Monthly Archives: November 2024

Our day started with all nine of us going out for breakfast for the first time this week. We chose one of the only places open before 10am, an English-style cafe. It had comfy worn leather seating, outstanding coffee, yummy puffy Japanese pancakes for the kids and croque monsieur for the adults. We then triedContinue reading “Tokyo, Japan; Day 6”

The Japanese whiskey bar turned into another night of karaoke for some of the adult members of our group.  Despite this late night fun, we all departed the house refreshed and ready for the day’s activities. Budz predicted that today would be his favorite day of the trip.  He knew that we would be visitingContinue reading “Tokyo, Japan; Day 5”

We had a slowish start this morning after our intense Karaoke session last night. Our weather remains sunny and temperate so we stopped by a park to enjoy the beautiful fall day. We went to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Established as a park in 1906, it was originally built as a garden for theContinue reading “Tokyo, Japan; Day 4”

We enjoyed our stay in Kyoto and certainly could spend more time there. It was full of tourists this weekend for the autumn leaves but it doesn’t feel touristy at all. No shops filled with key chains, magnets, thimbles, spoons or other collectibles we see all over the world. Though it was crowded, it feltContinue reading “Tokyo, Japan; Day 1”

Hi everyone! Today you’ll be getting a treat from the blog’s most interesting writer – Suaram. 😉 This time, I’ll be writing in style (like last time) and I’ll be writing about an interesting day! (unlike last time) Here’s something to know before we depart on our amazing adventure – the three-story flat we areContinue reading “Tokyo, Japan; Day 3”

We have a quick announcement regarding the alias of one of our Adventurers. From this point forward, the following individual has expressed a desire to no longer be CreeperPuppy. We introduce you to Toaster_ham! Hopefully, this won’t start a trend which ends with one or more of kids wanting to be referred to as WeContinue reading “Tokyo, Japan; Day 2”

Our Sunday began with a light drizzle and 44 degrees Fahrenheit.  It stopped raining and warmed up a few degrees as we left our lodging to begin the first adventure of the day. Kyoto sits in a bowl with protective hills, each of which is considered a “natural guardian” of the city.  Yesterday we visitedContinue reading “Kyoto, Japan; Day 3”

Our first full day in Kyoto started around 4am local time. Thanks jet lag for giving us an excuse to visit the downstairs convenience store at 5am for fried chicken and instant Raman. More on convenience store food later – it’s better than it sounds – and incredibly popular with the Japanese. We feel fortunateContinue reading “Kyoto, Japan; Day 2”

We are back on the road! We boarded our flight to Japan late on Wednesday night and flew over the International Date Line on our way to Kyoto.  We arrived in the literal land of the rising sun Friday morning and missed Thursday altogether.  At least we can look forward to a 36 hour SundayContinue reading “Kyoto, Japan; Day 1”