sam heart travel

Tokyo 2025 – Day 3: Shibuya Part 1 – March 11, 2025   With our bellies happily full from that amazing late lunch, we had the afternoon free to explore Shibuya! Our first stop was Uniqlo. My goal? To find a warmer winter jacket for my mom. The one she'd packed wasn't quite cutting it. Uniqlo had some great options, but I resisted the urge to buy anything for myself. I'm already overloaded with clothes, and converting everything to pesos while shopping abroad is a major buzzkill. 😅 After Mom got her new jacket, we headed to the motherlode – the biggest Don Quijote in Shibuya!   This is where my money disappeared. The group split up, giving ourselves an hour and a half to conquer Don Quijote's five floors. Shopping spree time! Don Quijote is a treasure trove of amazing products at rock-bottom prices. It's easy to see why Japan is such a shopping paradise for Filipinos. Seriously, so many great finds!   We finally emerged around 8:00 pm, our bag...

Tokyo 2025 - Day 7: Shibuya Part 3 - A whirlwind of Shoes, Streets, and Sweet Potatoes!   Meiji Jingu Shrine completely captivated us; three hours flew by! That left us seriously short on time for our original mission: shoe shopping. So, after a fulfilling shrine visit, we set our sights on the nearest Onitsuka Tiger store – which, as it turned out, was in Shinjuku.   The walk to Shinjuku was a feast for the eyes. Luxury brand stores lined the streets, a dazzling display of high-end fashion. If you've got the cash to burn, Shinjuku is the place to be! The Onitsuka Tiger store itself was buzzing; people were practically scrambling for shoes! I opted to hang back while Badets navigated the shoe frenzy. Our rendezvous point with Kuya and Ate was Shibuya, so we decided to walk from Shinjuku.   The kilometer-long walk turned into an unexpected adventure. We found a quieter street, and suddenly, we were surrounded by upscale shops and opulent bou...

Tokyo 2025 - Day 7: Sukiya and Harajuku Adventures!   Day 7 in Tokyo dawned, and our group faced a split decision. Kuya and Ate were off to meet a student in Shibuya, leaving Mader Earth, Badets, and me to conquer Harajuku's Onitsuka Tiger stores. The morning unfolded in our usual relaxed rhythm: a leisurely breakfast, a refreshing bath, and the all-important OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) selection. Kuya and the others zoomed off first, leaving us to follow at our own pace.   Our stomachs rumbling, we knew a hearty lunch was essential before tackling the Harajuku streets. Badets, ever the resourceful one, had spotted a gem near Senkawa Station: Sukiya. This wasn't your average hole-in-the-wall; it was a delightful blend of quaint charm and high-tech efficiency. Imagine this: a cozy, intimate space run by a single cashier who also acted as the server, creating a personal touch. But here's the twist – the ordering process was entirely digital! Each t...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 6 – Tokyo Skytree & Roppongi Hills – 03/13/2025   Okay, so after that epic Gyukatsu lunch (you'll hear more about that in another post!), we actually had a booking at Roppongi Hills at 3 pm. Unfortunately, things didn't quite go to plan, and we missed our reservation. It was cancelled as a result, which was a shame, but hey, that's travel sometimes! Roppongi Hills is definitely on the list for next time.   After lunch, I had to separate from the group since I had a meeting with a friend around 8 pm. This gave me a chance for a solo adventure, and I decided to explore beyond the usual tourist hotspots.   Following Google Maps (bless its little digital heart!), I set off on my solo adventure to Tokyo Skytree. This was my first time walking alone in a foreign country after leaving the main tourist areas, and it was surprisingly liberating. The walk itself was an adventure. I passed some seriously cool buildings, gorgeous lan...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 5 – Shibuya Part 2 – 03/13/2025: A Return to Familiar Streets and New Specs!   Following our delightful cherry blossom discovery in Sugekari Park, we decided to continue our exploration. We started strolling through the streets of Meguro, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere and taking in the sights. After about 20 minutes of walking, we found ourselves back in Shibuya – a familiar and welcome sight! This was our second visit to this vibrant area, and it felt like coming home.   The main reason for our return to Shibuya was a practical one: new eyeglasses. My current pair was starting to show its age, and I'd been eyeing Owndays for a while. Finding the Owndays store proved to be a bit more challenging than expected; it wasn't as easy to locate as I'd hoped. However, after a bit of searching, we finally found it, making it the perfect opportunity to finally get a new pair.   The Owndays store, once located, offered an impressive s...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 5 – Meguro City – 03/13/2025: A Relaxing Day   After four busy days, we decided Day 5 needed to be a relaxing one, to soak in the Tokyo atmosphere. We slept in, then had breakfast before heading to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. This was originally planned for Day 2, but got pushed back. The weather was fantastic – sunny and warm after yesterday's rain in Hakone.   We took the train from Senkawa to Shinjuku, then walked, following Google Maps, to the Starbucks. The walk was pleasant. After about 20 minutes, we arrived. The Starbucks looked great.   #Tokyo2025 #MeguroCity #StarbucksReserveRoastery #TravelBlog #Japan #RelaxingDay #TokyoAdventures #SunnyDay #Starbucks

