Hopping Around 4 Stops

Jun 23

American family’s first time in Japan and spends their Day 3 hopping around town with Cyber Bunny in the last week of June.

It was a cloudy, rain-free day.

The first two days were spent on shopping and getting adjusted to jetlag. Today was a special day full of activities catered to their interests.

Itinerary

Ikebukuro: Sunshine 60 Tenbou Park Observatory Deck
Ueno: Sanrio Cafe
Akihabara: Dog cafe
Shinjuku: Suga Shrine
Fortune telling in Shinjuku

*Inspired location of the popular anime “Your Name”*

Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is a lively Tokyo neighborhood known for its shopping, entertainment, and anime culture. Girls often hang out at Sunshine City Mall and small boutiques around Otome Road, that offers manga and anime with shops specializing in BL and female-oriented titles.

Ikebukuro is popular for those who are in the market for very nice-specific items and casual shopping sprees.

In the car ride, the teenage daughters told me they love Sanrio, anime, makeup, fashion etc. but are curious to know what else is out there.

So my mission was to show how Japanese girls like to have fun and what they like.

First, we took a purikura at photo booths. As soon as they entered this floor (which was located in the basement), their eyes lit up.

“Pick a booth,” I say, but they didn’t know where to start.

Do we look kawaii?

Ikebukuro’s Sunshine 60 Tenbō Park Observatory Deck

Sunshine 60 Tenbō Park Observatory Deck sits on the 60th floor of Sunshine 60, one of Tokyo's tallest skyscrapers. It offers panoramic views that stretch from Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji to the Tokyo Skytree on clear days, the observatory combines indoor viewing areas.

The play area is for both kids and adults, and YES you can lie down on the fake grass and take a nap. The hydrangeas were real flowers. There were plenty of Instagram-worthy photo spots.

“Look down, there’s Nitori!”

Mom is an interior designer, so I recommended she should check out Nitori- Japan’s most affordable Home store that sells everything from furniture, lighting, kitchen goods, bedding, curtains etc. Everything is Japan-size, so it’s compact and useful.

Sanrio Character Garden Cafe in Ueno

We had lunch here and reserved the Cinammon Roll Premium Table, since that is Little Sister’s favorite. The food was surprisingly very good and came out fast!

*For dessert, we all shared banana splits, waffle and honey toast*

Dog Cafe

They miss their dogs very much… they own two dogs at home.

I understand the feeling very well. When I was on a work trip for two days in Nagoya, all I could think about was whether my precious Spitz, Koyuki, was okay.

How could you not say no to a dog cafe??? We also taught them how to saw “paw” (Ote), “other paw” (Okawari), “sit” (Osuwari).

*This little guy is the cafe’s most popular dog. They call him “the idol”*

Suga Shrine in Shinjuku

Famous for being featured in the anime “Your Name,” where similar shrine imagery and stairways play a memorable role in the film’s emotional and visual storytelling. Fans of the anime often visit to recreate scenes, enjoy panoramic city views, and experience the quiet, contemplative atmosphere that inspired those moments.

*They sold Hello Kitty lucky charms here!*

Fortune telling

Your special message from Japan

Thank you!

It was my first time meeting another Type-1 Diabetic on my tours.

She was diagnosed with T1D at age 3. She is an interior design business owner, a mom of two, loves cross fit… what a DIABADASS!

Managing life and diabetes is like juggling multiple balls that never seems to end. There is no such thing as a “break.” But she makes it look so effortless.

I was able to talk about her struggles, the new diabetes technology and medicine, work-life balance etc. It made me feel reassured that diabetes doesn’t have to get in the way of my goals.

I can’t believe I get to meet cool parents all over the world. I truly love my job.

The next day, the family is off to Hakone! Safe travels!

Cyber Bunny https://www.therealcyberbunny.com