my first day in tokyo

In April 2024 I went on my first trip to Japan. Although I did not look at a single blooming prediction map, serendipitously, I was there during the perfect time to see the peak of the cherry blossoms. Spring in Japan is simply beautiful and there’s a lot to see and do. Read on for some inspiration on how to spend a day in Tokyo!

📍Gotokuji Temple

Thousands of maneki-neko (lucky cats) of all sizes are truly a sight to see, and at Gotokuji Temple, the number of maneki-neko grows every day. Here they are placed by both local and foreign visitors alike. I found this temple to be quite peaceful, and an escape from the crowds. The temple grounds are not only filled with maneki-neko, but also with lush greenery. Walking amidst the cherry blossoms trees you'll hear wild birds chirping above and, during the spring season, see gorgeous blooming flowers below.

Off the beaten path, but easily accessible by the train, this temple was quiet and quirky. If you want to get your day started early, this temple is a great option as it is open from 6 am-6 pm. Entrance is free.

You can purchase a neko statue and donate it to the temple, or claim it as a souvenir. I chose the smallest one to bring luck to my home office.

📍Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Skyscrapers, hustle, bustle, music, crowds, animated billboards-- Shibuya Crossing made me feel like a little ant in a big, bright world. Bursting with thousands of people scurrying about, I felt like I could have been easily engulfed by the crowds. Japan Travel reports that 1,000 to 2,500 people cross this world-famous intersection every two minutes. Because I was staying in Shibuya, I had to see this landmark while making my way to the train station.

📍Hachiko Memorial Statue

Another must while staying in Shibuya was paying my respects to the loyal Hachiko. It is more than likely that you know of Hachiko, the a real-life Akita dog who faithfully greeted his owner at the train station after each workday. Hachiko continued to wait at the train station even after his owner's sudden, and tragic death. After his human's passing, Hachiko would continue his ritual of waiting at the station for 10 years. It is hard not to have one's heart strings pulled by this story of faithfulness. There is a bronze statue of this steadfast pooch just outside of Shibuya Station, near Shibuya Scramble.

a testament to love and loyalty

📍Shirohige’s Cream Puff Shop

It is a 30-minute walk from Gotokuji temple to Shirohige's Cream Puff Shop, but if you don't mind that, it is a lovely stroll dotted with flowers and more cat statues. A friend of mine once told me, "Traveling is best enjoyed hot". The more I have the opportunity to explore on foot, I take it. You never know what kind of glimmers of beauty you may stumble upon.

According to JapanTravel, because it is owned by beloved director Hayao Miyazaki’s sister-in-law, Shirohige’s Cream Puff Shop is the only bakery in Japan that has the authority to produce pastries in the shape of our adorable friend Totoro. They are as delicious as they are cute.

Reviews advised that it is best to arrive when the shop opens at 10:30 am, as they do sell out. This advice turned out to be true. I arrived 10 minutes past opening and there were already lines outside the shop. There were two lines, one for indoor dining and one for takeout. The lines moved quickly and I opted to eat inside, where the atmosphere was simple and, to the surprise of no one, very cute. This shop is a hidden gem, where you will feel like you have stepped into a Studio Ghibli film. While munching on my decadent pastries, I felt as though I may glance up to see Mai and Satsuki at the next table.

📍Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple

I then bopped over via train to Asakusa. Senso-Ji temple was more hustle and bustle. You can shop and munch delicious street food amongst the crowds. At Senso-Ji temple, I purchased a good luck bell. This bell was labeled for “general luck." I noticed that quite a few individuals in Japan had bells jingling on their bags (along with cute plush characters). I wanted to know the reason behind the bells, so I read up on the Japan Times. According to some traditions, the sound of the bells wards off evil and offers protection. In Shinto beliefs, the trilling of bells would attract the gods to come down from the heavens, grace humans with their presence and offer their protective powers. I’ll take any luck I can get. Plus, the bells are cute.

Dinner

Although being vegetarian was not easy in all of Japan, vegetarian options are scattered all about touristy locations. In Shibuya, I recommend Jikasei MENSHO, where I sat down, put a bib on (literally), and slurped up my first ramen bowl in Japan. It was delicious and vegetarian! There is no paper menu, you'll use a touch screen to choose your bowl.

Jikasei MENSHO is located in the basement of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall. So, If you still have energy after dinner, you can explore an array of shops. This includes the Pokemon Center where you can get your nerd on. They even have a life size Mewtew. This mall also features a rooftop park where you can soak in beautiful views of Shibuya.

Where I stayed

The Millennials Shibuya is fabulous hostel and I thoroughly enjoyed staying in a capsule for the first time. The room (the pod) is controlled with the touch of an iPhone. The iPhone controls the lights, and puts the cushy mattress in a chair or bed position. After a long day of exploring Tokyo, I looked forward to getting cozy in my pod, pulling the privacy screen down, and enjoying some rest. I stored my belongings under my bed. There is also a small locker to secure any valuables. They offered unique rental items, including a cute Polaroid camera you can borrow for the day to snap photos of your adventures.

My last recommendation is that you read up on etiquette before your journey to Japan. As with visiting any new place, I think it is important to be aware any social norms that are unique to it. For example, I was glad to know beforehand that eating while walking in the street is impolite. Tokyo was a stunning city that I will never forget. I am grateful I had the opportunity to spend a few days there. One day is not enough! I hope you'll take away some ideas on how to spend your time in Tokyo. Thank you for reading!

Senso-ji Temple

Many foods in Japan were so cute, it almost felt rude to eat them, period.