Journey through Japan : Trip to Tokyo

I started this new year with a trip to Tokyo. This was a big deal for me. It was my first solo vacation. There was no one waiting for me in Tokyo and no one that was accompanying me along the way. It was just me.

I won't lie, I felt uncomfortable about doing this by myself and at times a little crazy. I was scared. I was scared that I would actually like it.

When people asked me about the trip they were always excited, but shocked when they found out I was going by myself. I kept telling them that I had purposefully planned it that way. That I wanted to go by myself. I think some people believed me, but others didn't seem convinced. Which made me question myself and my intentions a little.

None the less, I went.

And here's what happened. I went for myself and by myself and loved every single second of it. At times is was tiring, awkward, and a little difficult. But I found it all wildly rewarding. I was able to take my time. I stayed for as little or as long as I wanted and I didn't feel like I was inconveniencing anyone. I talked to people and practiced my Japanese. I walked with crowds and saw the city from 53 stories up. I did Tokyo on my own terms and fell in love with it.

Even though I am now a proponent of solo travel, I recognize how enjoyable it is to travel with people. To be able to turn to the person next to you and say, "Did you see that? Can we go there? Let's try that!", is something special.

I will take many more solo trips in my lifetime. I have no doubt about that. In fact, I have a long list that I'm excited about. But, I'm also looking forward to the times when my family and friends are traveling alongside me.

Until those trips happen, I'm choosing myself and solo travel. I have a whole world to see and I'm just getting started.

THE CULTURE-IST compiled a list of 24 quotes that will make you want to travel the globe. These are the three quotes that describe my reasons for traveling to Tokyo. Click here to see full article and find out which ones inspire you.

No. 2 “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” – Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

No. 8 - “There are several ways to react to being lost. One is to panic. Another is to abandon yourself to lostness, to allow the fact that you’ve misplaced yourself to change the way you experience the world.” – Audrey Niffenegger. Her Fearful Symmetry.

No. 12 -“Traveling outgrows its motives. It soon proves sufficient in itself. You think you are making a trip, but soon it is making you – or unmaking you.” – Nicolas Bouvier. The Way of the World.

TOKYO RECAP

SUNDAY

I rode the Shinkansen train from Kokura Station to Tokyo Station. It took about 4 hours. I had a window seat and couldn't stop staring out of it. By taking the train I was able to see so much more of Japan. It really is beautiful. The Shinkansen is extremely convenient and pleasant. Honestly, I loved it and didn't want to get off when we arrived in Tokyo. It's clean, efficient, roomy, and felt like a better version of a plane ride -- and I love plane rides!

4 days packed into one suitcase

Window seat on the Shinkansen

I arrived to Tokyo Station at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon. Before heading to my hotel I walked around the neighborhood outside the station. Since it was New Year's Day it was extremely quiet outside. A lot of the shops and restaurants were closed or had shortened hours. There were still a lot of people around, but I could tell it wasn't the normal crowd. So I enjoyed the sleepy streets and had a Breakfast at Tiffany's kind of moment. With my coffee and bags in hand I walked down the tiled streets and stared in the windows of stores like Hermes, Burberry, Dior ... etc. When I was planning my trip I had read about this area on Truly Tokyo. They described it as feeling like "Midtown Manhattan". Even though I've never been to New York (it's on my list), I think they were right in their description. I could have stayed there for hours, but I eventually headed to my hotel to check in.

"Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot." - Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's

I used booking.com to book my stay at Tokyo Green Palace. The hotel was in a great location. There were plenty of restaurants and convenient stores, as well as subway/train station access points. I would definitely choose to stay there again.

After I settled in and re-charged my phone, I rode the Tokyo Subway to Ginza. Ginza is known for being one the best shopping districts in all of Japan. It seems like every brand imaginable as a store front there. I walked up and down admiring all of the window displays because they were still decorated for the holiday's. I also met up with an ALT friend of mine and had dinner with them. We ate ramen, gyoza, and drank Kirin beer. It was nice to see a friendly face.

MONDAY

On Monday, my first full day in Tokyo, I set out to explore the area of Roppongi and Roppongi Hills. I walked through the maze of shops; ate dinner at an Italian restaurant where I had lamb chops and Chianti wine; and saw a 360 degree view of Tokyo from 53 stories up.

Tokyo Subway

Roppongi Gardens

Roppongi Hills

Had a wonderful time practicing my Japanese with a sales associate while I was browsing.

Tokyo City View from the 53rd Floor of the Mori Arts Building

Roppongi Hills -- reminded me of the GALLERIA in Dallas, TX.

TUESDAY

On Tuesday I set out to explore the areas of Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Shibuya. These areas felt like the stereotypical Tokyo that people picture. Neon lights, crowds of people, and anything you could want all in one place. It was controlled chaos.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not particularly enjoy large crowds of people. They make me uncomfortable. But, I did not let that deter me from seeing these areas of the city. Instead, I put my phone away and went with it. I didn't really take any pictures on this day. I just went with the crowd and let myself get swallowed by the mass of people. It was an experience for me, especially when I did Shibuya crossing!

In the morning I stopped by the Domique Ansel Bakery in Shinjuku and waited in line for the coveted CRONUT. The flavor of the month was Lime Yogurt and it was well worth the wait.

For dinner I had a burger and beer from Shack Shake near Tokyo Station. It was unbelievable. This was my first time to eat at one and I couldn't believe what I had been missing. I ate outside under their patio of lights. It was a little chilly, but I couldn't pass up the scenery. I wasn't cold for long because a worker came by and passed out Shack Shake blankets out to everyone. Seriously, Japan has thought of everything.

I ended the night by walking around the Yurakucho Station and having a glass of wine on the patio of a bistro. And yes, my table came equipped with a personal heater and blanket.

WEDNESDAY

Since my train didn't leave until the late afternoon, I took the morning to explore a few more areas. I walked through the Imperial Palace gardens; window shopped at the KITTE department store; saw central Tokyo from a rooftop garden; and had a latte at a Starbucks reserve. My last few hours in Tokyo were probably my favorite.