50+ Daily life as a student in Japan | Cafés | Shrines | Mt Fuji Climb 😂 #shrine #japan #dailyvlog

50+ Daily life as a student in Japan | Cafés | Shrines | Mt Fuji Climb 😂 #shrine #japan #dailyvlog

[Music] Hi and welcome to my channel. And to everyone returning, it’s great to see you back. And if it’s your first time here, welcome. Today’s video is going to be something special. If you enjoy travel, Japan, cafes, and hidden history, stick around. And yes, don’t forget to subscribe, hit that hype button, turn on notifications so you don’t miss what’s coming next. It’s autumn break and we’ve got a full week off from language school. I’ve decided to head to Tokyo to see my daughter. We meet up with my online Japanese tutor in person and explore some exciting spots. In this video, I’ll take you through one of my cafe highlights, a serene shrine deep in Tokyo and a fun little climb up Mini Mount Fuji inside the city. Let’s get into it. I’m taking the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo and then I take the subway through to where my daughter lives. Now, when you’re booking the Shinkansen, if you want to have a view of Mount Fuji, depending on what train you’re traveling on, book seat D or E. That’s if it’s on a clear day. The Japanese call Mount Fuji Fuji Sun. And there is Fuji Sun. There’s no snow because it’s summer and it doesn’t snow on the top of Mount Fuji during the summer. If you’re a New Zealander and you’re watching this, an interesting fact, it’s around the same height as Mount Cook. Fujisan is 3,776 m high. And Mount Cook is 3,724 m high. That’s at the highest point. I want to say thank you to everybody who has subscribed. It really is helping my channel and just all your positive feedback is making me feel so good. So, thank you so much. If you’re new here, my name is Penny. I’m a New Zealander living in Japan and I’m sharing my life, my travel, and my study moments here. I sold everything in New Zealand and came to Japan to start a new life. So, if that’s something that you’re interested in, please hit that subscribe button. It would be great to have you come along with me. Today I’m meeting my online Japanese tutor. We’ve been studying together for months and I love meeting up with her. She is such a lovely person. It’s funny when you see someone every week through a screen, you think you know them, but inerson connection feels so much warmer. We’re going to a lovely little cafe and it’s called Farro Cafe. And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best cafes I’ve been to in Japan. We sat outside and the canop above us was actually a fruit tree, which was lovely. We weren’t quite sure what fruit it was, so when the waiter came, we actually asked them. [Music] [Music] So, we had beautiful coffees and they had such a lovely design on them. And then I had a salad for lunch and my daughter had a amazing sandwich. Just look at all the filling in there. While walking the streets of Sandaya, I spotted some artistic manhole covers tied to the manga Sangatsu no line. Because this area is home to the Shogi Hall, and that’s a big part of the manga’s story, the city has installed these custom manhole designs of the characters from the series. So, if you’re in Cinderaya, keep an eye under your feet. You might just step on a piece of art. We arrived at Hata Nomorei Hachiman Shrine and it’s tucked away in Shabuya. Even though it’s right in the middle of Tokyo, it feels peaceful. The moment you walk in the Tory gates, the noise of the city just disappears. The shrine dates back over a thousand years and it’s said to have been founded around the year 860. The name Hat Nomorei literally means dove forest. And according to legend, white doves descended here, which is why you see the dove motif on lanterns, charms, and even emma boards. Also known as Hutchiman Shrine, dedicated to God of warriors and protection. People come here to pray for safety, good luck, and success. [Music] Heat. Heat. And then there’s this, the Senaya Fuji Zuka. It’s basically a mini Mount Fuji built back in 1789 during the Edeto period so that people who couldn’t make the real climb could still complete the pilgrimage spiritually. The mound is made from real volcanic rock brought from Mount Fuji itself. It’s about 6 m high. It doesn’t sound like much, but with the steep steps and the uneven rocks, it still feels like a mini adventure. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] From the top, you get a great view of the shine grounds. And on clear days, you can even spot the Olympic Stadium nearby. It’s a nice reminder of how history and modern life overlap in Tokyo. [Music] [Music] So, yes, I can officially say I climbed Mount Fuji. Well, kind of. It might not be the 3,776 m high like the real one is, but I’ll take it. This shrine is certainly worth a visit. It was so peaceful and quiet. As you could see when I’m walking around, there weren’t many people here. [Music] [Music] And that’s it for today’s video. I really hope you enjoyed coming along with me for my day’s outing, finding a beautiful cafe, and climbing my very own Mount Fuji. It’s been such a good day. If you like this video, please subscribe to the channel and give it a thumbs up. And don’t forget to hit that hype button. It really helps more people find my videos. I’ve got more Japanese adventures coming soon, so stay tuned. And as always, thank you so much for watching. Take care everyone. And until next time, see you.

I’m Pennie, a Kiwi in my 50s, embracing a fresh start.

☕ First stop — Faro Caffé in Yoyogi, a beautiful spot with warm light, handmade sandwiches, and incredible coffee. It’s calm, stylish, and a perfect break from Tokyo’s noise.

⛩️ Then I visited Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine in Sendagaya, one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines surrounded by trees, doves, and a peaceful atmosphere. But the best part? It’s home to a mini Mount Fuji — the Sendagaya Fujizuka — a tiny replica built in 1789. Climbing it felt like a spiritual little victory… so yes, I can now say I “climbed Mt Fuji”!

Along the way, I also found some Sangatsu no Lion (March Comes in Like a Lion) manhole covers — a fun surprise for anime fans.

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If you enjoy Japan travel, quiet shrines, and simple everyday life, I hope you’ll love this video.
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I’m Pennie, a Kiwi in my 50s, embracing a fresh start. I made the leap from New Zealand to Japan in September 2024 to study Japanese in Nagoya while pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Management online. Following bariatric surgery in October 2024, I’m diving into a whirlwind of exploration, transformation, and self-discovery. Get ready for some thrilling adventures as I navigate this exciting chapter of life and share my experiences along the way!

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