Events in July–August 2023

  • WWD Tokyo Day 1**

    Category: What We Did WWD Tokyo Day 1**


    July 12, 2023

    What We Did - Tokyo Day 1

    Stop 1

    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

    Stop 2

    Daikanyama- Daikanyama: A Guide To Tokyo’s Little Brooklyn

    Lunch - Maison ICHI Daikanyama
    メゾン・イチ 代官山

    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.

    Stop 3 - Rest at hotel

    Stop 4

    Dinner in Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho - Official Site

    Zaraku Shibuya
    個室居酒屋 座楽 渋谷駅前店

    Walked around Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho on our way back to the hotel

     

    Tokyo
    Tokyo
    Japan
    View Location
    Map Tokyo
  • Activate JR Pass*

    Category: JR Pass Activate JR Pass*

    –
    July 13, 2023

    Where to activate JR Pass in Tokyo before taking Tokaido Shinkansen:

    Tokyo Station JR EAST Travel Service Center (Marunouchi North Exit) 7:30-20:30
    Tokyo Station JR Tokai Ticket Office (Yaesu Central Exit) 7:30-20:30

    OR

    Shinagawa Station Information Center (Central Ticket Gate) 9:00-19:00
    Shinagawa Station JR Tokai Ticket Office 9:00-19:00

    ORDERED on 5/15/23

    We'll each get a one-week JR Pass from Amnet. We can take most any train as often as we like, including the Shinkansen (Bullet Train).

    JR Pass Info: https://travelwithamnet.com/jr-pass

    Only for foreign tourists

    Must pick up at Amnet office with passport

    Activate in Japan before first use

     

    WWD Osaka Day 1

    Category: What We Did WWD Osaka Day 1

    –
    July 13, 2023

    Breakfast from Family Mart the night before.

    Shinkansen from Shibuya Station to Shin Osaka.

    Checked into AirBNB (Not ready when we arrived)

    Waited on the rain.

    Eventually left for Hirano Gion – Kumata Shrine, Hirano Ward, Osaka

    Click here for Hirano Gion Info

    Saw some of the float prcessions

    Ate grilled beef tongue, cold cucumbers and other festival food

    Never got to witness the ceremonies within the shrine, taiko drumming, the fortunes, etc.

     

    Kumata Shrine, Hirano Ward, Osaka
    2 Chome-1-67
    Hirano Miyamachi, Osaka 547-0046
    Japan
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    Map Kumata Shrine, Hirano Ward, Osaka
  • WWD Osaka Day 2

    Category: What We Did WWD Osaka Day 2

    –
    July 14, 2023

    Ate amazing croissants in our room from Cafe&Croissant in Kuromon Market.

    Shopping in Tsūtenkaku/Shinsekai near Tsūtenkaku Tower.

    Ate kushage in Shinsekai at Yaekatsu (八重勝) 3 Chome-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002.

    https://www.tsunagujapan.com/the-right-way-to-eat-the-famous-osaka-kushikatsu/

    David, Patty, Kyoko and Ian explored Dontonbori at night. Saw a band of buskers play on the bridge.

    Stopped for drinks and snacks on the water at Motokara "Japanese style Smoked Dishses Restaurant" (燻製バル モトカラ 難波店｜女子会 道頓堀) 〒542-0084 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Souemoncho, 入り口は道頓堀川沿い 7-11 B1F

    Shinsekai
    3 Chome-2
    Naniwa Ward, Osaka 556-0002
    Japan
    View Location
    Map Shinsekai
  • Last day JR Pass

    Category: JR Pass Last day JR Pass


    July 19, 2023

  • WWD Yokohama Day 1

    Category: What We Did WWD Yokohama Day 1

    July 26, 2023

    Went sightseeing and shopping around Minato Mirai 21.

    Sarah and Ian got eyeglasses at Owndays optometrist at Mark IS mall https://www.owndays.com/jp/ja/shops/681.

    Tried to go to Megmi Suisan kaiten sushi on the 4th floor in Mark IS mall https://neo-emotion.jp/post_kaitensushi/mark-is/. Since the pandemic, kaiten sushi is a thing of the past, so there was no sushi on the conveyer belt. Ian thought the place smelled bad so we left. Went to Kamakura Pasta restaurant instead, also on the 4th floor. David took more bread than he was allowed from the bread bar and was reprimanded by the bread lady, who rang a bell every time she brought out fresh bread. https://www.saint-marc-hd.com/kamakura/menu/kamakura/ https://www.saint-marc-hd.com/kamakura/shop/370/

    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/

     

  • Incomplete

    Category: What We Did Incomplete

    July 31, 2023

    Brunch with Mihoko at Garden Cafe

    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.