Boos Family - Japan 2023

A 12-day adventure by Meredith Read more

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Trip start
March 28, 2023
Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Heading Out to Haneda
March 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Up at 3:15 a.m. and out of the house by 3:40. Gram kindly drove us to the airport and she, along with Jiji, will look after Walter, Escher and Soft-Paws. Kyrie was hungry so we stopped in at 7Eleven for breakfast. Early flight from MYR
to Atlanta then late afternoon flight to Haneda. Airport pretty empty at 4 a.m. got Kyrie plugged in so she could work on her drawings on the iPad.

We are all very excited and a little nervous about this trip. It will be 5 years since Greg and Kyrie have been there (4 for me, thanks mom!) and since the pandemic Japan kept some of the strictest border closures in the world. They only officially opened up to international travelers late last November. It will be interesting to see what has changed in that time. Regardless, this is going to be a great trip.

We have reservations to the Pokemon Cafe for Kyrie, the TeamLAB planets exhibit for Greg and a Yukata (kimono) styling appointment for me and Kyrie. Also our hotel is a stone throw from Akihabara which everyone was happy about. When I told them there was a built in FamilyMart, all concerns evaporated.

The Atlanta airport international terminal is spacious and quiet. We saw ‘vintage’ lunchboxes (many of which Greg and I had used at school), a plane made of corn and randomDa Vinci-esque models hanging from the ceiling.

We were able to snag one of the seats behind the bulkhead so Greg can stretch his legs. Hopefully the flight will go well and the next update will from Tokyo!Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Made it to Tokyo
March 29, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Perhaps we are getting too old for a 15 hour flight. Granted like childbirth we will forget how uncomfortable it was…

Anyway, we were able to get Greg a spot without a chair in front of him so he was able to stretch his legs the whole flight. Unfortunately the two people ahead of me and Kyrie decided to recline completely despite they had nothing but space ahead of them. We were squished but both slept some of the flight.

Customs and immigration was busier than I’d ever seen and took almost two hours to clear.

We took a taxi out of sheer decadence to the MyStay Hotel in Ochanomizu. Very pleasant driver and nice, if not rainy, views of Tokyo at night.

Our room is really big by business hotel standards. Everyone has a bed and at that point that’s all that mattered. We did a run though the attached convenient mart for dinner. Got the usuals-egg salad sandwiches, rice balls with tuna, etc. Kyrie did a Sailor Moon lucky pull and got a key chain of Sailor Uranus (which was way too funny in our sleep deprived minds.)

We made it till almost 10pm Tokyo time before we all passed out. We will plan more to do tomorrow.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Sakura!
March 30, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Up at 3:30 am…so much for no jet lag. Decided to go to Chidorigafuchi to attempt boating. A Sakura was gorgeous. Sadly the boats were flooded so the attendants announced they didn’t know what time they would open.

We found a place for a late breakfast after some trial and error. I had some of true best honey pancakes ever. After that we did a bit of shopping in Akihabara and came back to our hotel to rest around 2 p.m.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
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Friday in Tokyo
March 31, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Up at a late 4:30 a.m. Everyone showered and clean and out by 7:30 to attempt the boats again. Many things we want to see don’t open until 11 so it’s a good activity for the morning. Kyrie and I took the boat out and Greg was kind enough to take pics from the land. Contrary to Kyrie’s opinion, I didn’t come close to hitting anything and we made it back with one minute to spare.

Afterwards we ventured out to Alice on Wednesday and Kiddy Land to store. Everyone is dragging a little bit so we didn’t stay long. The crowds are overwhelming. But Kyrie found the Magolor Kirby plush she was on the hunt for.

Kyrie and Greg hit the grocery for supplies. We relaxed for the latter half of the afternoon in perpetration for visiting the illuminations at Shinjuku Park. Unfortunately Kyrie stumbled on the subway steps and twisted her ankle. All of us went back to the hotel. After discussing it, Kyrie insisted we go ahead without her. We did…but the line into the park ran the entire perimeter of the park and by 8:40 we gave up and headed back. It was the longest line I’d ever seen. We will try for the illuminations another day. Personally I’m proud I stayed awake this long.Read more
Traveler Hi Kyrie! You look great!
3/31/23Reply
Traveler Love this picture. The cherry blossoms are beautiful.
3/31/23Reply
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Saturday
April 1, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
We actually were able to sleep in! No one woke up before 7! We went out to Denny’s for breakfast (if you can count honey caramel pancakes as breakfast…) then hung out in front of Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara until the store opened. We were able to go to Daiso (dollar store) and get some nice souvenirs. There was also a huge toy shop that made everyone’s morning. Afterwards we went to the Don Quixote novelty store and found lots of interesting things.

