Monday, December 20, 2021, our day began with a brisk walk to breakfast! On our way there, Bryan noticed armed guards outside a large home and an American seal on the gate-as we got closer we realized it was the American Ambassador's home! Smack dab in the middle of Tokyo, we found some American soil.
Did the Japanese guard come and tell us not to take pictures after I took this one? Yes. Whose fault was it? Bryan's. He was so slow to turn around and look at me, we got caught. Clearly, he didn't grow up with Cindy Kimble as his mother and it showed. I did play the role of Cindy well though, as I apologized and continued on our way with my photo contraband! Nailed it!
We ended up eating breakfast at Bubby's, a restaurant Bryan found by searching for "American Breakfast" in Google Maps, and it did not disappoint! Although we were scared they were closed as we walked up to an empty restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised when the door opened and we walked right in! We have learned over the last six months that just because Google, the restaurant's website, and their Instagram says they are open, it does not guarantee that the lights will be on and they will be serving food. Unfortunately, we haven't learned the Japanese way when it comes to restaurant openings!
We were shocked at the amazing food we were served and wondered why this place wasn't more packed! Bryan's chicken and waffles were to die for, and the apple jam on my breakfast plate was killer! We also started the day off right with a slice of warm apple crumble pie- then used the argument that this was brunch, and therefore it was acceptable to eat pie with breakfast. By 11:30 am, the lunch crowd had arrived and we left with full bellies!
Our first major stop for the day was at Nezu Shrine. This Shinto Shrine is famous for its short tori gate-lined path leading to the shrine. It was a pretty shrine and not many people were there, making it a nice quiet stop in our day. With great lighting, we got some great pictures along the Torri Gate path!
You may also notice Bryan carrying our duffel bag throughout the day's photos. We checked out of our hotel first thing in the morning, and we couldn't check into our Disney hotel until that night. I tried to talk Bryan into renting a storage locker at one of the train stations in the city for ￥400, but Bryan didn't want the added stress of having to backtrack later in the day to find the locker, so he opted to carry the bag all day... Now I can say, we packed light but not light enough to make that enjoyable! Whew! Let's just say Bryan had a nice workout lugging our junk all day around Tokyo!
While we were in Northern Toyko, we also swung by and visited Sensō-ji Temple, the city's oldest and most popular Buddhist Temple. While this temple was built in 624 AD, you wouldn't know it with the busy street life surrounding it! As we made our way towards the temple, we first reached the Kaminarimon Gate, where we could see two statues behind glass, one the Shinto god of Thunder and the other the Shinto god of Wind. In the archway of the gate was a giant lantern, that you pass under to enter the Temple area. This lantern, a chōchin, is almost 13 feet tall and weighs nearly 1,500 pounds! On the front of the lantern is the name of the gate in the Japanese characters, 雷門.
As we passed under the lantern, we entered Nakamise, a shopping area selling all kinds of touristy items, snacks and, incense. We stopped along several booths to browse as we made our way to the interior gate, the Hōzōmon. It had one large red chōchin in the center, and two smaller copper Tōrōs on each side. These three lanterns were huge and definitely make you step back to soak in their size! After passing under the second gate, we finally reached the temple's main building and the five-story pagoda.
After admiring the temple, we headed east to visit the Tokyo Skytree! Located a short train ride away, the Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in the world, and the second-tallest freestanding structure in the world (behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.) For ￥2100 each, we rode a bullet elevator up 350 meters to look out over Tokyo in this astounding 634-meter tall tower. While the Tokyo Skytree is a little out of the city's bustling center, it was well worth the train rides, considering the magnificent views! It was fun pointing out all the places we have visited over the last three days and seeing the places we are heading to tomorrow!
After our ears popped during our descent back to the ground, we headed out of the Tokyo Skytree Tower and made our way back to the train station! After a 45-minute train ride, we arrived at our final big event of the day, TeamLab Planets!
I know you are probably shocked to read this but this was the best TeamLab experience to date. We both agree that TeamLab Planets is #1 because of the sensory exhibits. As we walked in, we were told to take our shoes and socks off and leave them in the lockers, as this exhibit was water-focused and we would be getting wet. As we entered the first exhibit, we had to walk upstream on a ramp, as a river of water flowed down from an indoor waterfall. Around the corner, we sunk into a room-sized beanbag, that we had to work our way across. I later read that the dark room filled with bean-bag beads was meant to remind participants of their bodies and to mimic the idea of groundlessness.
Next, we found a familiar room with the hanging LED string lights that make for awesome headshots!
As we continued down another dark hallway, we were greeted by a staff member who told us to roll our pants up to our knees for the next room. As we rounded the corner, we entered a large, warm lake filled with colorful koi fish projected on the water's surface. This was the coolest room!!!! As you moved around the water, the fish moved to avoid crossing paths with you! Eventually, all the koi fish collided together and created a light show on the water's surface before morphing back into their koi bodies. It's hard to describe the room and its contents- I guess it's just one of those things you have to experience to understand!
As we went around the next corner, we entered this dark hallway with a bench sitting only inches out of the water. Here, you could sit and watch the fire display as it's reflection danced along the water's surface. We noticed the water in this area was significantly warmer than the main area with the koi fish, giving heat to the image!
As we exited the water area, we entered a room with glass walls and flooring. We were told, through hand motions, to lay down and look at the ceiling, where we watched as the roof came to life. We watched as different flowers moved and collided as if in a kaleidoscope. After a few minutes of watching, Bryan sat up nauseous and was ready to move on. I knew if I laid still much longer I would fall asleep to the peaceful, subtle music playing in the background!
The next room was another familiar sight- the ball room! Here, large balls reflect various colors and bounce around as huge fans and other people push them around! Three of the four TeamLab museums we have visited have this experience and we have enjoyed it every time.
After leaving the ball room, the hallway opened up and brought us back to the locker room. Through more hand motions, we were told to put on our jackets and socks for the final two exhibits. Then we headed outside and found these large, glass balls of light sitting on several mossy hills. As we pushed on these light eggs, they would change colors as they wobbled around. Other light eggs would change colors in tune with the music! While it was cold out, we really enjoyed the light show and the unique exhibit!
The final exhibit was a perfect ending to our night at TeamLab Planets! While this room was covered in mirrors on the floor and the walls, the ceiling held a contraption that was full of hundreds of live orchids. As we crawled under them, they lifted and lowered to create little "pockets" for us to sit and watch. Each strand hanging from the ceiling contained several orchid flowers and would rise and fall as if the flowers were breathing around us! This was a beautiful exhibit that was truly breathtaking!
Check out this short video with some clips from our TeamLab experience:
Ready for some dinner, we continued our adventure back to the Roppongi area for dinner at Pizzakaya! Recommended to us by the Castillos, Pizzakaya was a great place to stop in for some NY-style pizza. When Bryan sent Chubes a picture of our dinner, he told us to find his name on the frame signed by his squadron from his time in Atsugi. Apparently, his old squadron ate there so much they gave the owners a plaque and several patches as a thank you! While this place only had a few beers on tap, my favorite part of the meal was the delicious sour! Bryan liked it so much he even ordered one!
As we waddled out of Pizzakaya, we made our way towards our final destination: Tokyo Disneyland Resort!
Be on the lookout for Bryan's Disney update!
'Til Next Time!
--Katie
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