I had the opportunity to visit Tokyo for four nights and five days from February 24 to 28 in 2018. Although Japan is geographically close, I had never visited before. This trip provided a chance to explore the capital city of Japan, Tokyo.
This Tokyo trip was somewhat spontaneous, and due to the lack of proper planning on the go and it being my first trip to Japan, I couldn’t efficiently map out my itinerary. Instead, I adopted a flexible approach, deciding on the places to visit each day based on the weather, circumstances, and personal condition.
“Mixed Emotions from the Tokyo Trip in Japan”
While traveling, I couldn’t help but perceive Tokyo as both ironic and grotesque. The buildings forming the backbone of society were large and spacious, yet the spaces where people lived or conducted business were remarkably small. Looking at Tokyo, it seemed like a country with abundant wealth and a high standard of living, but simultaneously, there was a sense of relative modesty in the daily lives of its citizens.
“Well-Organized Streets and Relatively Few Vehicles”
Comparing Tokyo to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, Tokyo appeared to have fewer cars. This could be attributed to the high cost associated with maintaining a car due to Tokyo’s expensive real estate and the expenses involved in owning a vehicle. Additionally, the streets were neat. In contrast to the numerous parked cars one might find in the narrow alleys of South Korea, Japan strictly enforces garage registration when purchasing a vehicle, and illegal parking is rigorously monitored, resulting in a clean and tidy appearance.
“Pedestrian Signals in Tokyo, Japan”
Another impressive aspect was the pedestrian signals. While pedestrian signals indicating the remaining time for crossing are common in South Korea, in Japan, there were signals that informed pedestrians about the waiting time even when the signal was red. In this regard, Tokyo seemed to be more pedestrian-friendly compared to Seoul.
“Japan Travel Itinerary”
During this 4-night, 5-day trip, I mainly traveled spontaneously. The places I visited each day are outlined below:
“Japan Travel Information”
- Tokyo Airports: Narita vs. Haneda : Tokyo Airports: Narita vs. Haneda
- Tokyo Transportation Card: Suica : Tokyo Transportation Card: “Suica”
“February 24, 2018”
- Tokyo Travel: Departure from Incheon Airport : Incheon Airport – Tokyo Narita Airport Departure Procedure
- Tokyo Travel: Arrival Procedures at Narita Airport : Tokyo Narita Airport Arrival Procedure
- Getting from Narita Airport to the City : Getting from Narita Airport to Tokyo City
- Narita Airport: Lawson Convenience Store : Tokyo Narita Airport Lawson Convenience Store
- Moving from Narita Airport to Shinagawa by Train : Keisei Access Express “Narita Airport – Shinagawa Station”
- Tokyo Shinagawa: Tsubame Grill : Tokyo Shinagawa Hamburg Steak “Tsubame Grill”
- Tokyo Shibuya : Shibuya, Tokyo: Famous for its Crosswalks
- Tokyo Shibuya: Nonbei Yokocho : Tokyo Shibuya, Alley Restaurant Street “Nonbei Yokocho”
- Tokyo Harajuku: Yuzuramen “Afuri” : Tokyo Harajuku, Yuzu Ramen “Afuri”
- Tokyo Shinagawa Izakaya “En” : Tokyo Shinagawa Izakaya “En”
“February 25, 2018”
- Tokyo Asakusa: Ichiran Ramen : Tokyo Asakusa Reading Nook Ramen “Ichiran”
- Tokyo Asakusa: Sensoji Temple : Tokyo Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple
- Tokyo Akihabara: Akiba Square : Tokyo Akihabara “Akiba Square”
- Tokyo Akihabara: Oerbierman Cafe : Tokyo Akihabara Belgian Beer & Cafe “Oerbierman”
- Tokyo Akihabara: Radio Kaikan : Tokyo Akihabara “Radio Kaikan”
- Tokyo Odaiba : Odaiba, Tokyo’s Man-Made Marvel Blending History, Commerce, and Spectacular Attractions
- Tokyo Odaiba: Venus Fort : VenusFort at Tokyo Odaiba: A Medieval Shopping Haven Connecting Past and Present
- Tokyo Odaiba: Toyota Mega Web : Toyota Car Museum at Odaiba: Exploring Automotive Heritage
- Tokyo Odaiba: Mega Web Toyota Showcase : MegaWeb Toyota Showcase: Exploring Automotive Innovation
- Tokyo Odaiba: Gundam : Odaiba, Tokyo: The Life-Size Gundam Experience
- Tokyo Odaiba: Gundam Base : Gundam Shop in Odaiba, Tokyo: “Gundam Base”
- Tokyo Odaiba: DiverCity : Tokyo Odaiba, ‘DiverCity’
- Tokyo Odaiba DiverCity Arcade: Round 1 : “Tokyo Odaiba, DiverCity Arcade ‘Round 1’
- Tokyo Odaiba: Statue of Liberty : Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, Tokyo
