Traveling Wherever

Traveling around the world, one month at a time.

Flags, water, and roller coaster at Tokyo Dome
Posted on by

One Week in Tokyo

Tokyo has become my second home. Here are a few things that were reinforced during this most recent visit:

1. It’s hot in August. Really hot.

2. Visit Hachiko at Shibuya Station. Even though I’ve seen him five times this year, he still managed to surprise me—an older Japanese man decided that Hachi should watch over his kittens, pictured below.

Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station

3. Sashimi bowls at Tsukiji Market continue to satisfy. (Tsukiji Market has officially moved. If you want this bowl, go to Ichiban.)

Sashimi

4. Nissan Crossing in Ginza is cool.

Nissan Concept Car

5. If you’re hot, and if you’re looking for a fun way to cool off, go to one of the many Karaoke Kan establishments in Tokyo.

Karaoke

6. Eat gyoza.

Gyoza

7. For an unusual Chinatown experience, go to one in Japan. (This one is in Yokohama. *Tip of the hat to LaShawn at The Yokohama Life.)

Yokohama Chinatown Gate

8. If you’re traveling with kids, Cup Noodle fans, or a really enthusiastic mom, go to the CupNoodles Museum in Yokohama where, among other things, you can make your own Cup Noodle!

Cup Noodles Museum

. . . and have a photo taken with the inventor.

Inside the Cup Noodles Museum

9. If you’re a ramen-head, check out the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. You’ll get a history of ramen (and how it came from China to Japan—and how Japanese ramen differs greatly from Chinese ramen). Then, you can go downstairs where there are several ramen restaurants.

Inside the Ramen Museum

One restaurant had miso ramen. I recommend it.

Bowl of miso ramen

10. Baseball games in Japan are fun. If you’re in Tokyo, check out a Yomiuri Giants game at the Tokyo Dome.

Flags, water, and roller coaster at Tokyo Dome

And sit in left field if you wish to be among the most spirited Japanese spectators!

Baseball fans at the Tokyo Dome

Try to learn the songs:

11. Eat soba.

12. And while I’m not a big Disney fan, if you’re at Tokyo Disney Sea during the summer, and if you’ve lined up to watch the Pirates of the Carribean show, and if you hear over the loud speakers that you “might” get wet . . . consider the video below.

Details:

Flights:
LAX-ICN Singapore Airlines 777-300, First Class (I wrote about the flight here.)
(And then a three-day stopover in Seoul.)
ICN-NRT Asiana Airlines A380, Business Class
NRT-SFO United Airlines 787-900, Polaris
SFO-LAX United Airlines 737-900, Economy
*All flights were paid for with points. Contact me if you have questions.

Hotel:
Westin Tokyo

Ground Transportation:
N’EX, JR Line, Subway

If you enjoyed this post, there is now a page dedicated to Japan posts at Traveling Wherever. And of course, should you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

13 comments

  1. I especially liked the baseball video because there was so much enthusiasm. The Disney Sea video was great because it showed the spectators getting wet and just laughing about it. Amazing…no complaints!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. For some reason I can’t sign in and comment through WordPress on my phone, but I just wanted to say I’m so happy and relieved that your mom enjoyed the ramen museum! I’m also glad you had a chance to visit Chinatown! What did she enjoy the most about the whole visit?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks LaShawn. I think she enjoyed the ramen museum a lot, and she also got a big kick out of the Yomiuri Giants game. Probably most surprising, though, was how much she enjoyed the egg-salad sandwich at Family Mart. (She wanted to go there everyday!)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. It’s funny you say that! The egg salad sandwich from there is becoming notorious. I’ve seen a few videos where people said they kept going back to buy more of them. Same with the nikuman.

        Like

Leave a comment