Double-Date Easter Weekend in Tokyo
Just landed to Tokyo the night before, and the couples are ready for an adventure on ground before they step into their boat cruise around Japan and South Korea.
“Let get some photos for our holiday card!”
Gotokuji “Lucky Cat” Temple
Gotokuji Temple is famous for the legend of a beckoning cat that saved a feudal lord:
According to the story, during the Edo period a samurai named Ii Naotaka was sheltering under a tree near the temple when a cat raised its paw and beckoned him into the temple’s gate; a sudden storm struck moments later, and grateful for the cat’s warning he became a patron of the temple and donated funds that helped it prosper, and over time the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) became associated with Gotokuji—today the temple grounds are filled with hundreds of ceramic cat statues left by visitors who come to honor the tale and pray for good luck and prosperity.
The line was too crazy to buy a cat figurine
Kichijoji
Kichijoji is a compact, lively Tokyo neighborhood mixing urban energy with green space. Its busy shopping and dining area hosts indie boutiques, trendy cafes, department stores, and nightlife.
Kichijoji is accessible from the city, making it a local and visitor favorite.
First time at Purikura Photo Booth!
Fresh strawberries
Street Food
Best fried wagyu meatballs & potato croquette in Kichijoji
Best gyoza dumplings in Kichijoji
“Can I get two please?”
Shopping: On the hunt for
Hello Kitty Keychain
Japanese Souvenirs
There was a request to look for Hello Kitty merch for family back at home. They showed me a photo, so I guided them to Kiddyland. Of course, you can also check out Don Qi Xote, but I think this group would have a heart attack and vertigo going in there, so I avoided it.
Kiddyland
A custom-made energy bracelet
“Bunny, I think I have a problem… I can’t be chill.”
He was interested in re-directing his energy into a relaxed state.
So I took him to my favorite Japanese shop.
We asked the store staff which stones can help humans relax. They recommended three.
We measured his wrist size, he picked out his stones and in which amount, and the staff got to designing it!
In the end, they blessed the bracelet with good positive energy.
If the bracelet ever breaks, it means it has used up its energy. So take good care of it!
