Hi, it’s Wes and Chanda, and welcome to DinkLife! Today, we’ll take you through our first full day in Tokyo, where we managed to explore a lot without feeling rushed.
We started the day bright and early, leaving our hotel around 8 am. Little did we know that the Tokyo Marathon was taking place that day, right outside our hotel. We were surprised by the sight of paramedics and the bustling crowd, but it didn’t deter us. We quickly adjusted our plans to avoid the marathon route and headed to our first destination: Akihabara.
Akihabara, a suburb of Tokyo, was just a short train ride away. The Akihabara station itself had a fascinating Milk Bar, offering various flavored milks, including some with alcohol. It was a unique experience since flavored milks aren’t as common where we come from. The milk came in cute little glass bottles. After enjoying our milk, we found a Starbucks nearby to grab some coffee, taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi before leaving. Keep in mind that Tokyo doesn’t have many public trash cans, so it’s better to finish your Starbucks drink inside.
Leaving Akihabara, we stumbled upon a massive department store called Yodobashi, which we had seen in a vlog. With nine floors filled with everything imaginable, it was like a Walmart but way better. They had an incredible selection of products, from clothes to appliances, video gaming chairs to clocks. It was overwhelming but in a good way. The colorful signs added to the vibrant atmosphere, making it a must-visit spot even if you don’t plan on buying anything.
After spending some time at Yodobashi, we planned to visit Super Potato, an arcade store in Akihabara. However, our route was blocked due to the marathon. We grabbed some lunch and then headed to Shibuya.
We wandered around Shibuya, taking in the busy streets and iconic Shibuya Crossing, which is often featured in movies and TV shows. It was a sight to behold, with thousands of people crossing the intersection in an organized manner.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the all-you-can-eat candy place we were looking for in Shibuya. We circled around and stumbled upon a high-end shopping store called Shibuya Scramble. Though we didn’t go up to the Sky Deck, we enjoyed exploring the store’s many levels filled with various items, from clothes to food. It was like a treasure trove.
Another notable spot in Shibuya is the statue of Hachiko, a dog known for its loyalty to its deceased owner. The statue pays tribute to this heartwarming story, and it’s a popular spot for photo ops.
Leaving Shibuya, we made our way to Harajuku, a trendy and vibrant neighborhood, especially popular among teenagers and college students. As we explored the main strip of Harajuku, we were thrilled to find a Dog Cafe, where we could spend time with adorable small dogs. Being dog lovers ourselves, it was a heartwarming experience, and we highly recommend it to fellow dog enthusiasts.
We continued strolling through Harajuku, checking out various shops offering Kawaii fashion and delicious street food. Harajuku is known for its unique food options, including strawberries on sticks, potatoes on sticks, and mouthwatering crepes. We also got caught up in the excitement of gachapon machines, which offer a wide range of miniature collectibles. We ended up spending quite a bit on these addictive machines.
To cap off the day, we headed to Shinjuku for dinner. Shinjuku is a bustling district known for its vibrant nightlife and extensive dining options.
After dinner, we took a stroll through Shinjuku’s entertainment district. The streets were illuminated with neon lights, and there were numerous arcades, bars, and clubs. While we didn’t venture into any establishments, we enjoyed the energetic atmosphere and people-watching.
As the night grew late, we made our way back to our hotel, reflecting on the exciting day we had in Tokyo. Despite encountering unexpected obstacles like the marathon and adjusting our plans accordingly, we managed to explore Akihabara, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku. Each neighborhood offered a unique experience, from the tech-filled streets of Akihabara to the trendy fashion and street food of Harajuku.
Overall, our first full day in Tokyo was a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and flavors. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our Japanese adventure!
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