Tokyo has so much to see and do. We were here for a week (the final international destination of our around the world trip in 2014 and 2015) and barely scratched the surface of this amazing place. We visited the main neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Akihabara, as well as made it out of the city for several day trips.
The four of us enjoyed being in Tokyo but not as much as we were expecting. July is one of the worst times to be in Japan…if it is not raining it is incredibly hot and muggy. Then throw in the crowds of people. Shopping areas were filled with so many people that it makes Black Friday shopping in the US looked deserted. But there are so many things that we love about Japan…the very polite people, the temples, watching sumo wrestling, and oh…the food! We ate so much sushi! Almost everyday we ate at our favorite place, Sushiro, or other sushi restaurants sprinkled around the city.
One Week in Tokyo
On the Shinkansen
To get from Kyoto to Tokyo, we rode the Shinkansen, a journey that took about two and a half hours. Along the way we ate sushi bento boxes for lunch and watched Mt Fuji pass by our window. It doesn’t get any more Japanese than this.
Kamakura
We took a day trip out to Kamakura, located a hour south of Tokyo. We saw the Great Buddha, also known as Daibutsu, as well as the Hase-dera temple. While we were in Kamakura, a typhoon was just off the coast of Japan, bringing with it rain and wind, cutting short our visit to the area.
LEARN MORE: Kamakura Day Trip
Akihabara
Akihabara was one of our favorite areas of Tokyo. This is the spot for electronics shopping, karaoke, shopping for anime and manga, or spending hours in an arcade.
We went shopping at Yodibashi Camera, the world’s largest department store. For sale was any electronic device anyone could possible want, from cameras to TV’s to refrigerators to electronic toilet seats. Our big purchase: a new mouse for Tyler. But we did have fun looking at the curved screen TV’s and the new cameras.
On the Metro
We were staying in an apartment north of Tokyo, guaranteeing us literally hours on the metro/train system everyday.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku Station is the world’s largest train station. Over three million people per day pass through this station, an incredible number, especially when considering that the entire population of New Zealand is 4.5 million people. This station has over 200 exits and contains 36 platforms. The area around Shinjuku Station is filled with shopping malls, neon lights, restaurants, and even Godzilla.
Shibuya Crossing
From the world’s largest train station we traveled over to the world’s busiest crosswalk in Shibuya. This neighborhood is another popular place for shopping. We were here on a Sunday afternoon and it was insanely crowded.
Ginza
Yet another neighborhood is Ginza, the place for upscale shopping.
Japanese Cuisine
Most menus are in Japanese but restaurants post displays of plastic food resembling the dishes to choose from. This was a huge help for us!
And here is some real food…udon noodles and rice. Yum!
Shopping in Tokyo
We went shopping on Kappabashi Street, buying a Japanese knife and some pottery. I am really starting to look forward to cooking again!
Meiji Shrine
In Tokyo, we visited our FINAL TEMPLE and it was a good one. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife and was built in 1912. This shrine was destroyed in WWII and then completely rebuilt. While here, we were lucky enough to watch a portion of a Japanese wedding.
Tsukiji Fish Market
We sampled some sautéed scallops and raw oysters at the Tsukiji Fish Market.
Our Final Destination Before Returning to the Good Ole USA
Tokyo was our final international destination on our trip around the world. It was an odd week, trying to see as much of Tokyo as possible, while looking forward to and dreading our return to the US. Throw in the fact that we now have the task of finding a place to live in when we return, so we have been working with our realtor and looking at properties online.
From Tokyo we fly to Los Angeles. It is hard to believe that this whole thing is coming to an end. It sure feels weird to be returning to the US, but that will be another post, so stay tuned!
More Information about Japan
Japan Travel Guide
Japan Travel Guide Japan is a place on every traveler’s bucket list, offering lively cities, beautiful natural parks, traditional villages, serene gardens, and sushi delivered on a conveyor belt. From modern cityscapes to ancient temples, Japan seamlessly blends the past and present. And, with a respectful lifestyle and welcoming community, it is a place you […]
How To Watch Sumo Wrestling in Japan
Our most anticipated day in Japan came on July 17…we had tickets to watch sumo wrestling in Japan, something we have been talking about for months now. I have to say, we have become lackadaisical travelers…rarely planning anything in advance anymore, showing up to new countries and cities having no idea what to see, do, […]
How to Plan a Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo
Kamakura is a small town located an hour south of Tokyo. Referred to as the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, tourists flock here to visit the Great Buddha and numerous temples. During the summer months, the beaches here attract many visitors. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from Enoshima. A Kamakura day trip is […]
First Impressions of Japan: 24 Hours in Osaka & Kyoto
Konnichiwa! We are now in Japan, our final country before heading home to the United States. At the time that I am writing this we have only been in Japan for four days and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite countries. I know it sounds like I have a lot of favorites but Japan […]
Feeding Deer in Nara, Japan
While getting ready in the morning, I was greeted with Tyler’s typical question, “Mom, what are we doing today?” When I asked them if they wanted to feed deer in Nara, I got a half-hearted yes from both Tyler and Kara. When I asked if they wanted to see more temples, I got an emphatic […]
How to Plan a Hiroshima Day Trip from Kyoto, Japan
Hiroshima is the site where the first of two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan during World War II. I had imagined Hiroshima to be a radioactive wasteland, a terrible, lingering reminder of the horror of WWII. As we learned on our day trip to Hiroshima, that is not the case at all. Hiroshima is […]
Kyoto, Japan in Photos
Since arriving in Japan, we have been sightseeing at warp speed. The clock is ticking…in just two short weeks our amazing adventure will be coming to a conclusion and we will be back in Columbia, Maryland. Feeling the need to squeeze every ounce that we can out of these last few weeks, we are out […]
Around the World Itinerary: 13 Months & 35 Countries
In 2014 and 2015, we spent 13 months traveling around the world. If you are considering long-term travel and need some inspiration, or just want to find out what we did, here is our around the world itinerary. An Overview of Our Around the World Trip Duration: 13 months, 396 daysCountries visited: 35Continents: 5Distance traveled: […]
Bali Bucket List: 20 Epic Things to Do in Bali
Bali, an enchanting island located in Indonesia, is a tropical paradise renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. Visit the rice terraces, relax on its pristine beaches, visit the ornate temples, and learn more about the Balinese culture…these all top the list of the best things to do in Bali. With its […]
Fiji…One Week In Paradise
Ahhh…Fiji. Paradise. Fiji was everything we expected and more. Crystal clear aquamarine water, white sandy beaches, amazing sunsets, beautiful islands. We joke around that Fiji is our vacation from our vacation…a very long vacation, I know. Here we got some much needed R & R from our fast paced travels around the world. I can’t […]
Samoa and American Samoa Itineraries with Hawaii & Fiji
Samoa and American Samoa are two countries that sit side-by-side in the South Pacific. They are separated by the International Date Line but share a lot of similarities. If you are planning your Samoa and American Samoa itinerary, there are multiple ways to do it. The biggest factors are where you are coming from and […]
Travel Itineraries: Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas & Oceania
Let us take the guesswork out of planning your next trip. Here are sample itineraries from some of the most popular destinations around the world.
Capturing the Action: How to Take Great Photos When Traveling
Traveling and photography go hand in hand. When you are in a new place and experiencing new things, it’s only normal that you would want to get that perfect photo, something to remember the moment by. I love photography. When I travel, one of the things I look forward to most is having a memory […]
Comments 13