Tokyo travel inspires desire for more in-depth excursions to Japan

I finally knocked off the last major target on my travel bucket list:  Japan. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

In July 2024, I was fortunate to tag along on an eight-day business trip with my sister to visit Lifestyle Week in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to seeing the show, we enjoyed fabulous Japanese cuisine, took advantage of shopping (Japanese yen was approximately 60 cents to the U.S. dollar), learned to navigate and ride the subway, Suica, and roamed the beautiful, safe and clean city to see the sites.

We flew United out of LAX, and I must admit that it was not terrible for an 11-hour and 15-minute flight. We rode coach, and the plane was newer and a bit roomier than usual. We even were able to sleep a few hours, which helped alleviate jet lag. No comment on the meals – just that it was typical airline food.

Despite the extreme heat (90 degrees and humid), we were out and about from 8:30 a.m. to late in the evening everyday. We quickly learned that the locals carry a dual umbrella/parasol lined with UV protection to prepare for the ever-changing elements of the day.

We saw Geisha, dressed in traditional make-up, kimonos and dress quietly mingling in the evening crowds. The Japanese in general wear fashionable but modest, monochromatic clothing, preferring black and white and avoiding things like sleeveless shirts. A notable trend were the Tiger sneakers (a division of Asics), often worn by wrestlers and other athletes.

The Uber drivers were pleasant and always helpful, loading our luggage quickly and seeming to have great spatial skills to accommodate all the pieces. We were surprised to see almost entirely all Toyota vehicles, one Honda, a Bentley and a few other German luxury vehicles. The city felt very safe and clean as most bikes were not locked and there was no litter or graffiti. We saw only one homeless person during the entire visit. 

The Japanese people were courteous and helpful in troubleshooting, most speaking very basic English to help guide us. They seemed appreciative and smiled when we attempted our limited Japanese greetings and other site words. We learned quickly that reservations are almost always necessary, credit cards are preferred and you get about a 45-minute allotment for dining in this city of more than 14 million.

You quickly learn that the Japanese people are very fond of fictional characters Miffy, Cinnamoroll and what could be considered the unofficial patron saint of Japan, Hello Kitty, who happens to be celebrating her 50th birthday this year and is displayed frequently throughout the city.

The Japanese produce the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. Perfect super-sized orchid, calla lily and hydrangea blossom everywhere. Absolutely stunning!

The spa we visited was an interesting and pleasant experience, offering a hot and cold rainforest shower with a mountain of ice shavings to apply to your skin afterward to detoxify.

If you happen to land in Tokyo, a must stop is at Don Quijote, a popular store that sells many unique items at low cost. For example, you can purchase flavored KitKat candy bars, including lemon, liqueur, strawberry and others. Other items of interest included black cotton swabs, make-up “spatulas,” deep discount luxury brand luggage and handbags. 

A note to Americans traveling to Japan:  You will not require an adapter for your electronics in the hotel room, which is very convenient!

When asked what I was most surprised by during this visit, I had to give it some thought. I think I was surprised by the vast difference from my previous visit to Beijing, China in 2009. While both were fabulous experiences, they were very different. I encourage you to take the challenge and visit both to decide for yourself!

My sister and I hope to return to Japan to view more of the country and sites in the future. The eight-day trip helped us to learn to navigate, experience the culture and think about doing a deeper dive into what this beautiful country has to offer.