Tokyo, Japan (1)

The first time I went to Tokyo was March 2024. I went my mom and dad. I was a huge anime fan back then, so going to Japan was a dream come true for me. Cherry blossom season came early that year, so we got very lucky. I missed a week of school. It was a very last-minute trip. I took 459 photos. Japan was different from any other trip I had been on. I have travelled the world with my parents, but I had never felt the same joy I did in Tokyo anywhere else. Maybe it was because my parents let me go out by myself and I got to fulfill my Tokyo Businesswoman Independent Sexy Lady fantasy. Or because the cherry blossom trees and beautiful Ginza were such a healing sight. I regret that trip because I argued with my parents every day. I was childish, and quite frankly, very ugly. I can’t bear to look at pictures of myself on that trip. Yeesh. Arguing with my parents was the worst part. My poor mother. My poor father. My cruel verbal abuse. For no reason! I was lucky enough that I sat in the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo’s dining room (breakfast was not complimentary) berating my parents after getting off a business class flight.

The first night we landed, we visited a little shoebox restaurant where we had to climb up a ladder for seating. We had some delicious chicken karaage. It was there that I discovered my disdain for Japanese Salarymen (long story).

The first morning, we went to a cafe that was a 30 something minute walk away from the hotel. It was multiple establishments inside of one very small two-story building. We sat facing a high school that had horrible reviews on Google Maps. I provided a picture of said high school which received over 50,000 views on Google Maps. My first taste of fame.

The same day, we also visited multiple old toy shops and car model shops. Of course for my dad. We went to McDonalds afterwards and ate delicious chicken nuggets. I had to go ask for more sauce. I was petrified. Akihabara was, surprisingly, where my dad wanted to go. He also wanted to visit Asakusa. We went to many old tech shops. My dad also knew of a giant toy store (Hakuhinkan Toy Park) in Ginza. How did he know all these things? He hid his secret excitement of Japan behind his glasses and stoic demeanor.

I was given an opportunity of reflection.

We visited Senso-ji at night. All the shops were closed but there were still plenty of people. I tossed a 100-yen coin (I learned to do that from YouTube), and drew a stick. The number corresponded to what box I had to pull my omikuji from. My mother followed my footsteps. She received the Luckiest, Best fortune possible. I received Horrible Luck that said devils will steal away my family’s wealth and poison our trust. How ironic. Some people do not believe in luck and fortunes and omikuji. I felt a chill down my spine and quickly tied away the bad luck to a nearby tree. I could not shake the stress of devils stealing my money. Terrifying.

The rest of the trip went by quickly. We did not do anything extraordinary but I felt freedom. My mother let me walk to bakeries by myself in the morning to bring them pastries. I frequented FamilyMart and 7/11 down the street. I went to a bookstore and was so distracted by my phone I nearly went up a down escalator and bumped into a businessman. I was too shy to order in a cafe so I took a photo and put the text on my phone (I did not know any Japanese at the time except for ありがとうございます and こんにちは).

I love my parents very much. This trip was our first time going abroad without my older brother. It was our first time in Japan. Now, I am extremely grateful and regretful for how I was back then.

Now, it would be a terrible “travel” blog if I did not give you recommendations. The places I can offer you to go to are these:

The Coffee Counter Tokyo (東神田イチオクビル 1階, 1 Chome-17-5 Higashikanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0031, Japan)
> I hope you’re able to go in the Spring and try the seasonal matcha and sakura pound loaf, quite the delectable pastry. Their yakisoba is delicious too. Cheap but delicious. As is the rest of Japan.

Sensing Touch of Earth Cafe (3 Chome-1-12 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0036, Japan)
> In the heart of Kappabashi street, if you want a delicious matcha, please visit Sensing Touch of Earth. This cafe is what sparked my love for concrete wall interiors.

The City Bakery (specifically Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome−6−4 丸の内オアゾ B1F)
> I was completely lost trying to find this bakery. However, once I did, I was extremely grateful. Though I do not like coconut, my father praised their coconut chocolate cookie.

Bon Coeur (4 Chome-3-12 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0022, Japan)
> The first bakery I visited. It was very delicious and cheap. The woman working there at the time was very sweet and smiled at me.

Senso-ji Temple

Photographed by me, iPhone 13 Pro