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Kanto Region, Japan (Winter) 2019

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benjaminjozef.deleon

We have been waiting for this family trip to Japan for a while now. I will be leading this expedition as this is my third Japan trip and second in Tokyo. It helps that I am a Japanophile.

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2nd visit

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trip-journal-location
Narita, Taito

Day 1 Itinerary

Places visited: Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) - Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)

Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)

We got miles! So we rode Delta for this trip. Having ridden only Jetstar for the past two trips, all the small perks in this trip is absolutely worth it.

Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination
Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination

Visiting the Sensō-ji Temple Illumination

We arrived in our Airbnb a bit later than I planned but we had enough time to enjoy the Senso-ji illumination and an empty but well lit Nakamise-dori.

During my first trip to Senso-ji, I was still finding my bearing. It was only now I truly got to full appreciate the temple grounds.

This is not a bad first visit with the destination for the family.

trip-journal-location
Taito, Sumida

Day 2 Itinerary

Places visited: Senso-ji Temple - Nakamise Shopping Street - Ueno Park - Benten-dō - Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine - Starbucks - Ueno Toshogu Shrine - Ameya-Yokocho - Nakamise Shopping Street - Tokyo Skytree

Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning
Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning

Visiting Sensō-ji Temple in the Morning

I want to make the most of my trips to Japan so I often start very early. Like 4:00 AM early.

Thankfully, we are a family of early risers so waking up at 4:00 am is a piece of cake.

Since Senso-ji is right beside Asakusa Station, it would make sense to see the temple during the day before the crowds descend upon this place.

I showed my family how to purify yourself and how to find get your Omikuji Paper Fortunes.

Once we got those instaworthy shots, we headed to Ueno.

Nakamise Shopping Street

Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park
Visiting Ueno Park

Visiting Ueno Park

Asakusa and Ueno have always been a pair destination for me. I always make sure to visit Ueno Park when I am in the area.

Coming fro a country with very small to no greenspaces, I appreciate areas like Ueno Park.

The place holds tons of temples, shrine and memorials and sometimes there will be small set ups.

Benten-dō
Benten-dō
Benten-dō
Benten-dō
Benten-dō
Benten-dō
Benten-dō

Benten-dō

Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine

Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine

After that quick visit to Benten-do, we visited one of the many shrines dedicated to inari.

It really looked like a miniature version of Fushimi-Inari Shrine. The shot of the torii pathway looks really awesome!

Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks

Starbucks

We need to get out of the cold and to warm ourselves up. Since we haven’t had our coffee for the day, it would be perfect to sit down, admire the park while warming up.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

One of the many shrines dedicate to Tokugawa Iyeyasu but this particular shrine has a golden facade.

This shrine survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II.

Ameya-Yokocho
Ameya-Yokocho
Ameya-Yokocho
Ameya-Yokocho
Ameya-Yokocho
Ameya-Yokocho
Ameya-Yokocho

Ameya-Yokocho

Forget shopping. This is a place to eat. Most of the things they sell here you can find in other shopping streets.

Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Shopping Street

Nakamise Shopping Street

The ultimate tourist trap but its a great place for first or second time visitors to try the variety of Japanese snack and tradition items. Here are some of the items I found here:

1. Furoshiki (wrapping cloth)

2. Bokken (wooden training sword)

3. Furin (windchime)

4. Hashi (chopsticks)

5. Sensu (folding fan)

6. Uchiwa (non-folding fans)

7. Festival Masks

8. Tabi Socks

Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree

If you want to see some view but don’t want to pay the fee to reach the very top. There is a viewing deck attached to Tokyo Solamachi and Sky Tree itself.

Tokyo Solamachi offers a wide range of products from character merchandise to samurai stuff. Explore it from top to bottom.

trip-journal-location
Toshima, Chiyoda, Minato, Shibuya

Day 3 Itinerary

Places visited: Roppongi - FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER - Meiji Jingu - Owlpark ikebukuro - Ikebukuro

Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi
Roppongi

Roppongi

FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER
FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER
FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER
FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER
FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER

FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER

Never miss a Sunday mass!

English celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is at 8:00 AM on a Sunday.

Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu
Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu

Sunday Stroll at Meiji-Jingu

Owlpark ikebukuro
Owlpark ikebukuro
Owlpark ikebukuro
Owlpark ikebukuro
Owlpark ikebukuro
Owlpark ikebukuro
Owlpark ikebukuro

Owlpark ikebukuro

Shopping at Don Quijote

Shopping at Don Quijote

Don Quijote is always a good place to restock on your Japanese essentials or to get the ‘souvenir duties’ out of the way.

Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro

trip-journal-location
Kawagoe

Day 4 Itinerary

Places visited: Kawagoe Station - Kawagoe Kita-in Temple - 500 Rakan - Kawagoe - Toki no Kane - かのん - Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Welcome to Kawagoe!
Welcome to Kawagoe!
Welcome to Kawagoe!
Welcome to Kawagoe!
Welcome to Kawagoe!
Welcome to Kawagoe!
Welcome to Kawagoe!

Welcome to Kawagoe!

First time visiting Kawagoe and You can feel how the sky seem closer to the ground and how the pace of the people has slowed down.

Truly, I have left Tokyo.

Kawagoe Kita-in Temple
Kawagoe Kita-in Temple
Kawagoe Kita-in Temple
Kawagoe Kita-in Temple
Kawagoe Kita-in Temple

Kawagoe Kita-in Temple

500 Rakan
500 Rakan
500 Rakan
500 Rakan
500 Rakan
500 Rakan
500 Rakan

500 Rakan

Taisho-Roman Street
Taisho-Roman Street
Taisho-Roman Street
Taisho-Roman Street
Taisho-Roman Street
Taisho-Roman Street
Taisho-Roman Street

Taisho-Roman Street

Toki no Kane

Toki no Kane

かのん

かのん

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

trip-journal-location
Hakone, Odawara, Chuo, Taito

Day 5 Itinerary

Places visited: Mt. Hakone - Ōwakudani - Hakone - Lake Ashi - Templo Hakone - Odawara Castle - Ginza - Asakusa

Mt. Hakone
Mt. Hakone
Mt. Hakone
Mt. Hakone
Mt. Hakone

Mt. Hakone

Ōwakudani

Ōwakudani

Hakone
Hakone
Hakone
Hakone
Hakone

Hakone

Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi

Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone
Templo Hakone

Templo Hakone

Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle

Odawara Castle

Ginza
Ginza
Ginza
Ginza
Ginza
Ginza
Ginza

Ginza

Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa

Asakusa

trip-journal-location
Kamakura, Taito, Narita, Chiyoda, Minato

Day 6 Itinerary

Places visited: Akihabara - 北海道らーめんひむろ秋葉原2号店 - Taito - Kamakura - Hasedera - Kōtoku-in - Komachi Dori

Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara

Akihabara

北海道らーめんひむろ秋葉原2号店

北海道らーめんひむろ秋葉原2号店

Taito
Taito
Taito
Taito
Taito

Taito

Kamakura

Kamakura

Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera
Hasedera

Hasedera

Kōtoku-in

Kōtoku-in

Komachi Dori
Komachi Dori
Komachi Dori
Komachi Dori
Komachi Dori

Komachi Dori

Day 7 Itinerary

Places visited: Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū

Day 8 Itinerary

Places visited: Asakusa - Narita International Airport

Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa
Asakusa

Asakusa

Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport

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