We went back to the hotel to relax a bit. After a lot of debate we decided Greg and I would try to see the illuminations in Shinjuku park at 7. We left at 3:30 (>_<)… the people herding the daytime reservations were very nice if not confused why we were here so early. Another Japanese last was all like, “They are here like me so we won’t get in the unbelievable line like last night!” Hahaha.

But at 5:45 some random person came out shouting orders out of a bullhorn in rapid fire Japanese. Turns out they changed the entrance to a mile down the road. So even though we’d been waiting where they told us to we still got passed up by half the crowd. But, but, BUT we got in, we got a purple lantern, we got our Sakura mat and flower fortunes and the park was INCREDIBLE! We saw a guy propose and took pics for them then as we left we handed off our lantern to a family and the mom was overjoyed. So as much as I complained about the whole situation, we were where we needed to be the whole time.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
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Sunday
April 2, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Everyone was up too early again at 5am. We all chilled until things started opening and walked to Akihabara’s Radio Kaikan…many things were purchased, including my birthday present which I’m not sure exactly how I’ll get it/her home. Eh-heh.

After a stop at the hotel we went to the Ochanomizu Train Station to catch the express for Nakano. We made it to Nakano Broadway in less than 20 minutes and got to see all the carp streamers in the shopping street. Nakano has a lot of independent shops with vintage and retro flair. Everyone agreed the process and items were a lot better and more fun to search for. We even set a butterfly free that has been trapped in the shopping complex.

We ate at our favorite noodle restaurant Nidai Fujisoba for dinner (Tanuki udon and tonkatsu soba set) and topped it off with soft serve melon ice cream cones.Read more
Traveler Welcome to the family
4/2/23Reply
Traveler You’ll need a car seat!
4/3/23Reply
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Monday
April 3, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 55 °F
Didn’t sleep well but Kyrie and Greg slept till 7. We decided it’d be good to see how much stuff we had and Tetris it into the suitcases. So far we have two big bags still empty somehow.

We went to Shinjuku to the Disney Flagship store to get various souvenirs. Afterwards we attempted to find the 3D billboard but I might have underestimated the sheer scale of Shinjuku Station. Greg saved the day by finding the tourist center and finding the way. We saw the huge 3D kitty dressed as a policeman.

Afterwards we rested a bit in preparation for our afternoon at teamLab Planets. It took a bit to get there, a bus as well as the subway this time but it was totally worth it. There will probably be two posts to hold all the pics and videos…

See the next post for teamLab Planets…it was awesome.

Afterwards we were all pretty tired. We ate at Jonathan’s family restaurant and were served by a robot cat…I kid you not. Which was also awesome.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Monday-teamLab Planets
April 3, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Together with Others, Immerse your Entire Body, Perceive with your Body, and Become One with the World
teamLab Planets is a museum where you walk through water, and a garden where you become one with the flowers. It comprises 4 large-scale artwork spaces and 2 gardens created by art collective teamLab.

People go barefoot and immerse their entire bodies in the vast artworks together with others. The artworks change under the presence of people, blurring the perception of boundaries between the self and the works. Other people also create change in the artworks, blurring the boundaries between themselves and the works, and creating a continuity between the self, the art, and others.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Miscellaneous Pictures
April 4, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Depository for extra pictures!
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Tuesday
April 4, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 59 °F
Today we went to the Skytree/Asakusa districts. There were many stores at Skytree. We went mostly for the Kirby Cafe Store since Kyrie is a fan. After seeing a few other favorites, ( AND A SLOTH!!) we headed to Yae Kimono to get dressed up. They not only provided the outfits, they also did our hair. Once we were properly outfitted, we went to Sensoji Temple. Afterwards we headed back to the hotel and Greg headed to Akihabara since he’d been the pack mule photographer for us for most of the day.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Wednesday
April 5, 2023 in Japan
Today was a rest day for Kyrie out as she said,“I’m staying out so I have money for tomorrow (Pokémon Cafe).”

No problem, since the Cherry blossoms have mostly bloomed out the crowds are significantly less annoying, I don’t mind some grown up shopping time.

Greg and I went to a new Hobby Off store in Kameido. It has a bunch of older items and some nostalgic finds. Plus there was a pop up store in Akihabara for the kitty Mofusand/Sanrio collaboration!! I love the Illustration style.

