To say that I love Asakusa, particularly Senso-ji Temple, feels like an understatement. Every time I visit this part of Tokyo I always stumble upon something magical, whether it be in a form of food, item, architecture, and even people, and for my 3rd visit to this place it definitely was no exception.

Thankfully his future is bright-because I'll be in it 🧀

Indeed there's always something new that I stumble upon whenever I visit this part of Asakusa, whether it be the best melon pan I had in the whole of Tokyo, or amazingly weird Almond-flavored ice cream, Senso-ji temple had never fail to surprise me. For this particular trip I was able to watch an engagement while lining to see the 'altar' part of the temple. To clear the air, I was just a viewer and not a participant, hence no ice on my dice whut.

c/o Ken

c/o Ken | My face after finding out that my photo in the entrance was blurred... Also, look at my Class Act Ph earrings ♥

c/o Ken

c/o Ken

My hand waving at the sushi I wish I have put in mah belly!

First round of MAAAAANY rounds.

For our next excursion, we literally went across the water, from Asakusa to Ryogoku to visit the Sumo museum. When we were in our early stage of dating I remember how he fondly tells me his dream to be a sumo wrestler when he was a kid, and with this I decided to incorporate visiting the Sumo museum in our trip.

As mentioned, the Sumo museum is a stone's throw away from Asakusa station, however we did not walk to cross the bridge to go there, and instead we took the train-Thank God for unlimited train ride passes! Ryogoku is historically known as the center of Sumo wrestling, a popular sport played by Japanese for centuries, so no wonder they have the Sumo museum placed in that district.

When we arrived at the entrance of the museum we were welcomed with closed ticket counters, and in my mind, 'this is not good.' Indeed the entrance is closed, so we try to decipher the reason why its closed by checking the bulletins, which is in Japanese. Upon checking, there's a calendar that shows specific dates, but since we don't understand Japanese nor Google Translate doing a good job, we quickly just assumed that there's probably a holiday that's why it's closed. However at the corner of our eyes we saw a Caucasian couple and a Japanese guy entering a smaller gate compared to the main gate with the ticket counters, and with that we start to ask ourselves if it's really closed. Armed with our Google translate, I marched to the security guard to ask if the museum is closed, and lo and behold it isn't! What we assumed to be the main entrance is actually entrance to the Ryogoku Kokugikan which is a Sumo hall where they hold tournaments, and the Sumo museum is actually inside the Sumo hall. The reason why it's closed is because there are no tournaments for that day, BUT the museum is open and you can go inside by entering the side gate.

And that my friend is why you should always ask 😉

The similarity is uncanny.

c/o Ken

c/o Ken

c/o Ken

Given that we finished our excursion to the museum at around 3:30 PM, we decided to go to the other side of Tokyo, and that is Meiji Jingu which is located in Shibuya. It took us almost 30 minutes to go from Ryogoku to Shibuya, taking a couple of different train lines since our 72-hour unlimited train pass is not applicable to JR lines but available to almost ALL private train lines. When we arrived at the Meiji temple entrance I did not anticipate it to be sooooo cold! How cold? We had to stop over to the restaurant 100 meters off of the entrance just to be a hot drink at the vendo to give warmth to my palms! But nonetheless it was a good relaxing cold being nestled inside a forest full of trees, however just a small tip: DON'T WEAR SKIRTS WHEN YOU GO HERE, because you might suffer from a couple of mosquito bites.


And lastly, our last agenda for that day was Harajuku where we enjoyed window-shopping and people-watching. There are A LOT of interesting shops and boutiques, as well as famous crepe stores that sell both sweet and savory-filled crepes. Also, you'll find here a couple of 2nd-hand stores that sell a lot of Champion hoodies, and beaten-up Levi's denim jackets. One thing I have also noticed in Takeshita street are the interesting pet-cafes, one of which, The otter cafe, I super-duper wanted to try but kept on forgetting to reserve for. As much as I want to buy some accessories, or some make-up from 3CE, I refrained myself since I have already programmed myself to do my shopping in Osaka instead since I thought stuff will be cheaper there no, it's not cheaper there. 

