Nara
December 9th 2025
Where The Deer Roam Freely
Nara Park, located in the city of Nara in Japan’s Kansai region, is a historic and scenic public park renowned for its cultural sites, seasonal beauty, and freely roaming deer. Established in 1880, it covers roughly 660 hectares and surrounds several of Japan’s most important temples and shrines, making it both a recreational green space and a center of national heritage.
DEER 鹿[しか]
The park is famous for its sika deer (Cervus nippon), regarded as messengers of the Shinto gods since ancient times.
Hundreds of tame deer wander the grounds, interacting with visitors and often bowing for the special deer crackers (shika senbei) sold throughout the park.
1st You bow then you chow
This was our second time in Nara and we had to hit up some of our favorite spots outside the park.
MATCHA NARA
A small window serving a delightful treat of matcha in form of a latte, straight and even affogatos!
I can’t see myself skipping this outing every time we are staying near Kyoto! I think both times the weather was brisk and enjoyable. Our first visit was late in October and our 2nd in early December.
Daikanyama, Shibuya
December 3rd 2025
Away from the hustle & bustle of Shibuya SquAre
Daikanyama is a leafy, and upscale neighborhood in Shibuya, Tokyo, often called the "Brooklyn of Tokyo" for its relaxed yet trendy vibe. Located one stop from Shibuya Station, it features high-end boutiques, & cozy cafes. Known for fashion, art, and a quieter atmosphere than central Tokyo, it is a popular spot for walking, brunching, and shopping
We wandered past narrow alleys where the hum of the city softened into distant traffic and the neon glow yielded to warm pools of light from small storefronts. Old wooden signs leaned over doorways, bicycles rested against mossy walls, and flower bushes through shadowed thresholds. Here, the rhythm of daily life moved at its own pace—shopkeepers sweeping front steps, a florist arranging chrysanthemums with meticulous care.
Hidden courtyards opened like secret rooms, their stone floors damp with yesterday’s rain and framed by climbing ivy. A tiny ramen joint exhaled steam and laughter; the smell of broth mingled with the faint perfume of incense from a nearby shrine. Murals and faded posters layered the walls, each one a fragment of personal histories and fleeting trends, a collage of lives that never made the tourist maps.
After aimless wandering we decided to stop for dinner at a welcoming space that drew us in from the street. Most of the time this is how we chose our places to dine in.
Evening arrived gradually, and we found ourselves walking through a courtyard filled with fauna and citrus trees. Christmas lights casting a honeyed glow that turned ordinary objects cinematic. Conversations drifted—low, honest—and the neighborhood felt like a practiced secret, cherished by those who knew how to look.
In these quiet corners, Shibuya revealed itself differently: less a stage for spectacle and more a mosaic of small, human moments. It’s in the tucked-away cafes, the unassuming shrines, the alleys where time seems to fold back on itself—places that reward a slow, attentive walk.
Museum Date In Tokyo
December 2st 2025
FIRTS STOP: Matcha & Breakfast at Alternative Entrance Tokyo
Arrived at team LabBorderless:
Small glance into the rest of the day spent at the courtyard inside Azabudai Hills, subway ride & oishi snacks:
Make sure to book tickets for team Labs in advance, as this popular Tokyo attraction sells out quickly!
The Nintendo Museum
October 23rd 2024
The Nintendo Museum
Opening its doors on October 2, 2024, this museum is a true pilgrimage for any Nintendo fan including us. It's a celebration of the company's entire history, from its very beginnings as a playing card company to the global powerhouse it is today.
Stepping inside felt like walking through my our childhoods. I saw everything from the early Hanafuda playing cards that started it all to the consoles that defined generations.
Right off the train we looked for a spot to eat a snack.
A humble takoyaki sandwich shop was a winner!
The walk to the museum had interesting sights that I couldn’t help but photograph.
Then we saw it!
Once we stepped inside it was just a wonder even at our feet.
Even the vending machines are on brand here!
The museum even has these comically oversized controllers for certain games, which require two people to operate.
—definitely a fun photo opp but also for Chris to shout at me which buttons to hit to get the highest score in Zelda.
For an additional fee, I also participated in a workshop where I learned how to play Hanafuda, the traditional flower cards Nintendo has been making for over a century. It was a fascinating way to connect with the company's roots and a unique souvenir to take home.
Kintsugi Workshop
October 22nd 2024
Kintsugi
is a traditional Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery by mending the cracks with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Rather than disguising the damage, kintsugi highlights it, embracing imperfection and celebrating the object's history and unique character. The practice symbolizes resilience, beauty in flaws, and the value of repair over replacement.
We took an immersive workshop at Taku Nakano’s pottery studio in Tokyo. We learned about his journey as a ceramics artist and his mission to a sustainable form of art. His studio supports NGO’s and governments that liberate children from child labor in developing countries.
