From our home base in Albuquerque to our new spot in Asakusa, we’ve traveled across the globe to experience Japana nd Japanese culture in all its glory. As you can imagine, the flight across the Pacific Ocean is a long one…on this day, exactly 11:50 hrs to land in Haneda International Airport. The flight was uneventful (no wifi on this one), and the food plentiful. United Airlines seems to have upped the ante in terms of offering food for travelers.
We made it through the long flight to land and get acquainted with Japan. The experience of a new place combined with jet lag is a powerful, mind-numbing force. Navigating the crowds of humans to make our way across Tokyo to Asakusa is a challenge. After $$ was exchanged, hotspots purchased, we hopped on the Keikyu Line to Asakusa and our hotel. We’re staying across from the Skytree Tower and it’s presence is a powerful one looming over the streets in this area (technically Sumida City).
Our hotel check-in was efficient, and I’d definitely recommend this spot to fellow travelers looking for a reasonable price for rooms (LiveMax Asakusa Skyfront).
After a shower, we all headed out into the evening, walking the 20 minutes across the Sumida River to Asakusa. The weather was warm, and we fanned out to find ramen, Susi, and every other kind of food in this socially charged spot. The evening came to a quick close as we all made it back to the Hotel by 10 PM and everyone settled into our firt night in Japan.
Today, we’ll be walking all around Asakusa and Ueno, hitting some popular spots and some hidden gems. We’ll spend some time at Senso-ji Temple complex, walk through the back streets to find ceramics, small stationary shops, and a food market hidden under a bridge near the Yamanote Station in Ueno. We’re planning to visit a couple of museums, and then the students will have the area to thmeselves as they wander this part of Tokyo.
The day will be full, our eyes will be open, and the weather looks as good as it gets in Tokyo in the summer!
May you be happy, may you be well!
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