Japan

Derek and I got back from Japan last week and it was awesome! I took so many photos and I can't wait to share them with you. Japan was such an interesting experience. Although Japan is so close to South Korea and has many of the same beliefs, it was so different! Well, let's just get right into it.

First up...

Tokyo was quite a surprise  I thought it would be close to New York, lots of hustle and bustle, dirty, loud and jam packed. Surprisingly, it was quiet for how many people live there. No car horns, no loud cell phone chatting and no music blasting out of the stores. I loved how the Japanese love lines. Everyone stands in line patiently and waits their turn, no one looks like they're in a rush. A stark difference to when Derek and I got off the tram in Seoul's airport and everyone started sprinting to stand on the escalator, no joke. Also, everyone seemed to walk the same even speed pace. Zen in the city.

On our first day we went to Japan's National Museum to check out artifacts, art, swords, pottery and everything else that adds practical beauty to life. The textiles were ooooooooh so amazing and inspiring to me.

After we took a stroll through the cemetery, I mean what else would you want to do in Tokyo?

Next, snack street! Complete with sake.

And a cup of amazing coffee! How I missed good coffee. This little gem of a spot roasted their own beans right in front of you!

I just like this guy.

On our next day we wandered around the different neighborhoods before going to see a sumo match.

First, we woke up to a beautiful view of Tokyo and Mount Fiji and breakfast. Our Airbnb hosts were amazing, but more on those blessed life savers later.

Then we went out into the city. We crossed one of the busiest streets in Tokyo, did some people watching.

Got semi-used to the web of train systems. 

Saw a temple with giant sake barrels. 

Saw the bright city lights.

Ate inexpensive shashimi.

We went to see sumo wrestling but my iPhone camera couldn't zoom in enough for a decent picture, so go to Derek's blog for that one. But I do have to say it was a great experience full of thigh slapping, crouching, butt picking, armpit then face wiping (ew) and suspenseful matches that last for a very short but thrilling time.  

poke!

On our third day we went to Fujisan, but that is for another post. So, onto our final day in Tokyo.

We started off our rainy morning at a temple with giant lanterns and beautiful grounds.

After, the sun started to shine through ad we went to the Imperial Palace. We couldn't go inside but we walked the expansive grounds, which were nice but not very impressive.

After we went to the Park Hyatt Tokyo to live out Derek's dream of having a drink at the hotel from Lost in Translation. We watched the sun set and the lights of the city turn on. 

For a relaxing time, make it Suntory time. (Suntory is the cheapest of whiskey in Japan, just got that joke!) Also, the bar didn't have it. I guess if you're paying 5,000 dollars a night, you might want a whiskey that costs more than 3 dollars.

Next up we are off to my new favorite city, KYOTO!