Wow, what a trip. We arrived in Narita, Japan on March 18. The kids did a great job on the plane and the 2 hours to get to our hotel in Tokyo. We met up with our new best buds, the Stephenson family. 

Day 2: We took the Subway to Tokyo Tower. What a sight. We went to the very top. For a person who is afraid of heights, I couldn’t help but love it. I still felt a little lightheaded. The kids could not get enough of the view. Then, we headed to see the platform to see the Bullet Train. Japan really knows how to take things to the next level.

 Day 3: We headed to Kamakura. What a beautiful walk to the Temple. It’s too bad the cherry blossoms weren’t in bloom yet. We went for a long walk to finally see the Great Buddha (Diabutsu). This was quite the sight with an impressive story. Here’s a little background to the Great Buddha. Construction started in 1252 and continued for approximately 10 years. The costs of construction the Diabutsu were met by the priest Joko, who successfully persuaded members of the community to make the necessary donations. 

Day 4: From the serenity of Kamakura, we headed for a crowded but fun day at Disney Sea. We all enjoyed fresh ideas, rides and themes. The kids were excited to finally be back at Disneyland. 

Day 5: Local shopping at Asakusa outdoor market. We thought for our last day in Tokyo we would do some local shopping and hunt out some more local cuisine. We headed to Asakusa. It was about 5 blocks of shops. Nearby was another set of Temples and gardens. We ate at a yummy traditional Japanese restaurant. We took our shoes off and sat in a sunken table. I tried sashimi for the first time. I must admit it was pretty good. We ended the day with green tea ice cream from the street vendor. My new favorite flavor. 

Day 6: wake up way too early and head home. Hanging out in the United lounge makes these trips so much better. We ate sushi and had a beer (for free). I really didn’t care our plane was leaving late. The kids were enjoying the food and entertainment. Again, the kids did great on the flight. They are becoming great world travelers. We are happy to be home in warm weather. Everyone is pooped. 

                          SAYOUNARA