05.29.05
Harajuku Cosplay costumes
I’d intended to go to Harajuku earlier, but something always seemed to come up. Indeed, I was not here really to look, but headed for one of several flea markets in the area for interesting souvenirs.
Harajuku is famous for being a weekend gathering place for people who like cosplay, or playing with costumes. I saw quite a few.
I’d convinced Hye Young, Ji Yoon, Ang, and Lenka to come with me. Lenka was unhappy to ride what she considers the expensive train and subway system, but I knew I wouldn’t last all the way to Shinjuku and back. The others didn’t care one way or another.
Unfortunately, the Hanazono shrine was having a matsuri instead of a flea market. I like matsuri, but I knew Lenka wanted to buy specific things at the flea market. So we didn’t linger, but headed to Harajuku. We didn’t find much there either, so I felt bad that Lenka paid for transportation for nothing. She decided to walk back to the dorm, and on the way found a street vendor selling what she wanted. So it worked out after all.
The cosplayers hang out very close to Harajuku station, near the front of the Meiji temple grounds. There were so many people in costume, but most were some flavor of Gothic or Gothic Lolita. Interestingly, even though they gather to show off their costumes, many did not want their photos taken. Why not just dress up at home then?
