TRAVEL｜Vancouver Vlog | Summer Trip Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island & Stanley Park

TRAVEL｜Vancouver Vlog | Summer Trip Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island & Stanley Park

Hey everyone, it’s Chihiro from Brooklyn! This time, I’m sharing our 5-day summer trip to Vancouver, Canada. It’s actually a continuation of our Chicago trip, so I’d love it if you check that one out too! I look so tired, but we finally made it to Vancouver Airport! We thought we should get some Canadian dollars, maybe like 20 bucks. The exchange rate’s terrible—almost one to one… I’d heard airport rates were bad, but doing it myself really hit me. We took the train into the city—almost panicked when tap pay didn’t work! Our friend in Vancouver said, “You came at the best season!” And honestly, the weather couldn’t be more perfect. Wow, I feel like I haven’t seen mountains in forever! Seeing mountains from the train reminded me of home in Japan—so nostalgic. It was super convenient—just one train to get to our hotel station. All those overhead wires for the streetcars are kind of cool-looking. The city feels like a mix of Europe and Asia—so unique. They gave us a high-floor room for a nice view—so lucky! That’s the bathroom we’re peeking into. Clumsy me. The front desk was right—it’s such a beautiful view. I kinda wished I’d brought some bath salts, but the shower was good enough. Water’s self-serve here. Tried a bed jump, but there was a footrest—so it didn’t work out, haha. We got hungry, so time to head out for dinner! I’d heard Vancouver has tons of Japanese restaurants, so we went to Gyukaku—the one we couldn’t get into in Chicago! I’d been craving yakiniku this whole trip. We ate so much—don’t think I need barbecue for a while. There’s a 3-hour time difference from New York, so I was getting sleepy. After enjoying the night view, we went to bed early to get ready for tomorrow. Such a beautiful day! We went to Tim Hortons right below the hotel. It’s a Canadian coffee chain with both sweet and savory options. I ordered something from the breakfast menu, but… It looks totally different from the picture—was there always this sauce? I got a bagel sandwich. You can see maple leaves everywhere—so Canadian! There’s a shuttle bus that leaves from right behind our hotel, so we headed there. Quite a few people were already waiting for the shuttle. Then this big bus pulled up. We even got a $5-off coupon from the hotel—score! You can also buy tickets online if you want. So many tall trees everywhere. “Capilano” apparently means “beautiful river”—such a perfect name for this place. There are all kinds of totem poles here, and they do guided explanations at certain times. But we decided to cross the suspension bridge first before it got crowded. It was built in 1889—137 meters long and 70 meters high! Uh oh… I might not make it. This is scary! My husband started whining right away, but I kept going. It swings a lot since people are going both ways. Ahh, okay… yeah, this is kinda scary. My husband looks super tense right now. It’s shaking so much, like someone’s doing it on purpose! But the view from the bridge is absolutely amazing. That’s the “beautiful river” — the meaning behind the name Capilano. The sides are secured with steel fences and ropes, so it feels safe enough. That last little uphill section really worked my legs! I thought crossing the bridge was the end, but nope—there’s more! A staff lady told us the treetop bridges are super fun, so we decided to try them. Okay, this one might be a bit scary too… Come on, honey! Let’s face the fear together! Heading to the “Treetop Adventure”! First, we climbed up to about halfway up the trees. It’s way more stable than the main bridge, so much easier to walk on. From a distance it looks pretty high, but up here it actually feels really peaceful. So many tall trees—just breathtaking. We looped all the way around and slowly made our way down. The sound of the river and forest was like healing music. This tree is about 800 years old—wow. We wanted to explore more, so we kept walking along the paved trail. There were tiny fish and bugs in the pond—so fun to look at. Looking up from under the bridge, you can see it shaking a lot. That made my husband even more nervous. The paths through the forest are well-paved, so it’s safe to walk around. Then we crossed the bridge again to get back. So many people were coming in—we were lucky to come early. After seeing all that greenery, I swear my eyesight got better. Next, we headed to another attraction. It’s called “Cliffwalk”—literally walking along a cliff! You go down this narrow path that’s barely wide enough for one person. It’s not too scary because there’s greenery, but the walkway runs right beside the cliff. This might be the best part of the park. You can even see the suspension bridge on the other side—such an amazing view! Of course, going down means you have to climb back up. There’s a little spring flowing down—it looked so pretty. Honestly, it looks scarier from above than actually walking it. We spent about two hours surrounded by nature—such a refreshing break. Time to head back. At the exit, we got a certificate saying we survived! Then we took the same shuttle bus back to the hotel. Next stop: Granville Island! We’ll grab lunch there too. You can hop on and off the ferry as many times as you want— all that for around 20 dollars, they said. We’re just riding one stop this time on the Aquabus. It’s super close, but to walk there you’d have to go all the way around the bridge. Here it comes—that’s our ride! You show your ticket to the staff after you board. And just like that, we arrived! Those buildings with blue-tinted windows—that’s very Vancouver style. I honestly have no idea where we are right now, haha. We figured the market would have food, so we popped in. Whoa, this place is legit. Everything made in Vancouver looks so good. It’s like a food court, and I can’t decide what to eat. Maybe fish and chips? Alright, got one. I’m feeling veggie-deprived, so I want something salad-y. We went with an all-in-one, super-balanced combo for lunch. Then we headed to a coffee shop our friend recommended. Couldn’t resist—grabbed a tasty-looking baked good at the counter too. Concrete exterior with warm wood inside—such a perfect match. They’re known for great coffee, but the barista sold me on a matcha latte—and it was delicious. We took a little walk and made it out to a chic beach area. People were playing beach volleyball and sunbathing—full summer vibes. Whoa, look at that boat! Apparently people use them for fishing, water sports, and even like an RV on the water. It started sprinkling, so we headed back to the hotel early. Granville Island area was a blast! If it had been sunny, we wanted to visit Victoria, but it poured all morning, so we gave up on that plan. Today we’ll just stroll around Vancouver and take it easy. We found a spot for brunch. It’s a Mediterranean-style