We succumbed to the lure of some crepe.

And that's it for our 3rd day in Japan, plenty more to go-9 days to be exact 😉

Love Always,
Nicole ♡

If there is something I really regret not doing from my previous Tokyo trip last 2018, it would be having a photo with the famous Hachiko statue in Shibuya.

Back then, I remember feeling discouraged to do so after seeing the long queue of tourists awaiting to have a little snippet of the faithful obedient Japanese Akita, that is Hachiko. Also, I felt that it was corny and too touristy to allot time for a simple photo.

Who can resist this bibi boi?

But things have clearly turned upside down, because for this trip I became determined to have a picture with this good boi, totally disregarding the fact that it is too touristy, because c'mon I am a tourist! Hahahaha! There's no point in trying to appear like a local by not doing these usual tourist activities, just so to be cool or something.

LOL

By the way, to those who doesn't have an inkling who Hachiko is, Hachiko is a very loyal dog to his hooman Professor Ueno, where he would meet him at a train station after a long day at the university. One day, Professor Ueno died, but Hachiko didn't know his hooman died, so for nine years he'd continue going to the train station waiting for Professor Ueno. Now, that's loyalty.

With that, for the 3rd day we went around Shibuya and Shinjuku, and basically savour the city energy by walking around interesting stops, and shop for cutesy stuff.

Pasok na tayo sa Iskuuul.

We are the 1/4 out of the whole group.

Our day started a bit late, because my cousins had a hardcore drinking session the night before, so they woke up pretty late, hence the reason we got into Shibuya station at around 1 P.M. already.

Free Origami Shurikens for kids :)

We head out to Shibuya station to take photos with the Hachiko statue, as well as take photos (and videos) of the chaotic Shibuya crossing. For those who are planning to have their photos taken, there's a kind old man who volunteers to take photos of tourists, which is a good win for those who are either travelling solo, or would want a group photo with Hachiko. I'm pretty sure that old man is paid by their tourism board, because he even gives out Origami Shurikens to kids!

Oh, and expect a loooong line, because everyone wants a snap with this goode boi 🐶


Given that we are in Japan, might as well have Japanese food, and what better way to have it than to go to Marugame Udon HAHAHAHA! I have no idea why my cousins opt for this restaurant chain that is already available locally in the Philippines! To be honest, I couldn't even distinguish any difference between the original and the franchise in the Philippines, Naks ah!





Given that Meiji Shrine is 1 train stop away, it is natural to avail of this chance and go visit that wonderful place. It's my first time to visit this place, so everything is new, and there's this magical feeling of uncertainty of what I'll see there-because I did not research about it prior our visit, just checked how far it is from the Shibuya Hachiko station 👏🙃




Because I have no idea what I'll see inside Meiji Jinju, I have no idea that we'll have to walk long distances before reaching the temple. For those people who always need a toilet in tow, don't fret, because mid-way there's a hub where you can go rest for a quick refreshment from the vendo machines (they have Asahi ones there that carries Bireley's Orange Juice!), or you can go pee-or do number 2, whatever floats your boat 🤗.

Before you get to see the temple, you can also opt to drop by the gardens, which has an entrance fee of ¥ 500, or Php 250/ $5. We did not go there anymore, because one of my cousin kept on having mosquito bites at that time huhu... but I shall visit it the next time I return to Tokyo!

I wish you the best, Bijay!

Preeeetty make-up awaits!

Tokyu Plaza

Cute alley shoppes in Omotesando

While walking around Shibuya on my own, it made me realize how refreshing it is to wander to a different place alone. Don't get me wrong, I love being with a companion or two, but there are times where being alone is just better, and I must say this is one of those instances. Also, it feels funny playing this goofy movie in your head where you are acting as if you live in that place 😉

Given that Tokyo is super safe, it is ok to walk alone even in the wee hours of the night-but still, it doesn't hurt to be extra alert 🤙

Lastly, roam with Lost in Japan playing through your earphones, and proceed having a swell time in Tokyo 😉😉😉😉

Love Always,

Nicole 🌸