Day 1
Well, it’s our first full day here in Tokyo and so far, things are off to a great start. Flight Centre booked us at Hotel Monday Premium Toyosu, and because we added three extra nights before our tour, we got to settle in properly. Best decision ever.
The hotel turned out to be such a pleasant surprise — the buffet breakfast alone was enough to make me happy. And apparently they provide pyjamas too! I had no idea. I could’ve saved the space in my luggage… but anyway. The funniest part was Jack trying them on. Since he’s 6 ft tall, the pyjamas didn’t exactly agree with him. Let’s just say it was a look.🤣🤣🤣
But the real highlight? The Japanese toilets. Heated seats, built-in bidets, (not in this hotel though, but in other hotels and some public toilets there’s automatic flushing — and get this, some toilet seats open and close on their own like they’re greeting you.) Every bathroom feels like a high-tech spa moment. I’m honestly worried I’ll miss these toilets more than anything else when we go home.
I really, really love the location too — it’s literally right beside a 7-Eleven. And unlike back home in Australia, the sandwiches and ready-to-eat food here are actually so good. Like, dangerously good. I found myself craving them at random times… who knew convenience store food could be this yum? My faves are the Egg Sandwich, Pork Bun and hubby’s was the custard filled pastry and plus their ice creams!
Now let’s leave it at that and start our walk. It was only an 11-minute stroll from our hotel to Toyosu Station, but it felt like its own little adventure. The trees were slowly shifting from green to golden yellow, public art popped up in the most random corners, and the vending machines—everywhere you looked—were like their own kind of urban art. Even a short walk in Tokyo feels like a scene you don’t want to miss.
First destination is Ginza
… where we wandered past all the high-end shops, across that busy intersection everyone talks about—and somehow ended up relaxing on the Ginza Six rooftop. Love how Tokyo gives you sparkle and calm in the same afternoon.
Ginza’s main street, Chuo Dori, becomes a pedestrian-only zone on weekends and national holidays.
We were craving something cold because the weather was so warm, so we ducked into a Starbucks—turns out they’re everywhere in Japan. While waiting, I spotted a lady leave her brand-new iPhone 17 on the table to order, and no one even touched it. That’s Japan’s honesty for you.
And fun trivia: this Ginza Store was the first store outside North America… where the Starbucks coffee journey began in 1996.
Some architecture that stood out for me.
I clearly got carried away with the story… this blog is getting longer than expected. To be continued!
It’s very obvious already that you loved the place, Teresa, and I’m just a bit jealous xx
Oh yes, chaotic at times but there is something about it that feels different…that makes you want to go back.
This looks a fun experience with lots of high spots. I do get cross at these coffee chains that take over the world though. I was astonished to see Starbucks had reached South Korea, years ago.
Oh you should see how many stores they have in Japan. It looks like they have it in every corner… more than McDonald’s branches.
Grrrr!
Haha that gets you huh!
Looks amazing Teresa!
Thank you, glad you find it so.
Love it Techie.😘
Thanks Arlene.
You’re welcome. It’s why Nissa loves going back to Japan, she was given a multiple entry visa when they visited as a family.😘
There were lots of Filipinos when we went. Hubby and I would really like to go back. Hopefully aoon.
Interesting buildings and the vending machines, so full of things we are not familiar with, are worth exploring as well. The city looks clean and friendly.
Totally unique for most of us so it was really interesting to see. Agree with the cleanliness. Thanks for commenting.
An interesting walk of course, but what I liked most in this post was how te small things that struck you were the same as those that struck me, like the lady leaving her phone on the table (we saw someone do exactly that on our first afternoon in the city), the vending machines, the quality of the food in convenience stores (we loved Lawsons!) and of course those toilets 😀 An American guy on our tour loved them so much that halfway through our time there he went on Amazon and ordered one to be installed in his home in California soon after their return!
These are things that really define Japan. But I guess I often left my phone in the gym here and it is still there when I returned a-few minutes after ( but maybe because my phone wasn’t the latest version haha) And Lawsons and Family Mart and 7-11 …amazing choices really! Thanks for the comment Sarah!
What a wonderfully interesting post! Love that idea of having pedestrian only street on certain days. A post that is worth reading a second time. Thank you! 😊
Thank you for this fact filled post about Japan. I found it fascinating going on this virtual tour with you and I’m looking forward to the next post. I experienced a bidet for the first time back in 2002 when on a 24 hour stop over in Kyoto on the way to Korea. I wish we’d had longer in this amazing country