I’m finally here!!! And it is amazing!!!
I am planning to make a little summary at the end of my trip through Japan, but for now I would like to give you a more insightful view of what each city is like! When it comes to Tokyo, I was there for the first 5 days and frankly I feel like I have only managed to scratch the surface of this beautiful city, but please don’t worry I will be heading there on my last two days for some last minute shopping and more sightseeing!
DAY 1- Arriving to Tokyo
I landed in Tokyo at 12 o’clock and it took me around one hour to pick up my luggages and get to the hotel. I was staying in Northern Tokyo, specifically by the Ueno Park, at one of the APA Hotels– I took the train from the airport directly to the Ueno station because it was much cheaper. Initially I wanted to take a taxi, but they said at the airport it can cost me up to $250 (crazy!!!). When I got there I could not check-in the hotel yet because the regular hotel night starts at 3PM here, so I just decided to leave my luggages and have a walk around Ueno Park.
Ueno Park is open to public with lots lots museums of western culture as well as traditional japanese museum. It took me a little over two hours to go through it all with only walking into Tokyo National Museum, where I could learn something about Japanese decorative arts, their religion and experience my first meeting with real japanese gardens.
Here is an image of dream fortune telling pillows. For example, if dream of flying it is believed to mean that you will get something you have lost back 🙂
Unfortunately, I was jetlagged and tired so I went back to the hotel to have a 2hrs nap. When I woke up and went out of the hotel I was shocked how different the area seemed to me with all the lights on! I was truly amused because even though I used to live in New York it was something I have never seen before! I decided to walk from the Ueno Park down the street to Akihabara, which is an are very famous for their video games playing and music stores, also please do not forget that amazing restaurants are pretty much everywhere!
DAY 2- Northern Tokyo
During day 2 I was still waiting for my JR Pass to arrive to the hotel (which is like a golden ticket to travel within Tokyo as well as outside too all major cities) so I decided to explore more of the Northern Tokyo since I did not have really done that on the previous day.
Firstly I have walked all the way to the river side, where I had a chance to see some of Tokyo’s amazing architecture and get my way straight to the Asakusa temples.
(Please note my hat with ears- already adapting Japanese fashion haha)
Before I entered the temples I walked through the market, where you find some Japan exclusive food and fashion.
Later on I moved to the kitchen town, also called Kappabashi.I am not exactly the best cook myself, but many of my friends are total freaks and they transferred some of their knowledge onto me, so I am always happy to appreciate different cooking methods and tools.
Later on I walked all the way to Chiboya park, where the Tokyo Imperial Palace is located. It was absolutely stunning over there, cause that was when the sun came out and I could appreciate the leftovers of some Sakura (Cherry Blossom).
By the afternoon I had my first meal, which costed only 11$ (this would never happen anywhere else, considering the amount of fish and different dishes in total I had)
DAY 3&4- Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya
These were my favourite days in Tokyo as I had a chance to explore it with my friends who were currently in Tokyo as well. We met up in Shinjuku and went through Harajuku all the way to Shibuya. These are the areas where you can really experience what local people do when in the city. They are full of different shops, restaurants and bars (that is including outstanding karaoke spots). They are also probably the best spots to buy some gifts for your friends.
(Fun fact, that building with standing out windows was apparently inspired by Pikkachu from Pokemons)
The picture below was taken at the famous Love Hotel Hill, which is the place where it is quite common to rent a room for a little something somethin with you loved ones (or not).
DAY 5-last day, Tokyo Bay
I am afraid to say that on that day I was really hungover from drinking and singing till early morning at Shibuya’s karaoke, but I have still managed to get out of bed and force myself to go to Tokyo’s bay which was later followed by a walking distance park, Himarikyu Gardens.Â
Now it is time to head to Kyoto, but please be patient for more updates!!