Taking occasional breaks from work is essential for relaxation and to shift focus away from the 9-5. Today, I’ll share my recent travel experiences in Japan, which provided a much-needed escape from my daily auto-pilot mode.

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My trips usually involve a combination of thrill types of adventure and leisure. This was my husband’s first time in Japan so I planned an experience that he/we would not forget. In this blog post, I’ll recount our latest travel escapade  to beautiful Japan.

TOUCHDOWN DAY 1: 

Airports are always what I call the “humbuggiest” part of any trip with an international destination. We were finally bound for Tokyo Station to the Tokyo Metropolitan Hotel via the Narita Express after spending about 1.5 hours getting through immigration/customs at Narita airport. We were heading to our hotel accomodation with the mentality that it would be a cinch navigating Tokyo station and had not bothered to turn our portable wifi rental device on before we got off the Narita express. So…As the locals say, “EHHhhh?!” Walking out of the train, we were met with throngs of travelers and commuters navigating through the maze-like corridors. We were lost, frustrated and overwhelmed, the chaos and confusion!!! We finally found the Tokyo Station (Sapia) Tower wing of the station that lead to our hotel entrance after about 1.5 hours of being lost in that huge maze.

Tips: [1] Rent or buy a portable wifi before your trip and don’t forget to turn it on immediately when you get it. If you’re not a frequent traveller, I recommend renting a portable wifi – we used JAL ABC which allowed us to reserve a device in advance. When renting, you have to remember to return them prior to leaving the country. I forgot to drop ours off at a drop box and had to spend some dollars to ship it back. They say that you cannot return the battery pack due to postal restrictions but rest assured, you can as long as you drain the battery completely before sending it back (I used USPS). [2] Use navigation apps like GoogleMaps to navigate your way around.

After settling down in our hotel for a bit, we made sure to turn our wifi on then wandered back into the station to grab a bite to eat. Our aim that night was to find our way out of the Tokyo Station central wing to this amazing view of the station that people often boasted about, which we did. It is amazing how different it is on the outside from the craziness on the inside. Thank you WIFI and Google Maps!

DAY 2 – HIE Jinja:

Hie Shrine is home to the Thousand Torii Gates in Tokyo and is known as one of the five prestigious shrines in the city.  It also remains relatively unknown to many tourists. We took the metro from Tokyo station to the city of Akasaka. When we arrived , we were greeted by the caws of crows (try saying that 10x) echoing through the tranquility and beauty of a serene shrine nestled within the grounds. If I lived in this area, this would be my escape from the city life. Beautiful!

Day 2B – Monkey Kart: The thrill begins! From the shrine we took the metro from Akasaka to Shinagawa city and walked a few minutes to the Shinagawa location of the streets to what I call was the best Tokyo go-cart experience from the business, Monkey Kart. I reserved our spot on Monkey Kart months in advance of our trip. With the Insta360 X3 action cam (there is a newer X4 version) and a clamp that I purchased from Amazon, we were able to capture this Tokyo Tower video showcasing the beautiful tower up close – see the video here. Monkey Kart offered us the unique opportunity to explore the cities of Shinagawa, Minato, Shibuya, and Roppongi Hills, all while driving through the natural traffic of Tokyo.  It was an adrenaline-fueled excursion from a whole new perspective that we will never forget!

Tips: [1] Be sure to get your International Driving Permit prior to your trip. We got ours at our local AAA. The permitting process takes up to 15 minutes to complete. [2] Book the MonkeyKart experience in advance. You’ll have several experiences to choose from so take the time to choose wisely to ensure you get the once in a lifetime Japan experience you crave.

Day 3-Mishima Forest Adventure Park/Skywalk/ZipLine: We boarded the Kodama bullet train bound for Mishima. It started off with a leisurely walk across the Skywalk — see my skywalker video here. We used my Insta360 GOx3 to capture this one. From there, we did the multi-course forest adventure, where we tested our agility and courage approximately 20 feet or so above ground. I am allergic to heights (pun intended) but I pushed myself to stop being a “height-fearing whiney” for once and completed the entire course — see snippet of us going through the course here. The end of the course was the most thrilling, the round-trip zip line. Below you see my husband’s perfect landing.  Did I do a landing just as perfect as he?  Of course not.   I had no landing experience, so i used my entire body to stop.  Can you imagine?  Talk about crash landing!

