Tokyo Friend-Trip, Part 1

This past week was Golden Week in Japan, which is a week in late April/May when 4 national holiday days fall together meaning - Holiday time! It's one of the busiest travel times in Japan as it's notoriously hard for people in Japan to get time off work for extended periods.

As we had some of our best friends over from Australia, as well as little G's dad, who was happy to look after G for a few days, we headed to Tokyo for a child-free trip with friends! It was so much fun! Although we love travelling with our little guy, it's a rarity for us to have someone to babysit for us so we are so grateful that we got to have a grown up 3 nights in Tokyo.

Out on the streets of Shibuya

We arrived at our apartment in Shibuya at around 4:30pm so dropped off our luggage at our AirBnb and headed out to show my friends around Shibuya. We went shopping at my favourite store, Loft, as well as some of the shoe shops (ABC Mart and Asbee) before having a drink at the closest bar and then heading out for more snacks and drinks at an izakaya. On the way back to our apartment, we passed a Lindt cafe that was still open and couldn't resist getting some chocolates as well as a soft service ice cream! It was delicious!

Lindt soft serve was amazing!

I love the colour of the taxi's in Tokyo

The next day, our first full day in Tokyo, I wanted to show my friends some traditional Japan, so we headed to Asakusa to see Sensoji Temple, the same thing i had done with family the month before, but a must-see when in Tokyo for the first time. We walked up to the temple via one side of Nakamise street shopping for souvenirs, and came back to the station down the other side of the street.

Because we visited on Kodomo no Hi (Children's day) there was a parade happening with some traditional floats being pulled around the temple with small children taking part. There was also lots of festival food stalls around the temple. We chose to get Kakigori (shaved ice) because it was such a warm day and sat down to eat it by a gingko tree.

Soe of the many souvenirs available from the stores on Nakamise street, approaching Sensoji Temple

Tokyo Skytree in the distance

Fresh senbei crackers being made on Nakamise St near Sensoji Temple.

Lovely Sensoji Temple

Kakigori (Shaved ice) was perfect on a hot day!

A parade for Children's day

So lucky for this woman <3

Such a beautiful sunny day

Loved hanging with these awesome guys!

The Japanese garden on the Sensoji grounds is so lovely

Children's day festivities at Sensoji Temple

After finishing up at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, we headed to Tokyo station for vegan ramen at T's Tan Tan, then hopped on the Yamanote line train to Harajuku where we made our way through the crowds on Takeshita Dori (street) before heading to Commune 246 for dinner and drinks (separate post to come on that awesome place!).

If you're thinking about a holiday in Tokyo, I really recommend staying at the apartment we were in. It was 2 bedrooms with really comfortable beds and only a short walk from Shibuya station! You can find the link here, and if you sign up for Airbnb with my link, you will get money off your first stay!