restaurant. I forget exactly what we ordered—mine was a steak-y sandwich thing, and my husband got a tomato-sauce dish the server recommended. The runny eggs were just right. Hearty, meaty sandwich—so good. We went to see the Gastown Steam Clock, but everything was barricaded. There was a bike race going on, so walking around was tough. We’ll come back tomorrow. Coffee break time. So many tempting pastries—I couldn’t choose. After the cafe break, we just wandered around near the hotel. We spotted a Marugame Udon, so dinner’s gonna be udon! It looks so stylish here—different vibe from Japan’s Marugame. Thought this was some kind of juice, but it was iced tea. It came with the kake-udon set. I asked for kakiage and they said, “We’ll make it fresh—just wait a bit.” They handed me a freshly fried one—amazing. That gentle udon flavor hits different when you’re abroad. It reminded me of Marugame at Haneda Airport before flying back to New York. Udon, tempura, kakiage—everything was fantastic. For our last night, we stayed at a different hotel. We booked it using Capital One miles. The double-opening doors were unusual—we had to play with them. Behind the doors, there’s the bathroom. Two sinks, so we don’t clash getting ready in the morning. Amenities were L’Occitane—love that scent, lucky us. No bathtub, but the overhead shower warmed me up head to toe. I liked that the shower and toilet were in separate spaces too. Getting ready to head out! Now we’re off to Stanley Park. It’s just about a 10-minute bus ride from the stop in front of our hotel. It’s one of the largest urban parks, and they say it still has old-growth forest. For now, we’re just following where everyone else seems to be going. We wanted to see the totem poles, but there’s no sign for them… Maybe no one goes that way? Time to ask Professor Google Maps! We’re navigating using Google Maps. I’m bad at reading maps—I like to face the same direction we’re walking. We’re on the right track! You look like someone carrying a compass. Pretty sure we’re following the route correctly. Oh! Finally found a sign! Glad we were going the right way! Whoa, look at this tree! Such a beautiful conifer. Feels like the perfect spot, right? I’m full of energy right now! Oh really? The weather’s perfect, and being surrounded by nature feels amazing. They say parts of “Jumanji” were filmed here—so many majestic trees. Why did they cut this tree like that? We saw some Canada geese crossing at the crosswalk. They didn’t make it across fast enough and were holding up traffic, haha. Almost there! The city view of Vancouver from here is just stunning. Tall totem poles welcome us as we arrive. They’re hand-carved with animals and mythical figures stacked together. Further back, we found more colorful ones lined up. The colors and designs really give you a sense of the local culture. There’s also a little gift shop, so we browsed around. Not really related to totem poles, but I kinda wanted this one thing. I ended up buying a cute wooden sticker. We had a great time—now walking around the park toward the bus stop. Loved how nature and the city blend so beautifully here. And once again, asking Google Maps for directions. We found a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant for lunch. So happy there’s so much Japanese food here! Of course, hand sanitizer before eating. My husband got the fillet cutlet set—refills on rice and cabbage are free! I got the grated daikon cutlet set. The daikon was way chunkier than I expected! You grind your own sesame seeds and mix them with the sauce—so fun. Totally satisfied! After lunch, we walked around downtown toward Gastown again since we missed it yesterday. Last year, when we visited Otaru in Hokkaido, we saw a steam clock there too. Turns out, the same person who built this one made the one in Otaru! The one in Otaru runs on electricity, but this one’s powered by real steam. The steam clock whistles every 15 minutes, but the one on the hour is the longest. Wish we’d come a little earlier to catch that one! It’s almost whistle time—everyone’s starting to get excited. It sounds just like a school bell! There are a ton of souvenir shops around the steam clock, so we came for maple syrup. Maple syrup everywhere you look! Checking out small bottles of maple syrup for souvenirs. These maple candy boxes look cute too. The classic syrup bottle shape would make the perfect gift. The maple leaf glass bottles are beautiful, but a bit heavy to carry. Got our souvenirs! Before dinner with our Vancouver friends, we chilled at a café. I was only going to get coffee, but the cakes looked too good to resist. After meeting up with our friends and having dinner, they gave us a little city tour by car. We visited the old Japantown area. It used to be a Japanese Canadian community. This white building was where the Vancouver Japanese School once stood. It’s now registered as a historic building. These days it’s a Japanese language school, and a small community still remains. Next, we drove through East Hastings Street, known as one of the rougher areas in Vancouver. We just passed through by car, but yeah—it’s pretty intense. We saw a lot of people struggling with addiction, even using drugs on the street. The sketchiest spots had groups of people gathered around looking uneasy. There are even fancy Italian restaurants nearby, so be cautious if you visit. I’d heard about the area, but seeing it in person was honestly unsettling. Later we saw the 2010 Olympic Cauldron and the Digital Orca sculpture to calm down a bit. Thanks for the city tour, friend! It’s our last morning in Vancouver. Even though we had salmon yesterday, we couldn’t resist getting it again at a nearby café. Such a stylish dish came out! Now that we’re in our 30s and 40s, we crave fish dishes more than before. My husband went for an avocado toast—so health-conscious. They asked how he wanted his eggs, and the server recommended “medium.” So here’s what “medium” looks like. We were a bit unsure at first, but it was delicious. The weather was so nice, we took a walk along the waterfront. Vancouver’s known for rain, but this season was surprisingly dry and pleasant. Next time, I’d love to go trekking or visit Victoria. We went to buy some decaf coffee beans that a friend recommended. Our Vancouver friends said they’ve felt better since switching to decaf, so we decided to try cutting back on caffeine too. I used to not like decaf coffee much, but it actually tastes great now—coffee tech has really improved! Then we took the train back to the airport. Our 5-day trip to Vancouver was amazing. We’re flying back to Newark Airport with Air Canada. By the way, Newark Airport isn’t in New York—it’s actually in New Jersey. Arrived at Newark Airport! Picked up our luggage and heading home by Lyft. Our legs felt so heavy walking to the pickup spot—so tired. Next time we travel, we really need to build up our stamina for hiking! Huge thanks to our friends in Vancouver!

