Konnichiwa (JP)

Shibuya Crossing.

My second international trip brought me to Japan. I'm so late to the game. My goal is to do more international travel, especially since the kids are older now. So for this trip, I met up with my friend John and we visited Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. 

Thanks to John, he was able to upgrade my flight to business class. I got to lay down for most of the 14 hour flight.

TOKYO

Trying to blend in with the locals.

Onigiri (rice balls) and coffee from a convenience store was my go-to breakfast.

Akihabara

There were so many toy and electronic stores in Akihabara.

So many Dragon Ball figurines.

Waiting outside for ramen. If you see long lines, it's probably good food.

Ramen made with duck stock. So good.

Explored more of Akihabara. 

Shibuya

Shibuya Crossing (view from second floor of Starbucks).

Mewtwo at the Pokemon Center.

I discovered my new favorite stationary store, Loft.

At Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine.

Purifying myself.

Got a taiyaki (fish shaped waffle filled with custard) at a random corner shop.

I'm donut? No, that's actually the name of the donut shop.

Got pizza at a popular pizza restaurant.

Shinjuku

If you look carefully, you can see the head of Godzilla.

Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) for dinner.

All different kinds of gyoza (dumplings) for another dinner.

They even insisted that we take silly pictures with the katanas.

Shabu shabu (hot pot) wtih Kobe beef.

Ginza

More ramen (pork broth).

Uniqlo flagship store (12 levels).

Street closed for pedestrians in Ginza.

OSAKA

Catching the shinkansen (bullet train) for Osaka.

A view of Mt. Fuji on the way to Osaka.

We made our way to Dotonbori.

Daiso, my favorite Japanese import.

So crowded.

The famous Glico sign in Dotonbori.

Tried some takoyaki (octopus balls).

I had to try the local McDonald's... I got the zakugiri-potato and thick beef garlic mayo burger.

The view from our hotel in Osaka.

KYOTO

Took an hour train ride from Osaka to Kyoto.

Arashiyama bamboo forest.

Nijo Castle.

Fushimi Inari Shrine (thousand torii gates)

On our way for more ramen, which happened to be down a back alley.

Sat at the counter. Watched how ramen bowls got assembled.

Ramen made with chicken stock.

What an adventure. Tokyo (the largest city in the world) is so crowded. It's astonishing to see only Asian people. Rarely did I see anyone of color. Even more rare is fat people, where sadly it's the majority in the US.  I got lost so many times. There's no way I could've survived without Google Translate or Google Maps. 7-Eleven was truly a convenience store, my one stop shop for food, drinks, and cash. Bidets are everywhere and I want one now. Girls will wear skirts regardless of how cold it is. You only need to spend ¥5000 to qualify for tax-free shopping.