Okay, that Chocolate shop looks AMAZING, and all the wrapped up food items, yes, too cute, the packaging for everything in Japan seems like half the fun! It is like a "Bento Box" with sushi... I love ordering it just for the presentation alone! I cant get over the Japanese love of desserts and elaborate sweets! Neat pics of all the shopping places, etc. I am cracking up that you are hitting all the American staples -- 7 Eleven, Mickey D's, etc.
I know - I totally didn't wanna be that guy who goes to a foreign country and then only frequents American chains! But McDonald's was the only place open that early, consarn it!
Everything looks amazing! I can't wait to go there one day!
It's totally amazing! You will love it!
Wow, I there is NO way I can go to Japan. I'd have to just eat at McDonald's and then I'd get really mad for being too chicken to try the other food. (I am a picky eater; what a horrible curse to have.)
No no no! Don't say that! I want you to be able to go to Japan!
They have plenty of non-fish dishes, and there are hardly any green vegetables or fruit at all!
Believe me, I can be really picky too, and I did OK!
I have a question. When you were taking the picture of Hermes and the two fellows jumped out of your picture, it spurred a thought in my pea brain. Are American tourists in Japan seen as we see Japanese tourists in America?
I wondered that toowe have the stereotype of the Japanese tourist with a camera around his neck. Maybe they have the same one of us!
I love your TR! I've read your last few and there so funny and insightful. I can't wait to read more, thanks for keeping us entertained!
Thanks for reading alongI'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Did I see COLLAGEN flavored chocolate???? Maybe you should have brought a few of those back to the States and tossed a few on Heidi Montag's front lawn. Spencer might as well have something collagen flavored that has some nutritional value.
HIGH-larious! I was super-curious about that one, but too creeped out to try it. I mean, what if it had, like, actual HUMAN collagen in it?
Was it awkward going in Hermes? I keep telling myself that I WILL go into the original Chanel store in Paris this summer and buy lipgloss or something, but I am so afraid that I will get the "get out of here, peasant" stares
I know - what is it with intimidating cosmetics sales ladies? I remember growing up in a tiny town in Northern California I was scared to go to the MAC counter in big, bad Sacramento!
I always had to remind myself that they were just glorified clerks (no offense to my MAC sales lady readers...). I think the same applies in Chanel or Hermes or anywhere. And in Japan, everybody's so polite, there's really no drama at all.
Ok I'm here finally (stupid puter). Loving this so far & really fascinated by all the differences in things over there.
I really did LOL when you were describing you & Patrick playing with the toilet in the room.
Loved, loved, loved the stationery haul for Jensey. How cute was that stuff!
Can't wait to read more.....it seems like it was such a cool trip.
Yay! Good to see you here!
This is an amazing Trip Report! I am going to Japan for a month in June to visit with friends and family. My friend and I are planning on going to Tokyo
Disneyland and we are super pumped!
I used to live in Japan back in 2003 and I love reading about people's reactions and adventures in Japan. It's always great to see! I can related to a lot you experienced.
You've inspired me to write up a trip report for everyone when I go! I'll probably end up doing it while I'm there since I'm there for a month.
Cool! This board definitely needs more info on Tokyo, and you'll have plenty for us after a month. I think starting while you're there is a great idea, too - it makes it less daunting when you get back.
Great installment!
Sorry if you already answered this, but what guidebooks did you use? Which ones did you think were the best?
Good question - I meant to mention that! My favorite was the Rough Guide to Tokyo. I liked the readability of the layout and how comprehensive it was. I carried it everywhere. Don't tell my MIL, but the DK Guide to Tokyo she very kindly gave me turned out to be missing a lot and adding very little when compared to the Rough Guide. And I just found the format more appealing than the Lonely Planet Guide.
Apparently most companies only update their Japan guides every few years, and the Rough Guide is due for it, but I only had one instance where its being out of date affected me (a museum that turned out to be closed for renovation).
Great Update....Sounds like so much fun!!! I can not wait to read more! Somehow I just know I am not going to get much work done tomorrow. I will be checking this TR every few minutes! LOL
No worries - I'm alternating updates with my
Christmas report, so this one won't get another for a few more days.
We're due to fly to Barcelona on Saturday and have been going up and down this week!
Thanks so much, Carrie! And I look forward to hearing more, more, more about Japan!
