24 Hours in Japan

Hubby's kuya has been living in the US for around ten years now but his family has not seen his place. Thus last year, they decided it was time to visit kuya. Ate and hubby proceeded to compose this "ambitious" itinerary of flying to Japan, then to Chicago, then to Florida for 2 weeks, then New York for four days, then California for four days, then Japan, then Manila. And oh, they thought it would be fun to stay in Japan for 24 hours before flying to Chicago.

I was anxious about the trip because we will be traveling with a fifteen-month old toddler who still drinks milk from a bottle, sans yaya, and the weather will be alternately cold and hot. Two words: "packing nightmare". Like a true-blue excited Mommy though, I shopped more for P's stuff and just bought Uniqlo heattech tops for me.

Let's goooo, Daddy! P was learning to walk at this time.

First stop: Japan!

We arrived at Narita then boarded the Narita Express to Tokyo. It was already around 5:00 P.M. when we arrived at our hotel, Shinjuku Washington Hotel. After freshening up a bit, we went out to have dinner at Fuunji. Before the trip, I gave hubby a list of recommended places to eat in Shinjuku, and he chose this ramen place.

Apparently, the place is really popular because there was a line outside. I thought it was not a bad-looking line but then (1) it was freezing; and (2) it turns out that the inside of the place was just a long counter and while you're eating, there's still a line behind you. See this post for more photos.

Inside, you punch in your order on this machine. They have the ramen we all know and tsukemen - which is also ramen but the noodles and soup are in separate bowls. Since I was carrying P (which would be the story of my life for this trip) and the place was cramped, I opted for the regular ramen.

 

Lined up in the cold for this.

Unlike the ramen I've tasted in Manila, the broth was really rich and thick. I found it a bit salty though. P liked it and just kept slurping the soup I gave him. I would have enjoyed it more if I was not carrying P hehe. After dinner, we felt so tired we just decided to go back to the hotel. 

P being cute in his H&M sleep suit.

Our first stop the next morning was the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and we went up the South Observatory. Admission is free.

Spotted some sakura along the way.

Overlooking Tokyo.

Then we quickly made our way to Shibuya. P fell asleep at some point on the way and did not care to see the Shibuya Crossing.

Slept through Hachiko also.

I researched beforehand that there's a Pablo nearby but we were pressed for time. In fact, we literally just posed for a photo at Meiji Shrine:
 

before walking to Yoyogi Park. The cherry blossom season started a few days earlier than the forecast and we were hoping we'd get lucky. But when we got to Yoyogi Park, most of the trees were still bare, so we just walked and walked until we saw some trees in bloom deep into the park.

And then just like that, we had to go to the station to board the Narita Express to Narita airport. I hope to be back soon in Japan, especially since hubby and I were granted multiple-entry visas, woot woot! Next stop: Florida.