Chasing Sakura in Japan: Our Ultimate Tokyo Cherry Blossom Adventure
Tokyo feels like another world. It’s a futuristic city that perfectly blends the modern and the traditional. We flew in on a connection from Bali to L.A. and luckily hit the cherry blossoms perfectly at their peak. Here’s a breakdown of our Tokyo itinerary, packed with must-see spots, hidden gems, and a few things we missed that are already on our list for next time!
Day 1 – Arrival and Rest
After a long flight, we arrived in Tokyo, checked into our Airbnb, and then faced our first challenge: figuring out how to turn on the lights, heater, bathroom fixtures, showers, and microwave! Everything was in Japanese, and all the tech was high-end. It was a crash course aided by Google Translate. We even braved UberEats, though even with full translations, we barely knew what we were ordering. Luckily, we found something edible from the popular selections and then fell right into bed. We had jam-packed days ahead, so this rest was much needed!
Day 2 – Takeshita Street in Harajuku
We kicked off our Tokyo adventure at the famous **Takeshita Street** in Harajuku, the heart of Japanese youth culture. This colorful street was bursting with quirky shops, trendy fashion, and delicious street food. We indulged in strawberries and grapes covered in a glass-like syrup. We loved all the machines filled with crazy fun toys and found a mini Uno deck! We bought some squishy toys and generally enjoyed walking around people-watching. Rob found an Italian restaurant-not very Japanese, but after the night before, we needed an easy food option. It did have a crazy salad bar with three different types of seaweed-pink, white, and green. I liked two out of three! We did some shopping, then ended our day with dinner featuring a sakura special menu where Tyler found his favorite pancakes of all time.
Day 3 – Electric City – Akihabara
Day three brought us to **Akihabara**, Tokyo’s vibrant **Electric City**. If you love video games, anime, and gadgets, this is your playground. We braved the train system, which was a bit of a crash course, but helpful locals made sure we got where we needed to go. We also ate at some amazing noodle shops at the train station that blew our minds-everyone slurps loudly! We had an absolute blast at the arcades, playing everything from retro games to the latest Japanese releases. The streets were filled with electronics, anime figurines, and more arcades than we could count. The level of skill we saw in the arcades was mind-blowing-people were at pro level!
Day 4 – Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Shrine
The contrast of Tokyo’s modern and traditional sides was on full display today. We started at **Tokyo Tower**, soaking in the panoramic views of the city from the observation deck. The tower itself looks like Japan’s answer to the Eiffel Tower and gave us a perfect rainy day photoshoot. Afterward, we strolled over to **Zojoji Temple**, where the tranquility of the temple grounds and the towering pagoda made for a striking contrast against the city skyline. The rain delayed the blossoms a bit, but it was fun to explore. We tried to go to the **Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum**, but ended up at a closed Samurai Museum instead (45 minutes in the wrong direction). We called it a day and found food to console ourselves.
Day 5 – Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum, Senso-ji Temple, and Kappabashi Street
We packed in a lot on this day, starting at the **Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum**, where we dressed up as samurai, learned cool history, and had a ninja experience throwing stars and competing for the title of best ninja. After that, we headed to **Senso-ji Temple**, one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. The giant red lantern at the entrance is a classic photo op, and the nearby shopping streets are perfect for souvenirs. We learned how to get our fortunes, which was a huge hit. We ended the day on **Kappabashi Street**, browsing professional kitchen supplies and picking out chopsticks, sumo chopstick holders, bowls, and anything else I could convince Rob we needed. We found the coolest ramen place-it became our absolute favorite, and I still dream about it!
Day 6 – Rest Day
After several high-energy days, we took a break and stayed in. We’re a digital nomad family, so this is our day-to-day life, and we still had work and school to catch up on.
Day 7 – Harajuku Pancakes and Meiji Shrine
We started the day with some of the fluffiest pancakes Tokyo has to offer at one of Harajuku’s famous pancake spots (they’re practically a work of art!). We took Bailey on a little shopping spree at some of the cutest shops where the workers told her she looked kawaii. We spent the rest of the day exploring **Meiji Shrine**, nestled in the heart of Yoyogi Park. The serenity of the shrine, surrounded by towering trees, provided a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. We loved seeing the sake and wine barrels and enjoyed buying temple trinkets for good luck.
Day 8 – Shibuya Crossing
We couldn’t visit Tokyo without experiencing **Shibuya Crossing**, the world’s busiest intersection. Watching hundreds of people cross in perfect synchronization was mesmerizing. We also made a stop by the **Hachiko Statue**, which honors the famously loyal dog. Afterward, we explored the nearby shopping malls and had a blast diving into the endless options in **Shibuya 109**.
Day 9 – Cherry Blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen and Omoide Yokocho
This was the cherry blossom day we’d been dreaming of! We started our hanami (cherry blossom viewing) at **Shinjuku Gyoen**, where the soft pink petals were in full bloom. The park’s traditional gardens and ponds provided the perfect backdrop for photos. Later, we moved to **Chidorigafuchi** and **Kitanomaru Park**, famous for their sakura-lined moat, but the blossoms hadn’t arrived yet. So, we switched gears and headed to **Omoide Yokocho** (also known as Memory Lane), a narrow alley in Shinjuku filled with tiny izakayas (Japanese pubs) serving yakitori, ramen, and grilled fish. It has a nostalgic, old Tokyo vibe, and we loved making new friends over delicious food.
Day 10 – Toyosu Fish Market and Sakura at Meguro River
Lunch at **Toyosu Fish Market** was a huge hit! We feasted on Wagyu beef skewers, sushi, and soup. We fell in love with the knife stalls and bought a set of knives that were hand-sharpened and engraved with our family name in Japanese. Afterward, we headed to **Meguro River**, where the cherry blossoms were illuminated at night, casting a magical glow over the river. Walking under the sakura-lit trees felt like a scene from a fairy tale. Then we returned to **Chidorigafuchi** to see the blossoms lit up around the moat-absolutely stunning.
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Day 11 – Hedgehog Cafe, Shopping, and Wandering
Our day started with a visit to a **hedgehog cafe**. These tiny, adorable creatures were surprisingly calm, and we had so much fun interacting with them. Tokyo is filled with animal cafes, so you can find everything from cats and owls to mini pigs. We spent more time taking in the sights, doing some last-minute shopping, and wandering through our favorite neighborhoods like **Nakameguro** and **Shimokitazawa**. These areas have a laid-back vibe and are perfect for soaking in Tokyo’s charm while sipping coffee or finding unique souvenirs.
Day 12 – Departure
All good things must come to an end, and sadly, we had to say goodbye to Tokyo. As we boarded our flight, we knew we’d only scratched the surface of this incredible city-and we can’t wait to come back and explore more.
What We Missed
While we packed so much into our trip, Tokyo is a city with endless things to do. Some things we wished we had time for:
– **Studio Ghibli Museum**: We’re huge fans of Hayao Miyazaki, and this museum in Mitaka is a must for anyone who loves animated films.
– **Sumo Wrestling at Ryogoku Kokugikan**: Experiencing a live sumo match is a cultural bucket list item that we’ll be sure to catch next time!
