When I was in Tokyo🎌

Hello, This is Daffa writing about my trip experience again. So for those who read this, I am going to tell you the experienced I had in Tokyo. I hope you enjoy reading this story.

I went to Japan (I only visited Tokyo) 4.5 years ago which is a long long time ago but I think I will never forget the places I visited back then. I went to Tokyo from Jakarta at the end of July 2017, 2 months after I graduated from high school. I think going to Tokyo is the greatest gift not only because I graduated from high school but also I have been accepted into college at Padjadjaran University taking a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics.

Fig 1. Me In Narita Airport (Taken using Samsung J7 Prime)

On 30th July 2017, I arrived at Narita Airport and On the Way to the hotel. I went to Tokyo with a travel agent, so I have a lot of new friends (mostly people that are older than me). There are not many activities on the first day, but I am amazed by the cultures in Tokyo because It’s my first time choosing food from a machine and you have to put the dirty plates and glasses that you used to eat and drink to this sink. It made me realize that I need to put my plates and glasses and clean them ASAP. It was something new for me at that time.

Fig 2. Me in front of Souvenir Shop of Mt. Fuji (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

On the second day, I went to Mount Fuji Even Though I didn’t hike to the top of the mountain. I only visited mount Fuji at the foot of the mountain and its surroundings. When I was there it was surprisingly really cold there even though it was summer and we didn’t visit the top of mount Fuji. after that we visited several places like Onsen, But I didn’t try the hot water for relaxing there instead I eating ice cream from the Ice cream vending machine, then having lunch in Ninja Restaurant (because the restaurant has ninja as their theme). The food is delicious though It’s unusual Japanese cuisine like I never tried in any Japanese Restaurant in Indonesia.

Fig 3. Matcha Ice Cream from Ice Cream Vending machine (Left), Ninja Restaurant Cuisine (Right) (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

Fig. 4. Gotemba Premium Outlet (Left) , Pokemon Store (Right) (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

After that, we visited Gotemba Premium Outlet. It’s quite famous for shopping and many tourists love shopping there. I bought a lot of shoes there since It’s quite cheap if the yen converts into rupiah. There’s also a Pokemon Store there and I bought a Pikachu action figure from the Gashapon. I recommended if you visited Tokyo to shopping there.

On the third day, I visited a lot of places in the central of Tokyo like Tokyo Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Senso-Ji Temple. The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the place where the Emperor of Japan lives. In this place, you can see history in Tokyo from the Edo era to the Present. there’s also a beautiful garden where you can see in the east area. After that, we visited Meiji Shrine which is a shrine where you can see views from the shrine and a place for Shinto to pray. According to history, Meiji Shrine was built dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. In this place, I took a lot of photos (of course asking for permission to take pictures since this is a sacred place for Shinto people) and learned a bit about the history. Then, we visited Asakusa especially around the Senso-Ji Temple area where you can see a lot of food stalls and small shopping stores behind the temple. Senso-Ji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo and is a place for Buddhists to pray. Senso-Ji Temple is dedicated to “Kannon Bosatsu”. What makes me interested in this temple is the identically the temple with red color which is my favorite color and I took a photo in front of the temple where there’s this big Red Lantern there.

Fig 5. Me in Tokyo Imperial Palace front gate (Left), Meiji Shrine (Center), Senso-Ji Temple (Right) (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

Fig 6. Hachiko Statue (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

After that, we have free time to go to places that we want to go. Most of the people I go with want to go shopping So I decide to go alone to Shinjuku where I can take a picture of the famous Hachiko Statue. When I get there I am able to see the Hachiko Statue with my own eyes but there’s a little bit of construction behind the statue. It’s kinda disappointed to see the statue with construction views from behind but at least I am able to see it for myself which I have always curious about the statue since I was Junior High.

On the fourth day, we visited Harajuku later Disneysea. Harajuku is known as a district in Shibuya for its arts and fashion where you can buy and see the trending outfit in Tokyo. I also visit places like Harajuku Mall which has a glass entrance that shows a mirror of people near the entrance, and also I am watching a Traditional Geisha Dance where I had a chance to take a picture with one of the Geisha.

Fig 7. Harajuku Mall Glass Entrance (Left), Me with Geisha (Right) (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

After that, we visited Disneysea to play some rides there and buy some souvenirs of Disney merchandise. I am able to ride one of the roller coasters and go to this underwater ride where you are able to see something under the water. I remember I am buying this Stitch Pillow since I love Lilo & Stitch when I was little. During closing time, I saw fireworks that were released every time Disneysea is about to close. I remember seeing beautiful fireworks when I went to Disneyland Hongkong and the fireworks in Disneysea is so beautiful as well. I always wonder how much money it cost just for fireworks in one night but as long as the visitors are happy, the fireworks will always be there every Disneysea/Disneyland in closing time.

Fig 8. Me in Disneysea Globe (Left), Disneysea Gate in Pirates Summer (Right) (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

Fig 9. Disneysea Fireworks (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

On the last day in Tokyo (3rd August 2017), I was about to go home but since I went back to Jakarta in the evening in Tokyo time, I was thinking maybe I should visit Akihabara so I decided to visit there. I went to Akihabara because I heard Akihabara is an area for buying electronics and Anime stuff. since I am a big fan of Fairy Tail and Sword Art Online I bought a lot of merchandise from Fairy Tail and Sword Art Online. I feel amazed and happy back then I am able to see a lot of items that have to do with Fairy Tail and Sword Art Online since I have always watched them since I was Junior High. I wish I can show some pictures of me in Akihabara but I was too excited back then it made me forget to take pictures there 😂. After that, we went to Narita Airport to go back to Jakarta, Indonesia.

Fig 10. Japanese Airlines: Plane that I used to go back to Jakarta (Taken Using Samsung J7 Prime)

If I could travel abroad, I would definitely want to go back to Tokyo but I probably want to expand days for the trip So I can visit another city in Japan like Osaka, Kyoto, etc. I hope to whoever reads this can feel entertained and get insights into what you can and should visit in Tokyo. to anyone reading this hope you can give me a review to write better in the future. I know today isn’t 1st February yet but Happy Lunar New Year 2022.