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I’m Chihiro, living in Brooklyn. On this channel, I share authentic glimpses into the everyday life and travels of Japanese people living in the U.S.

Join us on a 5-day summer trip from Chicago to Vancouver.
We explored some of Vancouver’s most beautiful spots including Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island, and Stanley Park, while enjoying cafés, local food, and relaxing walks through the city.

We also visited Gastown’s Steam Clock and met up with a friend who lives in Vancouver.
She shared some local recommendations, and we had a fun dinner together, experiencing the city from a local’s perspective.
If you are planning a trip to Vancouver, Canada, or enjoy calm and aesthetic travel vlogs, this video is for you.

Travel period: July 2025
Route: Chicago → Vancouver → Newark
Previous video: Chicago Travel Vlog → https://youtu.be/o2bIc_HvzUY?si=t-Z3EIMWHPxGc7SS

*You can turn on subtitles via the CC button in the video settings.

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ブルックリンで生活しているちひろです。このチャンネルでは、アメリカで暮らす日本人の日常や旅のリアルな姿をお届けします。

2025年7月上旬、シカゴからカナダ・バンクーバーへ4泊5日の旅。
キャピラノ吊り橋を渡ってパークのアトラクションを楽しみ、グランビルアイランドでランチとカフェ、そして街歩きをしました。

スタンレーパークではトーテムポールを見て、ガスタウンの蒸気時計を訪れました。
また、バンクーバーに住む友達におすすめのスポットを教えてもらい、ディナーを一緒に楽しみながら地元の雰囲気を感じました。
自然も街もカフェも楽しめる、夏のバンクーバー旅行VLOGです。

ルート：シカゴ → バンクーバー → ニューアーク
前回の動画：シカゴ編はこちら →https://youtu.be/o2bIc_HvzUY?si=t-Z3EIMWHPxGc7SS

日常の生活の様子や移住のための奮闘は夫婦で運営しているブログで発信しています
https://meoto-ny.com
アメリカのクレジットカード情報はこちらから
https://credit.meoto-ny.com/

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0:00 Opening
0:28 ORD to YVR
3:18 Day2
3:55 Capilano Suspension Bridge
9:24 Granville Island
12:13 Day3 – City Walk
14:29 Day4
15:14 Stanley Park – Totem Poles
19:19 Gastown Steam Clock
22:32 Day5
24:08 YVR to EWR
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BGM | Epidemic Sound: https://share.epidemicsound.com/r4tey6

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