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour – Shinjuku Dinner – March 12, 2025   After our Hakone trip, we arrived back in Tokyo around 6 PM. Our dinner mission led us to an SMBC Bank, hoping its vicinity would offer good restaurant options. Shinjuku’s restaurant scene is vast! We finally chose Café Restaurant Gusto. A short wait (about 5 minutes) landed us a table. The restaurant was clean and had nicely separated tables, perfect for privacy. Prices were very affordable. It was incredibly kid-friendly, offering a kids' menu and children's dining sets.   The electronic ordering system was mostly user-friendly, though some items, like the unlimited drink options for combo meals, were a bit confusing. I ordered omurice and fries – delicious and satisfying! We even had dessert; those strawberries were too tempting to pass up. Self-checkout made payment easy. Thanks again to Ate and Kuya for dinner! Arigato Gozaimasu! The service was good, the food affo...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour: Yamanaka Swan Lake – March 12, 2025   Okay, so after our lovely time at Oshino Hakkai, we piled back onto the bus. Tom, our ever-cheerful guide, announced our final stop: Yamanaka Lake, famous (supposedly!) for its swans and stunning views of Mount Fuji. The "stunning views" part, however, turned out to be a bit of a fib… at least for us.   Stepping off the bus, it was… underwhelming, to say the least. The area felt pretty deserted. No restaurants, no shops, no real touristy activities – just the lake itself. There were swans, yes, but the overall vibe was… sad. The shoreline wasn't particularly pretty, probably due to the weather (which, let's be honest, wasn't doing anyone any favors). It was a bit of a letdown, a far cry from the exciting energy of the rest of the Hakone tour. This place seriously needs a bit of a boost; a little injection of life wouldn't hurt!   We didn't hang around fo...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour – Oshino Hakkai – March 12, 2025   Okay, so picture this: I'm practically snoring on the bus when Tom drops the bomb – our next stop is Oshino Hakkai! He starts telling us this amazing story about the spring water, all about how it's melted snow from Mount Fuji (seriously!), and how drinking it adds a day to your life! Sounds crazy, right? But after the whirlwind of the past few days, I was honestly just ready for a nap. 😴   We get there, and guess what? It starts pouring rain! And of course, we're completely unprepared, no umbrellas. But you know what? The moment I started walking those little paths towards the village, all my tiredness vanished. It was seriously magical.   I mean, seriously gorgeous. Crystal-clear spring water everywhere, these adorable little watermills, charming bridges, and these traditional Japanese houses – it was like stepping into a postcard! I kept imagining how amazing it would ...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Hakone Tour – Lunch at Fuji Premium Hotel – March 12, 2025   It was almost 3 PM, and man, were we starving! After all that exploring, our tour guide, Tom, dropped a sweet announcement: lunch! We were only 20 minutes from Oowakudani, and let me tell you, we were not patient. 😂   Before the tour even started, Tom asked what kind of lunch we wanted. I went for the karage (because, duh!), while Badet opted for BBQ eel. Our bus pulled up to this huge hotel with a canteen, and everyone practically sprinted inside to grab a seat. We only had 30 minutes to eat, so it was a seriously fast-paced lunch!   But seriously, this place was efficient. I'm talking 40+ people fed in under 10 minutes! They even had free extra rice, which, of course, I took advantage of. My karage was fresh, hot, and unbelievably delicious. Badet's eel, however, wasn't so great – a bit too fishy for her taste. Still, it was a filling meal that totally hit the s...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour – Hakone Ropeway – March 12, 2025   Okay, so Hakone Ropeway. Picture this: we're crammed onto a tourist bus, buzzing with excitement (and maybe a little bit of jet lag). Next stop? The Hakone Ropeway – basically a cable car that whisks you up to Owakudani, home of those legendary black eggs. You know, the ones that supposedly add seven years to your life? Worth a try, right? 😉   Now, being the VIPs we are (don't worry, I'll spill the tea on that later), we totally skipped the queue. Straight to the front! The cable car itself? Think cozy, slightly swaying metal box, enough room for about 15 people. It was a total novelty for us; we don't have anything quite like this back home. It's one of those experiences that makes you feel like a kid again.   The weather, unfortunately, decided to play spoilsport. Gloomy skies meant Mt. Fuji was nowhere to be seen. Our tour guide, bless her heart, pointed out where it should have bee...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour: Ahoy, Matey! (or, How I Conquered the Lake Ashi Pirate Ship) – March 12, 2025   Okay, so Hakone. Picture this: We're trekking, a merry band of tourists, towards Lake Ashi, all hyped for our pirate ship adventure. The walk from the Hakone Shrine? A pleasant fifteen-minute stroll, though I wouldn't call it a leisurely amble – the anticipation was palpable! And the queue? Yeah, let's just say it rivaled the line for the latest iPhone. But hey, worth it, right?   The "Pirate Ship" – I'm using air quotes because, let's be real, it's not exactly Blackbeard's vessel. No skull and crossbones, no swashbuckling crew. Instead, think plush seating, Renaissance-style murals on the ceiling, and even crystal chandeliers! Seriously, it was more luxurious than what I Imagine. There's even a coffee bar – perfect for those who prefer a warm beverage and a window seat to the dramatic scenery. The "pirat...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4: Hakone – OMG, Those Tori Gates! – March 12, 2025   Okay, so the bus ride from Shinjuku to Hakone? Two hours of my life I won't get back, but hey, the scenery was pretty sweet. Seriously, the temperature dropped like crazy as we got into the mountains – even with the heater blasting! And snow on the sides of the road?! So unexpected and cool. Mount Fuji was playing hide-and-seek though. Total tease!   First stop: Hakone Shrine and those AMAZING torii gates in Lake Ashi. Our guide, Tom, gave us the lowdown on the shrine – it's like, super old and important, and people pray there for good luck. The lake reflecting the gates? Picture perfect (even without Fuji showing off).   We had an hour – bathroom break first, obviously, after that bus ride! Then, straight to the gates. They were even more stunning in person. It was like something out of an anime – seriously, I felt transported! The crimson red against the lake and mountains… chef's kiss. ...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 3: Kamakura Ramen, Shibuya – March 11, 2025   Two hours at Shibuya Sky. Amazing views, but by 3:00 pm, our stomachs were screaming for food! We needed a serious refueling session after all that sightseeing. Shibuya's restaurant scene is insane – so many choices, it was almost overwhelming! We spent a good fifteen minutes just wandering, paralyzed by decision fatigue. Everything looked amazing!   Then, BAM! We spotted this little ramen joint called Kamakura. They had these killer combo meals – ramen, tonkatsu, and karage! Perfect for two hungry travelers like us. The place was tiny, a real hole-in-the-wall kind of vibe. It felt like eating at a bar, with the kitchen right in the middle of everything. We shed our winter jackets immediately – the place was seriously toasty!   Ordering was super easy – one of those automated ticket machines. You punch in your order, hand the ticket to the staff, and wait. About ten to fifte...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 3 – Shibuya – March 11, 2025   Okay, so Disneyland was a blast, but Day 3 in Tokyo was all about chill vibes. We learned our lesson about crowds – woke up at 7 am, leisurely breakfast, quick bath, and then we headed out. No crazy train rushes for us! 😎   Around 10 am, we hit up the Tsukiji Fish Market (amazing!) and grabbed a Lawson for some Suica card top-ups. Then, it was off to Shibuya from Senkawa around 11 am. After all that Disneyland walking, we needed a relaxed day. The plan was initially to check out a Starbucks Reserve Roastery (I had a specific latte in mind!), but my research was a little off. Turns out, that Starbucks is in Shinjuku, not Shibuya! Oops! Luckily, we had a Shibuya Sky reservation, so we stuck with the Shibuya plan.   The train ride from Senkawa to Shibuya was smooth. First stop? The Hachiko statue! Seriously, so many people there, but it's a must-see. Then, we went to a Starbucks (not the Reserve Roastery, sadly!), an...

