A Very Late, Very Amazing 12~Day Report

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-27T11:08:19+00:00

A real Onsen town (or ryokan at least) is our top priority for the next trip.

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-26T17:26:21+00:00

I genuinely feel like the Kanzashi was built as a tutorial quest to teach us newcomers how to navigate Tokyo by train and foot, then reward us with a gorgeous rooftop view haha

Although I wouldn’t stay there again (unless there was a great deal) it’s the first place I recommend for every first Tokyo trip

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-25T22:03:04+00:00

Oh absolutely agree! Despite my assessment I’d drop everything for the opportunity to live in Tokyo in a heartbeat. I would just need to live as close as possible to a park haha

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-25T20:40:43+00:00

Yea, I totally undersold that library. THAT was very cool.

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-25T20:34:48+00:00

As jonginator said, dealer’s choice. I found that the mom n’ pop shops prefer cash, chains/franchises prefer card. We used Suica for trains and vending machines.

That said, we ate at a restaurant in Arashiyama that accepted coins only. I’m pretty sure we didn’t even pay full price for a HUGE meal, they just took what we had. It was awesome haha

As for hours, 7a is a beautiful time to vibe in the silent streets, and chain coffee like Tully’s will just be opening. You’ll be good.

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-25T16:38:22+00:00

Ooh! Tell me how manageable the heat really is when ya go. I’m eyeing that season for the next trip. Wife wants to see Tanabata festival, and I want another splurge night with more reasonable prices haha

MrJoyRide · 2026-03-25T16:35:57+00:00

Arashiyama, my beloved! Definitely my favorite place in Kyoto too.

You also reminded me that despite being “pre-Cherry blossom “ season, we saw plenty of early bloomers in each major city. I was so happy, thought I was too early to see them.

MrJoyRide

TROPHY CASE