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.
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.
Gion Matsuri is Kyoko's (and maybe Japan's) biggest festival.
Yamaboko Junko - July 17 - Giant floats are carried out of the local shrines and are placed in the streets for viewing. Street festivities, food and traditional performances fill every block of the area.
- 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.
After lunch we went to the rooftop of Mark IS mall and saw the garden.
Patty went to doctor that evening at My Medical Clinic - Minato Mirai https://mymc.jp/minatomirai/. David and Patty went for prescription at Yokohama Station alone. Went back the next day because they gave her one too few antibiotic pills.
Ian, Kyoko and Sarah had dinner at Bonno Restaurant near Sakuragicho Station. http://www.bon-no.com/
- 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.
Dinner - Kyoko and Sarah had dinner with her mother and Mihoko in Totsuka. Ian, David and Patty tried to eat at Sushi Yamamoto (鮨山もと) in Hase. There was a family at the sushi bar. The father started telling how lucky we were to just walk in and eat since he had tried twice before and finally made a reservation. Just as we got settled, the chef, Yamamoto-san, holds up a tablet with the words, "I have a reservation coming soon. I only have enough rice for them." Surprised that a place with such a good reputation didn't have enough rice, we left. We found another restaurant, Kohana Sushi, 小花寿司, 1 Chome-11-13 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan. Two older chefs behind the bar were very accommodating and we had an excellent meal starting with sushi platters, then we started picking individual items, and a couple of small bottles of sake.
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.
・teamLab App
Understand Deeply and Enjoy More
We have prepared a guide app that allows you to read the concepts of the artworks near you.
Create the Artwork with Others
In The Infinite Crystal Universe, you can participate in the art using this app. You create the artwork with those around you.
・Distributed Fire
Light the Flame
When you launch this app and approach Universe of Fire Particles Falling from the Sky, your flame will ignite and you can take the artwork home with you.
Share the Flame
If you approach other people with the app, you can share your flame with them.
"Together with Others, Immerse your Entire Body, Perceive with your Body, and Become One with the World
teamLab Planets is a museum where you walk through water, and a garden where you become one with the flowers. It comprises 4 large-scale artwork spaces and 2 gardens created by art collective teamLab. People go barefoot and immerse their entire bodies in the vast artworks together with others. The artworks change under the presence of people, blurring the perception of boundaries between the self and the works. Other people also create change in the artworks, blurring the boundaries between themselves and the works, and creating a continuity between the self, the art, and others."
Address:
teamLab Planets TOKYO
Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0061
