Honeymoon

A 23-day adventure by Luke Read more

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Trip start
September 16, 2023
Honeymoon Traveler
The Crack of Dawn
September 16, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 8 °C
Up at 4:30am for our flight! Super excited! Today's the day...
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Most Important Meal of the Day
September 16, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Starting the day with the best bagels in town.
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Honeymoon Traveler
On the Waka Rererangi
September 16, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Free blanket, pillow, and headphones! Movies and games on our personal screen. Window seat for Franks.
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But what about second breakfast?
September 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Hot cakes and fruit!
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Honeymoon Traveler
11-hour flight!
September 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Plane food wasn't too bad! Met a nice Japanese girl sitting next to us on the plane, Hinu. Also managed to watch a bit of the Warriors game while flying above Japan!
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$3.50 whiskey and $5 sashimi?!?!
September 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We were so tired from our journey so we literally dumped our bags at the hotel, then stumbled down into the first restaurant we could find. It was delicious! Grilled chicken thigh, grilled pork, and sashimi, and a couple drinks all for $30!Read more
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Lives up to the hype
September 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
First time trying a 7-11 konbini... it lives up to the hype! Soooo many snacks! Frankie's favourite: candy floss in a bag. Luke's favourite: pancakes in a bag. And they still give you plastic bags! 😍
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Morning walk
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Our body clocks were still a bit off so we got up way before any of the shops opened. But found some cute little alleyways on our way to our first attraction ...
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Honeymoon Traveler
Senso-ji Temple pt. 1
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
You pay 100 yen ($1) to have a lucky fortune drawn. You shake the can and pick out a stick, then you use the number to pick out your corresponding fortune card. If you pick bad fortune, you can tie it on the wall and leave your bad fortune behind. If you have good fortune, you can take it home with you and make a wish. Franks had "regular" fortune, I had "best" fortune. 😁Read more
Wow good fortunes !! [Jen]
9/18/23Reply
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Honeymoon Traveler
Senso-ji Temple pt.2
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
The temple has burned down multiple times, most recently in 1945 during the war. It was re-built in the 80s from 100s of 1000s of donations. There is a secret shrine at the back of the temple that the public does not have access to. There is a duplicate shrine are the front for the public to visit. Lots of people come here to get good fortune and say prayers.Read more
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Exploring Asakusa!
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Ate way too much as we explored Asakusa. There were markets galore and we spent a good 4 hours or so just wandering through as many as we could. Picked up a lot of cool souvenirs for some family back home, and some cool Japanese themed clothes.Read more
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Frankie's best find yet ...
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
We just happened to be walking past this place called Rio Dog Cafe in Asakusa just 10 mins before it opened. Of course we had to go inside. It was really fun and because we were one of the first to go inside, we got to meet all the puppies before it got too crowded. We spent approx $30 for two people for 40 mins and had unlimited drinks available. Saya was definitely the most friendly and loved scratches. It was good to see that the dogs were all attentive and active which makes it seem that they are looked after well, rather than being doped up on calming drugs.Read more
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Honeymoon Traveler
Why did the waiter give us a towel?
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Something strange in Japan is that restaurant waiters always serve you with a damp towelette. It is quite common to see people wipe their faces and necks to refresh themselves. After all, it does get very sweaty in the heat of the day. Some people even carry towels around town to keep themselves dry on the go.Read more
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Honeymoon Traveler
Akihabara Electric Town
September 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
I didn't take many photos but this is the biggest electronics department store! Each storey is probably the size of 3x JB Hi-fi stores in NZ, and there are 9 storeys in total. There are so many signs and flashing lights inside that I'm glad I don't understand any of them because I would get a headache from the information overload. We bought some handheld fans to keep us cool in the 30+ degree weather and some Pokemon toys which were located on the 5th floor - a whole floor dedicated to gaming and toys!Read more
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Train stations
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
In Auckland, there is only one train line in each direction. In Japan, there is a spiderweb of train lines in all different directions. It is definitely the most efficient way to travel. Luckily there is enough signage in English to get around, and Google Maps helped a lot. It even suggests which train cart to board for the fastest disembarking. Trains arrive every 5 mins so it's no hassle if you miss one. And every train has AC! A single fare is around $2.Read more
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Antique Market
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Today we visited the Oeda Antique Markets which only occur every other Sunday, although today's was on a Monday due to the public holiday (Respect for the Aged day). Didn't buy much as it was all old antique stuff, but was fun to have a look around anyway.Read more
Omg there’s a shake shack!! There’s are massive in NYC! [Jen]
9/18/23Reply
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Shibuya Crossing!
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
This morning we visited the famous Shibuya Crossing. It was still early so there weren't too many people crossing but so fun watching everyone. We went to the nearby Starbucks so that we could get a high viewing platform. Tried an Otatsu Butter drink which was a sweet potato and butter milky drink - absolutely delicious!

