Author: Takeshi

Yesterday was our last day in Tokyo. We spent it catching up with friends, shopping, eating, shopping and doing some duty free shopping.

This morning, we’re off to Hiroshima!

We’re currently at Haneda airport where we just heard an announcement that our flight is delayed until 8:40am. It was scheduled for 8:35am. #japanesecustomerservice

Here are a few highlights from our time in Tokyo (currently updating):

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It was a Fuji-san kind of day. Magnificent from so many view points, including the Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Thank you for a clear day Fuji-san. -Nic

Mornin’.

Straight up, here’s a picture of our hotel breakfasts because some of you were super-interested:

Tak had scrambled eggs, wieners, bacon bits, a mini pain au chocolat and an iced coffee. Nic had cereal and pancakes (cooked on demand using a dedicated machine), hot coffee and orange juice.

Smaller Japanese hotel breakfasts are usually a buffet with single serves of natto, rice and miso soup alongside western options like pancakes, breads, yogurt, tea and coffee, juices and eggs. Thanks for attending my presentation.
– T

Itinerary:

KAMAKURA! Temples, the seaside, shrines, korokke and Daibutsu.

5:39pm (on the train back to Tokyo)

A day exploring outside of Tokyo – Caves carved by monks between 1200 and 1700 (Taya caves), a temple surrounded by a cedar forest (Engakuji Temple), the great Daibutsu (Kotoku-in) and lots of delicious food along the way. Oh and squirrels. Thank you Kamakura.

We chose to walk to many of the spots today rather than catching buses which feels like a great way to see quiet and suburban areas. And it gives Tak a better chance to spot “cool cars”. -Nic

9:05pm

Illuminations around Tokyo, including Marunouchi and Midtown, Coco Ichibanya for dinner (thanks Joe and Liv) and a cheeky surprise view of the Tokyo Tower. Not a bad way to end a day. -Nic

The breakfast option available when booking many Japanese hotels takes the guesswork out of setting oneself up well for the day. *nods sagely*

Today is mostly about visiting the Studio Ghibli museum at midday, a highlight for Nic. We’ll saunter the grounds of the Inokashira Park and I’m keen to get handmade udon-ramen hybrid noodles for lunch at Junteuchi Men to Mirai.

– Tak

9:14pm

The Ghibli museum was a delight. Entirely enchanting and filled with whimsy. Highly recommend, even if you are not a fan of the studio already. No photos inside really heightens the sense of wonder and allows you to stay immersed in the experience. – Nic

Day 1! A beautiful, chilly start to the day. When we woke up at 7am it was a delightful 0 degrees – we really are in our happy place. Currently 4 degrees.

Plan for the day – Uniqlo, yakiniku lunch with friends and Sumo. And anything else Tokyo has to show us as we set out on foot. -Nic

10:50pm

Was that truly only day #1 in Japan? Nic took over 19k steps and I managed 17k.

I used to watch sumo on TV with mum, so to see a match in person was special. The atmosphere was incredible. The whole crowd gasped or erupted in unison as the wrestlers slammed together, grappled, slapped and shoved at each other. What a spectacle!

Tokyo is a vast, bustling, supremely cool city. Everybody seems effortlessly stylish. Despite the sheer number of people, politeness, neatness and perfection of presentation do not falter. I feel more comfortable here in the heart of Tokyo than I do in most other places I’ve visited… and I think I could live here.

-Tak

We’re up so early we may get to the worm first, though I rarely eat so soon after waking.

– T

Accomplished: Head to Brisbane airport. The Valet Park service is great! So close to the entrance.

Accomplished: Breakfast and coffee.

Accomplished: The smallish matter of getting to Tokyo.

A few trains out from Narita and we’re now checked into our faintly smoky smelling non-smoking room. Tak wrestled the window open to let some fresh air in and now all we can smell is tempura. Also, the view of the offices directly across the street is second to none.

Aside from successfully arriving and settling in, Nic got her very first Eki Stamp from Shimbashi station!

It’s done.

– Tak

We leave tomorrow. Crazy. Today has been a day of final cleaning, washing, packing and waiting – all to the backdrop of constant rain. 

For me, today has also been a day of managing my travel anxiety which has peaked in new and interesting ways. From my suitcase being too full to filling out the customs form online correctly to whether or not we should use the dishwasher today. But what this has reinforced in me is how I want to approach this trip – one moment at a time. No worrying about trying to fit everything in or things being perfect or running out of time. Because thinking about any of those things means I’m not giving my full self to what is happening right in front of me.

So I guess I’ve created a mantra for this trip – I will be fully present in each moment and experience. Simple (I think). -Nic

240 or more days ago, Nicole and I booked a flight to Tokyo. Over the past eight months, we watched the timeline in our Qantas app tick down through the 100s, the double digits and finally down into the single digits.

We have one day to go before we leave for Tokyo on a four and a half week trip that will span Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Abashiri, Noboribetsu and Sapporo.

We’ll see sumo and wizards and legendary cars and drift ice, eat ramen and kaiten-sushi and many local snacks, look at art and castles and wildlife and temples, drink sake and Vitamin C1000 lemons and green tea, then freeze our backsides off in sub-zero temperatures before thawing them out in some hot springs. Nicole will get to see real snow for the first time ever. Can it really be kicking off in just one more day?

The below travel map outlines our route. Hit the “Timeline” button for an idea of how we’re getting about, when and why for.