Day 4-Asakusa Sensoji temple, Nakamise Street, Tokyo Skytree: We hopped on the metro train from Tokyo Station to Asakusa where the famous Sensoji Temple sits, a bustling hub teeming with lots of people and food but it was oh so crowded. At the temple, we immersed ourselves in the rich cultural experience, exploring its intricate architecture and soaking in the spiritual but busy ambiance. After our temple visit, we head onto Nakamise Street, renowned for its array of delectable street food, we indulged in the flavors of the local cuisine, we sampled a variety of treats, each bite a culinary adventure in itself.

Our day culminated with a walk through the back roads from Nakamise St to Tokyo Skytree, where we marveled at the breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline from its towering heights. The back roads allowed our walk to be a little more peaceful away from the crowds. It was a day filled with cultural exploration, gastronomic delights, and awe-inspiring artifacts.

Day 5 – Journey on the Hayabusa to Sapporo in Hokkaido:

We started our day early to catch the 6:30am bullet train bound for Hokkaido. We boarded the Hayabusa from Tokyo Station up north to its terminal at the Hakodate/Hokuto station.  From there, we hopped on the connecting limited express train, the Hokuto Limited Express, to Sapporo. I would say that we spent a total of about 7 hours traveling from Tokyo.  Future advancements: From what I was told by a Japanese local during our stay there was that the bullet train rail will be expanding from Hakodate/Hokuto station to Sapporo station in the future.

TIP:  When going on a long journey, you might want to pick up something to eat. The train stations have shops that provide. The best ekiben shop to go to at Tokyo Station is Ekibenya Matsuri.  They have a huge variety of ekibens and most come with a self-heating box that all you need to do to heat it right up is to pull the string that’s attached to it. 5 minutes later, you got yourself some delicious hot food to fill your tummy on your train ride. See my ekiben video here.

Back to where we were . . .

It was nightfall when we arrived at the Sapporo Station main hub.  We checked into Hotel Nikko, which is conveniently located within the JR Tower complex adjacent to Sapporo Station. We dropped off our belongings and walked a few minutes to Nippon Rental a block away to pick up our rental car.  When the car was in our possession, ready for the drive, my nerves hit at the thought that I’ve never driven outside of the US, let alone on the left side of the roads with the driver’s seat being on the right. I deployed my windshield wipers a few times intending to turn but eventually got used to it after a while .  If it weren’t for that mini driving lesson from MonkeyKart, I think I would’ve a grump and frustrated driver, so thanks again MonkeyKart for that as well! From there, we drove off to Mt. Moiwa Ropeway where we took the cable car up to see the breathtaking views of Sapporo and dined at The Jewels Restaurant, which overlooks the city lights of beautiful Sapporo. I would say that our adventure up Mt. Moiwa was the perfect conclusion to a tiring day of traveling.

Day 6 – Tanuki Koji and Road Trip to Noboribetsu: 

We began our day by checking out of Hotel Nikko and set out on our road trip, making a stop at the Tanuki Koji shopping street. Then, before hitting the toll roads, we made a brief detour to a local mom-and-pop laundromat to do our laundry.  We resumed the drive thereafter for the next 2 hours en route to the city of Noboribetsu. The next stop on our itinerary was Sobetsu waterfall, but the trail head road was closed off dye to construction so we resumed our treck to the next destination.  After a couple more hours of driving, we finally made it to our next destination, the Takimotokan Ryokan (Dai-Ichi Takimotokan) “Onsen Heaven”, a well known traditional Japanese inn known for its luxurious public onsen.  Some of their onsen are tattoo-friendly.  Over the next couple of nights, we immersed ourselves in the serene ambiance of the ryokan, indulging in the rejuvenating private mini onsen that came with our suite and embracing the authentic Japanese hospitality.  Despite the distinct sulfuric eggy aroma, we loved it there.

Day 7 – Jigokudani “Hell Valley”:

Off we went to visit  Jigokudani, famously known as “Hell Valley,” renowned for its other-worldly landscapes and natural hot springs. Here, we marveled at the steaming vents, bubbling pools, and rugged terrain, immersing ourselves in the unique beauty of this volcanic valley. We invested a lot for the suite that came with the private onsen, so after exploring Jigokudani, we retreated to our room for the private open bath soak. This was the height of our journey. To be outdoors soaking in a private mineral charged bath whenever we wanted with water coming straight from and heated by the natural springs….LUXURIOUS!

