The final stop of our world tour was in Tokyo. Our hotel room was on the 25th floor overlooking the financial district next to the Imperial Palace and gardens. The views were awesome. We ate lots of ramen (Evelyn loved it), explored more temples and gardens, did a little shopping, and were constantly amazed by just how many people there are everywhere. We took a daytrip to a beach town outside of Tokyo to see the other end of the Pacific Ocean (where we could almost make out California… just about 5,000 miles away).
How could anyone even begin to scratch the surface of all there is to see and do in the massive city of Tokyo, home to nearly 14 million people? While people here were far more reserved than in other places we visited in Japan (which makes sense being a large city) everyone was still so kind and friendly. We did lots of smiling and bowing as we enjoyed this incredible city. It was bittersweet to leave. Japanese culture had been described as “challenging and exotic, yet familiar and safe” and we found that to be very true. While it was sad to leave, we were also very ready to be home after 5 crazy/amazing/delicious/fun/hard/wonderful weeks on the go.
High speed train
Suite Life
The saddest menu that ever was
Bath time in her private swimming pool
Really interesting visit to Edo Toyko history museum
Makeshift baby seat
Akihabara – This area is insane. It’s the electronics center and there were endless stores multiple stories high filled with electronics, games, manga, trading cards. Naturally we were on the hunt for a board game ourselves so we came to the right area.
Ramen queen
All the green tea
Outtake 🙂
The stroller that continued to push the diaper bag more than the baby
Two of a kind
Walkway over Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Onshi Park
Finally tried Takoyaki – a fluffy pancake ball with octopus inside
Fish on a stick (we did not try this)
Further evidence to support our theory that they don’t actually have school, children just move around the country all day long.
Buying some beautiful pottery from an artisan in the market
We stumbled upon a stunning bonsai azalea show
Something really cool about Korea and Japan is that there are nursing rooms and really nice baby changing rooms all over.
So. Many. People.
I’ll pass
Crossing the moat into the The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Our very sweet tour guide. He said his 4 year old grandson, who lives in California, is his english teacher.
The base of the ancient palace of Edo (former name of Tokyo)
An adorable picture ruined by my finger in the camera. Ugh.
The Roaming Roths 