TOKYO & HAKONE – Travelogue

We lost ourselves in Tokyo, and in exchange found so much….from ramen heaven tucked away in Roppongi basements, to hidden gems that line the side streets of  Shibuya and Shinjuku.  We logged miles on foot, by train, up the subway, down the subway, and on repeat. A quick stop for a beanie, scarf, life-saving gloves and a matcha green tea latte at Mos Burger (to rest our weary toes and hack into some wifi), and we were off again…

I hear Disneyland is surreal. I suppose being in Disneyland Tokyo with cultural differences makes it even more surreal. Kids didn’t scream and shout, they politely waved and smiled. There were orderly long lines as I waited and rode my first spaceship ride. Whoop whoop! That place was dope, with the exception of the twenty minutes I spent looking for Marc.

My first time to the happiest place on earth – Tokyo edition, was preceded by an earthquake…a soft lullaby that gently swayed all sixty floors of our Tokyo Bay hotel. But apparently, 5.0 is nothing for the locals.

A Haiku for my last post on Japan feels appropriate, but I lack the motivation. Instead, I’ll pretend to wake up again in a ryokan swathed in five layers of comforters (ahhhhh) on a tatami mat, while mineral spring baths and a most wonderful kaiseki dinner and breakfast await. And yes, that is a syphon in the hotel bar.

Ahhh, Ginza. It’s a little slice of snack heaven on earth. Smile-inducing Belgian waffles followed by a dash across the busy intersection to Wako, where I passed the luxury goods as if I had tunnel vision, up to Ladurée for a macaroon, then back down towards (insert choir music) food mecca. Everything my greedy little heart and eyes desired…I could find here. With our tummies satiated, I slowed down long enough to pet a Celine bag on our way out.

I left Japan with a mad crush on fur-hooded shearling-lined green parkas – it was the choice coat for every other girl here, and they all wore it well. Upon returning to Japan, I’ll be sure to make a reservation at Inakaya, lest we be turned away again by the friendly sumo-like doorman. Silly us to think we could just show up.

I do really miss being able to get over-priced bottled hot green tea from the vending machines everywhere.

Sayonara Japan!

MT. FUJI – Wanderlust

There’s something surreal about plunging down one of the world’s longest roller coaster with Mt. Fuji as your backdrop, or trying to scream politely (like my japanese neighbors) while being chased by zombies in the never-ending house of terror. (If AMC’s The Walking Dead came to life, I would be one of the firsts to go – sadly, from fright!)  House rules were given in the mother tongue leaving us in the dark (pun intended).

But nothing compares to the surrealism of catching a fiery red sunset as we coasted down the side of the Shy Maiden, who wears a cloak of clouds most of the time. We lucked out this day. We saw her as clear as the moon (who also made an appearance.)

One thing I’ll always remember for the rest of my life is the sunset – the color so fierce like the yolk from a preserved duck egg, it’s size and orange-red brightness punching my eyes, causing tear ducts to swell.

from 5th station:

one of THE best thing i ate (from an altitude of 2300 meters) : scallop jerky

the sun and the moon: