Kyu Asakura House
Five minutes on foot from Daikanyama station, this beautifully preserved private residence that has been turned into a museum provides a peek into a traditional Japanese home, constructed in 1919. The former residence of the Asakura Family was built by its patriarch, Torajiro Asakura, and is a fantastic relic of Taisho era Japan that lasted from 1912 to 1926. Its wooden architecture and meticulously manicured Japanese gardens make it a true hidden gem and important cultural site.
Le Cordon Blue is a French culinary academy, originally founded in Paris and now with branches across the world. This outpost in Daikanyama is called “La Boutique Cafe” and serves cakes, deli items, wine, beers, French bread and — of course — coffee. While students are busy learning the craft of cooking, the guests can enjoy some pastries on the little outside terrace.
Shimokitazawa (station): Tokyo’s Bohemian Hub - Setagaya ward, just two stations away from Shibuya and Shinjuku. Upon arrival to the train station, head towards the north exit. Shop to your heart’s content in the myriad of second-hand clothing stores and sundry shops that line the station’s front street and Sakae-dori Street.
=== 5/21
We'll spend a full day in Tokyo after arriving to unwind a bit before leaving for Osaka the next day. Luckily, jet lag is really only an issue traveling East, so we'll be tired from the flight, but not too disoriented. We'll have two more full days in Tokyo at the end of the trip as well.
Still, we'll have all day and night in Tokyo! There are also shrines and temples in Tokyo, but I've left them out. We will see far more beautiful ones in Kyoko, Koyasan and Kamakura. There are much more fun things to do in Tokyo:
Immersive, interactive multimedia art exhibition. This is definitely at the top of our Tokyo To Do List, if not now, then at the end of the trip if you choose to join us. It's like the Van Gogh Experience on steroids. The artists group, teamLab, worked with Senju on an exhibition in 2018 that we saw. Their work is amazing. This exhibit will close in December. It is extensive and will take a few hours to see. Address - Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Shibuya Station (aka Shubuya Scramble Square) - home to the famous intersection of people scrambling in every direction.
Shibuya Sky - observation deck overlooking the square - ¥2000
Center Gai (センター街 Sentaa-gai). The narrow street leading away from the station to the left of the giant video screen. Lots of shops, though shopping at the end of the trip would make more sense.
Tokyu Hands, 12-18 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (end of Center-gai) - very fun lifestyle store.
Music Stores - HMV and Tower Records still exist in Japan
Home of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. Definitely recommend catching a baseball game while in Japan, either here or in Yokohama (Bay Stars). More like a three-ring circus than a sporting event. It's a fun, crazy yet relaxing time.
The tallest structure in Japan, and the second tallest in the world (One World Trade Center is fifth). The downside is that there aren't a lot of tall buildings in Tokyo due to the frequency of earthquakes, so there's really not much to see except the immense urban sprawl. There's also its shorter predecessor, Tokyo Tower.
Roppongi is known for its nightlife (bars, restaurants, and dance clubs). It's also know for being the most diverse, cosmopolitan area of Tokyo, so, while there's plenty of great Japanese dining, it's also a good choice when you're finally sick of eating Japanese food.
Ginza is the Tokyo version of 5th Avenue or the Back Bay in Boston. All the big brands have their flagship stores here. Fine for window shopping, but you'll find better deals elsewhere.
- Famous for three fountains (longevity, academic success, or luck in love)...
- Jishu Shrine (behind the main hall)... walk between stones with eyes closed to bring true love
- In Higashiyama District
- Considered as one of the most beautiful in Japan
- Founded in the 14th century by shogun Ashikaga Takauji
- Located in Arashiyama
- Connected to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (See below)
Nara (奈良市, Nara-shi, Japanese: [naꜜɾa]) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of 2022, Nara has an estimated population of 367,353 according to World Population Review, making it the largest city in Nara Prefecture and sixth-largest in the Kansai region of Honshu.
Iriomote is only about 10% inhabited. That means that we need to bring almost everything we need with us!! That includes cash, toiletries, etc. There are very few stores. Last time we were there, there were no ATMs at all. We will likely pay for the hotel IN CASH when we are there, so we will need to get enough cash in Ishigaki or earlier before we go. We are still looking into a way to pre-pay.
We are hoping to do a snorkeling excursion by boat on the full day. Iriomote is even more beautiful underwater than it is above! We will be provided with wetsuits, snorkels and fins. We will also likely do a hike on the other day we are there. We can arrange the excursions at the hotel.
We will definitely be getting new eyeglasses while in Japan, probably while we are in Yokohama. Prices are very reasonable, so you might consider getting some if you can find a style you like. The whole process takes about an hour.
