Journey to Japan: Tourist Time in Tokyo

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Day 6

We went out late for a good breakfast at the hotel, taking it slow to prepare for the day. After that, we headed to the kitchenware shopping street in Kappabashi, famous for its wide selection of knives, ceramics, and all things culinary, a dream spot for anyone who loves cooking or appreciates craftsmanship.


From there, we walked toward Asakusa, passing through “Hoppy Street,” a lively alley lined with small bars and eateries, known for its casual, old-school Tokyo vibe. For lunch, we tried to find the original place we had planned, but after some searching without success, we ended up at McDonald’s again. My mood dipped a little, probably a mix of tiredness, decision fatigue, and the initial excitement of Japan fading. It made me realize we were leaning on McDonald’s and convenience stores a bit too often, which felt like an easy fallback instead of fully exploring local flavors.

Later, we visited Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, completed in 645 and dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of compassion. The temple stands just behind the popular Hōzōmon gate, which is a grand and iconic red gate often photographed by visitors. Despite its spiritual significance, the area was packed with tourists, making it far from peaceful. Surrounding the temple is Nakamise Street, a bustling shopping arcade filled with traditional snacks, souvenirs, and crafts, which adds to the lively atmosphere. I drew a bad fortune (omikuji) and tied it to a special rack meant for leaving bad fortunes behind, a symbolic way to leave the bad luck at the shrine, while L was lucky with a good fortune, which she happily took home.

We then strolled down to the Sumida River waterfront and crossed a nearby bridge. While not famous for love locks, it featured dedicated spots for couples to leave them, and in a very Japanese way, everyone seemed to respect the custom perfectly, with stray locks probably quickly removed.

Next, we visited the Asahi Beer Building, an instantly recognizable skyscraper that looks like a giant beer mug beside the river, a fun and quirky landmark in Tokyo’s skyline. We went up to the bar on the top floor, where the drinks were pricey but the panoramic views of the city and river were worth it.



We then tried to get tickets for Tokyo Skytree, but they were sold out for the sunset viewing. So, we headed back to the hotel area and enjoyed a ramen dinner nearby. The ramen was a perfect way to end the day, the broth was rich and flavorful, simmered for hours to develop a deep umami taste, and the noodles were perfectly springy, soaking up the soup without becoming soggy. The tender slices of chashu pork melted in my mouth, complemented by a soft-boiled egg with a slightly runny yolk and fresh green onions. Every bite felt like a warm, comforting hug after the long day of exploring. After dinner, we took a quiet stroll around the neighborhood at night, soaking in Tokyo’s glowing cityscape before calling it a day.


Location: Tokyo

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