From doing some of the beats in Tokyo to doing hardly any of the eats in Osaka, let this serve as a testament to prospective travelers that you won’t succeed in doing a drop in an ocean’s worth of things in Japan…. But should you try?
Highlights:
(Days 7 through 9: Tokyo)
0:22 Strolling through Ueno Park in what appeared to be a shoehorned cherry blossom festival, with side trips to the Toshogu Shrine, the Gojoten Shrine, Shinobazuno Pond, and the University of Tokyo. The whole place is teeming with food vendors.
4:48 Ah, Akihabara, the pop culture center of Japan, where we could only do so much: Walking through figurine shops and eating at a sushi bar. Truth is, there is far more to do, like maid cafes, electronic shops, and Super Potato.
11:36 Watching the Yoimuri Giants play against the Chiba Lotte Marines in an exhibition game at the Tokyo Dome.
17:13 Crossing the Rainbow Bridge to Aomi, home to the Unicorn Gundam Statue.
22:34 Ascending the Tokyo Tower, which Rigo handled surprisingly well.
27:51 Exploring the teamlab Borderless Digital Art Museum ( and the Megaweb Toyota City Showcase.
(Days 9 through 11: Osaka)
37:48 Getting lost in the neon lights of Dotonbori and mulling the food offerings… only to settle for Taco Bell.
44:36 MORE castle climbing, this time it’s the Osaka Castle.
49:28 Wandering through Amerikamura and looking for somewhere to eat… and there are no shortages of restaurants and cuisines in Amerikamura.
53:25 Hiking up the Minoh River to the Minoh Falls.
57:01 Browsing La Puerta, a shop specializing in Chicano goods for the local folk.
(Day 12: Rinku Town)
59:07 Enjoying our final day in Japan by shopping for last-minute souvenirs and watching planes take off from Kansai Airport.
Songs:
0:00 “Kaze wo asumete” (風をあつめて) by Happy End
17:13 “Beautiful TIme” by Yoann Turpin
21:10 “Bring Your Adz” by Jake Shimabukuro
35:55 “You” by Begin
44:35 “Azuma Jishi (Azuma Lion Dance)” by Ensemble Nipponia
58:53 “Born Again” by Mayumi Itsuwa
Shot with a Sony HDR-CX500 and a GoPro Hero 5, the latter kindly loaned from Rico Garces. Edited on Adobe Premiere Pro.
AloJapan.com