The Hachikō Memorial Statue - A Symbol of Loyalty in the Heart of Shibuya Shibuya, a bustling district in Tokyo, is a place that leaves you wide-eyed, awestruck, and completely captivated. It's home to two iconic landmarks that have captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike: the Hachikō Memorial Statue and the Shibuya Crossing. If you've watched the movie "Need for Speed," you'll recognize this place instantly.   The Hachikō Memorial Statue is more than just a monument; it's a symbol of loyalty, devotion, and the enduring bond between humans and animals. Located near Shibuya Station, this statue commemorates the story of Hachikō, a dog renowned for his unwavering loyalty to his owner.   Hachikō's story is one that tugs at the heartstrings. Every day, he would wait for his owner at Shibuya Station, a routine that continued even after his owner's untimely death. Hachikō's faithful vigil lasted for nearly a decade, earning him nationwide recogn...

The Iconic Shibuya Crossing - A Symphony of Organized Chaos Why is Shibuya Crossing so famous, you ask? This sprawling scramble intersection, located just outside Shibuya Station, is a perfect embodiment of Tokyo itself: action in all directions, a constant buzz of activity, and a sense of organized chaos that somehow works beautifully.   Visiting Shibuya Crossing was one of the things on my bucket list, and I'm thrilled to say that I've ticked it off. Experiencing the crossing at night was a sight to behold. The weather was perfect, inviting us to step out onto the street and immerse ourselves in the vibrant energy of Tokyo.   Watching the organized chaos unfold at Shibuya Crossing was mesmerizing. Waves of people coming from every direction, each navigating their way through the hustle and bustle with an ease that was almost balletic. If you want a bird's-eye view of this spectacle, I recommend visiting the Starbucks overlooking the crossing or the bridge at Shibuya Stati...