Edit: I am re-reading this later in the day and the video does not do it justice. We came back through Shibuya Crossing in the afternoon on our way to Harajuku and it was pure madness!Read more
Wow what a random flavoured drink ! Good on you for giving it w go! [Jen]
9/18/23Reply
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Shibuya exploring
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Spent half the day exploring Shibuya. We wanted to go to a famous shopping mall called Shibuya 109 but it had closed due to a fire the previous day. So we went to Parco instead. Parco was super boujee so we didn't really buy anything. There was a shop that sold Pokemon cards and the most expensive one we could find was 42,000 yen which is roughly $470 NZD!!

Also, Japan loves these things called Gacha. It's those little toys that are inside a capsule ball. You pay a few dollars into the machine and get a little figurine. But there are heaps scattered throughout the city and they have pretty much every cartoon/movie/anine character you can think of.Read more
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Today's lunch!
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 33 °C
We were trying to find a nice sushi train for lunch today but they were either too far away or too smelly 😭😂 so we stumbled across this place and boy are we glad we did. First, a plate of edamame beans in garlic butter, then a pork and cabbage and egg gravy thing? No idea what it was called but it was delicious. Then finally, the famous Okonomiyaki - this kind of like scrambled egg with cabbage and pork, drizzled in mayo and gravy. All served on a hot plate. Delicious!Read more
Yum ! Sounds delish !! We make okonomiyaki at home heaps 😍 so delish ! What a shame about all the smelly places lol glad you found a winner ! [Jen]
9/18/23Reply
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Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
After Shibuya, we headed to Harajuku to try to find the famous Candy Floss store. We found more than that. The main street, Takeshite Street, was full of markets and really quirky shops. We were both pretty tired by this point so didn't stay too long, but we'll definitely come back again, hopefully on a weekday when it's less busy, to carry on exploring. I got a sick pair of Harajuku Skechers and a new back pack for tomorrow. We also tried famous Glazed Strawberries and Frozen Bananas (with the skin on?!?!).Read more
Oh wow ! So many cool things you’re seeing and interesting foods to try!! That candy floss is huuuge haha did you get through it all frankie? [Jen]
9/18/23Reply
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Day 2 complete
September 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Some of my favourite purchases from Shibuya and Harajuku. A Pokemon themed Rubik's cube (could that BE any more Luke?), and my Harajuku Skechers that you can only find in Harajuku.

Back home for a quick power nap before dinner. On the way to dinner, we stopped at a shop called Daiso which is the Japanese version of a $2 shop. Picked up some cooling pads and a cooling spray for our big day tomorrow. Walked down a nearby alley for dinner options and decided on sashimi and chicken skewers. Also available on the menu was chicken sashimi or horse meat sashimi... we did not try these 😂 dessert was mini pancake bears with choc or caramel filling from a nearby stall, then home for the night around 9:30pm.

Very tired but very excited for tomorrow.

Up next....

Disneyland!Read more
Omg the Skechers !!! So cool!! [Jen]
9/18/23Reply
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Honeymoon Traveler
Welcome to Disneyland Tokyo
September 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Up at 6am for our morning trip to Disneyland. The park opened at 9am so we thought it's probably best to get there an hour early to beat the crowds. Most things I'd read online had suggested this too. But wow we were not expecting the crowds. There was easily 10,000+ people waiting in line as we arrived. That being said, we still managed to get into the park around 8:50am, 10 mins before the rides started operating. First thing to do was book some fast passes, then go wait in line for our first ride!Read more
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Space Mountain!
September 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We waited about 80 minutes on line for this one. The first 40 mins or so in direct sunlight, then the next 40 mins had shade at least. The ride was incredible! A roller coaster type ride with a steep incline, then downhill twists and turns in complete darkness, save for a few stars from distant galaxies. It was so quick that it gave us butterflies. One of the better thrill rides of the day.Read more
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Beauty and the Beast
September 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
This ride was more relaxing than thrill, but was definitely no less fun. It was beautiful from start to finish. We were lucky to get a fast pass so we only had to wait about 20 mins, whereas people in the normal line had to wait 140 mins 😬 as you wait in line, you walk through the gates to Beast's castle, adorned with gargoyles and gothic archways. Once you enter the castle, familiar characters such as Chip, Cogsworth, Lumiere, and Gaston greet you with animatronic movements. Then you walk into a big room at the base of the castle stairs and watch the opening scene of the movie on a stained glass window. So far this has been just the introduction to the ride. After all this, you get to sit in a large teacup and dance around various rooms to the classic soundtrack. The attention to detail was incredible and this was definitely a very memorable ride for Frankie and me.Read more
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The Happy Ride with Baymax
September 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
This ride had a surprisingly long wait time of 120 mins. Because it was so popular, we thought we'd better buy a fast pass which shaved off about 115 mins off our wait time lol. It was a fairly standard dodgems type ride. I think the reason it was so popular was because the staff are all dancing and the songs are very catchy. You can't help but smile when you are on the ride or waiting in line.Read more
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