Atelopus · Cruciger

Well, I may just be a newbie with no authority, but I've been seeing a whole lot of lolitas lately. I ran into one in Akiba, one in Sapporo-eki, and one at the Sapporo summer festival - that's not including the flocks of girls shopping at the brand stores at MaruiOne, Takeshita-doori, and the Sapporo Aruta building. So, I figured I'd share a little of what I've seen.

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I don't want to go back! Heh, but I'm going through money way too quickly, plus I'm halfway through the length of my stay. I'll be hyped to come back and see everybody!

Today was my first day in Tokyo. Seeing it so many times in photos has made it strangely familiar to me. I think the Germans have a word for "nostalgia for somewhere you've never been." It would be apropos.
At Asakusa Shrine, two great Akita hounds lapped at the healing waters of the fountain of the Dragon King. For a second I felt guilty about my materialism. Then I looked around and saw the temple market, selling votive tablets and good luck charms displayed side-by-side with Chinese bric-a-brac.

The LaForet mall in Harajuku was surreal. Sweet and gothic shops alternated. Angelic Pretty with its sugary hues seemed to beckon from amidst the darkness of Atelier Pierrot and Putumayo. My dreams of Mary Magdalene were dashed when I attempted to try on one of their dresses. Curse my Western ribcage! Closet Child Harajuku disappointed. Brand X appears to have recently closed down; the empty windows still bear bright pink signs, but on the door below the main sign is a paper notice: "There is no store here." I bought a very nice Atelier Pierrot corset skirt. There was quite a bit of ritual and paperwork involved. Even after I decided on an item, purchasing took about 15 minutes.

Afterwards, Akihabara. Maids, eroge posters, seas of gaikokujin. We became quite lost on our way to the Tokyo Anime Center. Getting lost was more interesting than being there; I have never seen a more garish or obvious tourist trap. In search of it we wandered into a restaurant, an anime school, and a blood donation center. A cute lolita in saxon blue was sitting in the waiting room of the latter. Somehow, being surrounded by sterile white plastic made her look even sweeter, like a crocus amidst a field of snow.

Tomorrow I'm taking some non-Lolita friends to the shops in Shinjuku. I feel bad about dragging my fellow travelers around, but they seem to enjoy it. LaForet was a huge success, even among the men. I'm sort of nervous to lead a group on my own, but in a good way.