After a 12-hour flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda, American Airlines flight 169 landed at sunrise in the Japanese capital. The blue skies made up for the cold temperatures with beauty, showcasing this mega city’s architecture.
Immigration and customs had to be cleared before I was allowed to step into the arrival hall of the airport and on to the monorail that would take me above ground to our hotel in downtown Tokyo where my group of friends was waiting.
A first breakfast at the famed 7/11 near our hotel got us going. Then we walked over 20k steps across the vast expanse of this city. Highlights included Tokyo central station, where in a couple of days’ time, we will board the Shinkansen train to Kobe.
A short rest at the hotel gave me the boost needed to make it through a 4 hr food walking tour with Urban Adventures. Our guide Nabe met our group by the lion’s statue at legendary department store Mitsukoshi in Ginza (the shopping street of Tokyo). I strongly believe that to understand and feel a culture, food is the best way and a food tour with a local is the ticket.
We stopped at several key places, from the Japanese deli area 2 floors below ground at Mitsukoshi, to a yakitori skewer place and a local hot plate restaurant where multiple self-cooked tableside dishes were created by us.
All in all, a rapid-fire day of exploration and experiences that immediately tell me more time is needed and a repeat trip to Tokyo will be in my future. Last act of the day was a well-earned night sleep. 💤
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