? Does your mother know? Have you sublimated your angst into this rainbow coloured hat? But obviously my two word Japanese vocabulary doesnot allow me any further sociological insights! Instead out comes a meek - "shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?" Thats six words. Is it ok to take a picture?