Day 8 – Date Jidaimura Village:

We set off to Date Jidaimura Village, a unique destination that transports visitors back in time to Japan’s Edo period. As we stepped into this historical theme park, we were welcomed by this vibrant atmosphere of ancient Japan, complete with traditional architecture, costumed performers, and interactive exhibits. I loved the entire theme of the Edo. The fun part was the Ninja Maze…till this day I’m wondering how or what caused the dizzy nature of being in the maze. If anyone knows, let me know. By exploring the village, we went through samurai demonstrations and theatrical performances that brought the rich history of the Edo period to life. From sampling authentic cuisine to trying our hand at traditional games, every moment in Date Jidaimura Village was an unforgettable experience.

Day 9 – Road trip back to Tokyo:

On the ninth day of our journey, we drove from Noboribetsu to Hakodate-Hokuto Station. It was sad but we had to bid farewell to Noboribetsu to drive another 2 hours. The drive from Noboribetsu to Hakodate was leisurely and beautiful during the fall.

The car return to Nippon Rental at Hakodate-Hokuto Station took approximately 5 minutes. After returning our rental, we walked to the station and hopped back on the bullet train bound for Tokyo. Our ride from Hokkaido to Tokyo wasn’t the ordinary, however. We splurged a little and took the Gran Class (top tier) car on our journey back to Tokyo station. Why not aye? We didn’t know when we’d be back. Watch the clip here.

When we got to Tokyo Station, we did a little shopping at Character Street before hopping on the metro to Shibuya station, where we checked into our hotel, Shibuya Excel Tokyu Hotel. We chose the room that had an amazing view of the famous Shibuya Crossing. If you’re wondering what made Shibuya Crossing so famous over the recent years? The movie Tokyo Drift.

Day 10 – Himeji Castle:

On the tenth day of our adventure, we set out on a day trip to Himeji Castle. Prior to our flight from our homebase, I researched to see if a day trip from Tokyo Station to Himeji Castle was worth the time and travel. Many folks online, including Travel Advisor, recommended against it, but since this was on my bucket list for many years, I was determined! The best advice that I got about this came from a friend of mine who I hiked waterfall trails with who solo travels to Japan often.  He recently accomplished his goal of going to all 12 of the original castles in Japan. His advice was to have a “hiker’s” mindset. What he meant by that was, if you have your destination (goal) set, you push through whatever challenge there might be on your journey until you achieve that goal, you will be rewarded in the end. He was my motivation to put this back on the itinerary,  and I am so grateful that I did!  Our day went like this:

The morning of, we began our journey at 5:30 a.m. and caught the metro to Tokyo Station from Shibuya Station. From there, we boarded the 6:30a.m. Hikari bullet train bound for Himeji Station. The journey was smoothe, and we arrived at Himeji Station in roughly 3 or so hours. Walking out of Himeji station, we were instantly captivated by the majestic beauty of the visible but tiny from-a-distance, Himeji Castle.

We walked from the station to the castle grounds and spent a good 4 hours exploring its intricate architecture and rich history in the castle and around its grounds, marveling at its grandeur and significance. The White Heron, Himeji Castle, is even more beautiful and majestic in person than it is in pictures.  Goal achieved, this was our reward!

After visiting the castle grounds including up the main castle keep, we leisurely strolled through the charming streets surrounding the castle, indulging in delicious fare from local vendors and immersing ourselves in the culture of the area before we hopped back on the Nozomi bullet train back to Tokyo Station for more omiyage shopping before heading back to our hotel in Shibuya.  It was about 9pm when got back.

Day 11 – Shibuya city: On our final day, we savored the vibrant atmosphere of Shibuya, visiting the Hachiko Memorial before walking through the energy of the city one last time. We spent the morning strolling through the streets and taking in the sights of the place. With our hearts full with cherished experiences and our bags filled with treasures, we headed back to the airport, NOT READY for our journey home. I wanted to stay for a few more days.

As we reflected on the adventures, discoveries, and connections made during our time in Japan, we knew that this journey would hold a special place in our hearts for years to come. And though our trip had come to an end, the memories and experiences would stay with us forever, inspiring future adventures.

Japan, we will be back!