Solo Japan | FindPenguins

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Trip start
December 11, 2023
Solo Japan Traveler
Asakusa to Yokohama (via Shibuya)
Dec 12–15, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Woke up early and it was wet outside. I got a 7-11 breakfast (juice and pastry) after that I had to buy an umbrella as it was rainy. I wandered through Sensoji and surrounds, loving the coloured leaves.

After my 10am checkout I headed for Shibuya, where I put my carry-on luggage in a locker (y400) and wandered around Shibuya area. I went to the Nintendo and Pokemon store on 8th floor of Parco shopping centre, then alse went and looked at the view from the roof top terrace. I visited the weirdly designed Disney store. I had Family Mart beef croquettes for lunch at 2pm. I also went up the Sky lobby of the Hikarie building.

The weather cleared for most of the day. I came and checked into my hotel Yokohama Tokyu REI hotel after 3pm. I have a nice room with 2 beds on the 20th floor. ($206 for 3nights). There is a 7-11 downstairs, so that was dinner. Beef croquettes and ice-cream. Had a nice bath too.Read more
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Solo Japan Traveler
Kamakura Travels
December 13, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Kamakura was the destination for today. I headed back onto Yokohama then took another train to Kamakura. Once here I went to the tourist office and was given a map and some guidance. It was about 9:30am, so I walked up the shopping street while most were still shut and headed for Tsurugaoka Hachimangū at the top of the main street.

This place was lovely, but the highlight was the colours of the leaves and garden, stream areas. After this I caught a bus to Hokokuji temple, a short walk from the bus stop took me up the hill to this place. The light was perfect and making the garden look beautiful. After the front area, I paid the y400 to see the bamboos forest at the rear, the garden was small but lovely.

From here it was noon, I caught a bus back to the shopping street and walked through the food stalls and shops. I bought 4x chopstick sets for y100 (then found a shop selling them for y50 later - so I got 2 more) I ate one awesome curry croquettes and one ok pork one. I also had a luke warm Taiyaki. Lunch done, I waited nack at the station for a bus to the Budda temple Kotoku-in. A 12m heigh bronze Budda statue cast in 1252. It was not much else to see. Entry was y300.

From here I walked to Hase station and rode the old electric railway to Kamakurakoko-mae station. This is a famous spot for photographers to take the train at crossing by ocean pics. It was busy and had a crossing guard keeping everyone in line. Took lots of photos and waited. Then looked at the beach view, and walked back towards Enoshima.

On this walk I encountered the train going through the streets. And also found myself at Manpukuji temple. So I walked up the steps and saw the 5 story pagoda. It was 3:30pm by now, so I caught the Shonan monorail back to Ofuna, then back to Yokohama by train. I wandered some shops in Yokohama, but then needed food, so a Teriyaki burger set at Wendy's it was (y560).

After than one stop train ride back for a relaxing bath and rest.Read more
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Solo Japan Traveler
Akasaka, Shimokitazawa and Yoko
December 14, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Today I set off for Azabudai Hills new tower as the weather was clear. I arrived at 9:30, too early, so I walked to see Tokyo Tower and the instgram photo spot. I then headed to the Azabudai Hills tower and found my way to the 33rd floor. Here I got to see Fuji and the views of Tokyo tower as well.

After this I went to Akasaka station and found the exit that is all Harry Potter themed. They had a cute Harry Potter Christmas tree as well. From here I walked to Hie shrine. This is perched up on a hill, there are esculators to take you up. I saw the Tori gates it is known for, they are hidden around the back corner.

I decided to head back to Shibuya and get a massage (60min for y3,986) It was good, though you put on these pj type outfit and they never touch your skin, all done with towel over the top. From here downstairs to the family mart for more croquettes for lunch and I tried Pokari sweat drink. It was ok, but did the job.

It was before 3pm, so i headed to Shimokitazawa. Out of the station was a Taiyaki place where I had the best custard one, hot and fresh (y300). I had a wander through the streets. This place is definitely bohemian. After 30mins I was headed back to Azabudai Hills for sunset, night view at 4:30pm. I got some dusk shots and waited until dark for some more shots. It was crowded at night.

Back to Yokohama, I lined up for Ichiran ramen as it is popular. They serve you in individual booths and you customise your ramen. It was good and being solo meant I did not wait very long to eat. (Y980). From here I went to surugaya to look for some things for the kids. Prices were still expensive for 2nd hand. Then I walked back through Nissan world headquarters to my hotel by 9pm.Read more
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Solo Japan Traveler
Yokohama to Asakusa
December 15, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
This morning I had to check out of Yokohama, so I went for a walk to Rinko park and around before my 10am checkout. I walked towards the station through the Nissan world headquarters, where they had their showroom open. Here were concept cars and historic cars, it was cool to see.

After this, I was back at Suraguya 5mins before opening, so I wanted, then went up to the Pokemon centre and then down a floor to Suraguya. I got lots of things for the kids cheaper than capsule toys. The shop just kept going and had more to see. Had to hunt for the bargains, though.

