Still running on jet lag, we somehow managed to get up early and start our first full day in Tokyo. Breakfast was included at our hotel—an Asian-style spread that was simple but satisfying—and then it was time to dive right in and tackle Tokyo’s train system. Armed with Google Maps (our new best friend), we set out for the Asakusa neighborhood.
I knew buying tickets ahead of time for the Tokyo Skytree was recommended, but since I wasn’t sure what time we’d be up thanks to jet lag, I decided to take a chance. We arrived around 10:00 AM and found that the combo ticket (350m + 450m) was already sold out for most of the day. Luckily, we were able to grab tickets for the 350m deck at 12:30 PM—good enough for us!
With time to spare, we made the 20-minute walk over to Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temple, dating back to 645 AD.
We started along Nakamise-dori, a lively shopping street leading up to the temple. It was total sensory overload—in the best way possible. Bright colors, incredible smells, and endless little shops selling snacks and souvenirs. We managed to grab a few goodies before making our way to the temple itself.
At the temple, we fully embraced the experience… even if we weren’t exactly sure what we were doing. There were rituals involving drawing what looked like bamboo sticks for fortunes, lighting incense, and waving the smoke over your head for good luck. Naturally, I followed along—because why not? We even rubbed the base of a lantern, which (I think?) is supposed to bring good fortune. Hey, I’ll take all the luck I can get.
After exploring the temple, we headed back just in time for our ride up the Tokyo Skytree. The views were incredible—360 degrees of Tokyo stretching endlessly in every direction. Definitely worth it.
Next stop was Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, but when we arrived, we were greeted by huge lines and learned that reservations were required. There were openings at 4:00 PM, but we had a food tour at 5:00, so we decided to try again the next morning (pro tip: no reservations needed if you go right at 9:00 AM).
Then it was off to Shinjuku for our evening foodie tour booked through TripAdvisor. Our group had about 12 people from all over the world, led by a super fun and energetic guide who shared great stories along the way.
Our first stop was a cozy little spot where we cooked our own meal on a small tabletop stove (yes, I said “bleach table” earlier… clearly jet lag was still hitting hard 😄). We ended up visiting two restaurants and two standing-style eateries, trying a variety of local dishes.
And Shinjuku at night? Absolutely wild. Bright lights, nonstop energy, and a fashion scene that’s next-level. The hair, the makeup, the outfits—everyone looked like they stepped out of a magazine. It’s chaotic, colorful, and completely captivating.
By the end of the night, we were exhausted—but in the best way. We made our way back to our hotel in Ebisu, already realizing one day in Tokyo is nowhere near enough.
We’ve got one more day here… but honestly, we could easily spend a week (or more) exploring this incredible city.
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