Summer vacation here in Korea is only a month long. Well at least at my school it’s only a month long. I’m assuming that because the new school year begins in Spring rather than Fall like in the US. Winter vacation by the looks of it, is quite longer about two months. This is not including camps. Yup. I still had a camp to teach in summer and another in winter. So after my one week summer camp (Hogwart’s Theme), I finally went on vacation to Tokyo, Japan.

I’ve never been to Tokyo, so I was super excited when I finally was able to make my plans, book my AirBNB and get my flights.

I only took my backpack and a carry on luggage and I worked very hard to limit the amount of clothing I brought since I knew I was going to buy things and being them back with me. Turns out I did bring some things that I really didn’t need to bring since I didn’t use like nice shoes and sandals. I’m so glad I did decide against the sweatshirt. Yeah, way too hot all day and night.

I took the Sky train to Ueno station where I traded to the subway to get to my AirBNB. My room was on the 4th floor (stairs, no elevator) in a building in Komagome. It’s very close to Rikugi Park and the entrance to the Komagome station in only a quick 5 minute walk. The place was clean and decent. It was a shared apartment. I had my own room with a bed, hot water kettle, small balcony (see photo above of my night view) and air conditioner. The kitchen, toilet room and wash room were all share with another guest who I never met or saw.

My first stop of my first day was Takeshita Street, but as it was still too early for many of the shops (I got there around 10 am), I decided to walk to Jingumae Shrine since it’s nearly right across the street. I entered in through the First Torii Gate.

The walk to the shrine was hot even in the shade of the beautiful trees.

It was a wonderful way to start my trip to Tokyo. I didn’t take any pictures of the main shrine because I wanted to be respectful towards those who were there to worship.

After my morning walk about Meiji Temple and the park surrounding it, made it back to Takeshita Street. It was filled with tons of people and all the shops were open.

I did a little shopping here in Harajuku, but slowly made my way to Shibuya. I could have taken the subway, but as I had a crepe for a mid morning snack I thought the walk would do me some good. It was a good walk, despite the heat.

Once I got to Shibuya, that’s where I spent most of my money. I brought some new jeans from Bershka (high waisted, Asian Fit, Skinny jeans… I love!!); and some new everyday dresses.

I even check out the Line Store. I’ve been to the one in Korea, but this one had a special section for BT21 (BTS characters) and I pictures of my faves: Chimmy & Cooky.

Shibuya has so much to look at that I had to go back another day to see everything I didn’t get to see my first day. And even then, I still get to check out all the places I had maked on my map. Next trip to Tokyo. I did get to see the Tower Records building which is so cool since the one in Seattle is no more. I also was able to get a quick shot of Hachiko Statue. Very quick though, there were loads of people lineing up to take a picture with the statue.

Dinner my first night, of course was sushi. Cheap, but still a higher standard of sushi compared to the cheap ones you get back in the states. Genki Sushi in Shibuya is a conveyer belt sushi where you order what you want to each and a machine zips your order to you. So nice! I wish they had them here in Korea. I would totally be there all the time.

So that was my first day in Toyko. It was a leaning day on how to get around the subway system. Completely different from the subway in Seoul. But I do like the fact that my subway card I can put tons of cash in its account and use it to buy things from convenience stores and vending machines. It was the best. To be able to grab a Pocari Sweat right there while waiting for the subway to arrive is great. Something Seattle needs to consider with their Orca Card.

Next post, my 2nd day: Asakusa and Odaiba. I’ll also try to post an update about life here in Gumi since it’s been like what two months since I’ve posted anything. I just keep forgetting. Really, I have no other excuse but that.

안녕 – jane