I headed to Asakusa, stopping to get my 72hr subway pass, then arriving at the APA Asakusa ekimae at 1:30pm, check was a bit away, so I stashed my luggage and went to f8nd Tonkatsu for lunch. Had a lovely meal for 869y at Tonkatsu Oribe. After this, I took a wander around the shopping streets, ending up at Nakimise street - it was packed!! So now time had come to check-in. Got given some free chu-hi as well.

I settled in, and then after 4pm, I headed to Harajuku area to visit the 'Blue cave' a street of trees all lit up blue, there was markets and stalls, it was a sight. After this, I wandered back up to Harajuku and down Takeshita street, there was nothing to see there anymore. At the end of the street, I walked another few kms to Omote-sando station, strolling past the high-end shops and lit up trees, making it very festive. At 7:30 p.m., it was time to jump on a train headed for Asakusa.

At Asakusa made a stop on Orange Street for some delicious custard taiyaki. Then back tobthe hotel for some rest.Read more
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Solo Japan Traveler
Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Odaiba
December 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
I had a slower start and got moving around 9:30 a.m., where I headed to Ikebukuro. Here, I went to animate the worlds largest Anime store, and hit up some 2nd hand stores getting some goods for the kids.

I then headed to Shinjuku and had so.e waffles and ice cream, before criss crossing the station sides seeing the 3D cat billboard and hitting up some more 2nd hand stores like Suraguya, and Book off.

By now my bag was full and it was about 4pm. So I headed back to the hotel to off load my haul and decide what to do next. I remembered that it was Saturday and there are fireworks at Odaiba, so I headed into Asakusa shopping area and had some Udon and tempura chicken from Megarume.

After a quick meal, I jumped on a train for the 50min journey to Odaiba. Waited in the slowest toilet line ever. Then, I finally headed out and grabbed the nearest spot with a view, so I didn't have time to go scope out spots by the water. The fireworks went for exactly 5mins as stated, and they lit up the rainbow bridge.

After this I looked up to see the Unicorn Gundam statue was about 10mins walk away, so I headed there and arrived as the light show was on. This thing is pretty huge. After viewing that, it was a short 2km walk back to the train station. Where I missed one connection by seconds. This put me back at the hotel after 9pm, absolutely buggered.Read more
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Solo Japan Traveler
Mt Fuji view, Ueno, Akihabara
December 17, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
It was a beautiful clear day, so this morning I set off to view Mt Fuji from Tokyo sites. I first went to Bunkyo civic centre where there is a wonderful viewing deck on the 25th floor. From here I decided to also hit up the Shinjuku Government building for another view.

After this I headed across to Ueno, and walked down to Akibahara visiting lots of shops, but having no luck finding pokemon items. At 3pm, I was tired and headed back to the hotel. I had Tonkatsu for lunch/dinner at 3:30pm first. Once back at the hotel, I did a practice pack to see if I needed another bag. I had to have room to bring back Whiskey for hubby.

So I headed out to Don Quixote and got Jason his Whiskey. On the way I got a dress pair of shoes. At donki I got a few snacks, but nothing major. I actually found the lollies I was after at the Family Mart. I came back to the hotel and packed the suitcase, 11kg.

After this, I headed out to Skytree area to see the view from the 30th floor, where I watched a kind of light show up the side of skytree. Did a small wander around but by this time it was after 8pm, and I was stuffed, so I returned to the hotel for my last night in Japan.Read more
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Solo Japan Traveler
The last solo day
December 18, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Today is the day I had to check out, but my flight was not until 9pm. So I had a slow morning and checked out of the hotel at 9:30am, leaving my luggage with them.

I headed to Akasaka-mitsuke station and went and had a look at the Japanese garden on the grounds of the new otani hotel, entry to these was via the 5th floor. I had a look around and decided to see if the massage place could fit me in. I arrived at 11:30am and had another great massage by Arthur (1hr for $40). I left there at 12:50pm and walked to Harajuku, here I bought a shirt I liked from Uniqlo and a luggage strap from Daiso.

It was time to head back to Asakusa, the day kind of went by quickly, and the train arrived back at Asakusa at 3:18pm. On checking, I couldn't find the train I had saved from yesterday for my journey to the airport. Another swarch bought up one leaving at 3:41pm, so it was a dash back to the hotel, grabbing my stored bags and a rush to the station. Luckily, there was elevator access close by, so that made it easy. I even had some time spare at the platform.

The train is scheduled to arrive at 4:36pm. Once at the airport, I added so.e more yen to my suica card to make next trip easier. Then it was food time. Yoshinoya was quiet which meant I got my food quickly as I hadn't eaten since breakfast and it was after 5pm. This was followed by some 7-11 icecream.

I headed for terminal 3, ready for 6pm check in and was met with a shit show. There was no real lines anywhere, people were being directed to use the self-service check ins, but they were not working, so went to line up for counter check in, but were sent back to self-service. Finally ended up in a check in line that took forever, about 40mins later I was through, so I headed through security and found myself a nice spot near a wall outlet to recharge all devices for the flight home. Oh, and I rewarded myself with a coolish. Flight is set to board from 8:10pm with a 9pm departure.Read more
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Trip end
December 19, 2023