Tokyo in January

Riding our go-karts on Ginza street

I went to Tokyo again, I think I will be going a lot... There is just so much to see and do, and EAT! ( I am 3 hours away on bullet train, 1 hour away by plane, or 10 hours away if I drive)I have been extremely busy and super cold ( Like what I imagine it is like being at The Wall in Game of Thrones ) so I have not been motivated to do much outside of trying to keep warm ( I live in a newer apartment complex and the insulation is horrible....read up about insulation in Japan. It blows my mind. And while you are at that read about heating sources...also interesting...sigh) I hate being cold!!!! .....Sob story over. Anyway on to Tokyo.

So this last time I went I spent 4 days in Tokyo. I also went with Akira which was a grand blast! We did the Mario Kart rental and drove all over Tokyo streets! It was AMAZING! I cannot recommend this enough! It as unbelievable, I mean where else in the world can you ride an actual go-kart on real streets? like the roads we drive our normal cars on? Just wow. A lot of people keep asking me so before any of you ask- YES you need a drivers license for this, cuz well duh you are driving on real roads so you must know the rules of driving. Also it is totally cool because it is a go-kart so you do not have to worry about driving on the right side. The same rules as driving in the USA apply so if you have a drivers license back home you can do it( I was a lil nervous about driving a go-kart in such a big city, and I was fine)

Finally chose our outfits and ready to rumbleeee ( Also why is this guy next to me soooo cute?!)

Selfie time at a stop light

Batman

Tokyo Sky Tree

Akira and I choose the route that took us to Tokyo Sky Tree, Ginza, Rainbow Bridge and some other spots (oops forgot names) We got to drive around the streets of Tokyo for 2 hours. Two blissful hours of street car fun, those cars might look small but they go up to 70kph, which is pretty fast since you are practically on the ground and your body is exposed. We got to put on costumes for it, I choose Princess Peach and Akira got the Batman onesie. The crew that went out with us included Bowser, Luigi, Mario, and Yoshi so the whole Mario Team was actually present. We has such a blast and I would definitely do it again.

Food. I just love food, I hope to try everything that is unique to Japan while I am here. Akira discovered onigiri (rice balls that everyone eats around here) and that was practically all he wanted to eat on our trip, so my list of places to eat at in Tokyo remains a little long. Besides the onigiri we had the following deliciousness:

Corned Beef Wrap from MiCasaDeco

At it again with the Japanese souffle pancakes, from Micasadeco.

A Cookie shot glass with milk from Dominique Ansel.

This cute ice cream from the HK cafe.

This go-around-sushi place that delivers special orders on a bullet train.

HK bubble tea.

We also visited a maid cafe, because our Japanese friend Hiroaki talks a lot about them back home. Maid Cafes are very popular in Akihabara, there are long lines outside of these venues. We went to one that was 7 stories big. Each floor at the maid cafe had its own line, we waited about 30 minutes on a weekday, so it was not bad at all. The experience was unique but not anything special. The food was very pretty, but bland but we knew to expect that since people really go in for the experience. All in all it was aight, I do not think I would do it again.

Entering the Maid cafe complex.

My mediocre parfait

Akira regretting his pancake decision, wanting his neighbors food.

Akira's super cute bear pancakes

Aside from the maid cafe Akihabara is one of Japan's Otaku ( person obsessed with computer games, pop culture and all anime stuff) districts! Although Akira claims he is not an otaku, he really is (shhhhhhhh, don't tell him I said that, and if you are reading this Akira- I love you and miss you! Muakkk) So we spend a significant amount of time just looking at Dragon Ball Z figurines and other anime related things.

This cool water bottle.

Real life Senzu beans. ( Come at me, Bro!)

On our second to last day we went to Odaiba, to visit the unicorn Gundam. This is where I completely lost Akira, he became another person. He was 10 again. He does not really like taking pictures or care for them at all and he busted out his phone camera and even asked me to take his picture. It was so great to see him enjoying himself. After admiring the awesome Gundam statue, we went into the Gundam cafe and ordered ourselves some coffee. We spent a lot of time looking at all the Gundam themed fun at the mall and ended up spending most of our time at the Gundam Base, which was a huge Gundam store, with a museum, exhibition, and Gundam building school...it was nuts. Akira was pacing back and fourth, he did not even know where to start exploring.

Life size unicorn Gundam that made its premier Winter 2017

Gundam coffee, I had the matcha flavor and it was the best matcha I have had.

The have a wonde championship contest...whaaa?

Fun mall stuff.

Our time together in Japan ended at Oedo Onsen. We dipped our feet in the outdoor foot spa, had some dessert, chilled on a reclining chair and said our farewells. Goodbye Akira. See you again.

Strolling around this beautiful onsen.

Mango shaved ice deliciousness.

Dipping our feet after a lot of walking around Tokyo felt amazing.

Akira showing us his Yakuta.

Common area with food and games at the Onsen.

P.S I finally told someone at work how much being cold in my own house sucked and they offered to come see why it sucked so much....well it turns out my propane heater (yes I know double-U-T-F , people still use those things?!) was not on the right settings. So I will no longer be suffering in my own home covered under blankets all day, Yay!