You won’t believe it, but this post has been hanging out in my drafts for ages. It’s one of those stories I began writing with a burst of excitement, but life got in the way, and it sat there, patiently waiting for its turn.

The other day, I was scrolling through my old drafts and stumbled upon it. All those memories from that fantastic day at the Tokyo Skytree, the Hello Kitty store, and that mouthwatering dinner at Hanaya Yohei came rushing back. It was like rediscovering a hidden treasure.

I thought, “Why not finally finish this post?” It’s a story I’ve been itching to share, and it’s high time it saw the light of day. So, here we are, picking up where we left off on this long-overdue journey through my Tokyo adventure. Let’s make this story come alive, just like those memories did for me! 😊

Visiting the Tokyo Skytree was a real highlight during my Japan trip that time. I’d been eagerly waiting to see this incredible tower since it opened in 2012. So, one Monday night, I, my husband, my Mom, and my stepdad decided to head over and catch the stunning illumination show while avoiding the usual crowd.

The drive from Kashiwa took about an hour because of the traffic, but honestly, I didn’t mind at all. I was having a blast admiring the sights along the way. Plus, everywhere we looked, it seemed like Japan was gearing up for the holiday season with Christmas ornaments galore. It added to the excitement!

Once we arrived, we decided to park on the 5th floor of the building to ensure easy access to the 4th floor where you can buy same-day tickets. Fortunately, there wasn’t a long line at the ticket counter, so we got our tickets quickly.

We were then directed to the elevator that would take us up to the Tembo Deck, the first observatory located on the 350-meter floor. It’s quite high up there, but the elevator ride was incredibly swift and smooth. It almost felt like we weren’t ascending to that height, except for the telltale ear-popping sensation. Thankfully, I had some chewing gum with me, which was a lifesaver! 😉

We arrived just before the sunset, and I’m really glad we did because the view of the city from the Skytree’s Tembo Deck was nothing short of spectacular! I was absolutely thrilled and couldn’t stop snapping photos with my camera, almost like a paparazzi! 😁 The view up there is undeniably beautiful, and you can even catch glimpses of the Tokyo Tower and, though it was getting a bit dark, Mount Fuji.

There were plenty of people around, a nice mix of locals and fellow tourists, yet it didn’t feel too crowded. You had ample room to move and explore. The expressions of excitement and awe were written on everyone’s faces. People were taking photos at every turn, capturing the magic of the moment. It was a delightful place to be, surrounded by people who couldn’t help but smile. 😊 Everyone was so polite and kind, which is one of the things I absolutely love about visiting Japan. 🥰

After savoring the view from the Tembo Deck, we made our way to the 5th floor to explore the souvenir shops and pick up some goodies. My absolute favorite was the Hello Kitty shop! No surprises there, right? Ha ha ha! I’m an unapologetic Hello Kitty lover for life! 🤣 I was head over heels for everything in that store. If only I had the money and space at home, I probably would’ve cleaned out the entire shop.

To my surprise, my mom was incredibly kind. I didn’t even ask, but she insisted on paying and encouraged me to get more items. I managed to suppress my inner brat and settled for just two reasonably priced things. She mentioned that she doesn’t always get to do that these days, and it would make her happy. Awww, it truly melted my heart. ❤️

After we wrapped up our shopping, we made our way out to the terrace to catch the illumination show. I can’t recall the exact duration of the show, but I did manage to capture it on video. The illumination show was absolutely beautiful! All you could hear from people were exclamations like “oh,” “wow,” “ah,” and a mix of native languages. Ha ha ha! 🤣 It was a truly remarkable experience, unlike anything I’d ever witnessed before (during that time). I couldn’t help but fall in love with it! It’s incredible what technology can achieve these days.

Following the mesmerizing show, we strolled around the terrace to admire the giant Christmas tree and snapped a few more pictures. All that walking left us tired and famished, so we decided to head to Hanaya Yohei in Matsudo for dinner, one of my Mom and stepdad’s all-time favorite restaurants.

As it was our first time at the restaurant, we were unsure about what to order from the menu. So, we turned to my Mom for suggestions, and she recommended their favorite set meals. It turned out to be an excellent choice because the meal was absolutely delicious! 😋🥰

By the time we finished our dinner, it was already quite late. So, my mother and stepdad kindly dropped us off at our hotel, where we could get the much-needed rest for the adventures awaiting us the next day.

Looking back on that night, it reminded me how travel creates cherished memories and strengthens family bonds. Our Tokyo journey was just beginning, and this day was a highlight. ❤️

Join me for more stories from our Japanese adventure. There’s always a new adventure waiting just around the corner, and I’m excited to have you with me on this journey!

Thanks so much for your time! 🙏🥰