We took our seats and explored the studio by eye until the workshop began.
We got to work on our pieces, small dishes, and got to take them home. They also sold the tools and kits needed to make kintsugi. I grabbed one to gift one of my family members.
You can book your workshop experience directly with the studio HERE. This post was not sponsored and just highly recommend this traditional experience.
Shibuya Square
October 21st 2024
SHIBUYA
a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. A major commercial center, Shibuya houses one of the busiest railway stations in the world, Shibuya Station.
Definitely another trip of its own! I mainly wanted to get a view of the crossing and walk through the streets. We did not have anything planned besides the Hello Kitty Cafe but did a bit of shopping at the stationery shop from where this photo(left) was taken!
HELLO KITTY CAFE
We went to celebrate the girl herself, Hello Kitty on her 50th Anniversary at the cafe.
For the most part the rest of our day we walked around the busy square and jumped into stores that caught our eye. I of course ran into a electronic store to see if they had a special effects filter for the camera we brought with us. SCORE we did. It was fun!
Right after we walked around the square for some window shopping while we tracked down a hidden bar that was heavily inspired by classic rock. The bar tender was super kind and cool. He was smoking loose tobacco that filled the room with a pleasant scent of iced tea.
After a couple Flaming Lambourginis, which I highly do not suggest, we where stumbling into the streets finding treasures at konbinis.
We safely made it home (yes it actually almost felt like home but Rococo was not there =^.^= ) & called it a night.
TeamLab Planets TOKYO
October 20th 2024
teamLab Planets TOKYO Museum
is a must for anyone exploring Japan's vibrant capital. This immersive art experience in Toyosu transports visitors into a world of interactive digital installations that blend art, technology, and nature.
This was one of our favorite parts from the trip! We walked barefoot through water, mirrored rooms, and fields of floating flowers as our senses were fully engaged. Truly an unforgettable cultural experience and date night.
I had to capture this adorable moment of a date and of course asked for permission first.
Outside the museum there was a snack stand and we could not skip it!
Make sure to book tickets in advance, as this popular Tokyo attraction sells out quickly!
Waking Up in Oshiage District
October 20th 2024
OSHIAGE DISTRICT
Oshiage is a district of Sumida Ward in the east of Tokyo. Oshiage Station is a major interchange station
with the
Keisei Oshiage Line, the Tōbu Isesaki Line. This neighborhood in Tokyo was a center of
commerce and activity long before the existence of the world's tallest telecom tower, Tokyo Sky Tree.
The flowers + plants on every block when taking back streets or alleys where always such a pleasure to encounter.
The comfort sign that we will be happy to see every time.
I ran back to the kawaii shop from last night to get her!
This is the little canned cake from the vending machine mentioned in the previous entry!
Walking around at night.
We actually ended up going around the corner of our hotel to a small local sushi restaurant where our vocabulary, and etiquete where put on test.
Table manner #1 As you see here Chris is pouring sake into my cup. One must not pour sake into their own cup. After the photo I went ahead and served him sake.
The owners of the restaurant where so kind to us. He called Chris a rock star and as we headed out he yelled “HEY….take it easy ^_^” and gave us a thumbs up. I. hope to see them again on our next trip!
Japan Here We go!
En route to Tokyo, Japan.
We finally made one of our biggest dreams a reality. Going to meet our #1 destination across oceans: Japan. We flew from Chicago to a connecting flight in Montreal, Canada. The flight was going to be long but we had the extra leg room on the front row! I wore my comfortable slippers while others kicked back al-fresco. Yikes.
After a VERY long flight, numerous snacks later & a lot of questionable in flight meals we finally reached Japan! Entering Tokyo via the metro at night was like entering a dream.
We were handling the jet lag pretty well. We where tired but so hungry so we hit up the closest ramen shop to our hotel. It was the lower level of the Tokyo Sky Tree mall.
We found a kawaii shop & I just had to get a Pochaco umbrella to avoid the rain on our way to check out the 1st thing in our itinerary.
Konbini
are Japanese convenience stores that are a central part of daily life in Japan. The word konbini is short for konbiniensu sutoru, which means "convenience store”
7-11 was our first convenience store visit. There are other popular ones called Lawson and Family Mart. They all have a unique jingle they play when you walk in. The amount of ready to eat food options was jaw dropping. They even ask if you would like an item heated up for you! My favorite thing to eat was the cream filled mochi, Mochi Custard Taiyaki! These are the spots to also grab energy drinks, vitamin c liquid shots, liquor, and many useful household items. There even was a “cooler” with coffee and tea drinks that kept them warm! I highly advice trying the egg sandos (egg salad sandwiches)
total=$18
On the way back we admired the plants placed on the sidewalk by business owners. It is very peaceful at night and felt incredibly safe. It is courteous to not make loud noise after hours for the local residents.
and this canned cake vending machine ^.-