We came back to have lunch (cough cough drop off bags cough cough) with Kyrie. I’m in love with the area we are staying in. There are no less than five subway and train stations with in easy walking distance. We can be anywhere in Tokyo within 30 minutes.

We took the Express train back to Nakano Broadway in less than 20 minutes. I got to browse and had lots of good talks with the shop people. We got back to the hotel around five.

Then it was time for the true test. Would we need to buy another suitcase!? Greg worked his magic and so far so good. But with two full days before our flight home, one of those days being my birthday, I’m leaning towards probably.

Kyrie and I are loving our deep tub in the hotel room. But that might have something to do with the toy prizes in the bath bombs…Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Thursday
April 6, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 68 °F
Up super early, Greg and Kyrie slept in. They got me a cookie and two cute Totoro pins (3 & 4 so 43) for my birthday. After that Greg and I walked past Akihabara to Coco Curry for his brunch. We exchanged some money and got back to the hotel. After Kyrie ate her lunch we went to Shibuya.

Sadly I could not find the Good Smile Shop for Greg but I did find the Nintendo store. I also got a PopMart figure of the character who’s art was being installed at Nakano Broadway. After that we descended into the depths of Shibuya’s Mandarake. Sadly it was packed so we divided and conquered. Greg also found the 100 yen boxes that were fun.

Then it was time to venture out to Nihonbashi to the Pokémon Cafe and DX Center! Slight buying frenzy ensued…but it was all super cute things. Our reservation time was 6:00pm. The couple in front of us messed up the day of their reservation and got kicked out.

We got to sit in the Pikachu Section! I may have swapped a placemat or two, shh, don’t tell. I wanted the pig, Lechonk. Greg and Kyrie ate the Snorlax Meals and one Quaxly Ramune cream soda. Kyrie got a cute coaster as a prize. We also adopted another plushy…a Meowth waiter.

Then Pikachu emerged! Lots of fun! A good birthday.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Friday (Last Day (T_T))
April 7, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 68 °F
Today is our last full day in Japan. It started off with us jamming a Kirby gacha machine in Mulan. The people at the store were more than willing to help and smacked the machine until it worked. One of the best things about being back in Japan this time is how kind and talkative everyone has been. The people here are WAY more patient with the other foreigners than I am.

We spent the morning venturing out to Ameyayokocho in Ueno to find another Hobby Off. We found some neat nostalgic stuffs. We went back via the Ginza Line and got off at the opposite end of Akihabara to pick up some last minute souvenirs. Kyrie was a trooper but finally puttered out so we took her back to MyStays to rest.

Later Greg and I went back out to some of the doll stores, Doll Up, Volks, DollieTeria and Dolk+. All of them were great but overpriced so I didn’t get much. We did however pick up a new suitcase…it’s Pink, it’s Hello Kitty, and I regret NOTHING.

The rain was getting pretty bad so we headed back around 6. Finished packing everything up and got everything ready to go. I booked a private car to the airport that will pick us up at 11:30 tomorrow morning and take us to Haneda Airport with plenty of time before our flight.Read more
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Boos Family - Japan 2023 Traveler
Saturday-heading home maybe?
April 8, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
Up around 7am. Checkout is at 11 and our taxi comes at 11:30. Everything is packed and cleaned. Beds are stripped. All the garbage is sorted into burnable, non-burnable and recycling since we didn’t ask for room cleaning but once or twice.

I contacted Delta to check on the layover time being sufficient to clear customs…they say yes of course.

Arrived at the airport with no problems until they told us our flight was canceled. Now we wait until 3pm to find out what they’re gonna do with us. They gave us each 2000 ten vouchers. After a while though things seemed off and Greg checked at the counter again. Our flight was uncanceled. Ooookay….

Had a good lunch thanks to the vouchers and wandered around the newly redesigned Haneda Airport. They did a half and half new vs old Japan. By the time we finished checking everything out the line for security was almost an hour long. We got through though.

Our flight was just over 12 hours.
We had an hour and a half to clear customs and immigration…no problem for us…our bags, so lucky. They stayed in Atlanta we will pick them up tomorrow.

Gram and Jiji meet us at the airport. Jiji found us at the baggage claim and led us to the van. We made it all the way home around 10pm. After babbling incoherently for a while and loving on our kitties, the three of us passed out in our familiar beds.Read more
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Trip end
April 8, 2023