A traveller's reflection: Japan 2019: 02 Scout HQ, Malaysian Embassy, Tokyo Camii Mosque and Shibuya Crossing...

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Japan 2019: 02 Scout HQ, Malaysian Embassy, Tokyo Camii Mosque and Shibuya Crossing...

"The Smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention..." - Japanese Proverb

(The Scout Headquarters in Tokyo)

Day 02 - Tuesday: 25/06/2019

Japanese Scout Headquarters

There were brief presentations from the representatives from both countries and the exchange of Scouts scarfs and souvenirs.

The Scout Association of Japan is the major Scouting organization of Japan. Starting with boys only, the organization was known as Boy Scouts of Japan from 1922 to 1971, and as Boy Scouts of Nippon from 1971 to 1995, when it became coeducational.

(The Scout HQ building)

(Exchange of souvenirs)

(The representatives from the Girl and Boy Scout)

(The Golden Girls )

(A group photo of the entourage)

(Drinks vending machine to quench our thirst)

The Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo

At The Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo we had the opportunity to meet the Embassy officials and H. E. Ambassador’s wife . The Embassy was established in January 1958 in Otowa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo and was re-located to Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo in 1966 and later on moved to the present address at 20-16 Nanpeidai-Cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo in November 1968. In 1989, the Government of Malaysia has approved the construction of the present Embassy Complex. The Complex consists of a Chancery and an Official Residence of the Ambassador. The construction of the Embassy Complex took three years to complete and it was inaugurated by YAB Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 24 December 1991.

(Visiting the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo)

(Presentation of Scout's souvenir plaque by Puan Normah)

(A group photo with the officials)

Tokyo Camii Mosque

Tokyo Camii Mosque is a mosque with an adjoining Turkish culture center located in the Ōyama-chō district of Shibuya ward in Tokyo. It is the largest mosque in Japan. The mosque was originally built along with an adjoining school in 1938 by immigrants from Russia who had come to Japan after the October Revolution. In 1986, the mosque had to be demolished because of severe structural damage. A new building was built to replace the old one in 1998.

(A brief history of the Tokyo Camii Mosque)

(Grand and harmonious Ottoman architecture)

The architect and the ornamentation was based on Ottoman religious architecture. Tokyo Camii is 734 square meters in area and has one basement floor and three above-ground floors. Its main dome is 23.25 meters tall and is supported by six pillars, while the adjacent minaret is 41.48 meters tall.

(Spacious main prayer hall on upper floor)

(Beautiful interior architecture)

(A visit from the local Muslim ladies)

The mosque is spacious and can accommodate around 1,200 worshipers. The reception room on the first floor, near the entrance to Tokyo Camii, is similar to the interior of a Turkish home. There is a halal market selling halal products. The multi-purpose hall on the first floor, where lectures on Islam are held, along with various Islamic and cultural events.

(A halal Market in the mosque)

(Many choices of packed ready to eat food)

(Halal instant spicy ramen noodle, my favorite)

(A picnic lunch at Tokyo Camii Mosque)

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is the most famous meeting point in Tokyo. Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing. It is located in front of the Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions to allow pedestrians to inundate the entire intersection.

(Shibuya Train Station)

(Myth of Tomorrow -a thought-provoking mural on the wall)

(Many interesting characters around Shibuya Station)

(The busy Shibuya Crossing captured from upper floor of Shibuya Station)

Just to the side of the crossing is the famous saddest dog-story statue of all time. Built to commemorate the loyal dog Hachiko, the statue is a sign of loyalty and fidelity. The faithful Akita dog would wait at the station every day for his owner Professor Ueno to return from work.