Last month, our long-anticipated trip to Japan finally came to life. Of course, our luck had it that it coincided with the government shutdown, but thankfully, our flights went off without any delay. It was our first time flying United. While the flight itself was smooth with a friendly crew and plenty of entertainment, the food left much to be desired (a bit of a disappointment after 13 hours in the air from Chicago!).
When we finally landed in Tokyo, we were exhausted but eager to explore.
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| Shibuya, regarded for its trendsetting culture and fashion |
We reached our hotel around 7 p.m. and, after checking in, immediately wandered out to explore the neighborhood. We spotted a subway station and went in to buy subway passes, specifically, the SUICA passes, which you can use on subways, buses and trams in different cities and even at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Easy, right? Yet somehow the six of us could not figure out those ticket machines (in English), even after asking the station attendant (whose English was minimal). We finally gave up.
The next morning, we took a short, leisurely walk to Tokyo Station. The serenity ended the moment we stepped inside. Tokyo Station is a massive maze of trains, shops, and restaurants, with a constant stream of people rushing in every direction. Navigating it was an adventure by itself.
Our first stop was JINS for eyeglasses (prescription included). We'd heard rave reviews about their friendly, efficient service, free eye exams, and glasses that cost half of what we’d pay in the U.S. And yep, all of it was true. We were in and out in an hour, with our new glasses ready for pickup two hours later.
Next up: getting those elusive SUICA passes. Apparently, there are subway stations and there are JR (Japan Rail) stations. Who knew the difference? You can only get the SUICA passes at a JR station, and Tokyo Station is one of them. Mystery solved. After securing our passes, we made our way to the legendary Ramen Street.
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| Ramen Street, in the basement of Tokyo Station |
Did we mention Tokyo Station is a zoo? Getting to Ramen Street was a challenge as we kept getting lost in the sea of stores and distractions. When we finally found it, most restaurants had long lines snaking out the door. Hungry and tired, we opted for the one with the shortest line. And to our delight, it turned out to be one of our favorite meals in Japan—flavorful, perfectly balanced (not too salty), and surprisingly cheap!
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| Udon noodle soup and tempura over rice. Yum! |
With our bellies happy, we headed back to JINS to pick up our glasses. Then we use our shiny new SUICA cards to take the subway. We were pretty impressed with how clean and efficient both the stations and
the trains were—so organized, it felt almost futuristic.
If Tokyo Station wasn’t chaotic enough, welcome to Shibuya Crossing. It’s like Times Square, but more cramped, packed, and overwhelming. Even in the afternoon, the crowds were thick, and the neon signs added to the sensory overload. We snapped our obligatory photos (see first picture), then made a quick escape, leaving the madness to the other tourists.
A local friend took us on a leisurely stroll to Meiji Jingu Shrine, guiding us down a picturesque street lined with Ginkgo trees. The fall colors hadn’t quite reached their peak, but the bright yellow leaves of the Ginkgo trees made for a beautiful sight.
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| Walking past these pretty Gingko trees on a cloudy afternoon |
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| Torri gate to the shrine |
The walkway leading to Meiji Jingu Shrine is impressively wide and open, so even with the steady stream of locals and tourists, it never felt crowded. Instead, there was a calm, almost tranquil atmosphere as we strolled toward the shrine. As we passed through the main gate, we were greeted by a stunning display of chrysanthemums, apparently from an exhibition celebrating the Autumn Festival. It was the perfect blend of nature and culture, adding a special touch to our visit.
As I mentioned in my previous post, we wrapped up our first day in Tokyo with a memorable 10-course meal at an izakaya in Daikanyama (代官山), a trendy neighborhood in Shibuya. Known for its boutique shops and artsy vibe, it’s often referred to as "the Brooklyn of Tokyo" (according to Wikipedia, at least). As we wandered through the area, we stumbled upon a charming little grocery store, where a vibrant display of persimmons and pears immediately caught our attention. We couldn’t resist—and left with over two dozen of these delicious, juicy fruits!
The meal at the izakaya was truly an experience. It kicked off with a light, comforting soup and then flowed into an array of fresh sashimi, grilled fish, juicy steak, and a mix of other mouthwatering dishes. From start to finish, it was a culinary journey we won’t soon forget!
Stay tuned for more as we continue to explore this vibrant city!
This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.
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