- Directly outside our hotel
- Yokohama Air Cabin 🚠 The First Urban Ropeway in Japan
- Aka-Renga Soko (Red Brick Warehouse)
- Cosmo World Amusement Park - Ferris Wheel
- Yokohama Minatomirai Manyo Club (Spa)
- Osanbashi Pier - Very unique, great views
- S/PARK Museum - Sheseido Cosmetics Museum
- Yokohama Air Cabin (Ropeway)
- Nippon Maru - Tall Ship
- Bay Quarter - Restaurants & Shopping
- Sea Bass - Water tour
- Yodobashi Camera - B&H on steroids
Kamakura was the de facto capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333 as the seat of the Kamakura shogunate, and became the nation's most populous settlement during the Kamakura period.
Kamakura is a popular domestic tourist destination in Japan as a coastal city with a high number of seasonal festivals, as well as ancient Buddhist and Shinto shrines and temples.
Kamakura was the de facto capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333 as the seat of the Kamakura shogunate, and became the nation's most populous settlement during the Kamakura period.
Kamakura is a popular domestic tourist destination in Japan as a coastal city with a high number of seasonal festivals, as well as ancient Buddhist and Shinto shrines and temples.
Immersive, interactive multimedia art exhibition. This is definitely at the top of our Tokyo To Do List, if not now, then at the end of the trip if you choose to join us. It's like the Van Gogh Experience on steroids. The artists group, teamLab, worked with Senju on an exhibition in 2018 that we saw. Their work is amazing. This exhibit will close in December. It is extensive and will take a few hours to see. Address - Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Shibuya Station (aka Shubuya Scramble Square) - home to the famous intersection of people scrambling in every direction.
Shibuya Sky - observation deck overlooking the square - ¥2000
Center Gai (センター街 Sentaa-gai). The narrow street leading away from the station to the left of the giant video screen. Lots of shops, though shopping at the end of the trip would make more sense.
Tokyu Hands, 12-18 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (end of Center-gai) - very fun lifestyle store.
Music Stores - HMV and Tower Records still exist in Japan
Home of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. Definitely recommend catching a baseball game while in Japan, either here or in Yokohama (Bay Stars). More like a three-ring circus than a sporting event. It's a fun, crazy yet relaxing time.
The tallest structure in Japan, and the second tallest in the world (One World Trade Center is fifth). The downside is that there aren't a lot of tall buildings in Tokyo due to the frequency of earthquakes, so there's really not much to see except the immense urban sprawl. There's also its shorter predecessor, Tokyo Tower.
Roppongi is known for its nightlife (bars, restaurants, and dance clubs). It's also know for being the most diverse, cosmopolitan area of Tokyo, so, while there's plenty of great Japanese dining, it's also a good choice when you're finally sick of eating Japanese food.
Ginza is the Tokyo version of 5th Avenue or the Back Bay in Boston. All the big brands have their flagship stores here. Fine for window shopping, but you'll find better deals elsewhere.
Immersive, interactive multimedia art exhibition. This is definitely at the top of our Tokyo To Do List, if not now, then at the end of the trip if you choose to join us. It's like the Van Gogh Experience on steroids. The artists group, teamLab, worked with Senju on an exhibition in 2018 that we saw. Their work is amazing. This exhibit will close in December. It is extensive and will take a few hours to see. Address - Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Shibuya Station (aka Shubuya Scramble Square) - home to the famous intersection of people scrambling in every direction.
Shibuya Sky - observation deck overlooking the square - ¥2000
Center Gai (センター街 Sentaa-gai). The narrow street leading away from the station to the left of the giant video screen. Lots of shops, though shopping at the end of the trip would make more sense.
Tokyu Hands, 12-18 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (end of Center-gai) - very fun lifestyle store.
Music Stores - HMV and Tower Records still exist in Japan
Home of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. Definitely recommend catching a baseball game while in Japan, either here or in Yokohama (Bay Stars). More like a three-ring circus than a sporting event. It's a fun, crazy yet relaxing time.
The tallest structure in Japan, and the second tallest in the world (One World Trade Center is fifth). The downside is that there aren't a lot of tall buildings in Tokyo due to the frequency of earthquakes, so there's really not much to see except the immense urban sprawl. There's also its shorter predecessor, Tokyo Tower.
Roppongi is known for its nightlife (bars, restaurants, and dance clubs). It's also know for being the most diverse, cosmopolitan area of Tokyo, so, while there's plenty of great Japanese dining, it's also a good choice when you're finally sick of eating Japanese food.
Ginza is the Tokyo version of 5th Avenue or the Back Bay in Boston. All the big brands have their flagship stores here. Fine for window shopping, but you'll find better deals elsewhere.
