Japan Travels!

Hi All, 

I realize it's been quite a while since I wrote my last post, but that's because I've been in between finding a new apartment, packing for my trips to Japan and Thailand, and then just trying to finish up everything I've for work! In this post,  I'll write a 5-7-5 Haiku poem, which is originally a Japanese style of poetry. 

Then I'll go over my Japan travels and some recommendations on places to eat, things to do and places to stay. My next post will be about Thailand! 

Here's my Haiku below: 

Tokyo People

Tokyo night lights
The young working, dawn till dusk
with respect, kaizen

Places to Stay:

  • I'd recommend staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya. These are the young and happening areas. I'd also recommend staying in these areas close to a train line, as Tokyo is accessible anywhere by train line. 
  • Be prepared to understand that space is a luxury in Tokyo and hotels rooms will be SMALL!  We stayed at the E-hotel Higashi Shinjuku and it was REALLY compact.
  • I'd also recommend trying one night at a traditional Japanese Inn, or Ryokan. This is a small in with hot baths, and futon beds, serving Japanese and Western style breakfasts. The service is delightful! We stayed at one in Asakusa right next to the Sensoji temple!

Things to Do:

Shinjuku: 

  • Go to an Owl Cafe or a Cat Cafe: We went and had some green tea and then pet some cute owls.  Linked is one you could go to
  • Robot Cabaret Show: All I have to say is that you just need to do this wild crazy, experience. YouTube it.
  • Nightlife! Though we didn't do too much on the nightlife front we did visit the Golden Gai, and it was really cool! The Golden Gai is basically this area in Shinjuku where there are tiny drinking dens that fit usually 5-10 people and are a really cool experience 

Shibuya 

  • Shibuya crossing: Walk across the famous intersection in Shibuya crossing and see it packed with lights and shoppers, and take a snap!
  • Takeshita Street: This is a small street lined with shops where you can purchase clothing and souvenirs
  • Ometesando: This area is an avenue lined with classy shops, and kind of reminds me of Michigan avenue! You can also visit Koen Dori and find posh shops as well.
  • Meiji Shrine: Visit the Meiji Shrine, Fill out a wish votive tablet to put in a prayer, and walk through the gardens.
  • Nonbei Yokocho: This is another area with tiny drinking dens similar to the Golden Gai
  • Dogenzaka: Walk along this street to head towards Tokyo nightlife 
  • Go to a Karaoke Bar! 

Harajaku 

  • Go to the OK mart, and have a ball at the grocery store! I really enjoyed doing this! Buy Matcha kit kats, check out all the other snacks, green teas, sake, plum wine and more! 

Asakusa 

  • Sensoji temple: Visit it early in the  morning before all the tourists get there
  • Nakamise Shopping Street: These are all the shops along the street to the Sensoji temple. You can get souvenirs and  desserts 
  • Get a picture in front of the Golden Turd and get a laugh out of it
  • See Geishas come out (We didn't get to see this). Apparently they hang out on the weekends and there are shows 
  • Get a free view of the Tokyo tower from the Asakusa Tourist Information center 
  • Ueno Indian restaurants: If you are craving Indian food, go to Indian restaurants near here. They are located about a mile away from the main Sensoji area. We stumbled upon Indian restaurants nearby, but didn't get a chance to eat there! 

Chiyoda: 

  • Go to the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace Gardens. Make sure that you get tickets online ahead of time or get same day tickets by going in at 8:30 am for the Imperial Palace tickets. You don't need tickets for the gardens.

Minoto: 

  • Tokyo Tower: Go visit it and take a snap, as it looks like the Eiffel tower!

    Otherwise just wander the streets of Tokyo and get lost in the lights and action! 

 Anyway, for those wanting to travel to Tokyo, here are some of things we ate as vegetarians: 

  • Vegetarian Ramen: Our favorite place was this tiny restaurant in Tokyo Station called T's Tan Tan.
  • Pancakes: The Japanese are really really into American pancakes. We waited 30 minutes in line to go to Rainbow Pancakes
  • Tea: I had to have tea when in Japan. Although, I did this city style and in a pretty little flower market called Ayoma tea and flower market. I loved their herbal relax teas and dessert! 
  • Experience Dinner: We went to this Ninja dinner place called Ninja Asaka! You have to go through small stairs and a secret room to get in but it's a beautiful set up place :)
  • Desserts & Drinks: 
    • Melonpan Bread: The bread is called melonpan, because it looks like a melon or cantaloupe, but it is really a sweet dough bread, that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Linked is some more information about this dessert. We found it on the streets in Asakusa near Sensoji temple
    • Dorayaki:  is a type of Japanese confection, а red-bean pancake which consists of two small pancake-like patties made from castella wrapped around a filling of sweet Azuki red bean paste.[1][2] (Source: Wikipedia). This was SO delicious! We also found it in on the streets in Asakusa near Sensoji temple
    • Daifuku: This is mochi with various fillings like red bean paste or white bean paste
    • Dessert Like Drinks: This bar called the bar code name mixology had  amazing drinks including one called the Mascara Tiki with Prune Chai Vodka that appealed to my Indian roots!  Additionally, it had a very cool and classy vibe!
    • Get Sweet Sake somewhere! It's delicious! 

 

Hope this post helps for first time visitors to Tokyo!

Here is this super comfy dress that I wore traveling and it's only 25 dollars! See the link here: https://goo.gl/zq8C6M

Fun travel dress!