- Tokyo Odaiba: Aqua City : Aqua City, Odaiba, Tokyo – A Shopping Haven
- Tokyo Shinagawa: McDonald’s : McDonald’s in Tokyo Shinagawa: “Makudonarudo”
“February 26, 2018”
- Tokyo Shinagawa: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa Breakfast : Grand Prince Hotel in Tokyo Shinagawa: New Takanawa Breakfast at Slope Side Diner Zakuro
- Tokyo Shinagawa Streets : Streetscapes of Shinagawa, Tokyo
- Tokyo Keio University Mita Campus : Keio University Mita Campus, Tokyo
- Tokyo Keio University Street View : Tokyo, Alleyway near Keio University Mita Campus
- Tokyo Ebisu Garden Place : Tokyo, Ebisu – Ebisu Garden Place
- Tokyo Ebisu, 25-layer Tonkatsu “Katsukichi Main Store” : Tokyo Ebisu – Kimukatsu Main Branch, 25-Layered Pork Cutlet
- Tokyo Meiji Shrine : Meiji Shrine in Tokyo
- Tokyo Shinjuku : Shinjuku – Tokyo’s Vibrant District
- Tokyo Shinjuku: Lotteria : Lotteria in Tokyo Shinjuku – A Taste of Japanese Fast Food
- Tokyo Shinjuku: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck : Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck in Shinjuku
- Tokyo Shinjuku: Abura Soba : Tokyo Shinjuku, Broth-less Bibim Ramen “Abura Soba”
- Tokyo Shinjuku: Omoide Yokocho : Tokyo Shinjuku, Nostalgic Alley Filled with Small Eateries “Omoide Yokocho”
- Tokyo Shinjuku: Kabukicho : Tokyo, The Ultimate Entertainment District “Kabukicho”
- Tokyo Shinagawa Bar “Del Sol” : Tokyo Shinagawa Bar “Del Sole”
“February 27, 2018”
- Tokyo Tsukiji Market : Tokyo Fish Market “Tsukiji Market” (Former Market)
- Tokyo Ginza : Tokyo’s Luxurious Downtown, Ginza
- Tokyo Ginza: Apple Store : Apple Store in Tokyo’s Ginza, a Hub of Technological Elegance
- Tokyo Hibiya Park : Tokyo, Japan’s First Western-Style Park “Hibiya Park”
- Tokyo Tokyo Station : Tokyo, the Dual-Faced Station – Tokyo Station
- Tokyo Tokyo Station: Motomura Gyukatsu Yaesu Branch : Tokyo Station Gyukatsu – “Motomura Gyukatsu Yaesu Branch”
- Tokyo Tokyo Tower Observatory : Tokyo, Iconic Structure “Tokyo Tower”
“February 28, 2018”
- Tokyo Shinagawa: Shinatatsu Tsukemen “Tetsu” : Tokyo Shinagawa Ramen Shop – “Shinatatsu TETSU Tsukemen”
- Tokyo Ginza: Hitsumabushi Nagoya Bincho : Tokyo Ginza, Eel Rice Bowl “Hitsumabushi Nagoya Bincho”
- Tokyo Ginza: Tokyu Hands Cafe “Starbucks” : Tokyo Ginza, Tokyu Hands Cafe “Starbucks”
- Tokyo Ginza: 100 Yen Bus : Tokyo ¥1000 Bus “Ginza to Narita Airport”
- Tokyo Narita Airport: Departure Immigration & Terminal 3 Duty-Free Shops : Tokyo Narita Airport “Departure Process and Terminal 3 Duty-Free Shops”
“Miscellaneous”
- Japan Convenience Store Foods : Foods I Ate at Japanese Convenience Stores
“Relatively Small Portions in Japanese Cuisine”
Japanese cuisine tends to have smaller portions overall. With smaller portions, I found myself having meals more frequently. On the first day, for example, having lunch past 4 p.m. resulted in dinner around 6 p.m.
Even on the last day, after eating Tsukemen, not even an hour passed before heading out for lunch again. Overall, Japanese cuisine, with its relatively small portion sizes, seemed inadequate for the average adult male.
“Diverse Ramen in Japan”
In Japan, you can find a wide variety of ramen. During this trip, I had the opportunity to taste various Japanese ramen, including basic ramen, yuzu-flavored ramen, dipping ramen (tsukemen), and soba noodles mixed with broth (abura soba).
“Significant Differences in Japan’s Lotteria Compared to Korea’s”
As Lotte operates in both South Korea and Japan, Lotteria, a fast-food chain present in both countries, was noticeable. The Lotteria products and services I encountered in Japan were of significantly higher quality than those found in South Korea.
From the chewy ice cream to the shrimp burger with actual whole shrimp, Japan’s Lotteria offered a more satisfying experience. The shrimp burger, unlike its Korean counterpart, contained real, bite-sized shrimp.
Since accommodation costs were not a separate expense on this trip, I could overall minimize travel expenses. However, due to the sudden decision to travel, and booking the flight late, the airfare was relatively expensive at around 500,000 won despite being on Jeju Air. Nonetheless, as other expenses were not significant, I could manage a relatively economical journey.
“Tokyo Trip in Japan”
- Duration: February 24th – 28th, 2018 (4 nights, 5 days)