Japan
I started to pack my bag and stretched my legs out to the point where I could feel my tendons flex. “We're on flat ground, in Japan!” I exclaimed. I started becoming antsy, and hungry, as I zipped up my jacket taking a swig of water to refresh my parched throat. As everyone started filing out, I sighed with relief as we started leaving the plane. As soon as we exited the plane's jet bridge I was met with a 7 Eleven, the first of the many I was soon to see.
After leaving the plane, we strolled through the airport towards the exit when we came across a nice depiction of all the Mario characters welcoming us to Japan, stopping to take pictures, already surprised of Japans ability to incorporate these silly little cartoons into anything. As we left the airport I was met with the chilling surprise of wind, zipping through my family leaving my hair wishing for otherwise. After walking through the unmatched foot traffic of Japan with our suitcases on hand, we reached our destination, HIZ Hotel, my feet beckoning for rest.
We checked in to the hotel with the first thing on my mind, the toilets. Oh how I cant fathom the difference between California and Japan, you would just have to see it yourself. But soon after the jetlag caught up to me and I hit the bed, passed out for around a few hours much in opposition to my mom who, wanted to explore the streets around us.
I was awoken by my mom offering me a, and I say this with full confidence, “Stunning” pastry known as a cream bun, savoring every single bite of it even through my half awake groggy mind thinking I had met heaven par food, in Japan, Japan, my first day here and I am already comparing it to the best of the best. In a zombie like state, I shuffled my self towards the kitchen, maneuvering my way through suitcases, shirts and pants strewn across the floor due to the whole family suffering from jet lag to find a bun filled with sesame paste, mistaking it as a apple at first due to the light. I staggered back to bed and only woke up when I was awakened by my own body signaling I needed to get ready for the day.
As I pulled my shirt over my head, I started wondering what was ahead, only to know now that the only thing I was doing when I got home was massaging my feet. We went down a set of stairs near our hotel, curious about what was happening. I followed which was when my mom and dad gave me my Suica card, trust me, if you are planning on staying in Japan longer than 4 days, do not lose this, I repeat do not lose this. This goes for entering the train station, vending machines, payments in small shops and more. It's like a card for everyday, everything, anything. After gaining this superpower like item for the entire Japan trip we took our first train in Japan. It was not quite an experience but much different than California. For one, the main rule in Japan is don't eat or drink while walking, trust me, you will get stares if you decide it is not worth your time. As the train ride ended I stepped off the train to feel the immediate rush of the Japanese train station as we had just entered during what is known as the “Business Hour”. After managing to scrape by we left the train station now full aware of what was to come.
We made our way towards Chiyoda, Kandahanaokacho, I know a mouthful right? We arrived with high spirits and were met with what we yearned for, my first sight at a cat cafe. But that dream was quick lived as just the entrance fee alone was 750 yen due to it being a popular attraction. We were then guided towards a 7 floor tall electronics stoor filled to the brim with the latest Iphone 16’s, Samsungs, Google Pixels, and more, guided by my dads need for “Just a look around” which led to around an hour of staring at different stuff ranging from the new Nintendo Switch Oled to a frog action figure from a Japanese action comic from 1987(Not sponsored). After all of that, we decided to head back down staring at all the bright Led interfaces filled with words that made my mind clutter up more than reading a book while im about to sleep, we were back at the first floor. As we excited the building the air hit me nice and refreshing awakening me from my deep sleepiness. We strolled down the side of the building when we spotted a donut shop which had three option that we had our eyes on. Caramel, and malasada, the cream in the malasada was top notch. It made my urge of sweet content and the frosting on top was marvelous. But the joy was short lived as our next destination was imminent, Shibuya Crossing. As we walked over towards the crossing we stopped to take pictures with the world famed Hachiko dog, whos story was more than eye tearing but it was time for what might be my ultimate demise, the crosswalk. As the lights flashed on I held my belongings tight and held my moms hand as I weaved my way in and out of the stampede of people on their way to work. I looked up to see a 3d billboard of a cat about to fall into the crowd with people staring in awe, cameras flickering, and people crowding around the sidewalk to steal a glance at this 3d attraction that you don't usually see in you day to day activities.
