We spent one week in Tokyo, and I’m excited to share our adventures as I bring my blog back to life. We had an incredible time exploring Tokyo, Japan, and while I’m slowly recovering from jet lag, adjusting to the West Coast has been challenging. But I digress.
We planned our visit to Tokyo, Japan, where my brother is currently stationed. My oldest brother and his family, my dad, and my youngest brother joined us. Unfortunately, my mom couldn’t make the trip due to the demands of owning a small business in a beach town. My family isn’t the “family reunion” type, but in 2024, we decided to make it happen.
We stayed at the Westin in Yokohama. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it was one of the most expensive hotels in the area, costing roughly $125 a night.
Before diving into Tokyo’s neon lights and sushi counters, make sure you’re covered.
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Why Is It a Good Time to Visit Japan?
The Yen is currently weak, so the US dollar goes a lot further. At times, I felt guilty about how inexpensive everything was, from the hotel to the all-you-can-eat sushi. Besides the plane ticket, we didn’t spend a ton of money in our one week in Tokyo.
What Do I Wish I Had Known Before Getting to Japan?
- Get a PASMO Train Card from the Airport: The airport is the only place you can buy them. If you have an iPhone, you can use it for transportation. If you have an Android, you’ll need to buy tickets.
- Wear Good Walking Shoes: If you spend a week in Tokyo, you’ll be walking everywhere, so wear comfortable shoes.
- You Don’t Need a Rental Car: If you’re strictly staying in Tokyo, the trains will take you everywhere you need to go. Especially for just one week in Tokyo, it’s more expensive and more of a hassle to get a rental (and international drivers license).
Tuesday
Our flight landed in Tokyo around 9 pm on Monday, and we got to bed around midnight. We were exhausted and stayed local, exploring Yokohama and taking a mini trip to Cosmo World, a small amusement park with several rides.
That night, we met my family at the Yokohama train station and embarked on a long trip (about 3 hours) to our Airbnb at the base of Mount Fuji for the climb the next day. We kept our hotel in Yokohama to avoid bringing our large suitcases. Dinner that night was from 7-11, which in Japan offers good sushi, snacks, and everything you might need.
Wednesday
We spent 9 hours on Mount Fuji. Exhausted, we took the long trip back to Yokohama. If I did it again (which I don’t need to), I would stay an extra night near Fuji and visit FujiQ Highland, an amusement park that looked super cool. Mount Fuji has stations where you can buy souvenirs, get your sticks branded, and even purchase food.
Thursday
We woke up sore but in good spirits. We toured the ship where my brother is currently stationed. It was hot but a lot of fun. I’ve never been on a destroyer before.
I started to get a migraine, so my husband and I had sushi and went to bed early. “Early” is relative because it was still 10 pm before we actually fell asleep.
Friday
This was one of my favorite days of the trip. We visited TeamLab Borderless and a Snake Cafe. TeamLab Borderless is a museum of artworks without boundaries, created by art collective teamLab. Artworks move out of rooms, relate to other works, influence each other, and intermingle, creating a continuous world without boundaries.
It was probably my favorite part of the trip because it was so much fun. It does sell out, so make sure to get your tickets beforehand. It’s a must do if you have one week in Tokyo.
Next, we went to the Snake Cafe, where you dine and hold snakes. You choose a live snake centerpiece for your table in a clear cage. After dining, you have the option to hold snakes of your choice. I somehow persuaded our group to go, but only myself, my younger brother, niece, and my brother’s wife went. No one else wanted to go, LOL.
We had dinner at a cook-it-yourself restaurant that had the best eel. Friday was jam-packed but probably my favorite day.
Saturday
The rest of our family left on Saturday, leaving just my husband, my brother, and his wife. In the morning, we met one of my husband’s friends and went to the Cup of Noodles Museum. At the Cup of Noodles Museum, you get to make your own customized cup of noodles. Plus see how the company was founded. It’s a must stop if you are spending one week in Toyko.
Then met my brother and his wife for dinner along the water. It was beautiful, and as usual, I didn’t take enough photos.
Sunday
Our last full day in Japan, we went to a market and had all-you-can-eat sushi. We got Wagyu on a stick for $10, which was some of the best steak I’ve ever had. If you spend one week in Toyko, you need to get to a market. They are so much fun!
All-you-can-eat sushi for four cost us $55 in total. I’m still amazed because we ate so much.
Monday
Our flight from Tokyo left around 6 pm, and we spent most of the day shopping for souvenirs. We loaded up on stationery. I regret not visiting the stationery area of Tokyo, but there’s always next time. Don Quijote is a must-stop for souvenirs.
Conclusion
We had so much fun in Japan, and now I want to live there. Many don’t know, but I lived there twice as a child. If you’re thinking about visiting Japan, there’s no better time. While we spent one week in Tokyo, I would love to visit other areas of the country and go back and do more. Plus, I really want to run the Tokyo Marathon (and am definitely not opposed to running for a charity), so maybe one day that will be an option. I am manifesting that now HAA.
Questions for you:
Have you spent a week in Tokyo?
Where is your favorite place to visit?