UnDiplomatic Wife

JAPAN

Japan has always been in my bucket list and we finally went for the first time last October 2019. Our very first trip was to Fukuoka a chill city and the perfect first trip to Japan with a 4year old DiploBaby!

Some links might not be up yet because I am still working on the post. Thank you for your patience!

TOKYO

Our second trip was to use our Delta Sky Miles on our BPI Credit Card to go to Tokyo. We needed to go by February 2020 because Delta was discontinuing it’s direct flight from Manila to Tokyo. We also wanted to experience snow and go skiing in Karuizawa, a very kid friendly place for people who are trying to ski for the first time.

Traveling via Delta Air Lines to Tokyo

MUJI ultra stretch jeans for super comfy travel
Todder + PWD
Kuya was so nice to let DiploBaby go on the wheelchair

Seats were comfortable enough. The BabyZen Yoyo easily stowed on the overhead compartment.

DiploBaby loved the entertainment

Was pleasantly surprised by the food.

The best thing was Carmen’s Best Ice Cream which is made in the Philippines

Conveniently there is a bus that takes us from the airport to our hotel.

Powernap on the bus
Arrived at the hotel!

Hyatt Regency Room

We stayed at this hotel because we could get a family room for 3 adults and 1 toddler (normally we are asked to get 2 rooms and that usually pricier) and it is spacious for a hotel in Tokyo. You can see my complete Hyatt Regency Room Google Review.

The lobby is quite stunning and of course there were hand sanitzers everywhere.

CLICK HERE for a detailed Hyatt Regency Room Review

Spacious room

So rare to get toddler slippers!
They have a menu for things you may have forgotten

Conveniently the bus also takes you to important areas in Tokyo!

TOKYO ITINERARY

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Our highly recommended places below are BOLD & UNDERLINED. But to make it easier to check what places are nearest you in Tokyo, I pinned them on Google Maps HERE.

DAY 1 HARAJUKU & SHIBUYA

We headed back toward our hotel Hyatt Regency & decided to eat nearby:

  • Sushizanmai is a chain of sushi restaurants that serves fresh sushi! We went to the one in Shinjuku which is close to the station but you can see all the locations HERE to see which one is nearest you. If you love fresh seafood & sushi, I highly recommend!

DAY 2 ROPPONGI

The next day we were invited by TD’s colleague & friend who is based in Tokyo to have Yakiniku lunch in Roppongi.

  • Yakiniku Miyabi if you love grilled meat then this is a must!
  • Axis designer living mall for people who adore well-designed things. It’s my favorite shop in the whole of Japan. Even kids love it!
  • HARRY Hedgehog Cafe Roppongi PERMANENTLY CLOSED we went a 2nd time coz our son loved the first one so much. Admittedly I didn’t like this location coz I felt sad for the animals here. So in a way glad it’s closed.
  • Ichiran Roppongi PERMANENTLY CLOSED Ichiran is our absolute favorite ramen resto in Japan! We first discovered it in the Ramen capital Fukuoka. HERE is a list of Ichiran locations! Get the extra noodles with the soup & DON’T ORDER CHASHU coz it’s better without. Be sure to take home this instant version. It’s TDF!
  • Don Quijote Roppongi a must for bargain lovers in Japan. There are many location so just go to whichever is convenient. We love their personal care & health products! They have preloved luxury goods too.

DAY 3 SHINJUKU LUNCH & KOTO

  • Kani Douraku is an absolute must anywhere we go to in Japan coz its crabl heaven!
  • teamLab Planets TOKYO great interactive, immersive experience for families and all ages. If there is a TeamLab where you are going, go for it!
  • DiverCity Tokyo Plaza to go shopping in UNIQLO & have fastfood in Panda Express. Before you enter there is an impressive Unicorn Gundam outside.

DAY 4 SHINJUKU & GINZA

For dinner we went back all the way to MINATO because we were invited by TD’s colleague.

  • Teissoku tiny but mighty place for amazing tempura & an authentic Japanese dining experience! A must if you are nearby.

SKIING IN KARUIZAWA

From Tokyo, we wanted our 4year old to try skiing for the first time & it seemed easy enough to take the train to Karuizawa.

  • Taking the train from Tokyo to Karuizawa
  • Karuizawa skiing lessons
  • Karuizawa skiing group lessons for young kids
  • Karuizawa outlet shopping

KYOTO

In March 2020, we braved going to Kyoto and got back to Manila on 12 March, the day before the lockdown. After which we did not leave our condo for months on end. The experience in Kyoto was unique because the streets and tourist attractions were almost empty because COVID-19 was beginning to look really serious.

  • Traveling To Kyoto
  • Other posts to follow

FUKUOKA

We chose Fukuoka for our very first trip to Japan because I get overwhelmed with too many people, noise & lights. We want to work our way up to Tokyo. If you are like me and you also love seafood & ramen, Fukuoka is the place to go! It’s less expensive than Tokyo & there is so much to do and eat.

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