I am so excited to finally go to Japan. This trip wasn’t even my plan. My boss (and friend) bought me a ticket as Christmas gift and the adventures to Japan began.
Needless to say it sparked the need to go to Japan at least one a year!
Gotokuji is most known as the birthplace of the Maneki Neko (beckoning cat)—-the cat that waves at you.
They sell those cats here which you can either leave along with the other cats or take it home with you as a souvenier.
I am famished! As I got off my ‘base station’ I saw a Japanese restaurants that sold the basics.
Having never ordered anything ever in Japan, I braved this location. Lo and behold, I saw the ticket vendo machine that they use for ordering.
It is awesome!!
I ordered the katsudon.
When I go to Japan, I make the most out of the trip and being an earlier riser, I can easily plan my day as early as 4:00/5:00 AM.
As a result, I see Japan right before it becomes full of people heading to work and school.
These are the memories and shots that stick with me.
Similarly, because I wake up early in the morning, I get to see Nakamise-dori and Asakusa before it becomes a tourist hole.
You can observe the people or take your time taking in the gorgeous structures.
Allocate a day or two to waking up early and put locations that you want to see without people. The experience is way different.
Nakamise Shopping Street is such an obviously tourist trap but I don’t mind getting caught in it.
If you want to do some souvenir shopping but you have to be careful about the budget, I recommend you take a look at the stores further away from the main street. The products are slightly cheaper and the designs more unique than the ones in the main street.
Akihabara! My happy place! I am so stoked to see a place filled with Japanese anime and manga characters.
Where in the world will there be a place where you can hear Japanese anime soundtrack playing in public streets? 😍😍😍