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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome back to JapanesePod101.com.
I’m Eric.
In this lesson we will talk about the ​"Top 5 tourist spots in Tokyo”.
The first topic on the list is Takeshita Street in
Harajuku, which is called (J: Harajuku Takeshita Dori).
This pedestrian-only narrow street is world-famous
as an epicenter of “Cool Japan” and a symbol of
youth culture and fashion.
The street is crammed with countless different
cafes, shops, and boutiques including those
selling Victorian-inspired Lolita fashion which
has now gained global popularity.
Harajuku is also the home of a popular singer and
street-fashion icon (J:Kyary Pamyu Pamyu), so
it is a must-visit place for her fans and other
(J: “kawaii”) lovers.
The next topic on the list is a hot spring
theme park called (J: Oedo Onsen Monogatari).
This large-scale spa facility was built to resemble
what old Tokyo looked like when it was
called “Edo”, more than 200 years ago.
Here, all bathers can change into a Kimono-style
bath robe (J: yukata) and spend the day
strolling to and from hot spring baths, and
through shopping arcades also built in Edo
style.
If you are looking for a unique onsen experience in
Tokyo, then this is the place for you.
The next topic is the Ghibli Museum in
Mitaka, a city of western Tokyo.
This museum is the animation and art showcase of
the Academy Award-winning animator (J: Miyazaki Hayao) and his company Studio Ghibli.
There is also a mini-theater where you can watch
original short films and a gift shop stuffed with
Totoro, Ponyo, and other Ghibli studio products.
It’s important to know, however, that the museum is
extremely popular and you need to buy tickets
in advance. When buying the tickets, you must
also choose the time and date of your planned
visit.
The next topic is the Tsukiji Fish Market
(J: Tsukiji Shijyo).
This fish market is one of the world’s largest
and it is where you can visit the famous Tuna
Auction before dawn.
In the Tuna Auction area, you can see rows and
rows of massive tuna lying around and getting
cut up right in front of your eyes.
You don’t need a reservation to enter this area but
there is a limit of 120 visitors per day on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Visitor registration
starts at 5 o’clock in the morning or earlier.
After seeing the Tuna Auction, make sure to enjoy
fresh and delicious sashimi and sushi in the
restaurants just outside the market.
The last topic is Tokyo’s most
famous Shinto shrine, the Meiji Shrine or in Japanese (J: Meiji Jingu).
This shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and
and Empress Shoken. The shrine building itself
is beautiful but its 12-meter (J: torii) or gate made of
1,500-year-old cypress trees is also remarkable.
Seen as one of the most sacred shrine complexes
in Japan, the Meiji Shrine attracts more prayers
during the New Year period than any other
shrine in the country.
If you are lucky, you can also catch a glimpse of
a traditional Shinto-style wedding ceremony on
Sunday mornings.
That’s all we have for this lesson.
How many of those places have you visited?
How did you like them?
Leave us a comment and let us know!
Thanks for listening and we’ll see you next time. Until then, bye!

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